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Pests and pest control in Georgia

Pests to know in Georgia

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

Pests documented in Georgia

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

Many public records (707)

Fewer public records (181)

Range named by extension sources (7)

Termites in Georgia

Formosan subterranean termite infestations have turned up at a number of sites in Georgia since the early 1990s.[2]

Invasive species reported here

  • In August 2023, Georgia officials confirmed a yellow-legged hornet near Savannah, the first live specimen of this invasive hornet detected in the open United States.[3]
  • The first live spotted lanternfly population in Georgia was found in Fulton County in October 2024.[4]
  • The tawny crazy ant, an invasive ant native to South America, was first discovered in Georgia in August 2013 in Albany (Dougherty County).[5]

Pests local experts flag

  • The ticks most often found on people in Georgia are the lone star tick, American dog tick, and blacklegged tick, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease are the most common tick-borne diseases in the state.[6]
  • UGA Extension calls mosquitoes the most important public health pest in Georgia.[7]
  • The Joro spider, native to Japan and East Asia, was first documented in the United States in 2014 in northeast Georgia.[8]

Public agencies that handle pests

The Georgia Department of Public Health's Vector-Borne Diseases Team collects, analyzes, and shares data on vector-borne diseases and insect-related infestations in Georgia to guide prevention and control.[9]

Hiring a licensed company

Georgia's pesticide regulatory agency is the Georgia Department of Agriculture (Plant Industry Division).[1]

Licensing agency: Georgia Department of Agriculture — Plant Industry Division[1].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

Georgians can reach their local UGA Cooperative Extension agent by calling 1-800-ASK-UGA1, for example to report a suspected tawny crazy ant infestation.[5]

Local guides in Georgia

Through the year

Winter to Summer
In Georgia, native subterranean termites begin swarming in February or March during the day, while Formosan termites swarm at night in late May or early June and are drawn to lights.[2]

Sources

  1. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, “Identifying the Formosan Subterranean Termite (C868).” fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/C868/identifying-the-formosan-subterranean-termite/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. Georgia Department of Agriculture, “Yellow-Legged Hornet.” agr.georgia.gov/yellow-legged-hornet (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. Georgia Department of Agriculture, “Spotted Lanternfly.” agr.georgia.gov/spotted-lanternfly (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, “The Tawny Crazy Ant, Nylanderia fulva, in Georgia (C1064).” fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/C1064/the-tawny-crazy-ant-in-georgia/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, “Protect Yourself from Ticks (C937).” fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/C937/protect-yourself-from-ticks/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  7. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, “Mosquito Biology and Behavior (C1155).” fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/C1155/mosquito-biology-and-behavior/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  8. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, “Ants, Termites and Other Pests Resources.” fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/topic/ants-termites-and-other-pests/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  9. Georgia Department of Public Health, “Insects and Diseases.” dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/insects-and-diseases (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.