Pests to know in Nashville
Termites in Nashville
UT Extension reports that the Formosan termite was introduced to the Memphis area but is not established in Tennessee. Native subterranean termites remain the state's main wood-destroying threat.[4]
Invasive species reported here
- The Tennessee Department of Agriculture confirmed the invasive spotted lanternfly in Davidson County in September 2023. Residents are asked to destroy the insects and their egg masses and report sightings.[6]
- Davidson County is on Tennessee's imported fire ant quarantine list, which limits moving soil, sod and rooted plants out of quarantined areas.[7]
Climate
Central Nashville (ZIP 37219) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7b, where the average coldest winter night is 5 to 10°F.[8]
Public agencies that handle pests
- Metro Public Health's Pest Management Team traps and tests Nashville mosquitoes for West Nile virus every week and advises residents on reducing mosquitoes.[1]
- Metro Public Health checks standing water and applies larvicide where it finds larvae. Residents can request free backyard inspections or file requests through hubNashville.[1]
- Metro Public Health inspects Nashville properties for rats and baits with the owner's consent, but will not apply rodenticide unless the owner removes food and shelter sources.[2]
- For bed bug complaints, Metro Public Health may inspect Nashville apartments to confirm an infestation and check that management has hired professional pest control.[2]
Hiring a licensed company
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture requires each pest control business location to hold a charter, with at least one licensee for every service category it offers.[3]
Free local help
- The Davidson County Extension office at 1281 Murfreesboro Pike offers plant disease and insect identification with control recommendations for Nashville homeowners.[5]
- Davidson County samples go to the University of Tennessee Soil, Plant and Pest Center, located at the Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville.[5]
Through the year
- Spring to Fall
- In Tennessee, eastern subterranean termites usually swarm between March and May. The southeastern species flies April through June or in fall, and a pale species flies August to October.[4]
Sources
- Metro Public Health Department, Nashville, “West Nile Virus detected by Metro Public Health Department's Pest Management program in North Nashville.” www.nashville.gov/departments/health/news/west-nile-virus-detected-metro-public-health-departments-pest-management-program-north-nashville (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Metro Public Health Department, Nashville, “Metro Public Health Department Pest Management Fact Sheet.” filetransfer.nashville.gov/portals/0/sitecontent/Health/PDFs/FactSheets/2015/Fact%20Sheet_pest%20management.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Tennessee Department of Agriculture, “Certification, Licensing and Charters.” tn.gov/agriculture/businesses/pesticides/certification.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- University of Tennessee Extension, “PB1344 Subterranean Termite Control (UT Extension; archived in UT TRACE).” trace.tennessee.edu/utk_agexdise/15 (accessed 2026-10-17)
- Metro Nashville / UT-TSU Extension Davidson County, “Davidson County Agriculture and Horticulture Programs | Nashville.gov.” www.nashville.gov/departments/agricultural-extension/agriculture-and-horticulture (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Tennessee Department of Agriculture, “Spotted Lanternfly Detected in Middle Tennessee.” www.tn.gov/agriculture/news/2023/9/28/spotted-lanternfly-detected-in-middle-tennessee.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Tennessee Department of Agriculture, “IMPORTED FIRE ANT Tennessee Quarantined Counties - 2026.” 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)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 37219 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/37219.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)