Pests and pest control in Hattiesburg, MS

Pests to know in Hattiesburg

• Mosquito
• Formosan Subterranean Termite
• Red Imported Fire Ant

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

Termites in Hattiesburg

• MSU Extension says three major termite species occur in Mississippi: eastern subterranean, Formosan and southeastern drywood. The native eastern subterranean termite occurs statewide.^[4]
• In southern Mississippi, Formosan termites usually swarm from late April through mid-May, typically around Mother's Day. Swarms happen at night, and swarmers are strongly drawn to lights.^[4]

Invasive species reported here

Imported fire ants first entered the U.S. near Mobile, Alabama, reached southern Mississippi by the 1930s, and have since spread to every county in the state.^[7]

Climate

Central Hattiesburg (ZIP 39401) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b, where the average coldest winter night is 15 to 20°F.^[9]

Public agencies that handle pests

• The City of Hattiesburg fogs for mosquitoes at night using truck-mounted ULV sprayers.^[1]
• The Mississippi State Department of Health lists West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, chikungunya and Eastern equine encephalitis among mosquito-borne illnesses in the state.^[2]
• MSDH identifies the southern house mosquito as the main West Nile carrier in Mississippi; it breeds in small amounts of standing water containing organic material.^[3]

Local rules and responsibilities

• To slow the spread of Formosan termites, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture enforces a quarantine on moving wood or wood products that have been in direct contact with soil.^[4]
• Hattiesburg's vacant property standards require owners to secure entry points and prevent pest infestations, among other upkeep rules.^[8]

Hiring a licensed company

Anyone in Mississippi who is paid to perform pest control or weed control must hold a license from the state Bureau of Plant Industry.^[5]

Licensing agency: Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce — Bureau of Plant Industry, Pesticide Program^[10].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

The MSU Extension office for Forrest County is located at 952 Sullivan Drive in Hattiesburg.^[6]

Through the year

Winter to Spring

Hattiesburg's city mosquito control season runs from March into December each year.^[1]

Summer to Fall

According to MSDH, West Nile virus in Mississippi is typically most prevalent from July through October.^[3]

Sources

1. City of Hattiesburg, “Mosquito Management.” www.hattiesburgms.com/cityservices/mosquito-management/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
2. Mississippi State Department of Health, “West Nile Virus.” msdh.ms.gov/wnv (accessed 2026-10-06)
3. Mississippi State Department of Health, “West Nile Virus in Mississippi.” msdh.ms.gov/page/resources/5028.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
4. Mississippi State University Extension Service, “Species of Termites in Mississippi.” extension.msstate.edu/insects/termites/species-termites-mississippi (accessed 2026-10-06)
5. Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Bureau of Plant Industry, “Frequently Asked Questions.” www.mdac.ms.gov/bureaus-departments/bpi/regulation-of-professional-services/frequently-asked-questions/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
6. Mississippi State University Extension Service, “MSU Extension- Forrest County.” extension.msstate.edu/msu-extension-forrest-county (accessed 2026-10-06)
7. Mississippi State University Extension Service, “Introduction to Fire Ants.” extension.msstate.edu/introduction-fire-ants (accessed 2026-10-06)
8. City of Hattiesburg, “Vacancy Registration.” www.hattiesburgms.com/vacancyregistration/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
9. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 39401 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/39401.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
10. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)