Pests and pest control in San Antonio, TX

Pests to know in San Antonio

• Subterranean termites
• Eastern Bloodsucking Conenose
• Scorpions
• Red Imported Fire Ant

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

Termites in San Antonio

Native subterranean termites are the most economically important termites because they are so widespread.^[1]

Pests local experts flag

• Texas A&M lists the kissing bug species Triatoma gerstaeckeri in south and west Texas.^[5]
• The striped bark scorpion is the most common and widespread scorpion in Texas. Its stings are painful and cause local swelling and itching.^[6]
• Red imported fire ants infest the eastern two-thirds of Texas.^[7]

Climate

Central San Antonio (ZIP 78205) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9a, where the average coldest winter night is 20 to 25°F.^[8]

Public agencies that handle pests

• San Antonio Metro Health does mosquito surveillance in the city from March through October.^[2]
• When West Nile is detected, Metro Health's response can include fogging for adult mosquitoes and targeted prevention campaigns. Its Vector Control Program does not treat private property for insect or rodent problems.^[2]

Hiring a licensed company

The state pesticide regulatory agency for Texas is the Texas Department of Agriculture (Pesticide Programs), which oversees pesticide applicator certification and licensing.^[9]

Licensing agency: Texas Department of Agriculture — Pesticide Programs^[9].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

• The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office for Bexar County has an Insects & Integrated Pest Management program where residents can get answers to pest and insect questions.^[3]
• The Bexar County AgriLife Extension office is on Cherry Ridge Dr. in San Antonio.^[4]

Through the year

Winter

Native subterranean termites start swarming in South Texas in January and February.^[1]

Sources

1. Texas A&M University Urban and Structural Entomology Program, “Native Subterranean Termites.” urbanentomology.tamu.edu/urban-pests/termites/native/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
2. City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, “Mosquito Prevention & Vector Control - City of San Antonio.” www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/SAMHD/Healthy-Environment/Mosquito-Vector-Control (accessed 2026-10-06)
3. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service - Bexar County, “Insects & Integrated Pest Management - Urban Program Bexar County.” bexar-tx.tamu.edu/programs/insects-integrated-pest-management/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
4. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service - Bexar County, “Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Bexar County.” bexar-tx.tamu.edu/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
5. Texas A&M University Kissing Bug Program, “Resources - Kissing Bugs & Chagas Disease.” kissingbug.tamu.edu/resources/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
6. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, “Striped Bark Scorpion - Field Guide to Common Texas Insects.” web.archive.org/web/20260630183826/texasinsects.tamu.edu/striped-bark-scorpion/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
7. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, “Red Imported Fire Ant - Field Guide to Common Texas Insects.” web.archive.org/web/20250120120213/texasinsects.tamu.edu/red-imported-fire-ant/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
8. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 78205 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/78205.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
9. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)