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Pests and pest control in Vermont

Pests to know in Vermont

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

Pests documented in Vermont

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

Many public records (562)

Fewer public records (126)

Range named by extension sources (1)

Invasive species reported here

  • Emerald ash borer has become established in many parts of Vermont, and communities are seeing ash trees decline and die.[4]
  • Hemlock woolly adelgid is established in most Vermont towns in plant hardiness zone 5b, with limited spread into colder areas.[5]

Pests local experts flag

  • Lyme disease is the most common tick bite illness in Vermont, and anaplasmosis and babesiosis cases have risen over the past decade.[2]
  • West Nile virus has been found in every Vermont county.[3]

Public agencies that handle pests

The Vermont Department of Health tracks mosquito-borne diseases by testing mosquitoes collected around the state and monitoring human and animal illness reports.[3]

Hiring a licensed company

Vermont's pesticide regulatory agency is the Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets (Pesticide Programs).[1]

Licensing agency: Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets — Pesticide Programs[1].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

UVM Extension's Master Gardener Helpline is a free service giving Vermonters science-based gardening and home landscape information, including insect identification from photos.[6]

Local guides in Vermont

Through the year

Spring to Fall
Ticks can be found throughout Vermont whenever temperatures are above freezing, most often from spring through fall.[2]

Sources

  1. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. Vermont Department of Health, “Tick Bite Illnesses.” www.healthvermont.gov/disease-control/tickborne-diseases (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. Vermont Department of Health, “Mosquito-borne Diseases.” www.healthvermont.gov/disease-control/mosquito-borne-diseases (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, “Emerald Ash Borer and Ash Tree Management.” fpr.vermont.gov/forest/forest-health/emerald-ash-borer-and-ash-tree-management (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, “Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in Vermont: Recommendations for Landowner Response.” fpr.vermont.gov/sites/fpr/files/Forest_and_Forestry/Forest_Health/Library/VTFPR_HWAinVT_RecommendationsforLandownerResponse.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. University of Vermont Extension, “Garden Helpline.” www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener/garden-helpline (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.