Pests to know in Oklahoma City
Termites in Oklahoma City
- OSU Extension says termites are serious wood-destroying pests present in all Oklahoma counties. Pressure is heaviest in the southeast and lower farther north and west.[4]
- Subterranean termite swarmers have been recorded in Oklahoma in every month of the year. Swarms usually happen on warm spring days and sometimes in fall.[6]
Pests local experts flag
OSU Extension says only two spiders in Oklahoma, the brown recluse and the black widow, are considered dangerous to people.[8]
Climate
Central Oklahoma City (ZIP 73102) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7b, where the average coldest winter night is 5 to 10°F.[9]
Public agencies that handle pests
- OCCHD's mosquito surveillance program collects samples from mosquito traps and tests them every week for mosquito-borne illness. It publishes a weekly "Skeeter Meter" risk rating.[1]
- OCCHD launched its mosquito surveillance program in 2013, after dozens of confirmed West Nile cases were reported in Oklahoma County in 2012.[1]
- OCCHD takes complaints about insect and rodent problems and about stagnant water that breeds mosquitoes. It can only investigate within Oklahoma City limits and Oklahoma County.[2]
- The Oklahoma State Department of Health says West Nile virus in Oklahoma is spread mainly by Culex mosquitoes, which pick up the virus from infected birds.[3]
Hiring a licensed company
- In Oklahoma, a pest control company must give the homeowner a written disclosure statement before applying termiticide or installing termite bait. The statement includes a sketch of the structure and warranty details.[4]
- Oklahoma's structural pesticide applicator certification Category 7b covers controlling termites and other wood-destroying organisms, such as wood borers and fungus, in or on a structure.[5]
Free local help
OSU's Plant Disease and Insect Diagnostic Laboratory identifies insect pests year-round. Homeowners and home gardeners send samples through their county extension office.[7]
Through the year
Sources
- Oklahoma City-County Health Department, “Oklahoma City-County Health Department's Mosquito Surveillance Detects Mosquitoes Carrying West Nile Virus.” occhd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/West_Nile_Virus_in_OK_County.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Oklahoma City-County Health Department, “Complaint FAQs.” occhd.org/?p=1463 (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Oklahoma State Department of Health, “Oklahoma Experiences First West Nile Virus Case, and Death, of the Year.” oklahoma.gov/health/news---events/newsroom/2024/oklahoma-wnv.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Oklahoma State University Extension, “EPP-7308 Choosing a Pest Management Company to Protect Your Home Against Termites.” pods.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/EPP-7308pod2014.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Oklahoma State University Extension, “Pesticide Applicator Certification Categories.” extension.okstate.edu/programs/pesticide-safety-education/pesticide-applicator-certification-categories (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Oklahoma State University Extension, “Subterranean Termite (Reticulitermes sp.).” extension.okstate.edu/programs/digital-diagnostics/insects-and-arthropods/subterranean-termite-reticulitermes-sp/index.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Oklahoma State University Extension, “Plant Disease and Insect Diagnostic Laboratory.” extension.okstate.edu/programs/plant-disease-and-insect-diagnostics-lab.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Oklahoma State University Extension, “EPP-7301 Spiders: Brown Recluse, Black Widow and Other Common Spiders.” extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/spiders-brown-recluse-black-widow-and-other-common-spiders (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 73102 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/73102.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)