Pests to know in Erie
Termites in Erie
Penn State Extension says many Pennsylvania houses are unlikely ever to have termites, either because they sit where termite risk is low or are built to resist infestation.[4]
Invasive species reported here
Pennsylvania's agriculture department says spotted lanternfly feeds on plant sap and strongly prefers economically important plants, including grapevines, maples, black walnut, birch and willow.[6]
Pests local experts flag
Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne illness in Erie County, according to the county health department.[2]
Climate
Central Erie (ZIP 16501) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7a, where the average coldest winter night is 0 to 5°F.[10]
Public agencies that handle pests
- The Erie County Department of Health is the agency responsible for controlling West Nile virus in Erie County.[1]
- Erie County residents can bring a tick, sealed in a plastic bag, to the county health department for free identification.[2]
- The county health department is part of the Northwest Pennsylvania Tick Taskforce, alongside partners such as Mercyhurst University, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and Penn State Extension.[2]
Local rules and responsibilities
- Erie's Bureau of Building Standards and Safety handles resident complaints about overgrown lots or yards, structure maintenance and public nuisances.[8]
- The City of Erie invites residents to report blighted properties, and lists lots with trash, debris, or signs of vermin among the conditions to report.[9]
Hiring a licensed company
To hold a Pennsylvania pesticide application business license, a company must have at least one certified applicator and meet insurance requirements.[7]
Free local help
Penn State's Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and Extension Center focuses its research on vineyard insects, including insecticide trials and the biology of the grape berry moth.[5]
Through the year
- Spring to Fall
- From May through September, the county health department lab-tests mosquito samples each week from set locations around Erie County to detect West Nile virus early and target treatment.[1]
- Summer
- Every August, USDA distributes rabies vaccine baits for raccoons; in Erie County they are usually dropped by aircraft along the western border, including Girard and Fairview.[3]
Sources
- Erie County Department of Health, “Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus.” eriecountypa.gov/departments/health/services-and-programs/health-and-wellness/mosquitoes-and-west-nile-virus/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Erie County Department of Health, “Ticks and Tickborne Diseases.” eriecountypa.gov/departments/health/services-and-programs/health-and-wellness/ticks-and-tickborne-diseases/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Erie County Department of Health, “Rabies & Animal Bites.” eriecountypa.gov/departments/health/services-and-programs/health-and-wellness/rabies-animal-bites/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Penn State Extension, “Eastern Subterranean Termites.” extension.psu.edu/eastern-subterranean-termites (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, “Entomology - Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and Extension Center.” agsci.psu.edu/research/centers-facilities/extension/erie/research/entomology (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, “Spotted Lanternfly.” www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/plants-land-water/spotted-lanternfly (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, “Pesticide Application Businesses.” www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/plants-land-water/plant-industry/pesticide-programs/pesticide-application-businesses (accessed 2026-10-06)
- City of Erie, “Bureau of Building Standards and Safety.” www.erie.pa.us/departments/economic_development/bureau_of_building_standards_and_safety/index.php (accessed 2026-10-06)
- City of Erie, “Neighborhood Resources.” www.erie.pa.us/government/city_offices_departments/planning_and_neighborhood_resources/neighborhood_resources.php (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 16501 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/16501.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)