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Pests and pest control in Massachusetts

Pests to know in Massachusetts

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

Pests documented in Massachusetts

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

Many public records (794)

Fewer public records (135)

Range named by extension sources (3)

Termites in Massachusetts

UMass Extension notes that the Formosan termite, a major southern pest, is not known to survive north of about 35 degrees latitude (roughly southern Virginia) because of cold winters.[2]

Invasive species reported here

  • Emerald ash borer was first detected in Massachusetts in 2012, when a single adult beetle was trapped in Dalton in Berkshire County.[3]
  • The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has confirmed spotted lanternfly in dozens of cities and towns and asks residents to report it in new locations through mass.gov/slf.[4]

Pests local experts flag

  • Blacklegged (deer) ticks and dog ticks are found throughout Massachusetts, and the most common tick-borne diseases in the state are Lyme disease, babesiosis and anaplasmosis.[5]
  • Boxelder bugs are mainly a fall nuisance pest in Massachusetts homes, gathering by the thousands on buildings in late summer and early fall before trying to get inside for winter.[6]

Public agencies that handle pests

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health posts local risk levels for eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus by city and town, based on seasonal testing from June to October.[8]

Hiring a licensed company

Massachusetts's pesticide regulatory agency is the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (Pesticide Program).[1]

Licensing agency: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources — Pesticide Program[1].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

The UMass Extension Plant Diagnostics Laboratory sends written diagnoses with research-based pest management strategies, but it does not identify insects found in the home, on animals or on people.[9]

Local guides in Massachusetts

Through the year

Spring to Summer
Spongy moth eggs typically hatch in Massachusetts around the first week of May, and the caterpillar stage usually lasts until about the third week of June.[7]

Sources

  1. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program, “Formosan Termite.” www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/landscape/fact-sheets/formosan-termite (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program, “Emerald Ash Borer.” www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/landscape/fact-sheets/emerald-ash-borer (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, “State Agricultural Officials Provide Update About Spotted Lanternfly in Massachusetts.” www.mass.gov/news/state-agricultural-officials-provide-update-about-spotted-lanternfly-in-massachusetts (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. Massachusetts Department of Public Health, “Tick-borne Diseases.” www.mass.gov/tick-borne-diseases (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. UMass Extension, “Boxelder Bug.” www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/home-lawn-garden/fact-sheets/boxelder-bug (accessed 2026-10-06)
  7. UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program, “Spongy Moth.” www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/landscape/fact-sheets/spongy-moth (accessed 2026-10-06)
  8. Massachusetts Department of Public Health, “Massachusetts arbovirus update.” www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-arbovirus-update (accessed 2026-10-06)
  9. UMass Amherst Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment, “Plant Diagnostics Laboratory.” www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/services/plant-diagnostics-laboratory (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.