Local guide · LA

Pests and pest control in Monroe, LA

Pests to know in Monroe

Mosquito · Northern House Mosquito · Formosan Subterranean Termite · Red Imported Fire Ant

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

Termites in Monroe

  • LSU AgCenter calls the Formosan subterranean termite an invasive species and the most destructive structural pest in Louisiana.[7]
  • Louisiana's native subterranean termites swarm during the day, while Formosan subterranean termites fly at dusk.[7]

Invasive species reported here

LSU AgCenter describes the red imported fire ant as an invasive species, not native to Louisiana, that nests in yards and gardens around structures and along pavement.[9]

Pests local experts flag

  • Ouachita's mosquito management decisions are made daily, based on mosquitoes and larvae collected by field crews and on lab disease testing.[2]
  • Truck and aerial spraying in Ouachita Parish happens only at night, to reduce effects on non-target species.[2]
  • The southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, is the main West Nile vector in the area, and failing septic systems give it ideal breeding conditions.[3]

Climate

Central Monroe (ZIP 71201) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b, where the average coldest winter night is 15 to 20°F.[10]

Public agencies that handle pests

  • Ouachita Parish Mosquito Abatement District No. 1 aims to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases and, when its board deems it necessary, other arthropod-borne diseases.[1]
  • The Ouachita district's work includes adult, larval and arbovirus surveillance, source reduction, larviciding, adulticiding, efficacy and resistance monitoring, and public education.[1]

Local rules and responsibilities

City of Monroe code requires all premises to be cleared of high grass, weeds and noxious growth and kept that way.[6]

Hiring a licensed company

  • LDAF is Louisiana's testing and licensing agency for organized mosquito control and for all other commercial applicators.[4]
  • Ouachita Parish is in LDAF's Monroe District, which pest control companies contact when notifying the state of termite pre-treatments.[5]

Licensing agency: Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry — Pesticide & Environmental Programs[11].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

LSU AgCenter notes that, compared with native subterranean termites, Formosans form very large colonies, have aggressive soldiers and feed on many wood types.[8]

Through the year

Summer to Fall
The district says West Nile virus is endemic to Ouachita Parish, and most people are infected in summer to early fall.[3]

Sources

  1. Ouachita Parish Police Jury, “Mosquito Control.” www.oppj.org/departments/mosquito_control/index.php (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. Ouachita Parish Police Jury, “What We Do.” www.oppj.org/departments/mosquito_control/what_we_do.php (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. Ouachita Parish Police Jury, “Education.” www.oppj.org/departments/mosquito_control/education.php (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. Ouachita Parish Police Jury, “Additional Information.” www.oppj.org/departments/mosquito_control/additional_information.php (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, “Structural pest control reporting.” www.ldaf.la.gov/business/pest-control/reporting (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. City of Monroe, “Code Enforcement.” monroela.us/departments/planning-urban-development/code-enforcement/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  7. LSU AgCenter, “Preparing for the Termite Swarms.” www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/qsun/articles/page1620966062329 (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. LSU AgCenter, “Urban Entomology: Its value and impact in Louisiana.” www.lsuagcenter.com/portals/communications/publications/agmag/archive/2007/fall/urban-entomology-its-value-and-impact-in-louisiana (accessed 2026-10-06)
  10. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 71201 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/71201.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
  11. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-06. Every statement on this page comes from the cited local, state or university source. Spot an error? Tell us.