Pests and pest control in Madison, WI

Pests to know in Madison

• Mosquito
• Bats (big brown bat and little brown bat)
• Raccoon
• Spongy Moth
• Japanese Beetle

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

Termites in Madison

According to the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab, termites are quite rare in Wisconsin, occur only in isolated pockets, and cause damage more slowly than in southern states.^[5]

Invasive species reported here

The invasive spongy moth is quarantined in 56 of Wisconsin's 72 counties. Firewood and outdoor household items must be inspected or certified before they leave quarantined areas.^[6]

Pests local experts flag

• If a bat touches a person or turns up indoors where people or pets live, capture or confine it and call 608-255-2345 so it can be picked up and tested for rabies.^[2]
• PHMDC says a Wisconsin raccoon that walks in circles or seems lethargic most likely has distemper, not rabies.^[2]

Climate

Central Madison (ZIP 53703) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 5b, where the average coldest winter night is -15 to -10°F.^[8]

Public agencies that handle pests

• In Dane County, the West Nile carriers are Culex pipiens and Culex restuans. A site with three or more of their larvae per dip gets a larvicide treatment.^[1]
• PHMDC checks wooded areas for ticks to monitor Lyme disease and to catch new ticks or tick-borne diseases as they appear in Dane County.^[1]
• PHMDC investigates bed bug reports in apartments, rental units, hotels and motels. Madison tenants whose landlord won't act can call Building Inspection at 608-266-4551.^[2]
• In Dane County, any dog or cat that bites someone is quarantined for 10 days and watched for signs of rabies.^[3]

Local rules and responsibilities

PHMDC investigates rat infestations and can order property owners to fix conditions that contribute to rat and mouse problems. Report rats at 608-242-6515.^[2]

Hiring a licensed company

The state pesticide regulatory agency for Wisconsin is the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (Bureau of Agrichemical Management), which oversees pesticide applicator certification and licensing.^[9]

Licensing agency: Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection — Bureau of Agrichemical Management^[9].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

The UW Insect Diagnostic Lab was founded in 1978. It identifies insects, spiders and other arthropods from across Wisconsin and handles about 2,500 samples a year.^[4]

Through the year

Summer

Public Health Madison & Dane County field staff check about 700 public water sites each month from June through August for mosquito larvae.^[1]

Summer to Fall

In Wisconsin, adult Japanese beetles usually start emerging in late June or early July and can be around into September.^[7]

Sources

1. Public Health Madison & Dane County, “Mosquitoes & Ticks.” publichealthmdc.com/home-environment/mosquitoes-ticks (accessed 2026-10-06)
2. Public Health Madison & Dane County, “How to Handle Wildlife and Pests.” publichealthmdc.com/home-environment/get-help-with-animals/how-to-handle-wildlife-and-pests (accessed 2026-10-06)
3. Public Health Madison & Dane County, “Animal Bites & Rabies.” publichealthmdc.com/home-environment/animal-bites-rabies (accessed 2026-10-06)
4. University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab, “UW Insect Diagnostic Lab.” insectlab.russell.wisc.edu/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
5. University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab, “Wood-Attacking Insects.” insectid.wisc.edu/category/wood-attacking-insects/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
6. Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, “Spongy Moth Quarantine and Regulations.” datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/SMQuarantineRegs.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
7. University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension, “Japanese Beetle.” hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/japanese-beetle/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
8. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 53703 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/53703.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
9. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)