Pests and pest control in Augusta, GA

Pests to know in Augusta

• Subterranean termites
• American Dog Tick
• Mosquito

Why each one matters here is cited in the sections below.

Termites in Augusta

• Georgia sits in the 'termite belt,' and UGA says the yards of most Georgia homes hold one or more subterranean termite colonies.^[3]
• Formosan termites are rare in Georgia. Unlike native species, they swarm at night in late May or early June and are drawn to lights.^[4]

Pests local experts flag

• The lone star tick is Georgia's most common tick and the American dog tick is second, according to the Department of Public Health.^[5]
• Georgia is home to 63 mosquito species, according to UGA entomologists.^[9]

Climate

Central Augusta (ZIP 30901) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b, where the average coldest winter night is 15 to 20°F.^[10]

Public agencies that handle pests

• Georgia was the first state to report the Asian tiger mosquito in every county. The Department of Public Health calls it the state's number one pest species away from the coast.^[5]
• In Georgia, local governments decide whether to spray for mosquitoes, while state public health officials promote an integrated mosquito control approach.^[5]
• Georgia DPH's Vector-Borne Diseases Team tracks bed bugs. Bed bugs don't carry disease, but their bites can cause allergic skin reactions in some people.^[6]

Local rules and responsibilities

Augusta-Richmond County's Public Nuisance Ordinance covers refuse, rubble, decay, overgrown vegetation and similar threats. Violations must be fixed within 10 days of notice.^[1]

Hiring a licensed company

Georgia requires anyone who provides pest management services to hold a valid license from the Department of Agriculture's Structural Pest Division.^[8]

Licensing agency: Georgia Department of Agriculture — Plant Industry Division^[11].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

• The UGA Richmond County Extension Office is at 501 Greene Street in downtown Augusta. Its staff can help diagnose plant pests from photos emailed to uge3245@uga.edu.^[2]
• Lyme disease was first recognized in Georgia in 1987. UGA Extension says cases occur statewide, with the most in the northern half of the state.^[7]

Through the year

Winter to Spring

Subterranean termite swarmers fly in spring in Georgia, most often from February to April. Discarded wings and mud tubes are common warning signs.^[3]

Sources

1. Augusta, Georgia – Planning & Development, “Public Nuisance & State Nuisance Abatement.” www.augustaga.gov/1068/Public-Nuisance-State-Nuisance-Abatement (accessed 2026-10-06)
2. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension – Richmond County, “Richmond County Extension.” extension.uga.edu/county-offices/richmond.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
3. University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, “Preventing termites in Georgia homes.” fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/news/preventing-termites-in-georgia-homes/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
4. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, “Identifying the Formosan Subterranean Termite.” fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/C868/identifying-the-formosan-subterranean-termite/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
5. Georgia Department of Public Health, “Vector Surveillance Facts & FAQs.” dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/insects-and-diseases/vector-surveillance-facts-faqs (accessed 2026-10-06)
6. Georgia Department of Public Health, “Insects and Diseases.” dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/insects-and-diseases (accessed 2026-10-06)
7. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, “Protect Yourself from Ticks.” fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/C937/protect-yourself-from-ticks/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
8. Georgia Department of Agriculture, “Structural Pest Control.” agr.georgia.gov/structural-pest-control (accessed 2026-10-06)
9. University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, “Protect yourself from mosquito baby boom.” fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/news/protect-yourself-from-mosquito-baby-boom/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
10. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 30901 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/30901.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
11. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)