Pests and pest control in Columbia, SC

Pests to know in Columbia

• Mosquito
• Rats and mice
• Formosan Subterranean Termite
• Subterranean termites

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

Termites in Columbia

• Formosan subterranean termites arrived in Charleston in the mid-1950s and occur mainly in South Carolina's coastal counties, with outlying finds in Orangeburg and York counties.^[3]
• The eastern subterranean termite and the southeastern subterranean termite are South Carolina's two most commonly encountered termites and are found statewide.^[4]

Pests local experts flag

Richland County Vector Control treats mosquitoes and, in some cases, rats; residents request service with one call or email through the county Ombudsman.^[1]

Climate

Central Columbia (ZIP 29201) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b, where the average coldest winter night is 15 to 20°F.^[8]

Public agencies that handle pests

• Richland County Vector Control sprays for adult mosquitoes at night, using surveillance data to pick the areas most in need.^[1]
• Richland County monitors mosquito activity in 22 of its most populated zones using light traps and rain gauges.^[1]
• At least 61 mosquito species live in South Carolina, and the most common diseases they may carry include West Nile, Eastern equine encephalitis and dog and cat heartworm.^[2]

Local rules and responsibilities

SC DPH does not provide mosquito control; programs are run locally, and DPH urges local governments to adopt ordinances that reduce standing water.^[2]

Hiring a licensed company

• A South Carolina structural pest control business needs a Category 7A Pesticide Business License with a full-time Designated Certified Applicator; licenses run January 1 to December 31.^[6]
• Clemson University's Department of Pesticide Regulation is South Carolina's lead pesticide agency, with 14 field investigators inspecting pesticide use statewide.^[7]

Licensing agency: Clemson University — Department of Pesticide Regulation^[9].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

Clemson Extension recommends a termite pre-treatment by a licensed South Carolina pest control operator when building a new home, either soil termiticide or bait stations.^[5]

Through the year

Summer

Richland County responds to mosquito complaints in the summer and larvicides mapped breeding sites throughout mosquito season.^[1]

Spring

In spring, South Carolina subterranean termite colonies release swarmers, which are often confused with ants that also swarm in spring.^[5]

Sources

1. Richland County, “Vector Control.” www.richlandcountysc.gov/Utilities-Services/Animals/Vector-Control (accessed 2026-10-06)
2. South Carolina Department of Public Health, “Mosquitoes in South Carolina.” dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/insects-and-vector-borne-diseases/mosquitoes-south-carolina (accessed 2026-10-06)
3. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center, “Formosan Subterranean Termites.” hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/formosan-subterranean-termites/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
4. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center, “Termites of South Carolina.” hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/termites-of-south-carolina/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
5. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center, “Subterranean Termite Control.” hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/subterranean-termite-control/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
6. Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation, “Licensing.” www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/pesticide-regulation/licensing/index.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
7. Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation, “Pesticide Regulation.” www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/pesticide-regulation/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
8. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 29201 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/29201.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
9. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)