Pest control in Houston
In DSHS's preliminary Week 42 report, data through October 24, 2026, Harris County had 418 West Nile positive mosquito pools and 8 reported human cases. Weekly figures may change. DSHS's 2024 rabies summary for the county lists 1,457 animals tested and 21 positive, and all 21 were bats; skunks and raccoons came back negative. DSHS's advice is not to handle any wild animal, bats included, no matter how healthy it looks.
Drywood termites are found more commonly in coastal areas such as Houston, says TDA's Termite FAQ, and subterranean termites turn up throughout Texas. They're different insects, so the first thing to settle is which one you have. TDA requires every termite estimate to arrive with paperwork: a drawing that marks where treatment goes, what the warranty covers, the chemical's label, and either the strength of the liquid termiticide or how many bait stations will go in, at minimum.
TDA's SPCS CSV downloaded October 29, 2026, lists 478 commercial business license rows with Harris County as the licensed location. This is a count of license-address rows, not unique companies or proof of service coverage; branch offices count separately. Every branch office holds its own license, so that's a count of offices, not of companies that come to your street. Ask the inspector to write the termite type on the proposal before you agree to any treatment.
What pest control costs near Houston
Because no one has sent us a quote from Houston, there's no price for the city itself. The Texas page lists the estimates with what pest control workers are paid ($19.90 an hour in the BLS wage data, which is pay, not price) and the state license fees. How we estimate costs.
Licensing and rules for pest control in Houston
The City of Houston doesn't license pest control companies; TDA's Structural Pest Control Service licenses the business, its certified applicators and its technicians. State law also bars a city from adopting its own rules on pesticide sale or use, apart from exceptions such as fire and building rules for fumigation, so ask for the company's TDA business license number before anyone treats the house.
Pest control jobs in Houston
Sources for Houston
- TDA SPCS Commercial Business Licensed Report (CSV) Read Oct 29, 2026.
- DSHS 2026 Arbovirus Activity Report, Week 42 Read Oct 29, 2026.
- DSHS Rabies Summary by County 2024 Read Oct 23, 2026.
- DSHS: Rabies Read Oct 23, 2026.
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Termites and wood destroying insects; TDA Termite FAQs Read Oct 23, 2026.
- TDA: Termite/Fumigation Applications; Termite FAQs Read Oct 23, 2026.