Pests and pest control in New Orleans, LA

Pests to know in New Orleans

• Formosan Subterranean Termite
• Subterranean termites
• Mosquito

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

Termites in New Orleans

• The Formosan subterranean termite has replaced native subterranean termites as the main structural pest in the greater New Orleans area.^[3]
• One of the Board's termite programs protects historic French Quarter buildings and trees from Formosan subterranean termites.^[4]

Invasive species reported here

Formosan termites reached port cities such as New Orleans from eastern Asia after World War II in infested wooden cargo crates and pallets.^[3]

Pests local experts flag

• A single Formosan termite colony in New Orleans can hold one to four million foraging termites, about ten times the size of a native colony.^[3]
• The New Orleans Board advises leaving termite treatment to professionals. It also recommends fixing roof leaks and keeping plants at least 18 inches from the house.^[6]
• The Board warns that feeding neighborhood cats outdoors makes New Orleans rodent problems worse. Rodent service requests go through NOLA-311.^[7]

Climate

Central New Orleans (ZIP 70112) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9b, where the average coldest winter night is 25 to 30°F.^[11]

Public agencies that handle pests

• The New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board controls mosquitoes through surveillance, public education, larval habitat reduction and spraying from trucks and aircraft.^[1]
• The Board was created under Louisiana statute and the New Orleans City Charter. It runs surveillance, source reduction, biological control, sanitation and abatement programs against mosquitoes, termites and rodents.^[2]

Hiring a licensed company

Under a Louisiana Structural Pest Control Commission rule adopted in December 2023, termite control work must include inspection diagrams for every structure covered.^[10]

Licensing agency: Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry — Pesticide & Environmental Programs^[12].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

• To get an insect identified, Louisiana residents send a photo or specimen to their parish extension agent, who can pass hard cases to the state insect identifier at LSU.^[8]
• The LSU AgCenter Orleans Parish extension office at 1300 Perdido Street trains Master Gardeners who share research-based gardening advice with New Orleans residents.^[9]

Through the year

Spring to Summer

LSU AgCenter says Formosan termites in Louisiana swarm at dusk near lights. Peak season runs May to June, spiking around Mother's Day, with flights possible from late April into July.^[5]

Sources

1. City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite & Rodent Control Board, “Mosquito, Termite & Rodent Control Board - Home - City of New Orleans.” nola.gov/mosquito/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
2. City of New Orleans, “New Orleans Mosquito, Termite & Rodent Control Board.” web.archive.org/web/20240613011156/nola.gov/boards/new-orleans-mosquito,-termite-rodent-control-board/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
3. City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite & Rodent Control Board, “The Formosan Subterranean Termite.” web.archive.org/web/20240613031404/nola.gov/mosquito/documents/termite-info-summary/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
4. City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite & Rodent Control Board, “Termite Control.” web.archive.org/web/20240613180721/nola.gov/mosquito/termite-control/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
5. LSU AgCenter, “Louisiana homeowners should prepare for upcoming termite swarms.” www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/rbogren/articles/page1556114773709 (accessed 2026-10-06)
6. City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite & Rodent Control Board, “Tips for Home Termite Control.” web.archive.org/web/20240612223104/nola.gov/mosquito/termite-control/tips-for-home-termite-control/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
7. City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite & Rodent Control Board, “Tips for Home Rodent Control.” web.archive.org/web/20240226155010/nola.gov/mosquito/rodent-control/tips-for-home-rodent-control/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
8. LSU AgCenter, “Insect Identification Services (Publication 1838).” www.lsuagcenter.com/~/media/system/3/7/d/1/37d1b9f55167852abebaee56171d18ee/p1838%20insect%20identification%20servicespdf.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
9. LSU AgCenter, “LSU AgCenter Orleans Parish Profile 2026.” www.lsuagcenter.com/~/media/system/5/c/3/7/5c37d895647af3285f9596a7857d1fd1/orleans%20parish%20profile%202026pdf.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
10. Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, “NOTICE: Final Rule - Structural Pest Control Commission.” www.ldaf.la.gov/about/news/article/notice-final-rule-structural-pest-control-commission (accessed 2026-10-06)
11. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 70112 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/70112.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
12. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)