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Pests and pest control in Iowa

Pests to know in Iowa

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

Pests documented in Iowa

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

Many public records (340)

Fewer public records (290)

Range named by extension sources (2)

Termites in Iowa

Subterranean termites are more common in southern Iowa but have been reported in almost every county.[2]

Invasive species reported here

  • Emerald ash borer was first identified in Iowa in 2010 and is now found in most Iowa counties.[3]
  • The Japanese beetle first appeared in Iowa in 1994 and is now found in over three-quarters of the state.[4]

Pests local experts flag

  • The American dog tick is the most common tick in Iowa.[5]
  • Boxelder bugs become nuisance pests in Iowa in the fall when they look for places to spend the winter, sometimes entering houses.[6]

Public agencies that handle pests

Iowa State University runs a statewide mosquito surveillance program that informs public health officials and the public about mosquito populations and their disease risk.[7]

Hiring a licensed company

Iowa's pesticide regulatory agency is the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship (Pesticide Bureau).[1]

Licensing agency: Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship — Pesticide Bureau[1].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

ISU's Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic identifies insects, spiders, ticks, mites and other arthropods from indoors or outdoors.[8]

Local guides in Iowa

Through the year

Spring
Termite swarmers in Iowa emerge in mass flights most often in the spring.[2]

Sources

  1. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, “Termites.” yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/termites (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, “Emerald Ash Borer.” yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/emerald-ash-borer (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, “Japanese Beetle.” yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/japanese-beetle (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, “American Dog Tick.” yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/american-dog-tick (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, “Boxelder Bug.” yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/boxelder-bug (accessed 2026-10-06)
  7. Iowa State University (Smith Lab), “Mosquito Surveillance.” faculty.sites.iastate.edu/smithr/mosquito-surveillance (accessed 2026-10-06)
  8. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, “Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic.” yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/pidc (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.