Pests to know in Worcester
Termites in Worcester
MDAR says a contractor applying liquid termiticide should be certified in category 43 (termite control) or work under direct supervision of someone who is.[9]
Invasive species reported here
- UMass Extension lists Worcester among the U.S. Asian longhorned beetle infestations, noting it was found there in 2008.[6]
- A USDA APHIS quarantine map sizes the Massachusetts Asian longhorned beetle quarantine around Worcester at 75.74 square miles.[7]
- Massachusetts' first established spotted lanternfly population was detected in Fitchburg, in Worcester County, in 2021.[8]
Pests local experts flag
CMMCP warns that mosquito larvae will develop in any container that holds water for more than a week.[5]
Climate
Central Worcester (ZIP 01608) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6a, where the average coldest winter night is -10 to -5°F.[11]
Public agencies that handle pests
Local rules and responsibilities
Under 333 CMR 13.03, a request to exclude property from wide-area mosquito spraying can be filed any time of year, takes effect 14 days after receipt, and lasts the rest of that calendar year.[4]
Hiring a licensed company
In Massachusetts, anyone doing pesticide work for hire with general use pesticides who has never held a pesticide license must first obtain MDAR's Applicator License.[10]
Free local help
UMass Extension says adult Asian longhorned beetles in Massachusetts start emerging from trees around July 1.[6]
Through the year
- Spring to Fall
- Worcester's public health division says peak tick season in Massachusetts runs from March or April through August, with a second peak in October and November.[1]
- Winter to Spring
- CMMCP says mosquito larvae usually hatch in late February, and its crews begin checking catalogued wetland areas by mid-March.[2]
Sources
- City of Worcester Division of Public Health, “Fight the Bite.” www.worcesterma.gov/public-health/health-topics/fight-the-bite (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project, “Frequently Asked Questions.” www.cmmcp.org/FAQ.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project, “Surveillance.” www.cmmcp.org/1225/Surveillance (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project, “Pesticide Exclusion.” www.cmmcp.org/1526/Pesticide-Exclusion (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project, “Source Reduction.” www.cmmcp.org/1226/Source-Reduction (accessed 2026-10-06)
- UMass Extension (UMass Amherst Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment), “Asian Longhorned Beetle.” www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/landscape/fact-sheets/asian-longhorned-beetle (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, “ALB Massachusetts Quarantine.” www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/mass-currentquarantine.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- UMass Extension (UMass Amherst Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment), “Spotted Lanternfly.” www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/landscape/fact-sheets/spotted-lanternfly (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, “Consumer Information Bulletin: Termite Applications.” www.mass.gov/doc/cib-termite/download (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, “Pesticide Examination and License Information Bulletin.” www.mass.gov/doc/pesticide-examination-and-license-information-bulletin/download (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 01608 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/01608.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)