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Pests and pest control in Fargo, ND

Pests to know in Fargo

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

Termites in Fargo

  • University of Minnesota Extension, covering the state across the Red River from Fargo, says termites are uncommon to rare there and generally appear only in the southern third.[9]
  • North Dakota is on FHA's termite treatment exception list statewide: termite treatment documentation isn't required in any county for FHA new-construction financing.[10]

Invasive species reported here

  • City forestry staff found emerald ash borer in Fargo, North Dakota's second confirmed detection after LaMoure County.[6]
  • The state's emerald ash borer quarantine now reaches Cass County, restricting movement of hardwood firewood, ash logs and branches, nursery stock and wood chips.[6]

Pests local experts flag

Cass County relies mostly on biological larvicides such as Bti, aiming to knock mosquitoes out in the water so truck or aircraft spraying is less needed.[1]

Climate

Central Fargo (ZIP 58102) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 4a, where the average coldest winter night is -30 to -25°F.[11]

Public agencies that handle pests

  • Cass County Vector Control puts more than 40 workers on standing-water treatment through the summer, and every one is licensed to apply pesticides in North Dakota.[1]
  • The county maps mosquito breeding sites with GIS, and field aides revisit them all season looking for larvae or pupae to treat before adults emerge.[1]
  • North Dakota HHS says ticks live in grassy, brushy or wooded areas and stay active whenever temperatures are above freezing.[3]
  • Fargo Cass Public Health inspects hotels in Fargo and West Fargo, and inspectors check that bed bugs, rodents and other insects are under control.[5]

Local rules and responsibilities

Fargo Cass Public Health investigates public health nuisance complaints under Fargo Code of Ordinances Chapters 11 and 13 and state nuisance law.[4]

Hiring a licensed company

State law bars commercial applicators from using pesticides until certified through an NDSU Extension exam, and certificates renew every three years on April 1.[8]

Licensing agency: North Dakota Department of Agriculture — Pesticide & Fertilizer Division[12].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

In North Dakota, commercial pesticide certification exams are taken by appointment at local NDSU County Extension offices.[7]

Through the year

Summer
State health officials say Culex tarsalis, the main West Nile carrier in the Midwest, usually hits its peak in North Dakota at the end of July or start of August.[2]

Sources

  1. Cass County, North Dakota, “Vector Control.” www.casscountynd.gov/our-county/vector-control (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. North Dakota Health and Human Services, “West Nile Virus Annual Summary.” www.hhs.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/Files/MSS/WNV/2024%20WNV%20Annual%20Report.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. North Dakota Health and Human Services, “Preventing ticks and tickborne diseases this spring and summer.” www.hhs.nd.gov/news/preventing-ticks-and-tickborne-diseases-spring-and-summer (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. Fargo Cass Public Health, “Nuisance Complaints.” fargond.gov/city-government/departments/fargo-cass-public-health/environmental-health/nuisance-complaints (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. Fargo Cass Public Health, “Lodging Facilities.” fargond.gov/city-government/departments/fargo-cass-public-health/environmental-health/hotels (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. North Dakota Department of Agriculture, “Emerald ash borer detected in Fargo.” www.ndda.nd.gov/news/emerald-ash-borer-detected-fargo (accessed 2026-10-06)
  7. NDSU Extension, “NDSU Extension Pesticide Certification Program.” www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/programs/ndsu-extension-pesticide-certification-program (accessed 2026-10-06)
  8. North Dakota Legislative Branch, “North Dakota Century Code Chapter 4.1-33 Pesticide Act.” www.ndlegis.gov/cencode/t04-1c33.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
  9. University of Minnesota Extension, “Subterranean termites.” apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/insect/indoor/flies/medium/subterranean-termites.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  10. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (FHA Office of Single Family Housing), “Termite Treatment Exception Areas.” www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/SFH/documents/SFH_POLI_TERMITE.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
  11. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 58102 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/58102.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)

Updated 2026-10-15. Every statement on this page comes from the cited local, state or university source. Spot an error? Tell us.