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Pests and pest control in Arizona

Pests to know in Arizona

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

Pests documented in Arizona

From public GBIF occurrence records since 1990. A record means a species was documented in Arizona, not that it's common near you.

Many public records (444)

Fewer public records (185)

Range named by extension sources (9)

Termites in Arizona

  • University of Arizona Extension calls the desert subterranean termite (Heterotermes aureus) the most destructive termite in Arizona and the most common subterranean termite in the Sonoran Desert below 4,000 feet.[2]
  • University of Arizona Extension describes termites as Arizona's number one urban pest.[3]

Invasive species reported here

  • Non-native roof rats are well established in some Arizona neighborhoods and are a common problem for urban homeowners.[7]
  • The red imported fire ant is not established in Arizona; the fire ants commonly found in the state are the native southern fire ant and two desert fire ant species.[8]

Pests local experts flag

  • At least 30 scorpion species occur in Arizona, and the bark scorpion is the only one considered life-threatening.[5]
  • Seven kissing bug species are found in Arizona, and Triatoma rubida, found throughout the state, is most prevalent in the foothills around Phoenix and Tucson.[6]
  • University of Arizona Extension says summer rain and construction can drive American cockroaches out of sewers and into homes.[4]

Public agencies that handle pests

The Arizona Department of Health Services runs a mosquito-borne disease program and notes that Arizona has more than 40 mosquito species, only some of which spread disease.[9]

Hiring a licensed company

Arizona's pesticide regulatory agency is the Arizona Department of Agriculture (Pest Management Division).[1]

Licensing agency: Arizona Department of Agriculture — Pest Management Division[1].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

The Great Arizona Tick Check, run by University of Arizona Cooperative Extension with the Arizona Department of Health Services, accepts ticks from Arizonans, identifies them, and tells senders about health risks and control options.[10]

Local guides in Arizona

Through the year

Summer
Subterranean termites in Arizona tend to swarm in large numbers on the night after a substantial summer rain.[2]
Summer to Fall
In Arizona, mosquitoes peak during the monsoon season, between June and October.[4]

Sources

  1. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, “Arizona Termites of Economic Importance (AZ1369).” extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1369.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, “Termite Management for Homeowners (AZ1356).” extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1356.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, “Monsoon brings some unwanted pests to life and forces others inside.” extension.arizona.edu/news/monsoon-brings-some-unwanted-pests-life-and-forces-others-inside (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension (Backyard Gardener), “Backyard Gardener #184: Scorpions.” www.extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/attachment/Scorpions.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, “What You Should Know About Kissing Bugs (az1992).” extension.arizona.edu/publication/what-you-should-know-about-kissing-bugs (accessed 2026-10-06)
  7. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, “How to Identify and Discourage Roof Rats.” extension.arizona.edu/publication/how-identify-and-discourage-roof-rats (accessed 2026-10-06)
  8. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, “Beware of Fire Ant Stings.” extension.arizona.edu/publication/beware-fire-ant-stings (accessed 2026-10-06)
  9. Arizona Department of Health Services, “Mosquitoes of Arizona.” www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/mosquito-borne/mosquitoes-of-az/index.php (accessed 2026-10-06)
  10. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, “Great Arizona Tick Check.” extension.arizona.edu/programs/great-arizona-tick-check (accessed 2026-10-06)

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