Pests and pest control in Tampa, FL

Pests to know in Tampa

• Asian Subterranean Termite
• Mosquito
• Lovebugs and other nuisance insects
• Red Imported Fire Ant

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

Termites in Tampa

• The Asian subterranean termite, once thought to be limited mostly to South Florida, is now established as far north as Hillsborough County on the Gulf Coast.^[1]
• UF/IFAS reports that the Asian subterranean termite has been detected in several Central Florida cities, from Tampa to Melbourne.^[2]

Pests local experts flag

In urban areas, red imported fire ants may nest under patio slabs, in lawns, along sidewalks and foundations, and in electrical boxes.^[7]

Climate

Central Tampa (ZIP 33602) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 10a, where the average coldest winter night is 30 to 35°F.^[9]

Public agencies that handle pests

• Hillsborough County's Mosquito Management Services deals with more than 40 mosquito species that live in the county.^[3]
• Hillsborough County residents can report a mosquito problem and request an inspection of their property or neighborhood.^[4]

Hiring a licensed company

Florida law makes it unlawful to run a pest control business that is not licensed by the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.^[8]

Licensing agency: Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services — Agricultural Environmental Services^[10].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County's plant clinic in Seffner offers insect and plant identification, staffed by trained Master Gardener Volunteers.^[5]

Through the year

Spring to Summer

Hillsborough County hands out free mosquitofish, a small native fish that eats mosquito larvae, at giveaways in spring and summer.^[4]

Spring to Fall

Lovebugs appear in huge numbers across Florida for a few weeks each April-May and August-September.^[6]

Sources

1. University of Florida News, “New study shows invasive termites threatening homes in Florida are spreading farther than predicted.” news.ufl.edu/2026/02/termites (accessed 2026-10-06)
2. UF/IFAS, “Is your neighborhood a termite hot spot? UF/IFAS researchers track the spread of destructive pests with online tool.” blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2025/03/19/is-your-neighborhood-a-termite-hot-spot-uf-ifas-researchers-track-the-spread-of-destructive-pests-with-online-tool/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
3. Hillsborough County, “Mosquito Management Program.” hcfl.gov/residents/property-owners-and-renters/mosquito-control/mosquito-management-program (accessed 2026-10-06)
4. Hillsborough County, “Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services offers a number of programs to assist in mosquito population control.” hcfl.gov/newsroom/2026/06/24/hillsborough-county-mosquito-management-services-offers-a-number-of-programs-to-assist-in-mosquito-population-control (accessed 2026-10-06)
5. UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, “Hillsborough County Plant Clinic Offers Free Service to Answer Lawn and Landscape Questions.” blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsboroughco/2025/07/23/hillsborough-county-plant-clinic-offers-free-service-to-answer-lawn-and-landscape-questions/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
6. UF/IFAS EDIS, “Lovebug, Plecia nearctica Hardy.” ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN694 (accessed 2026-10-06)
7. UF/IFAS, “Ants.” ask.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/ants (accessed 2026-10-06)
8. The Florida Senate, “2022 Florida Statutes, Chapter 482: Pest Control.” flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2022/Chapter482/All (accessed 2026-10-06)
9. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 33602 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/33602.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
10. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)