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Pests and pest control in Pennsylvania

Pests to know in Pennsylvania

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

Pests documented in Pennsylvania

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

Many public records (815)

Fewer public records (129)

Range named by extension sources (4)

Termites in Pennsylvania

Eastern subterranean termites are present throughout Pennsylvania and often damage structural timbers, usually after years of undetected infestation.[2]

Invasive species reported here

  • The spotted lanternfly, an invasive planthopper native to Asia, was first discovered in Pennsylvania in Berks County in 2014.[3]
  • The brown marmorated stink bug was first collected in Pennsylvania in Allentown in September 1998, though it probably arrived several years earlier.[4]

Pests local experts flag

  • Deer (blacklegged) ticks are found throughout Pennsylvania, and most Lyme disease illness is linked to the small nymph stage.[5]
  • Brown recluse spiders are rarely encountered in Pennsylvania, though they can arrive in boxes and similar items from areas where they normally live.[6]

Public agencies that handle pests

Pennsylvania DEP's Vector Management program handles mosquito and black fly complaints, posts a weekly West Nile virus risk level, and runs a tick surveillance and testing program for diseases such as Lyme, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus.[5]

Hiring a licensed company

Pennsylvania's pesticide regulatory agency is the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (Bureau of Plant Industry, Pesticide Programs).[1]

Licensing agency: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture — Bureau of Plant Industry, Pesticide Programs[1].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

Penn State Extension Master Gardeners in 58 counties staff a Garden Hotline that answers residents' questions, including insect identification, and can consult Penn State's Entomology Lab.[8]

Local guides in Pennsylvania

Through the year

Winter to Summer
In Pennsylvania, swarms of winged termites usually emerge between February and June, and shed wings are often the only sign of termites in a building.[2]
Spring to Summer
Most Lyme disease cases in Pennsylvania occur in the late spring and summer months.[7]

Sources

  1. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. Penn State Extension, “Eastern Subterranean Termites.” extension.psu.edu/eastern-subterranean-termites (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, “Spotted Lanternfly | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/plants-land-water/spotted-lanternfly (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. Penn State Extension, “Brown Marmorated Stink Bug.” extension.psu.edu/brown-marmorated-stink-bug (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, “Vector Management | Department of Environmental Protection | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” www.pa.gov/agencies/dep/programs-and-services/bureau-of-labs/vector-management (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. Penn State Extension, “Brown Recluse Spiders.” extension.psu.edu/brown-recluse-spiders (accessed 2026-10-06)
  7. Pennsylvania Department of Health, “Lyme Disease | Department of Health | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” www.pa.gov/agencies/health/diseases-conditions/infectious-disease/vectorborne-diseases/tick-diseases/lyme (accessed 2026-10-06)
  8. Penn State Extension, “Garden Hotline — Educational Outreach — Master Gardener.” extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/outreach/garden-hotline (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.