Pests and pest control in Dothan, AL

Pests to know in Dothan

• Raccoon
• Ticks
• Formosan Subterranean Termite
• Red Imported Fire Ant

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

Termites in Dothan

• Alabama Extension reports rising numbers of property infestations by subterranean termites, including both Formosan termites and native species.^[6]
• Alabama's official wood infestation inspection report, used in home sales, guarantees free treatment by the licensee if certified-free structures prove infested within 90 days.^[7]

Invasive species reported here

Fire ants swarm from spring through late fall, and swarms are especially common a day or two after rain that follows a dry spell, Alabama Extension says.^[10]

Pests local experts flag

• The Houston County Health Department lists raccoons, bats, foxes, coyotes, and skunks as wild animals very susceptible to rabies.^[3]
• Alabama Extension identifies the lone star tick as the state's most abundant tick; adult females carry a single white dot on a brown body.^[5]

Climate

Central Dothan (ZIP 36301) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9a, where the average coldest winter night is 20 to 25°F.^[11]

Public agencies that handle pests

• The Houston County Health Department provides environmental health services for residents of Dothan and Houston County; its environmental health line is (334) 678-2815.^[2]
• For testing of animals that may be rabid, the Houston County Health Department tells residents to contact the health department or a veterinarian.^[3]
• The Alabama Department of Public Health reports that West Nile virus cases have come from every public health district in the state.^[4]

Local rules and responsibilities

State law requires dogs and cats older than three months to be vaccinated against rabies, the Houston County Health Department notes.^[3]

Hiring a licensed company

Alabama horticulture and structural pest control business licenses must be renewed every year, running from October 1 through September 30.^[8]

Licensing agency: Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries — Pest Management Division^[12].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System's Houston County office is in the Farm Center Building, 1699 Ross Clark Circle, Suite 4, Dothan; phone (334) 794-4108.^[9]

Through the year

Spring to Fall

The City of Dothan's Environmental Services Division sprays for mosquitoes inside city limits from April 1 through October 1, weather permitting.^[1]

Sources

1. City of Dothan, “Environmental Services.” www.dothan.org/312/Environmental-Services (accessed 2026-10-06)
2. Alabama Department of Public Health (Houston County Health Department), “Environmental Health Services - Houston County.” www.alabamapublichealth.gov/houston/environmental-services.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
3. Alabama Department of Public Health (Houston County Health Department), “Rabies Control - Houston County.” www.alabamapublichealth.gov/houston/rabies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
4. Alabama Department of Public Health, “West Nile Virus.” www.alabamapublichealth.gov/mosquito/west-nile.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
5. Alabama Cooperative Extension System, “Ticks & Tick-borne Illnesses in Alabama.” www.aces.edu/blog/topics/home-family/ticks-tick-borne-illnesses-in-alabama/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
6. Alabama Cooperative Extension System, “Termite Territory is Expanding in Alabama—The Basics of Termite Control.” www.aces.edu/blog/topics/home/termite-territory-is-expanding-in-alabama-the-basics-of-termite-control/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
7. Alabama Administrative Code (Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries), “Rule 80-10-9-.18 Real Estate Transaction Inspection Report – Official Alabama Wood Infestation Inspection Report.” admincode.legislature.state.al.us/api/rule/80-10-9-.18 (accessed 2026-10-06)
8. Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, “Professional Services.” agi.alabama.gov/pesticidemanagement/programs/professional-services/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
9. Alabama Cooperative Extension System, “Houston County Extension Office.” www.aces.edu/counties/houston/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
10. Alabama Cooperative Extension System, “Swarming Fire Ants.” www.aces.edu/blog/topics/lawn-garden/swarming-fire-ants/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
11. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 36301 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/36301.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
12. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)