Pests and pest control in Honolulu, HI

Pests to know in Honolulu

• Roof Rat
• Formosan Subterranean Termite
• Subterranean termites
• Red Imported Fire Ant

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

Termites in Honolulu

• The University of Hawaii calls the Formosan subterranean termite the most economically important insect pest in the state of Hawaii.^[4]
• Formosan subterranean termites are now found throughout most of Oahu and Kauai, while on the other islands they remain mostly limited to areas around seaports.^[5]

Invasive species reported here

• The invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle was detected on Oahu on December 23, 2013, on coconut palms at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.^[6]
• State agriculture entomologists found little fire ants on hapuu tree fern at several Oahu garden shops. The ants deliver painful stings and welts and can blind pets.^[7]

Pests local experts flag

The roof rat and the Norway rat are the rat species behind most complaints in Hawaii, and rats and mice breed year-round in the islands.^[3]

Climate

Central Honolulu (ZIP 96813) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 12b, where the average coldest winter night is 55 to 60°F.^[10]

Public agencies that handle pests

• The Hawaii Department of Health's Vector Control Branch is a statewide regulatory program, mandated by law, that handles mosquitoes, rodents and other disease vectors on Oahu and the other islands.^[1]
• State vector control staff trap mosquitoes near seaports and airports, collecting more than 20,000 mosquitoes a year to watch for new species and disease risk.^[2]

Local rules and responsibilities

• Anyone planning to demolish a building or clear a site in Hawaii must have the premises inspected for rodents and eradicate them before work begins, with notice submitted to the Department of Health.^[1]
• Snakes, large reptiles and many non-native mammals are illegal in Hawaii. Under the state Amnesty Program, people can surrender prohibited animals without penalty if they come forward before an investigation starts.^[8]

Hiring a licensed company

Hawaii's Pest Control Board licenses pest control operators and field representatives, and every license must be renewed by June 30 of each even-numbered year.^[9]

Licensing agency: Hawaii Department of Agriculture — Pesticides Branch^[11].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

The UH Termite Project, part of CTAHR's Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences in Honolulu, is a statewide program that works to suppress termites through research and public education.^[4]

Through the year

Spring to Summer

Formosan termites in Hawaii have their major swarms in May and June, when thousands of winged swarmers gather around lights, though small flights can happen any time of year.^[5]

Sources

1. Hawaii State Department of Health, Vector Control Branch, “Vector Control Branch – State of Hawaii, Department of Health.” health.hawaii.gov/vcb/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
2. Hawaii State Department of Health, Vector Control Branch, “Mosquito Program – Vector Control Branch.” health.hawaii.gov/vcb/mosquitoes/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
3. Hawaii State Department of Health, Vector Control Branch, “Rodent Program – Vector Control Branch.” health.hawaii.gov/vcb/rodents/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
4. University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, “University of Hawaii Termite Project.” manoa.hawaii.edu/ctahr/termite/index.php (accessed 2026-10-06)
5. University of Hawaii CTAHR, Crop Knowledge Master, “Coptotermes formosanus.” cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ckm/Home/Insects-and-Other-Pests/Termites/Coptotermes-formosanus (accessed 2026-10-06)
6. Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources), “Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response Updates – Hawaii Invasive Species Council.” dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/coconut-rhinoceros-beetle-response-updates/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
7. Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Plant Industry Division, “LITTLE FIRE ANTS ON OAHU AND MAUI – Plant Industry Division.” dab.hawaii.gov/pi/main/lfainfo/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
8. Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Plant Quarantine Branch, “Amnesty Program – Plant Industry Division.” dab.hawaii.gov/pi/pq/amnesty-program-2/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
9. Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing, “Pest Control Board - DCCA Hawaii.” cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/pestcontrol/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
10. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 96813 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/96813.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)