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Pests and pest control in Colorado Springs, CO

Pests to know in Colorado Springs

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

Termites in Colorado Springs

  • CSU Extension says at least three native subterranean termite species live in Colorado; the aridland subterranean termite occurs across most of the state below roughly 7,500 feet, which includes Colorado Springs.[1]
  • Structural termite damage in Colorado has historically been uncommon next to warmer, wetter states, but CSU notes infestations are becoming more common where irrigation and downspouts keep foundations damp.[1]

Invasive species reported here

  • Emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle that kills ash trees, was confirmed in Colorado Springs by the Colorado State Forest Service in July 2026.[5]
  • Ash makes up roughly a fifth of Colorado Springs' urban trees, and City Forestry warns that untreated ash can die within a few years once infested.[5]

Climate

Central Colorado Springs (ZIP 80903) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6a, where the average coldest winter night is -10 to -5°F.[9]

Public agencies that handle pests

  • El Paso County Public Health says plague is firmly established in local wild rodents and, in this county, also shows up in tree squirrels common in city parks and residential areas.[2]
  • If you notice an unusual number of dead wild rodents, El Paso County Public Health asks you to report it to its Environmental Health division and not to handle the animals.[2]

Hiring a licensed company

  • City and county rules require every cat and dog in the area to be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian, according to El Paso County Public Health.[4]
  • City Forestry tells residents treating private ash trees to confirm the applicator is a Qualified Pesticide Applicator with the Colorado Department of Agriculture; treatments repeat every three years.[5]
  • In Colorado, anyone applying pesticides for hire, or any business selling services that include pesticide application, must hold a commercial pesticide applicator business license from the state Department of Agriculture.[6]

Licensing agency: Colorado Department of Agriculture — Division of Plant Industry, Pesticide Programs[10].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

CSU Extension's El Paso County office in Colorado Springs runs a Master Gardener help desk, staffed in person from May through September and by email year-round, for plant and insect questions.[7]

Through the year

Summer to Fall
Late summer is peak West Nile season: county health officials note most Colorado human cases are reported in August and September.[3]
Spring to Summer
Miller moths, the adult army cutworm, migrate through eastern Colorado toward the mountains; in outbreak years flights usually start between mid-May and early June and can last five to six weeks.[8]

Sources

  1. Colorado State University Extension (PlantTalk Colorado), “1400-3 – Termites in Colorado.” planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/insects-diseases/1400-3-termites-colorado/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. El Paso County Public Health, “Plague.” www.elpasocountyhealth.org/plague/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. El Paso County Public Health, “West Nile Virus.” www.elpasocountyhealth.org/west-nile-virus/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. El Paso County Public Health, “Rabies.” www.elpasocountyhealth.org/rabies/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. City of Colorado Springs Forestry, “Emerald Ash Borer.” coloradosprings.gov/EAB (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. Colorado Department of Agriculture, “Commercial Applicators.” ag.colorado.gov/commercial-applicators (accessed 2026-10-06)
  7. Colorado State University Extension – El Paso County, “CSU Extension El Paso County.” elpaso.extension.colostate.edu/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  8. Colorado State University Extension, “Miller Moths.” extension.colostate.edu/resource/miller-moths/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  9. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 80903 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/80903.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
  10. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-15. Every statement on this page comes from the cited local, state or university source. Spot an error? Tell us.