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Pests and pest control in Ohio

Pests to know in Ohio

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

Pests documented in Ohio

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

Many public records (756)

Fewer public records (131)

Range named by extension sources (3)

Invasive species reported here

  • Spotted lanternfly was first identified in Ohio in 2020, is now widespread, and the Ohio Department of Agriculture issued a statewide quarantine in February 2026.[2]
  • The spongy moth, an invasive forest pest that moved into Ohio from Pennsylvania and Michigan, has established populations in 51 of Ohio's 88 counties, which are under state and federal quarantine.[3]

Pests local experts flag

  • Ohio State University Extension lists three medically important ticks in Ohio: the American dog tick, the blacklegged (deer) tick and the lone star tick.[4]
  • Carpenter ants do not eat wood but chew out nest space in it, sometimes causing structural damage, and they prefer water-damaged areas of homes.[5]
  • Most Ohio ant species are not known for bites or stings, unlike the fire ants of southern states; their problem is constant foraging for food and water in homes.[5]
  • Penn State Extension lists Ohio among the sixteen states where brown recluse spiders are established.[8]

Public agencies that handle pests

The Ohio Department of Health's Zoonotic & Vector-borne Diseases section conducts surveillance of animals including mosquitoes and ticks, investigates human cases, and runs prevention and education efforts with local health departments.[6]

Hiring a licensed company

Ohio's pesticide regulatory agency is the Ohio Department of Agriculture (Pesticide Program).[1]

Licensing agency: Ohio Department of Agriculture — Pesticide Program[1].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

OSU's C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic in Wooster identifies insects and plant problems as a fee-based lab and accepts samples from homeowners and backyard gardeners.[7]

Local guides in Ohio

Through the year

Spring to Summer
Adult American dog ticks, the largest tick in Ohio, are active in spring and summer and most abundant from mid-April to mid-July.[4]

Sources

  1. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. Ohio Department of Agriculture, “Spotted Lanternfly (SLF).” agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/invasive-pests/invasive-insects/slf (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. Ohio Department of Agriculture, “Spongy Moth.” agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/spongy-moth-program (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. Ohio State University Extension (Ohioline), “Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases.” ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-2073 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. Ohio State University CFAES, “Ants In and Around the Home.” cfaes.osu.edu/fact-sheet/ants-and-around-home (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. Ohio Department of Health, “About Us.” odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/zoonotic-vector-borne-diseases/about-us (accessed 2026-10-06)
  7. The Ohio State University CFAES, “Home | PPDC.” ppdc.osu.edu/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  8. Penn State Extension, “Brown Recluse Spiders.” extension.psu.edu/brown-recluse-spiders (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.