Pests and pest control in Lakeland, FL

Pests to know in Lakeland

• Non-Biting Midges
• Red Imported Fire Ant
• Grasshoppers
• Asian Subterranean Termite
• Subterranean termites

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

Termites in Lakeland

• UF/IFAS reports the Asian subterranean termite, once limited to South Florida, has been detected in several Central Florida cities from Tampa to Melbourne.^[7]
• UF/IFAS says Florida termites are active year-round but swarm between March and June, when property owners are most likely to see them.^[7]

Invasive species reported here

UF/IFAS Extension Polk County notes red imported fire ants came from South America in the 1930s, first reported at Florida Panhandle ports.^[5]

Climate

Central Lakeland (ZIP 33801) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 10a, where the average coldest winter night is 30 to 35°F.^[9]

Public agencies that handle pests

• Polk County Mosquito Control sprays for adult mosquitoes only as needed, when populations meet State treatment guidelines.^[1]
• Polk County Mosquito Control's main adulticide is permethrin.^[1]
• DOH-Polk says raccoons and bats are Florida's main wildlife sources of rabies.^[2]

Local rules and responsibilities

• Section 86-2 of Lakeland's Code of Ordinances prohibits stagnant water that may become a mosquito breeding place.^[3]
• For midges on Polk County's natural lakes, residents may not use chemical treatments without an approved permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.^[4]

Hiring a licensed company

For structural pest control, Florida law requires each business location to be licensed by FDACS and to employ a full-time Florida-certified operator in charge.^[8]

Licensing agency: Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services — Agricultural Environmental Services^[10].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

UF/IFAS Extension Polk County runs a Plant Clinic, open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for gardening and landscaping questions.^[6]

Through the year

Spring to Fall

UF/IFAS Extension Polk County says blind mosquitoes (non-biting midges) peak between April and November, when they can be an extreme nuisance near breeding areas.^[4]

Summer

Polk County Extension says eliminating eastern lubber grasshopper nymphs early in their development helps cut the number of adults that appear in mid-summer.^[6]

Sources

1. Polk County Mosquito Control, “Mosquito Control.” www.polkfl.gov/services/mosquito-control/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
2. Florida Department of Health in Polk County, “Rabies Prevention Program.” polk.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/environmental-public-health/rabies-prevention-program/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
3. City of Lakeland Code Enforcement, “Common Violations.” www.lakelandgov.net/departments/community-economic-development/code-enforcement/common-violations/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
4. UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, “Aquatic Midges, also known as "Blind Mosquitoes".” blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2017/10/11/aquatic-midges-also-known-as-blind-mosquitoes/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
5. UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, “Florida Farm Pests: Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA).” blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2024/09/30/florida-farm-pests-red-imported-fire-ants-rifa/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
6. UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, “Springtime and the Eastern Lubber Grasshopper.” blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2025/04/04/springtime-and-the-eastern-lubber-grasshopper/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
7. UF/IFAS, “Is your neighborhood a termite hot spot? UF/IFAS researchers track the spread of destructive pests with online tool.” blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2025/03/19/is-your-neighborhood-a-termite-hot-spot-uf-ifas-researchers-track-the-spread-of-destructive-pests-with-online-tool/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
8. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, “Pest Control Licensing and Certification.” www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Pest-Control/Licensing-and-Certification (accessed 2026-10-06)
9. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 33801 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/33801.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)