Pests to know in Indianapolis
Termites in Indianapolis
Indiana certifies termite work under Category 7b, which covers termite and wood-destroying organism control and qualifies applicators to inspect structures for termite evidence.[7]
Invasive species reported here
Spotted lanternfly was first found in Indiana in Switzerland County in July 2021, and populations have since turned up in Huntington, Elkhart, St. Joseph and Porter counties.[9]
Pests local experts flag
Purdue Extension says five kinds of cockroaches are commonly found in Indiana, and in apartment buildings they readily migrate between units along water pipes.[5]
Climate
Central Indianapolis (ZIP 46204) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6b, where the average coldest winter night is -5 to 0°F.[11]
Public agencies that handle pests
- The Marion County Public Health Department's Mosquito Control Program conducts daily surveys across the county to find and eliminate mosquito infestations and limit mosquito-borne disease.[1]
- Marion County uses Integrated Mosquito Management: larviciding and adulticiding, biological control such as mosquito fish and purple martins, tire recycling, and education.[1]
- Marion County Public Health rodent technicians respond to complaints by inspecting for feral rodents and placing bait when the inspection shows it is needed.[2]
- The Indiana Department of Health's Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Disease Program works with local health departments on surveillance and control of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases.[10]
Local rules and responsibilities
Marion County's Housing and Neighborhood Health program handles complaints about trash, high weeds and grass, and vacant structures in disrepair.[3]
Hiring a licensed company
In Indiana, any business applying pesticides to another person's property for hire needs a business license, liability insurance and at least one certified for-hire commercial applicator.[6]
Free local help
Through the year
- Summer to Fall
- Purdue Extension says mosquito-borne viruses in Indiana can pass to people and horses between July and late October, after spreading in wild birds by midsummer.[4]
Sources
- Marion County Public Health Department, “Mosquito Control.” marionhealth.org/programs/environmental-health/mosquito-control/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Marion County Public Health Department, “Rodent Control.” marionhealth.org/programs/environmental-health/rodent-control/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Marion County Public Health Department, “Environmental Health.” marionhealth.org/programs/environmental-health/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Purdue Extension Entomology, “Mosquitoes In and Around the Home (E-26).” extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-26/E-26.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Purdue Extension Entomology, “Cockroaches (E-23).” extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-23/E-23.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Office of Indiana State Chemist, “Pesticide, Fertilizer Application & Distribution Licenses.” www.oisc.purdue.edu/pesticide/pest_fert_dist_licenses.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Office of Indiana State Chemist, “Continuing Certification Program.” oisc.purdue.edu/pesticide/continuing_certification_program.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Purdue Extension Entomology, “Selecting a Termite Control Service (E-2).” extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-2/E-2.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology, “Spotted Lanternfly.” www.in.gov/dnr/entomology/pests-of-concern/spotted-lanternfly/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Indiana Department of Health, “Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Disease.” www.in.gov/health/idepd/zoonotic-and-vectorborne-epidemiology-entomology/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 46204 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/46204.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)