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Pests and pest control in South Dakota

Pests to know in South Dakota

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

Pests documented in South Dakota

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

Many public records (146)

Fewer public records (263)

Range named by extension sources (4)

Invasive species reported here

Emerald ash borer was first confirmed in South Dakota in May 2018, in the northern part of Sioux Falls.[2]

Pests local experts flag

  • Common ticks in South Dakota include the American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, and blacklegged tick.[3]
  • The blacklegged (deer) tick found in South Dakota can transmit Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.[3]
  • Adult boxelder bugs invade homes in South Dakota and spend the winter indoors.[4]

Public agencies that handle pests

The South Dakota Department of Health publishes a mosquito surveillance dashboard on mosquito populations and West Nile virus risk, based on surveillance conducted by communities.[5]

Hiring a licensed company

South Dakota's pesticide regulatory agency is the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Agriculture & Environmental Services; Inspection, Compliance & Remediation).[1]

Licensing agency: South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources — Agriculture & Environmental Services; Inspection, Compliance & Remediation[1].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

SDSU Extension runs a Garden Hotline where South Dakota residents can submit garden questions.[6]

Local guides in South Dakota

Through the year

Fall
In fall, multicolored Asian lady beetle adults gather in buildings in South Dakota as the weather cools.[4]

Sources

  1. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. South Dakota Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry, “Emerald Ash Borer FAQ.” Emeraldashborerinsouthdakota.sd.gov/PDF/EAB-FAQ-R.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. SDSU Extension, “Be On the Lookout for Ticks.” extension.sdstate.edu/be-lookout-ticks (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. SDSU Extension, “Insects Are Being a Nuisance This Fall.” extension.sdstate.edu/insects-are-being-nuisance-fall (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. South Dakota Department of Health, “Mosquito Surveillance Dashboard.” doh.sd.gov/health-data-reports/data-dashboards/west-nile-virus-dashboard/mosquito-surveillance-dashboard (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. SDSU Extension, “Problems and Solutions.” extension.sdstate.edu/garden-yard/problems-and-solutions (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.