Pests to know in Green Bay
Termites in Green Bay
UW-Madison's Insect Diagnostic Lab says termites are quite rare in Wisconsin and are known only from isolated pockets of the state.[1]
Invasive species reported here
Green Bay's forestry program marks emerald ash borer-infested ash trees with a green "E" to flag them for winter removal.[8]
Pests local experts flag
Green Bay Police Animal Control does not handle wild animals such as raccoons, rats or skunks; residents are directed to a wildlife removal service or pest control.[10]
Climate
Central Green Bay (ZIP 54301) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 5b, where the average coldest winter night is -15 to -10°F.[13]
Public agencies that handle pests
- Brown County Public Health says Wisconsin has at least 16 reported tick species, but only a few bite people and spread disease.[3]
- If you find a bat in your home, Brown County Public Health asks you to contact your local humane officer or call the department at (920) 448-6400 to assess the risk.[4]
- Wisconsin DHS reports that Culex mosquitoes, the type that spreads West Nile virus, are found in every county in the state.[5]
- Wisconsin DHS says the ticks that carry Lyme disease occur in every county, and Lyme is the most common tickborne illness in the state.[6]
Local rules and responsibilities
Green Bay requires anyone keeping bees to first apply for a permit through the City Clerk's Office, under city code Section 6-11.[9]
Hiring a licensed company
Wisconsin DATCP requires every commercial pesticide application business, including sole proprietors, to hold a license renewed each year.[7]
Free local help
Extension Brown County, based at UW-Green Bay's STEM Innovation Center, offers horticulture resources that include insect diagnostics.[11]
Through the year
- Spring to Fall
- Brown County Public Health notes that mosquitoes in Wisconsin are usually most active from May through September.[2]
- Winter to Fall
- UW-Madison Extension says boxelder bugs become a nuisance in September and October, when they gather on sunny house walls before moving indoors to overwinter.[12]
Sources
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab, “Wood Attacking Insects.” insectid.wisc.edu/category/wood-attacking-insects/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Brown County Public Health, “Mosquitoes.” www.stayhealthybc.com/residents/vector-borne-disease/mosquitoes/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Brown County Public Health, “Ticks.” www.stayhealthybc.com/residents/vector-borne-disease/ticks/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Brown County Public Health, “Rabies Control.” www.stayhealthybc.com/residents/environmental-health/rabies-control/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services, “West Nile Virus.” www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/mosquito/wnv.htm (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services, “Lyme Disease.” www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/tick/lyme.htm (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, “Structural Pesticide Applications Compliance Checklist.” datcp.wi.gov/Documents/HTCStructural.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- City of Green Bay Parks, Recreation & Forestry, “Emerald Ash Borer.” www.greenbaywi.gov/1359/Emerald-Ash-Borer (accessed 2026-10-06)
- City of Green Bay Clerk, “Bee License.” www.greenbaywi.gov/212/Bee-License (accessed 2026-10-06)
- City of Green Bay Police Department, “Animal Control.” www.greenbaywi.gov/1061/Animal-Control (accessed 2026-10-06)
- UW-Madison Extension Brown County, “Extension Brown County.” brown.extension.wisc.edu/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- UW-Madison Extension, “Boxelder Bugs.” hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/boxelder-bugs/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 54301 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/54301.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)