Pests to know in Charleston
Termites in Charleston
West Virginia's termite treatment rule requires the work to be documented before treatment with graphs and specifications, completed by a commercial applicator certified in structural pest control.[9]
Invasive species reported here
West Virginia's first spotted lanternfly population was found in 2019 near Bunker Hill in Berkeley County. The state ag department asks residents to email sightings with a photo.[7]
Pests local experts flag
- The invasive Asian tiger mosquito is active statewide from May to October. It prefers to breed close to people and bites humans readily.[4]
- In state insecticide testing, the Asian tiger mosquitoes collected in South Charleston were the only population flagged as developing resistance to bifenthrin.[4]
Climate
Central Charleston (ZIP 25301) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7a, where the average coldest winter night is 0 to 5°F.[10]
Public agencies that handle pests
- The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department's environmental health division takes vector control complaints and runs rabies investigations for animal encounters in the county.[1]
- Two mosquito-borne diseases are endemic in West Virginia: La Crosse encephalitis and West Nile virus. Severe La Crosse illness most often hits children under 16.[2]
- Lyme disease is the tickborne illness reported most often in West Virginia. Most infections happen between late spring and early fall.[3]
Hiring a licensed company
Any business in West Virginia that sells, stores, recommends, mixes, or applies pesticides needs a state pesticide business license. Uncertified employees who apply pesticides must finish approved technician training within 30 days of being hired.[8]
Free local help
- WVU Extension says the American dog tick is the tick West Virginians run into most. It feeds on dogs but also on many other animals.[5]
- Suspect bed bugs can be identified for free by the West Virginia University Pest Identification Lab. Seal the insect in a bag and bring it to a WVU Extension county office.[6]
Through the year
- Summer to Fall
- In Kanawha County, West Nile virus cases show up mostly in late summer or early autumn. The health department asks residents to report dead birds they see.[1]
- Spring to Fall
- In West Virginia, mosquito- and tick-borne illnesses start in early spring and peak in August and September, when both people and bugs are most active outdoors.[2]
Sources
- Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, “Disaster and Disease.” www.kchdwv.org/home/environmental/Disaster-and-Disease/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, “Health Advisory #159: Vector-borne Disease Season.” www.kchdwv.org/health-advisory-159-vector-borne-disease-season/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- West Virginia Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services, “Tickborne Diseases.” oeps.wv.gov/tickborne-diseases (accessed 2026-10-06)
- West Virginia Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services, “West Virginia Mosquito and Tick Surveillance Report.” oeps.wv.gov/media/146/download (accessed 2026-10-06)
- WVU Extension, “Ticks.” extension.wvu.edu/lawn-gardening-pests/pests/tick (accessed 2026-10-06)
- WVU Extension, “Bed Bugs.” extension.wvu.edu/lawn-gardening-pests/pests/bed-bug (accessed 2026-10-06)
- West Virginia Department of Agriculture, “Spotted Lanternfly.” agriculture.wv.gov/divisions/plant-industries/spotted-lanternfly/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- West Virginia Department of Agriculture, “Licensing Requirements.” agriculture.wv.gov/Licensing-Requirements/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- West Virginia Department of Agriculture (W. Va. Code R. § 61-12C-3, via Cornell LII), “W. Va. Code R. § 61-12C-3 - General Requirements for Termite Treatments in West Virginia.” www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/west-virginia/W-Va-C-S-R-SS-61-12C-3 (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 25301 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/25301.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)