Pests to know in Memphis
Termites in Memphis
- In Tennessee, termite work falls under the Wood Destroying Organisms (WDO) license. It covers termites, wood borers, carpenter bees, carpenter ants and decay.[5]
- UT Extension calls subterranean termites the most destructive wood-feeding insects in Tennessee. Their colonies live in soil and get into buildings through wood or foundation walls that touch the soil.[6]
Invasive species reported here
Shelby County is one of the Tennessee counties under the state's imported fire ant quarantine, which took effect January 1, 2024.[4]
Pests local experts flag
Nine mosquito species that can carry human disease live in Tennessee, including the Asian tiger mosquito and the southern house mosquito. Their populations have grown in recent decades.[8]
Climate
Central Memphis (ZIP 38103) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8a, where the average coldest winter night is 10 to 15°F.[9]
Public agencies that handle pests
- The Shelby County Health Department's Mosquito Control Program routinely traps mosquitoes and tests them for West Nile virus as part of a countywide effort to limit its spread.[1]
- Shelby County's Vector Control Program also does evening truck-mounted spraying for adult mosquitoes. Residents who do not want their home sprayed can contact the program.[2]
- The Tennessee Department of Health asks residents who find dead crows or blue jays to contact their local health department so the birds can be tested for West Nile virus.[8]
Local rules and responsibilities
Under Memphis Code Section 9-80-7, owners and occupants of single- and multi-family homes must get rid of insects, rodents and other pests inside and outside all structures.[3]
Hiring a licensed company
Tennessee requires every business that sells pesticide application services to hold a pest control charter for each office. A company with offices in Nashville and Memphis needs a separate charter for each.[5]
Free local help
The UT-TSU Extension office for Shelby County at Agricenter International runs Ask a Master Gardener clinics, a horticulture hotline and pesticide applicator classes.[7]
Through the year
- Winter
- Shelby County's mosquito control work starts in February each year, when crews apply larvicides to ditches and standing water to kill larvae before they become adults.[1]
- Winter to Fall
- In Tennessee, West Nile virus cases are fewest in winter (December-March). They rise from April through July, peak in late summer (August-September) and taper off through November.[8]
Sources
- Shelby County Health Department, “Mosquito Surveillance & Control.” www.shelbytnhealth.com/150/Mosquito-Surveillance-Control (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Shelby County Government (Health Department news release), “Mosquito Control Activities Scheduled for Week of September 14.” www.shelbycountytn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/22114 (accessed 2026-10-06)
- City of Memphis (Memphis City Beautiful), “Memphis City Beautiful Clean City Guide.” memphistn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Memphis-Clean-City-Guide-2025-for-Web-and-Email-1.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Tennessee Department of Agriculture, “Imported Fire Ant: Tennessee Quarantined Counties.” 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, “Certification, Licensing and Charters.” www.tn.gov/agriculture/businesses/pesticides/certification.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- University of Tennessee Extension (TRACE repository), “PB1344-Subterranean Termite Control.” trace.tennessee.edu/utk_agexdise/15 (accessed 2026-10-06)
- UT-TSU Extension Shelby County, “Shelby County Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources brochure.” shelby.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/131/2020/10/Ag-Brochure.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Tennessee Department of Health, “Vector-Borne Diseases.” www.tn.gov/health/vector.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 38103 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/38103.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)