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Pests and pest control in New Hampshire

Pests to know in New Hampshire

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

Pests documented in New Hampshire

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

Many public records (418)

Fewer public records (204)

Range named by extension sources (2)

Invasive species reported here

  • Emerald ash borer was found in Concord in March 2013, and the list of New Hampshire towns with known infestations continues to grow.[2]
  • In August 2026 the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food confirmed spotted lanternfly in Salem; it had previously been intercepted on nursery stock and goods from infested states.[3]
  • Browntail moth caterpillars carry barbed, toxic hairs that cause rashes on human skin; the infestation spread into New Hampshire from Massachusetts.[4]

Pests local experts flag

  • The American dog tick is the most frequently encountered tick in New Hampshire, but it does not transmit Lyme disease.[5]
  • Blacklegged (deer) ticks, the state's second most common tick, occur in all ten New Hampshire counties but are most abundant in the southeast.[5]

Public agencies that handle pests

New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services Arbovirus Program estimates EEE and West Nile virus risk levels, with monitoring that includes trapping and testing adult mosquitoes; in 2005 the state led the nation with seven human EEE cases.[6]

Hiring a licensed company

New Hampshire's pesticide regulatory agency is the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food (Division of Pesticide Control).[1]

Licensing agency: New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food — Division of Pesticide Control[1].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

UNH Extension identifies insects and other arthropods for a fee per specimen and offers public tick testing that can detect pathogens in as little as 1 to 3 days.[7]

Local guides in New Hampshire

Through the year

Spring to Summer
The American dog tick is most active in New Hampshire from May through July.[5]

Sources

  1. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. NHBugs (University of New Hampshire), “Emerald Ash Borer.” www.nhbugs.org/damaging-insects-diseases/emerald-ash-borer (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. NHBugs (University of New Hampshire), “Spotted Lanternfly.” www.nhbugs.org/damaging-insects-diseases/spotted-lanternfly (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. NHBugs (University of New Hampshire), “Browntail Moth.” www.nhbugs.org/damaging-insects-diseases/browntail-moth (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. University of New Hampshire Extension, “Biology and Management of Ticks in New Hampshire.” extension.unh.edu/resource/biology-and-management-ticks-new-hampshire-fact-sheet (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. University of New Hampshire Extension, “Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Mosquito Management in NH.” extension.unh.edu/resource/eastern-equine-encephalitis-and-mosquito-management-nh-fact-sheet (accessed 2026-10-06)
  7. University of New Hampshire Extension, “Insect & Other Arthropods Identification.” extension.unh.edu/agriculture-gardens/pest-disease-growing-tools/insect-other-arthropods-identification (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.