Pest control in Arkansas

What to know about pest control in Arkansas

Arkansas homeowners deal with a mix of pests that bite, sting and chew. Ticks and brown recluse spiders are a real concern here, and carpenter ants can damage wood around the house. The state requires anyone who does pest control for pay to be licensed, so checking that license is an easy first step.

Common pests in Arkansas

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and its Arthropod Museum write about these pests for Arkansas residents.

• Ticks. Arkansas is known for its abundance of ticks. Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis are the tick-borne diseases reported most often in the state, and the American dog tick is common here. If you get sick after a tick bite, tell your doctor about it. See our page on fleas and ticks.
• Brown recluse spiders. Arkansas sits at the center of this spider's natural range, and it is common in both towns and the countryside. Indoors it hides in dry, undisturbed places such as closets, attics, garages, boxes and stacks of paper. See our page on spiders.
• Carpenter ants. These are among the largest ants seen in Arkansas. They don't eat wood, but they remove it to expand their nests, which can cause structural damage. They often nest in or near homes and can be mistaken for termites. See our page on ants.

Who licenses pest control companies in Arkansas

The Pest Control Program at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture regulates pest control services under the Arkansas Pest Control Law. Anyone who performs pest control for pay must be licensed or certified. The program also keeps a list of licensed companies and operators and can confirm a license by phone or email. Read more on the Pest Control Program page.

How to check a company before you hire

1. Ask for the company's license number and confirm it with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Pest Control Program.
2. Ask what pest they found and what they plan to do about it. For spiders and ants, ask how they'll find where the pests are living, not only where you've seen them.
3. Get the treatment plan, the number of visits and any guarantee in writing.
4. Read reviews from other customers to see how each company handled follow-up. You can write a review of a company you've used, and read how reviews work.