Pests to know in Greenville
Termites in Greenville
- The eastern and southeastern subterranean termites are the two most common termites in South Carolina and occur statewide; only a microscope tells them apart.[5]
- A statewide Clemson survey logged eight termite species, including South Carolina's first western drywood termite, collected from a couch in Greenville County.[5]
Invasive species reported here
All of South Carolina, Greenville County included, is under state quarantine for the imported red fire ant. Greenville County is also listed as generally infested with Japanese beetle.[7]
Climate
Central Greenville (ZIP 29601) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8a, where the average coldest winter night is 10 to 15°F.[11]
Public agencies that handle pests
- County spraying covers unincorporated Greenville County plus Greenville, Greer, Simpsonville and Travelers Rest. Mauldin and Fountain Inn residents use their own local mosquito control. Private ponds are not sprayed.[1]
- South Carolina's health department monitors mosquitoes for disease but does not do mosquito control; that is handled locally, and DPH urges local standing-water ordinances. The state has at least 61 mosquito species.[2]
- South Carolinians commonly run into six tick species, including the lone star and the invasive Asian longhorned tick, and tick bites can happen year-round.[4]
Local rules and responsibilities
Greenville County Codes Enforcement handles complaints about weedy, overgrown lots. Under the county Environmental Ordinance, owners get 20 days to clean up; the Housing Code allows 60.[10]
Hiring a licensed company
Structural and household pest control (Category 7A) requires a license from Clemson's Department of Pesticide Regulation, and nearly all 7A applicators must work under a DPR business license.[6]
Free local help
- The Asian tiger mosquito is the Carolinas' most common daytime biter. Because it is active by day, nighttime fogging often misses it, so draining containers is the best control.[8]
- Kudzu bugs, a newer South Carolina pest related to stink bugs, swarm to homes in fall to overwinter, favoring white or light-colored siding. Clemson advises vacuuming indoor bugs rather than spraying.[9]
Through the year
- Summer to Fall
- Greenville County offers evening mosquito spraying on request from June 1 through the end of September, and residents get a postcard when service is done.[1]
- Spring to Fall
- To track West Nile virus, SC DPH accepts dead blue jays, crows, house sparrows and house finches for testing from March 15 to November 30 each year.[3]
Sources
- Greenville County, South Carolina, “Greenville County Mosquito Control and Prevention.” www.greenvillecounty.org/tweet_notices/Mosquito.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- South Carolina Department of Public Health, “Mosquitoes in South Carolina.” dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/insects-and-vector-borne-diseases/mosquitoes-south-carolina (accessed 2026-10-06)
- South Carolina Department of Public Health, “West Nile Virus.” dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/insects-and-vector-borne-diseases/west-nile-virus (accessed 2026-10-06)
- South Carolina Department of Public Health, “Ticks in South Carolina.” dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/insects-and-vector-borne-diseases/ticks-can-spread-diseases (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Clemson University Cooperative Extension (Home & Garden Information Center), “Termites of South Carolina.” hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/termites-of-south-carolina/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation, “SC Certification Categories.” www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/pesticide-regulation/exam-information/certification-categories.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Clemson University Regulatory Services, Plant Industry, “Regulated Areas.” www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/plant-industry/invasive/plant-pest-information/regulated-areas.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Clemson University Cooperative Extension (Home & Garden Information Center), “Asian Tiger Mosquito.” hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/asian-tiger-mosquito/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Clemson University Cooperative Extension (Home & Garden Information Center), “Kudzu Bugs Around the Home.” hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/kudzu-bugs-around-the-home/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Greenville County, South Carolina, “AnswerBook: Weeds.” www.greenvillecounty.org/AnswerBook/weeds.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 29601 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/29601.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)