Pest control in San Antonio

Mosquitoes. The city runs mosquito surveillance from March through October and takes reports through 311 or 210-207-6000, but it won't spray your yard. DSHS says mosquitoes stay active in much of Texas into November and December, and it counted 42 West Nile cases and 7 deaths statewide in 2022. Ask any pest company what its mosquito plan treats and how often it returns.

Formosan termites. Texas A&M's urban entomology program lists Bexar County among the Texas counties where Formosan termites have been detected. They swarm at night in late May and early June and are drawn to lights, so a cloud of winged insects at the porch light is worth a call.

Fire ants and scorpions. AgriLife Extension's preferred fire ant control is the Two-Step Method: broadcast bait, then treat problem mounds, ideally in spring and fall. The striped bark scorpion is the only one of Texas's 18 species found statewide, and it hides under rocks, boards and debris near homes.

San Antonio companies set their own prices; HomeGuide's national figures give a benchmark:

HomeGuide notes mosquito costs run highest where the season is long and several treatments are needed. Since the city's mosquito work stops at public property, ask whether a seasonal plan or per-visit pricing fits your yard. More on Texas pricing is on our pest control hub.

TDA structural pest control licenses

Texas requires businesses and individuals doing pest control for hire to be licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture under the Structural Pest Control Act. Licenses are issued by category, so a termite job needs the termite category and a lawn spray the lawn and ornamental category. TDA publishes lists of active licensed businesses, applicators and technicians, plus a company search by zip code. A business license also needs at least $500,000 of bodily injury and property damage coverage, with a $1,000,000 aggregate.

San Antonio termite reports for home sales

If you're buying or selling, the termite report must be on TDA's Wood Destroying Insect Report form, by a licensee in the termite category. It covers visible, accessible areas only, so hidden damage behind walls can be missed. A treatment can be recommended only with visible signs of an active infestation, or of an old one with no record of treatment. Your San Antonio realtor can tell you when the report is due under the contract.

For indoor treatment of an owner-occupied home, the technician must make TDA's consumer information sheet available to you. At apartment complexes with five or more units, residents in or next to the treatment area get at least 48 hours' notice. The only exception is an emergency, defined as an imminent hazard to health. Even then, the customer and applicator must sign a statement saying so. For the rest of the city's rules see the San Antonio guide, and compare pest control in New Braunfels.