Pests and pest control in Fort Smith, AR

Pests to know in Fort Smith

• Subterranean termites
• Mosquito
• Ticks
• Red Imported Fire Ant
• Emerald Ash Borer

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

Termites in Fort Smith

Three subterranean termite species occur in Arkansas. The eastern subterranean termite is the most common, and the dark southern subterranean termite is also found statewide.^[1]

Invasive species reported here

• Sebastian County is one of four counties added to the federal Imported Fire Ant Quarantine, along with Logan, Prairie and White.^[5]
• Arkansas's State Plant Board approved a statewide emerald ash borer quarantine on ash items as of March 27, 2018, which also covers hardwood firewood.^[6]

Pests local experts flag

The tick-borne bacterium Ehrlichia chaffeensis was first described in 1986 from soldiers training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.^[4]

Climate

Central Fort Smith (ZIP 72901) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8a, where the average coldest winter night is 10 to 15°F.^[10]

Public agencies that handle pests

• Because fogging only kills adults, Fort Smith disperses pellets in standing water in city-maintained ponds and drainage ways to stop larvae from developing.^[2]
• The Arkansas Department of Health reports that Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas together account for 35% of all reported E. chaffeensis (ehrlichiosis) infections.^[3]

Local rules and responsibilities

• Fort Smith's nuisance code requires all grasses and weeds to be kept at 10 inches or less.^[7]
• Fort Smith's code calls for removing stagnant pools of water and other unsanitary conditions that could breed mosquitoes and flies.^[7]

Hiring a licensed company

• Arkansas does not require a license for property owners treating pests on their own property, unless they want to use restricted use pesticides.^[8]
• Homeowners worried about a termite treatment can ask the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Pest Control Program for an inspection at no cost.^[8]

Licensing agency: Arkansas State Plant Board — Pesticide Division^[11].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

The Sebastian County Extension office serves Fort Smith with free research-based advice, including insecticide recommendations, and lists pesticide applicator training among its local programs.^[9]

Through the year

Spring to Fall

Fort Smith fogs for adult mosquitoes every week during mosquito season, which typically runs April through October.^[2]

Sources

1. University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, “Subterranean Termite Identification and Biology (FSA7061).” www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/PDF/FSA-7061.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
2. City of Fort Smith, Arkansas, “Mosquito Control Program.” fortsmithar.gov/resident-services/request-service/mosquito-control-program (accessed 2026-10-06)
3. Arkansas Department of Health, “Tickborne Diseases in Arkansas.” healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/diseases-conditions/diseases-from-animals-insects/tickborne-disease/tickborne-diseases-in-arkansas/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
4. University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, “Tick-Borne Diseases in Arkansas (FSA-7047).” www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/PDF/FSA-7047.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
5. University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, “Fire ant quarantine in Arkansas expands to four more counties.” uaex.uada.edu/media-resources/news/2021/july2021/07-09-2021-Ark-Fire-Ant-Quarantine.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
6. Arkansas Department of Agriculture, “Statewide Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine Established March 2018.” www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Statewide_Emerald_Ash_Borer_Quarantine_Established_March_2018.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
7. City of Fort Smith, Arkansas, “Nuisance Ordinances.” www.fortsmithar.gov/resident-services/community-resources/neighborhood-services/nuisance-ordinances (accessed 2026-10-06)
8. Arkansas Department of Agriculture, “Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Pest Control Program.” media.ark.org/agri/Pest-Control-What-We-Do-1-16-2026.2.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
9. University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, “Sebastian County Office, Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.” www.uaex.uada.edu/counties/sebastian/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
10. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 72901 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/72901.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
11. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)