Pest control in Massachusetts

What to know about pest control in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, the pests that worry homeowners most are the ones that carry disease. Ticks and mosquitoes are active across the state in the warm months, and both can spread serious illness. Knowing who licenses pest control companies in Massachusetts makes it easier to hire well.

Common pests in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health tracks ticks, mosquitoes and the diseases they carry. UMass Extension and the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station write about the insects that get into New England homes.

• Blacklegged ticks. Blacklegged ticks, also called deer ticks, are found throughout Massachusetts. Lyme disease, babesiosis and anaplasmosis are the most common tick-borne diseases in the state. See our page on fleas and ticks.
• Dog ticks. Dog ticks are found throughout the state too. Rarer tick-borne diseases that still occur in Massachusetts include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia and Powassan virus.
• Mosquitoes. West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis, often called EEE or Triple E, both occur in Massachusetts. The state publishes activity and risk maps for both viruses from June to October. See our page on mosquitoes.
• Eastern subterranean termites. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station says this is the termite most often found in New England. Termites can eat sound wood, unlike carpenter ants, which dig only into wood that water has already damaged. Pencil-sized mud tubes on a foundation can point to termites, and winged swarmers usually appear in spring. See our page on termites.
• Fall house invaders. UMass Extension describes insects that live outdoors in summer and move into homes in fall to spend the winter. The Asian ladybird beetle, often called a ladybug, is the most common, and the western conifer seed bug and boxelder bug also get in. They do not bite or sting, but some give off a bad smell when crushed, so vacuum them up instead. Each summer, check doors, windows and attic vents for gaps and caulk cracks around trim.

Who licenses pest control companies in Massachusetts

The Pesticide Program of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources examines, licenses and certifies pesticide applicators, including the people who apply pesticides for pest control companies. Applications for exams and licenses go through the state's online ePLACE portal. Read more on the department's pesticide examination and licensing page, and follow its steps to look up and confirm a pesticide license. An active applicator license shows a status of "Decision Rendered Active".

How to check a company before you hire

1. Ask for the name and license number of the technician who will treat your home, and confirm the license is active.
2. Ask which pest they found and what evidence shows it.
3. Ask which treatment they recommend, what the other options are, and how many follow-up visits are included.
4. Get the treatment plan and any warranty in writing before work starts.
5. Read reviews from other Massachusetts customers. If you've hired a company, you can write a review to help your neighbors, and learn how reviews work.