Pests and pest control in Birmingham, AL

Pests to know in Birmingham

• Ticks
• Subterranean termites
• Formosan Subterranean Termite
• Brown Recluse

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

Termites in Birmingham

Alabama Extension says the state's climate is especially favorable to termites, which can be active year-round throughout most of Alabama.^[6]

Invasive species reported here

Formosan subterranean termites are most common in coastal Mobile and Baldwin counties. In 2021, entomologists reported more serious infestations in central Alabama.^[6]

Pests local experts flag

• Alabama Extension identifies the lone star tick as the most abundant tick species in Alabama. It aggressively seeks out human and pet hosts.^[5]
• Brown recluse spiders have been collected throughout Alabama but are more common in the northern half of the state, according to Alabama Extension.^[9]

Climate

Central Birmingham (ZIP 35203) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8a, where the average coldest winter night is 10 to 15°F.^[11]

Public agencies that handle pests

• Jefferson County Department of Health environmental health specialists investigate vector complaints. They work with property owners to get rid of mosquito and rodent breeding places and sources.^[1]
• JCDH warns that pesticides or poisons only fix a vector problem temporarily unless basic sanitation is also done. It notes that heavy infestations may call for a licensed pest control company.^[1]
• The Alabama Department of Public Health says infected mosquitoes in Alabama have been found carrying Eastern equine encephalitis, Saint Louis encephalitis and La Crosse encephalitis.^[2]
• According to ADPH, West Nile virus cases have been reported from every public health district in Alabama.^[3]

Hiring a licensed company

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries issues annual Structural Professional Services licenses to businesses that do household pest control, fumigation or wood-destroying organism control.^[8]

Licensing agency: Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries — Pest Management Division^[12].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

Alabama Extension serves Jefferson County, Alabama's most populous county, with programs in lawn and garden, natural resources and urban extension.^[10]

Through the year

Spring to Fall

Ticks in Alabama are most active in early spring and late fall, but tick-borne illnesses have been reported in every season. Common species include the blacklegged, American dog and lone star ticks.^[4]

Spring to Summer

Alabama Extension recommends scheduling an annual termite inspection in late spring or early summer, because rising spring temperatures bring termites out to forage and swarm.^[7]

Sources

1. Jefferson County Department of Health, “General Sanitation and Vector Control.” www.jcdh.org/SitePages/Programs-Services/EnvironmentalHealth/CommunityEnvironmentalProtection/GenSanPestControl.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
2. Alabama Department of Public Health, “Mosquito-borne Diseases.” www.alabamapublichealth.gov/mosquito/index.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
3. Alabama Department of Public Health, “West Nile Virus.” www.alabamapublichealth.gov/mosquito/west-nile.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
4. Alabama Department of Public Health, “Tick-borne Diseases.” www.alabamapublichealth.gov/tick/index.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
5. Alabama Cooperative Extension System, “Ticks & Tick-Borne Illnesses in Alabama.” www.aces.edu/blog/topics/home-family/ticks-tick-borne-illnesses-in-alabama/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
6. Alabama Cooperative Extension System, “Termite Territory is Expanding in Alabama—The Basics of Termite Control.” www.aces.edu/blog/topics/home/termite-territory-is-expanding-in-alabama-the-basics-of-termite-control/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
7. Alabama Cooperative Extension System, “Schedule Your Termite Annual Inspection To Avoid Costly Home Damage.” www.aces.edu/blog/topics/home/schedule-your-termite-annual-inspection-to-avoid-costly-home-damage/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
8. Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, “Professional Services.” agi.alabama.gov/pesticidemanagement/programs/professional-services/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
9. Alabama Cooperative Extension System, “The Brown Recluse Spider: Facts & Control.” www.aces.edu/blog/topics/home/the-brown-recluse-spider-facts-control/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
10. Alabama Cooperative Extension System, “Alabama Extension: Explore Partners in Jefferson County.” www.aces.edu/blog/topics/counties/alabama-extension-explore-partners-in-jefferson-county/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
11. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 35203 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/35203.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
12. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)