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Pests and pest control in San Diego, CA

Pests to know in San Diego

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

Termites in San Diego

Drywood termites are commonly found along California's Pacific coastal region, extending into the Central Valley and the deserts of Southern California.[1]

Invasive species reported here

  • Invasive Aedes mosquitoes were first found in San Diego County in 2014, and Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus can spread viruses such as Zika, dengue and chikungunya.[3]
  • Aedes notoscriptus has also been found in San Diego County and can spread diseases including dog heartworm.[3]

Pests local experts flag

Roof rats are the most common rat in San Diego County and tend to climb rather than burrow.[4]

Climate

Central San Diego (ZIP 92101) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 11a, where the average coldest winter night is 40 to 45°F.[7]

Public agencies that handle pests

  • The San Diego County Vector Control Program is a countywide program that monitors mosquitoes, rats, mice, ticks, flies and eye gnats, along with the diseases they carry.[2]
  • The county Vector Control Program gives County residents free educational rodent inspections, though it does not trap, bait or remove rodents.[4]

Hiring a licensed company

California's Structural Pest Control Board licenses commercial pest control in structures such as homes and offices.[6]

Licensing agency: California Environmental Protection Agency — Department of Pesticide Regulation[8].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

The UC Master Gardeners of San Diego County, part of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, run a free hotline for questions about pests and gardening.[5]

Through the year

Summer to Fall
Drywood termites are most often seen as winged swarmers flying in the daytime during summer and fall.[1]
Seasonal
In warm weather, invasive Aedes mosquitoes can develop from egg to adult in under a week, and their eggs can survive for months in dry containers.[3]

Sources

  1. UC Statewide IPM Program (UC ANR), “Pest Notes: Drywood Termites.” ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7440.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, “Vector Control Program.” www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/deh/pests/vector.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, “Invasive Aedes Mosquitoes.” www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/deh/pests/aedes.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, “Rats.” web.archive.org/web/20250121105513/www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/deh/pests/rat.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. UC Master Gardeners of San Diego County (UC ANR), “UC Master Gardeners of San Diego County.” ucanr.edu/site/san-diego-county-master-gardeners (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. UC Statewide IPM Program (UC ANR), “Which California pest control or applicator license do I need?.” web.archive.org/web/20260421162910/ipm.ucanr.edu/highlights/2022/which_california_pest_control_or_applicator_license_do_i_need/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  7. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 92101 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/92101.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
  8. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-15. Every statement on this page comes from the cited local, state or university source. Spot an error? Tell us.