Pests to know in South Bend
Termites in South Bend
A Purdue statewide survey found Reticulitermes flavipes was the dominant and most widely distributed termite in Indiana, collected in 44 counties.[6]
Invasive species reported here
Indiana DNR reports that spotted lanternfly populations have been found in St. Joseph County, one of several Indiana counties beyond the first Switzerland County find.[5]
Pests local experts flag
Of the 55 mosquito species documented in Indiana, more than 25 have been identified in St. Joseph County, according to the county health department.[2]
Climate
Central South Bend (ZIP 46601) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6a, where the average coldest winter night is -10 to -5°F.[10]
Public agencies that handle pests
- The St. Joseph County Department of Health investigates homes infested with pests that can spread disease; it does not treat them but can order the property owner to.[1]
- St. Joseph County's health department treats bed bugs as a nuisance pest and does not investigate bed bug complaints.[1]
- The county health department tests mosquito pools in-house for West Nile virus and sends samples to the state for West Nile, St. Louis encephalitis, La Crosse and EEE testing.[2]
Local rules and responsibilities
- South Bend's Neighborhood Services and Enforcement cites grass or weeds over 9 inches tall; residents can report code issues by dialing 311.[3]
- South Bend code enforcement says litter and tall grass violations attract roaches, ants, ticks and mosquitoes and give mice, moles, raccoons and other rodents a home.[4]
Hiring a licensed company
In Indiana, anyone applying general use pesticides for hire must be at least 18, employed by a pesticide business, and a certified applicator or registered technician.[7]
Free local help
Purdue Extension's St. Joseph County office in South Bend runs the Master Gardener program, which trains volunteers to help with home horticulture education.[9]
Through the year
- Spring to Fall
- The Indiana Department of Health says blacklegged tick nymphs are most active in spring and summer, while adults peak in fall and early spring.[8]
Sources
- St. Joseph County Department of Health, “Pests & Vectors.” www.in.gov/localhealth/stjosephcounty/environmental-health/pests-and-vectors/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- St. Joseph County Department of Health, “Mosquitoes.” www.in.gov/localhealth/stjosephcounty/environmental-health/pests-and-vectors/mosquitoes (accessed 2026-10-06)
- City of South Bend Neighborhood Services & Enforcement, “Code Enforcement.” southbendin.gov/department/community-investment/code-enforcement/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- City of South Bend Neighborhood Services & Enforcement, “Continuous Enforcement brochure.” southbendin.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/CE-Brochure-2022.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology, “Spotted Lanternfly.” www.in.gov/dnr/entomology/pests-of-concern/spotted-lanternfly/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Purdue University Department of Entomology, “Survey and Identification of Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Indiana.” www.entm.purdue.edu/ants/pubs/21.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Office of Indiana State Chemist, “Pesticide and Fertilizer Licensing.” www.oisc.purdue.edu/pesticide/pest_fert_dist_licenses.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Indiana Department of Health, “Ixodes scapularis (Blacklegged tick).” www.in.gov/health/idepd/zoonotic-and-vectorborne-epidemiology-entomology/vector-borne-diseases/tick-borne-diseases/ixodes-scapularis/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Purdue Extension St. Joseph County, “St. Joseph County.” extension.purdue.edu/county/stjoseph/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 46601 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/46601.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)