Pests and pest control in Yakima, WA

Pests to know in Yakima

• Subterranean termites
• Mosquito
• Japanese Beetle
• Codling Moth

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

Termites in Yakima

WSU says two termites are native to the area, dampwood and subterranean, and that subterranean termites commonly attack sound wood in homes and can be very damaging.^[3]

Invasive species reported here

WSDA's Japanese beetle quarantine bars moving plants, soil, plant waste and other items out of the quarantine area, which covers parts of Yakima and Benton counties.^[5]

Pests local experts flag

• Citing Washington Department of Health figures, Benton County Mosquito Control District lists 36 mosquito species for Yakima County.^[4]
• Yakima County's pest board says codling moth, pear psylla, cherry fruit fly and apple maggot are found in neglected orchards and backyard trees, then spread to commercial orchards.^[10]

Climate

Central Yakima (ZIP 98901) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7a, where the average coldest winter night is 0 to 5°F.^[12]

Public agencies that handle pests

• The Yakima Health District says West Nile virus is commonly found in mosquitoes in Yakima County.^[1]
• Two agencies handle mosquito control in Yakima County: Yakima County Mosquito Control District #1 and Benton County Mosquito Control.^[2]

Local rules and responsibilities

Yakima County's Horticultural Pest and Disease Board reminds property owners with fruit trees that state law (RCW 15.08 and 15.09) requires them to maintain those trees.^[9]

Hiring a licensed company

WSDA lists a pesticide licensing testing location in Yakima at 21 N 1st Avenue, Suite 236.^[11]

Licensing agency: Washington State Department of Agriculture — Pesticides and Fertilizers^[13].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

WSU Extension Yakima County Master Gardeners run a diagnostic team that pinpoints plant and pest problems and offers free, research-based management advice.^[7]

Through the year

Summer

WSDA says adult Japanese beetles emerge around June and live about a month.^[6]

Spring to Fall

From April through October, Master Gardeners staff an Answer Clinic three days a week at the Yakima County Extension Office in Union Gap.^[8]

Sources

1. Yakima Health District (Yakima County), “West Nile Virus.” yakimacounty.us/2940/West-Nile-Virus (accessed 2026-10-06)
2. Yakima Health District (Yakima County), “Mosquito Control.” yakimacounty.us/362/Mosquito-Control (accessed 2026-10-06)
3. Washington State University Extension (PestSense), “Termites.” pestsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/fact-sheet/termites/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
4. Benton County Mosquito Control District, “History.” bcmcd.specialdistrict.org/history (accessed 2026-10-06)
5. Washington State Department of Agriculture, “Japanese Beetle Quarantine.” agr.wa.gov/departments/insects-pests-and-weeds/insects/japanese-beetle/quarantine (accessed 2026-10-06)
6. Washington State Department of Agriculture, “Japanese Beetle 101.” agr.wa.gov/departments/insects-pests-and-weeds/insects/japanese-beetle/beetle-101 (accessed 2026-10-06)
7. WSU Extension Yakima County, “Ask a Master Gardener.” extension.wsu.edu/yakima/mg-home/educational-outreach/ask-a-master-gardener/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
8. WSU Extension Yakima County, “Answer Clinic Locations.” extension.wsu.edu/yakima/mg-home/educational-outreach/ask-a-master-gardener/answer-clinics/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
9. Yakima County Horticultural Pest and Disease Board, “Horticulture.” yakimacounty.us/386/Horticulture (accessed 2026-10-06)
10. Yakima County Horticultural Pest and Disease Board, “Pests & Diseases.” yakimacounty.us/3057/Pests-Diseases (accessed 2026-10-06)
11. Washington State Department of Agriculture, “Yakima Directions.” agr.wa.gov/services/licenses-permits-and-certificates/pesticide-license-and-recertification/pesticide-and-spi-licensing/exams-and-study-materials/testing-sites-directions/yakima-directions (accessed 2026-10-06)
12. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 98901 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/98901.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
13. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)