Massachusetts pest information contacts

      Click on a contact person's name to send them an email message. The contact persons listed work for the University of Massachusetts, unless noted otherwise.

Primary Contacts
Home, Yard, & Garden Weed, Insect, Disease pests
** Statewide MA Horticultural Society: May-September, M, W, F, & Sat., 10am-2pm, (617) 933-4929. TTY (781) 235-5655. Email. Pioneer Valley Horticultural Society: Year round answering machine, (413) 734-2655. Arnold Arboretum (trees and shrub questions only). Year round Mondays 1pm-3pm, (617) 524-1718 ext. 127. Tower Hill Botanic Garden - Year round, Wednesdays 2-4pm, (508) 869-6111 ext. 10. ** Selected Counties Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire Counties - Western MA Master Gardener Hotline, May 2-October 1, 9am-Noon. Mon. & Thurs., (413) 298-5355. Tues. (413) 533-0414. Answering machine October-March. Email answered year round. Barnstable County only - Master Gardener Program, (508) 375-6700, 9am-3pm May-September, M-F. April & October, MWF. February, March & November, Tues & Thur.
Public Health Pests: Ticks and Mosquitoes etc.		MA Dept. of Public Health (866) 627-7968
Specific topics
Invasive Species
General public outreach		MA Introduced Pests Outreach Project, Jennifer Forman Orth (617) 626-1735, Email.
Aquatic plants - freshwater		Algae: Anne Monnelly 617-626-1395 MA Dept. Conservation and Recreation. Plants: Michelle Robinson (508) 792-7423 ext. 304, MA Dept. Conservation and Recreation.
Aquatic plants - marine		Jay Baker (617) 626-1204, MA Office of Coastal Zone Mgmt.
Aquatic animals - freshwater		Amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates: Tom French (508) 792-7270 ext. 163, MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife. Fish: Todd Richards (508) 389-6336, MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife. Fish pathogens: Ken Simmons (508) 792-7270 ext. 134, MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife.
Aquatic animals - marine		Mike Hickey (508) 990-2860 ext. 122, MA Division of Marine Fisheries.
Mosquito Control		Local Board of Health; or Mosquito Control Board of MA Dept. of Ag. Resources (617) 626-1777. Mosquito borne diseases: (Eastern Equine Encephalitis, West Nile Virus) MA Dept. Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, (617) 983-6800. To report a dead bird: (866) 627-7968.
Organic Certification		Northeast Organic Farming Association, (978) 355-2853.
Pesticides
Pesticide Poisoning emergency		For Emergency - call 911 first. MA & RI Poison control center: 1-800-222-1222, for Hearing Impaired 1-888-244-5313. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Pesticide Applicator License		Training Materials Pesticide Education Office (413) 545-1044 Workshops to Prepare for Exams Recertification Workshops Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education - Mark Buffone, MA Dept. Ag. Resources (617) 626-1777.
Pesticide Health Effects		MA Dept. Public Health - Center for Environmental Health (617) 624 - 5757; MA Dept. Ag. Resources - Steve Antunes Kenyon 617-626-1784; UMass Extension Pesticide Education - Natalia Clifton; National Pesticide Information Center, 1-800-858-PEST (7378).
Pesticide Registration		Regulations, forms, restricted use product list - MA Dept. Food and Ag - Pesticide Bureau. Email.
Pesticide Storage and Disposal		MA Dept. Ag. Resources, Email: Gerald Kennedy, Phone: (617) 626-1700.
School IPM		MA Dept. Ag. Resources School IPM Program Pest problems - Mark Buffone 617-626-1777. School compliance and IPM Plan - Trevor Battle 617-626-1775. UMass School IPM resources.
Soil and Plant Tissue Testing		UMass Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory, Email, Phone: (414) 545-2311.
Ticks and Lyme Disease		MA Dept. of Public Health (866) 627-7968
Wildlife as pests		Massachusetts Audubon Wildlife Information Line, M-F 9am–5pm. (781) 259-2150. Email. MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.