Pests and pest control in Dayton, OH

Pests to know in Dayton

• Mosquito
• Subterranean termites
• Spotted Lanternfly
• Tree and shrub pests

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

Termites in Dayton

• Ohio State's Plant Pest Diagnostic Clinic identified a swarm sample sent from Dayton in early April 2024 as Eastern subterranean termites.^[3]
• Ohio State entomologists say Eastern subterranean termites in Ohio swarm over spring and early summer, and an infested home can see tens of thousands of winged termites indoors.^[3]

Invasive species reported here

Spotted lanternfly was first identified in Ohio in 2020, and the Ohio Department of Agriculture issued a statewide quarantine in February 2026.^[5]

Pests local experts flag

The Northern house mosquito, a West Nile virus carrier, has been reported in every Ohio county, according to Ohio State Extension.^[7]

Climate

Central Dayton (ZIP 45402) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6b, where the average coldest winter night is -5 to 0°F.^[8]

Public agencies that handle pests

• Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County regularly traps mosquitoes across Montgomery County and sends them to the Ohio Department of Health for identification.^[1]
• Trapped Montgomery County mosquitoes are tested by the Ohio Department of Health for West Nile virus, and Public Health or the local jurisdiction may spray adulticide depending on circumstances.^[1]
• Public Health's Nuisance Abatement Program investigates trash, rodents, abandoned pools and unsanitary conditions at homes in unincorporated Montgomery County.^[2]

Local rules and responsibilities

For nuisance complaints inside Dayton city limits, Public Health directs residents to call (937) 333-3977 rather than its county program.^[2]

Hiring a licensed company

Ohio requires a Pesticide Business License for anyone applying pesticides for hire or performing wood-destroying insect inspections, even when no treatment is planned.^[4]

Licensing agency: Ohio Department of Agriculture — Pesticide Program^[9].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

OSU Extension Montgomery County asks residents who think they've found spotted lanternfly to email pictures to its agriculture educator, and points box tree moth reports to the Ohio Plant Pest Reporter.^[6]

Through the year

Spring

Montgomery County's mosquito trapping season runs from early May until the first frost.^[1]

Summer to Fall

Ohio State Extension says Ohioans face the greatest risk of a West Nile–infected mosquito bite from June until the middle of October.^[7]

Sources

1. Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County, “Mosquito and Vector Disease Control.” www.phdmc.org/programs-a-to-z/mosquito-and-vector-disease-control (accessed 2026-10-06)
2. Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County, “Nuisance Abatement.” www.phdmc.org/programs-a-to-z/nuisance-abatement (accessed 2026-10-06)
3. Ohio State University Extension – Buckeye Yard & Garden onLine, “Eastern Subterranean Termite, Reticulitermes flavipes.” bygl.osu.edu/node/2351 (accessed 2026-10-06)
4. Ohio Department of Agriculture, “Pesticides.” agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/pesticides (accessed 2026-10-06)
5. Ohio Department of Agriculture, “Spotted Lanternfly.” agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/invasive-pests/invasive-insects/slf (accessed 2026-10-06)
6. OSU Extension Montgomery County, “Box Tree Moth & Spotted Lanternfly.” montgomery.osu.edu/news/box-tree-moth-spotted-lanternfly (accessed 2026-10-06)
7. Ohio State University Extension (Ohioline), “Northern House Mosquito.” ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ent-89 (accessed 2026-10-06)
8. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 45402 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/45402.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)