Pests to know in Jackson
Termites in Jackson
- Formosan subterranean termites were first discovered in Mississippi in Lauderdale County in 1984 and are now established in at least part of 26 mostly southern counties.[4]
- Eastern subterranean termites damage buildings in all Mississippi counties, while southeastern drywood termites regularly occur only in the three coastal counties.[5]
Invasive species reported here
Imported fire ants reached southern Mississippi by the 1930s and have since spread to every county in the state.[8]
Climate
Central Jackson (ZIP 39201) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b, where the average coldest winter night is 15 to 20°F.[10]
Public agencies that handle pests
- Jackson's contractor also larvicides ditches, drainage channels and standing water in the city right-of-way and traps mosquitoes to target control efforts.[1]
- The Mississippi State Department of Health lists West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, chikungunya and Eastern equine encephalitis as mosquito-borne illnesses in Mississippi.[2]
- Very few Lyme disease cases have been reported in Mississippi, according to the state health department; most are acquired by traveling to areas where it is common.[3]
Local rules and responsibilities
Because infested railroad crossties spread Formosan termites, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture enforces a quarantine on moving wood products that have been in direct contact with soil.[5]
Hiring a licensed company
Free local help
MSU Extension suggests broadcasting fire ant bait two to four times a year, using Easter, Independence Day and Labor Day as reminders.[9]
Through the year
- Spring to Fall
- The City of Jackson runs its Mosquito Abatement Program from April through October, with contractors spraying for adult mosquitoes along set routes citywide.[1]
- Spring to Summer
- Formosan termites in south Mississippi usually swarm at night from late April through mid-May, but swarming is delayed into June in the central part of the state.[5]
Sources
- City of Jackson Department of Public Works, “Infrastructure Management Programs.” jacksonms.gov/government/city-departments/public-works-department/infrastructure-management/infrastructure-management-programs/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Mississippi State Department of Health, “West Nile Virus and Other Mosquito-Borne Illnesses.” msdh.ms.gov/page/14,0,93.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Mississippi State Department of Health, “Lyme Disease.” msdh.ms.gov/page/14,0,227.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Mississippi State University Extension Service, “Formosan termite swarms threaten large part of state.” extension.msstate.edu/news/feature-story/2024/formosan-termite-swarms-threaten-large-part-state (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Mississippi State University Extension Service, “Species of Termites in Mississippi.” extension.msstate.edu/insects/termites/species-termites-mississippi (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, “Regulation of Professional Services.” www.mdac.ms.gov/bureaus-departments/bpi/regulation-of-professional-services/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Mississippi State University Extension Service, “Preparing for Your Mississippi Wood Destroying Insect License Exam (P4054).” extension.msstate.edu/publications/preparing-for-your-mississippi-wood-destroying-insect-license-exam (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Mississippi State University Extension Service, “Introduction to Fire Ants.” extension.msstate.edu/introduction-fire-ants (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Mississippi State University Extension Service, “Fire Ants.” extension.msstate.edu/insects/fire-ants (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 39201 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/39201.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)