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Pests and pest control in Maryland

Pests to know in Maryland

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

Pests documented in Maryland

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

Many public records (770)

Fewer public records (143)

Range named by extension sources (2)

Termites in Maryland

The termites native to Maryland are subterranean termites in the genus Reticulitermes, including the eastern subterranean termite.[2]

Invasive species reported here

  • Spotted lanternfly was first sighted in Maryland in Cecil County in 2018.[3]
  • After its first discovery in Baltimore City in 1987, the Asian tiger mosquito spread to every Maryland county except Allegany and Garrett.[4]

Pests local experts flag

  • Asian tiger mosquitoes in Maryland bite in the daytime and rarely at night.[4]
  • Lyme disease is the most common tickborne disease in Maryland.[5]

Public agencies that handle pests

The Maryland Department of Agriculture's Mosquito Control Program surveys larval and adult mosquitoes and chooses control strategies using integrated pest management.[6]

Hiring a licensed company

Maryland's pesticide regulatory agency is the Maryland Department of Agriculture (Pesticide Regulation Section).[1]

Licensing agency: Maryland Department of Agriculture — Pesticide Regulation Section[1].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

The University of Maryland Extension Home and Garden Information Center's Ask Extension service answers questions from horticulturists, Extension faculty and Master Gardeners.[8]

Local guides in Maryland

Through the year

Spring to Fall
MDA's mosquito program inspects breeding areas regularly from March through September.[6]
Fall
Brown marmorated stink bugs become a nuisance in Maryland homes and buildings when they seek shelter in the fall.[7]

Sources

  1. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. University of Maryland Extension, “Termites.” extension.umd.edu/resource/termites (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. Maryland Department of Agriculture, “Spotted Lanternfly.” mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/Pages/spotted-lantern-fly.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. Maryland Department of Agriculture, “Asian Tiger Mosquito in Maryland.” mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/Pages/asian_tiger_mosquito_md.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. Maryland Department of Health, “Lyme Disease.” health.maryland.gov/phpa/OIDEOR/CZVBD/Pages/Lyme-Disease.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. Maryland Department of Agriculture, “Mosquito Control Program.” mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/Pages/mosquito_control.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
  7. University of Maryland Extension, “Brown Marmorated Stink Bug.” extension.umd.edu/resource/brown-marmorated-stink-bug (accessed 2026-10-06)
  8. University of Maryland Extension, “Home and Garden Information Center.” extension.umd.edu/hgic (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.