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Pests and pest control in Virginia Beach, VA

Pests to know in Virginia Beach

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

Termites in Virginia Beach

Virginia Cooperative Extension identifies the eastern subterranean termite as Virginia's most common subterranean termite; it usually swarms March–May on warm days after rain.[6]

Invasive species reported here

  • The entire city of Virginia Beach is in Virginia's imported fire ant quarantine, which restricts moving soil, sod and rooted plants out of the regulated area.[4]
  • Virginia's imported fire ant quarantine was established in 2009 and covered much of southeast Virginia; inside the quarantine, VDACS no longer treats infestations and refers residents to Extension.[5]

Pests local experts flag

At least 30 mosquito species are found throughout Virginia Beach, which the city describes as especially prone to mosquito breeding.[2]

Climate

Central Virginia Beach (ZIP 23451) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b, where the average coldest winter night is 15 to 20°F.[9]

Public agencies that handle pests

  • Virginia Beach's Mosquito Control Bureau offers yard inspections at 757-385-1470; residents must be present and sign a consent form, and treatment is limited to one application between May and October.[1]
  • From May through October, Virginia Beach daytime crews larvicide known breeding sites, treating roughly 1,000 acres of standing water each season.[2]
  • Virginia Beach Public Works maintains a network of mosquito control ditches to reduce standing water, a method that uses no chemicals.[2]
  • Virginia Beach's nighttime spray schedule is posted daily at 3 p.m. on 757-385-1590 and on the city's mosquito spraying map.[1]
  • The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health runs a rabies prevention program that investigates human and pet exposures and holds rabies vaccination clinics for dogs and cats.[8]

Local rules and responsibilities

Virginia Beach city code requires grass and weeds taller than 10 inches to be cut, and code enforcement cites neglected yards and pools as rodent and mosquito risks.[3]

Hiring a licensed company

The state pesticide regulatory agency for Virginia is the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Office of Pesticide Services), which oversees pesticide applicator certification and licensing.[10]

Licensing agency: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services — Office of Pesticide Services[10].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

Virginia Cooperative Extension's Virginia Beach office offers recertification training for commercial pesticide applicators, whose Virginia licenses expire every two years on June 30.[7]

Through the year

Spring to Fall
Mosquito season in Virginia runs from May through early November, with activity peaking in July and August, according to the City of Virginia Beach.[2]

Sources

  1. City of Virginia Beach Public Works, “Mosquito Control.” pw.virginiabeach.gov/stormwater/mosquito-control (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. City of Virginia Beach, “Public Works Mosquito Control Group Takes Action to Curb Mosquito Activity.” virginiabeach.gov/connect/blog/mosquitoes-in-virginia-beach (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. City of Virginia Beach, “Proactive Property Maintenance Helps Keep Our Neighborhoods Vibrant and Beautiful.” virginiabeach.gov/connect/blog/proactive-property-maintenance-helps-keep-our-neighborhoods-vibrant-and-beautiful (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. Virginia Administrative Code (VDACS), “2VAC5-315-50. Regulated areas.” law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title2/agency5/chapter315/section50/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, “Imported Fire Ant.” www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-services-imported-fire-ant.shtml (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech), “Subterranean Termite Biology and Behavior (Pub. 444-502).” vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstreams/c1477776-b649-444c-be06-fe79a160e434/download (accessed 2026-10-06)
  7. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Beach Office, “Horticulture.” virginia-beach.ext.vt.edu/programs/horticulture.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  8. Virginia Beach Department of Public Health (VDH), “Environmental Health.” www.vdh.virginia.gov/virginia-beach/environmental-health/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  9. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 23451 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/23451.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)

Updated 2026-10-06. Every statement on this page comes from the cited local, state or university source. Spot an error? Tell us.