Pests to know in Knoxville
Termites in Knoxville
The eastern subterranean termite is the most common subterranean termite in Tennessee; dark and light southern subterranean termites also infest structures.[4]
Invasive species reported here
Pests local experts flag
UT Extension entomologists say the brown recluse is common in Middle and West Tennessee but less so in East Tennessee, where Knoxville is, and its bite risk is often exaggerated.[3]
Climate
Central Knoxville (ZIP 37902) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7b, where the average coldest winter night is 5 to 10°F.[10]
Public agencies that handle pests
- Knox County Health Department's Environmental Health division (865-215-5200) handles vector control and rabies vaccination certificates for Knoxville and Knox County.[1]
- Knox County Health Department does not spray individual yards for nuisance mosquitoes; residents should remove breeding sites and consult pest control companies.[2]
- KCHD issues press releases before its mosquito spraying events, and residents can join a No Spray List; the health department marks the property and turns the sprayer off.[2]
Local rules and responsibilities
- Dirty lots breeding mosquitoes in Knoxville can be reported to KCHD and to City Codes at 865-215-4311 (County Codes: 865-215-2325).[2]
- In Tennessee, a Wood Destroying Insect Infestation Report issued for a home sale must be warranted for 90 days, and termite treatment contracts should be warranted at least one year.[6]
Hiring a licensed company
Tennessee requires a pesticide charter from the Department of Agriculture for each office providing commercial pest control, and a company's charter number must be visible on its vehicles.[5]
Free local help
UT-TSU Extension's Knox County office offers pesticide applicator training and can submit plant pest images to the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Center for rapid diagnosis.[9]
Through the year
- Spring to Fall
- In Tennessee, eastern subterranean termites often swarm April–May, dark southern subterranean termites mostly in June, and light southern subterranean termites July through September.[4]
Sources
- Knox County Health Department, “Knox County Health Department.” www.knoxcounty.org/health/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Knox County Health Department, “Mosquito FAQs.” www.knoxcounty.org/health/mosquitoes/faqs.php (accessed 2026-10-06)
- UT Extension / UT Entomology & Plant Pathology, “Can trapping alone eliminate brown recluse activity in a commercial building?.” epp.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/267/2023/11/2021-02TrapBRV2I2.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- UT Extension / UT Entomology & Plant Pathology, “Reticulitermes hageni, the light southern subterranean termite.” epp.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/267/2023/11/2020-09RhageniV1I1.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Tennessee Department of Agriculture, “Pesticide Charters.” www.tn.gov/agriculture/businesses/pesticides/pesticide-charters.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Tennessee Department of Agriculture, “Pesticide Consumer Tips.” www.tn.gov/agriculture/businesses/pesticides/pesticide-consumer-tips.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Tennessee Department of Agriculture, “Imported Fire Ant Areas in Tennessee.” www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/agriculture/documents/planthealth/2026/IMPORTED%20FIRE%20ANT%20AREAS%20IN%20TENNESSEE%20January%202026_PL-ADA.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Tennessee Department of Agriculture, “Emerald Ash Borer Discovered in East Tennessee.” www.tn.gov/news/2010/7/27/emerald-ash-borer-discovered-in-east-tennessee.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- UT-TSU Extension Knox County, “Agriculture Programs.” knox.tennessee.edu/agriculture-programs/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 37902 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/37902.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)