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Pests and pest control in South Carolina

Pests to know in South Carolina

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

Pests documented in South Carolina

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

Many public records (544)

Fewer public records (227)

Range named by extension sources (7)

Termites in South Carolina

  • Clemson HGIC says the native eastern and southeastern subterranean termites are the two most commonly encountered termites in South Carolina and are found throughout the state.[2]
  • Formosan subterranean termites are found in many areas of Charleston County and in Beaufort County, including Hilton Head Island and near Beaufort, as well as parts of Dorchester, Berkeley, Orangeburg and York counties.[3]
  • Formosan subterranean termite colonies are often larger than native subterranean termite colonies, which makes them a bigger problem.[3]

Invasive species reported here

  • All of South Carolina is under quarantine for the imported red fire ant under state regulations administered by Clemson's Regulatory Services.[4]
  • Clemson asks the public to report unusual hornet activity, especially around honey bee colonies in the South Carolina low country, because of the invasive yellow-legged hornet.[5]

Pests local experts flag

  • The Asian tiger mosquito is the most common daytime-biting mosquito in the Carolinas and breeds in artificial containers such as gutters, bird baths, flower pots and tires.[6]
  • At least 61 mosquito species live in South Carolina; diseases they can carry there include West Nile, Eastern equine encephalitis, La Crosse encephalitis and St. Louis encephalitis.[7]

Public agencies that handle pests

South Carolina's Department of Public Health monitors mosquitoes for human diseases with the CDC and advises local governments, but does not provide mosquito control, which is run by local programs.[7]

Hiring a licensed company

South Carolina's pesticide regulatory agency is the Clemson University (Department of Pesticide Regulation).[1]

Licensing agency: Clemson University — Department of Pesticide Regulation[1].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

Clemson's Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic offers insect identification from physical samples, which can be submitted through county Extension offices or directly to the lab.[8]

Local guides in South Carolina

Sources

  1. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center, “Termites of South Carolina.” hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/termites-of-south-carolina/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center, “Formosan Subterranean Termites | Home & Garden Information Center.” hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/formosan-subterranean-termite/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. Clemson University Regulatory and Public Service Programs, “Regulated Areas.” www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/plant-industry/invasive/plant-pest-information/regulated-areas.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. Clemson University Regulatory and Public Service Programs, “Invasive Species.” www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/plant-industry/invasive/index.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center, “Asian Tiger Mosquito | Home & Garden Information Center.” hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/asian-tiger-mosquito/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  7. South Carolina Department of Public Health, “Mosquitoes in South Carolina | South Carolina Department of Public Health.” dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/insects-and-vector-borne-diseases/mosquitoes-south-carolina (accessed 2026-10-06)
  8. Clemson University Regulatory and Public Service Programs, “Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic.” www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/plant-problem/ (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.