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Pests and pest control in Rhode Island

Pests to know in Rhode Island

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

Pests documented in Rhode Island

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

Many public records (211)

Fewer public records (363)

Range named by extension sources (1)

Invasive species reported here

Spotted lanternfly was first found in Rhode Island in Warwick in 2021.[2]

Pests local experts flag

  • In Rhode Island, the deer tick spreads Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis, which are the state's most frequently reported tick-borne diseases.[4]
  • The Rhode Island Department of Health calls Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States.[5]

Public agencies that handle pests

RIDEM's Mosquito Abatement Coordination Office traps adult mosquitoes statewide every week from June until the first frost, and the Rhode Island Department of Health Laboratory tests them for Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus.[3]

Hiring a licensed company

Rhode Island's pesticide regulatory agency is the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (Division of Agriculture).[1]

Licensing agency: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management — Division of Agriculture[1].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

  • The URI Gardening & Environmental Hotline is a free service staffed by URI Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners by phone, email or appointment; unidentified pests can go to the Plant Diagnostic Laboratory for a fee.[6]
  • The University of Rhode Island runs the Center for Vector-Borne Disease and its TickEncounter Resource Center for tick-bite prevention education.[7]

Local guides in Rhode Island

Through the year

Summer to Fall
Rhode Island's mosquito surveillance season runs from June until the first frost, which usually comes in mid-October.[3]
Spring to Fall
The Rhode Island Department of Health says the greatest risk of tick bites is in spring, summer and fall.[4]

Sources

  1. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, “Spotted Lanternfly | Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.” dem.ri.gov/agriculture/caps-program-pests-spotted-lanternfly (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, “Mosquito Control.” dem.ri.gov/mosquito (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. Rhode Island Department of Health, “Tick Borne Diseases | Department of Health.” health.ri.gov/tick-borne-diseases (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. Rhode Island Department of Health, “EEE | Department of Health.” health.ri.gov/mosquitoes/eee-eastern-equine-encephalitis (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension, “Gardening and Environmental Hotline – Cooperative Extension.” web.uri.edu/coopext/services/ge-hotline/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  7. University of Rhode Island, “TickEncounter.” web.uri.edu/tickencounter/ (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.