Pest control in Louisiana

What to know about pest control in Louisiana

Louisiana's heat, humidity and flooding keep pests active, and the state's worst termite arrived on cargo ships. Knowing who licenses pest control companies in Louisiana makes it easier to hire well.

Common pests in Louisiana

The LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry describe these pests.

• Formosan subterranean termites. The LSU AgCenter calls this invasive termite the most destructive structural pest in Louisiana. It was first reported in the port cities of Lake Charles and New Orleans and has since spread across much of the state. Swarms run from about April through June, with a peak in early to mid May. See our page on termites.
• Swarming termites at night. The Department of Agriculture and Forestry suggests turning off outside lights at night or using yellow bulbs during swarm season, so you draw fewer termites to your house.
• Fire ants. The LSU AgCenter warns that homes can have fire ant problems during and after floods. Fire ants float on the water and cling to anything above it, and higher ground can become heavily infested as the water goes down. See our page on ants.
• Smoky brown cockroaches. These cockroaches usually live outside and come in to feed, but they may invade houses in larger numbers during heavy rain. See our page on cockroaches.

Who licenses pest control companies in Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry runs the structural pest control program, and its Structural Pest Control Commission governs licensing. Anyone who controls pests or fumigates buildings must be licensed. A pest control company also needs a place of business permit, and its unlicensed workers must be registered technicians working under a licensee. Read more on the department's structural pest control page, and find the current list of permitted companies on its licensed and certified professionals page.

How to check a company before you hire

1. Confirm the company's place of business permit with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry before any work starts.
2. For termite work, ask which termite they found, what evidence shows it, and which treatment they recommend.
3. Get the treatment plan, follow-up inspections and any termite contract in writing before work starts.
4. Read reviews from other Louisiana customers. If you've hired a company, you can write a review to help your neighbors, and learn how reviews work.