Pests in Utah: Termites, Invasive Species, Ticks and Mosquitoes, Licensing and Free Help

Pests to know in Utah

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

Pests documented in Utah

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

Many public records (379)

Fewer public records (183)

Range named by extension sources (3)

Termites in Utah

Termites occur throughout Utah but are most common in the southern counties.^[2]

Invasive species reported here

Japanese beetle was first found in Utah in 2006 by an Orem resident, prompting a state eradication effort.^[3]

Pests local experts flag

USU Extension says evidence suggests hobo spiders do not cause necrotic wounds in people.^[4]

Public agencies that handle pests

Utah's mosquito-borne disease surveillance traps mosquitoes, sorts them into pools by species, and tests them, coordinated with local health departments and mosquito abatement districts.^[5]

Hiring a licensed company

Utah's pesticide regulatory agency is the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (Pesticide Program).^[1]

Licensing agency: Utah Department of Agriculture and Food — Pesticide Program^[1].

Free local help

The USU Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab diagnoses insect, spider, mite, and plant disease problems and provides general insect identification.^[6]

Local guides in Utah

Through the year

Spring: Utah homeowners usually notice subterranean termites when winged swarmers appear in spring.^[2]
Summer to Fall: Hobo spiders are very common indoors in Utah between August and October.^[4]

Sources

National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
Utah State University Extension, “Subterranean Termites.” extension.usu.edu/pests/uppdl/files/factsheet/sub-termites09.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, “Japanese Beetle Eradication.” ag.utah.gov/jberadication (accessed 2026-10-06)
Utah State University Extension, “Hobo and Grass Spiders.” extension.usu.edu/planthealth/ipm/notes_nuisance/hobo-grass-spiders (accessed 2026-10-06)
Utah Department of Health and Human Services, “2025 Mosquito-Borne Diseases Summary Report.” files.epi.utah.gov/2025_WNV_AnnualReport.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
Utah State University Extension, “Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab.” extension.usu.edu/planthealth/uppdl/ (accessed 2026-10-06)