Pests and pest control in Dallas, TX

Pests to know in Dallas

• Subterranean termites
• Red Imported Fire Ant
• Scorpions
• Eastern Bloodsucking Conenose

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

Termites in Dallas

Native subterranean termites live throughout the United States, and their wide range makes them the most economically important termites.^[1]

Pests local experts flag

• Red imported fire ants infest the eastern two-thirds of Texas.^[5]
• The striped bark scorpion is the most common and widespread scorpion in Texas, and it can be found indoors or outdoors.^[6]
• Texas A&M lists the kissing bug species Triatoma sanguisuga in central and northern Texas.^[7]

Climate

Central Dallas (ZIP 75201) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b, where the average coldest winter night is 15 to 20°F.^[8]

Public agencies that handle pests

• The Dallas County Health and Human Services lab tests mosquito samples for West Nile virus. When a sample is positive, mosquito abatement teams treat the affected areas.^[2]
• The City of Dallas mosquito control program traps and collects mosquitoes every week. It also checks known breeding sites and applies larvicide.^[3]

Local rules and responsibilities

The City of Dallas enforces city codes on standing water and responds to standing water problems as part of mosquito control.^[3]

Hiring a licensed company

The state pesticide regulatory agency for Texas is the Texas Department of Agriculture (Pesticide Programs), which oversees pesticide applicator certification and licensing.^[9]

Licensing agency: Texas Department of Agriculture — Pesticide Programs^[9].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office for Dallas County is at 6820 LBJ Fwy and runs the Texas Master Gardener Program.^[4]

Through the year

Spring to Fall

Kissing bugs in Texas are most active in summer, from May through September.^[7]

Sources

1. Texas A&M University Urban and Structural Entomology Program, “Native Subterranean Termites.” urbanentomology.tamu.edu/urban-pests/termites/native/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
2. Dallas County Health and Human Services, “DCHHS Confirms West Nile Virus in Mosquito Samples, Plans Ground Spraying (May 19, 2026).” www.dallascounty.org/Assets/uploads/docs/hhs/press-releases/2026/05-19-2026-WNV-Ground-Spraying-Scheduled-Rowlett.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
3. City of Dallas Code Compliance, “Mosquito Control.” dallas.gov/departments/codecompliance/consumer-health/Pages/mosquito-control.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
4. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, “Dallas County - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.” agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/counties/dallas-county/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
5. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, “Red Imported Fire Ant - Field Guide to Common Texas Insects.” web.archive.org/web/20250120120213/texasinsects.tamu.edu/red-imported-fire-ant/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
6. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, “Striped Bark Scorpion - Field Guide to Common Texas Insects.” web.archive.org/web/20260630183826/texasinsects.tamu.edu/striped-bark-scorpion/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
7. Texas A&M University Kissing Bug Program, “Resources - Kissing Bugs & Chagas Disease.” kissingbug.tamu.edu/resources/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
8. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 75201 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/75201.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)