Pest control in Mississippi

What to know about pest control in Mississippi

Termites are a serious concern across Mississippi, and fire ants turn up in every county. Anyone paid to do pest control work in Mississippi must be licensed by the state, and termite work must come with a contract.

Common pests in Mississippi

Mississippi State University Extension tracks these pests across the state.

• Eastern subterranean termites. This native termite lives throughout Mississippi, and it reaches houses from colonies in the soil. See our termite companies.
• Formosan termites. These termites are not native to the US. They already live in parts of many Mississippi counties and are still spreading, so an inspector should tell you which termite they found.
• Drywood termites. Southeastern drywood termites live inside dry wood rather than soil, and they regularly occur only in the three coastal counties.
• Imported fire ants. Fire ants are not native to the US. They reached southern Mississippi by the 1930s and have since spread to every county, building their distinctive dome-shaped mounds. See ant control companies.

Who licenses pest control companies in Mississippi

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce licenses pest control operators through its Bureau of Plant Industry. The bureau's Regulation of Professional Services program licenses operators, issues identification cards to their employees and inspects structural pest control work. Licensees must keep a bond and insurance, and they must issue contracts for termite and other structural work. Read about the program on the department's Regulation of Professional Services page, and see its frequently asked questions. The department's website also has a certification and licensing search.

How to check a company before you hire

• Ask for the company's license number and the technician's identification card, then confirm the license with the department.
• For termites, ask which kind they found. Formosan and drywood termites can call for a different plan than native subterranean termites.
• Ask to read the termite contract before you sign. Check what it covers, how often the company will inspect and whether it covers repairs or only retreatment.
• Get the treatment plan and any warranty in writing.
• Read reviews from other Mississippi customers, and share your experience once the job is done. See how reviews work.