Pests and pest control in Lake Charles, LA

Pests to know in Lake Charles

• Mosquito
• Formosan Subterranean Termite
• Tree and shrub pests

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

Termites in Lake Charles

• LSU AgCenter says Formosan subterranean termites were first reported in Louisiana in the port cities of Lake Charles and New Orleans, and have since spread to 42 of 64 parishes.^[4]
• According to LSU AgCenter, Formosan termites reached the continental U.S. from East Asia on military cargo ships after World War II.^[4]

Invasive species reported here

The invasive Mexican rice borer was first detected in southwest Louisiana, in Calcasieu Parish, in 2008.^[5]

Pests local experts flag

• The parish says its varied landscape provides plenty of mosquito habitat and supports more than 50 mosquito species.^[1]
• Calcasieu residents can report a mosquito problem by calling 721-3780 from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by emailing the office.^[3]

Climate

Central Lake Charles (ZIP 70601) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9a, where the average coldest winter night is 20 to 25°F.^[9]

Public agencies that handle pests

• Calcasieu Parish's mosquito and rodent control program began in 1975, funded by a parish-wide property tax, and now sits under the parish Public Health Services department.^[1]
• Parish mosquito samples are tested with RT-PCR at the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab on the LSU campus.^[2]
• When a human case of West Nile, St. Louis encephalitis or eastern equine encephalitis occurs in the parish, state health officials notify the mosquito control district.^[2]
• The Louisiana Department of Health considers West Nile virus endemic to all parts of Louisiana.^[7]

Hiring a licensed company

Calcasieu Parish falls in LDAF's Crowley District, which pest control companies contact when notifying the state of termite pre-treatments.^[6]

Licensing agency: Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry — Pesticide & Environmental Programs^[10].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

LSU AgCenter notes that Louisiana was one of the first places in the U.S. where Formosan subterranean termites established colonies.^[8]

Through the year

Spring to Fall

Calcasieu Parish Mosquito Control tests mosquitoes for mosquito-borne viruses from March through November.^[2]

Spring to Summer

Formosan termite swarm season can begin in April and run through June, peaking in early to mid May.^[4]

Sources

1. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, “Mosquito Control.” www.calcasieu.gov/services/mosquito-control (accessed 2026-10-06)
2. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, “West Nile Virus.” calcasieu.gov/services/mosquito-control/disease-transmission/west-nile-virus (accessed 2026-10-06)
3. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, “Service Request.” www.calcasieu.gov/services/mosquito-control/service-request (accessed 2026-10-06)
4. LSU AgCenter, “Preparing for the Termite Swarms.” www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/qsun/articles/page1620966062329 (accessed 2026-10-06)
5. LSU AgCenter, “Proactive Research to Mitigate the Impact of the Invasive Mexican Rice Borer.” www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/lbenedict/articles/page1647272416522 (accessed 2026-10-06)
6. Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, “Structural pest control reporting.” www.ldaf.la.gov/business/pest-control/reporting (accessed 2026-10-06)
7. Louisiana Department of Health, “West Nile Virus.” ldh.la.gov/page/west-nile-virus (accessed 2026-10-06)
8. LSU AgCenter, “Louisiana homeowners should prepare for upcoming termite swarms.” www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/rbogren/articles/page1556114773709 (accessed 2026-10-06)
9. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 70601 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/70601.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)