Keokuk, Iowa Pest Guide

Updated 2026-10-22 · By Kasey, Waukee, Iowa

• Lee County
• Southern Iowa
• 3 listed companies
• 12 sources

Keokuk is a county seat of Lee County and Iowa's southernmost city. It sits in the far southeast corner of the state, where the Des Moines River meets the Mississippi, across the rivers from Hamilton and Warsaw, Illinois and Alexandria, Missouri. Its population was 9,900 in the 2020 census.

This page pulls together the pest issues Keokuk homeowners tend to run into, local places to get help, and how to check that a pest company holds a current Iowa license.

Seasonal pests around Keokuk

ISU Extension's seasonal guidance applies statewide, including Keokuk:

1. April-June: ant hills. Soil-nesting ants are most active in wet spring weather. Flattening mounds is usually enough. Ants in Iowa.
2. July-September: yellowjackets. Colonies peak around State Fair time with up to roughly 5,000 workers per nest, according to ISU. Wasp nest removal.
3. September-October: boxelder bugs, lady beetles and stink bugs. These accidental invaders gather on sunny walls and slip into gaps. ISU recommends sealing openings.
4. October onward: mice. Native mice move indoors for winter. Mice in your Iowa home this fall.

Bed bugs aren't seasonal. If you suspect them, start with our bed bug guide.

Emerald ash borer in Lee County

The state's list of officially confirmed emerald ash borer (EAB) sites, last updated at the end of 2022, includes these Lee County locations: Fort Madison (2015). Keokuk itself is not on that list. In October 2024, IDALS announced that EAB had been confirmed in all 99 Iowa counties. IDALS says an infested tree is typically killed within two to four years. Signs include canopy thinning, leafy sprouts from the trunk, S-shaped galleries under the bark, bark splitting, woodpecker damage and 1/8-inch D-shaped exit holes. If you own ash trees, get advice from a qualified tree care professional.

Local help in Keokuk

• County Extension office: ISU Extension and Outreach Lee County lists its office at 414 North Main Street, Donnellson, IA 52625 (mailing: PO Box 70) (phone 319-835-5116). Extension offices are a good first stop for research-based yard, garden and pest information.
• Insect identification: the ISU Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic in Ames identifies insects mailed in by Iowans. Check its page for current forms and fees.
• Ticks: ISU's Medical Entomology Laboratory offers a free tick identification service by mail. It identifies the tick but does not test it for disease.
• Mosquitoes: the same ISU lab has run Iowa's mosquito surveillance program for about 50 years with state health partners, monitoring West Nile virus and mosquito numbers. Current data is on the Iowa Mosquito Surveillance website linked from its page.

Guides for Keokuk homeowners

• Ant Exterminator Near Waukee: What to Expect and How to Choose a Pro
• Bed Bug Signs and What to Do in the Des Moines Metro
• Boxelder Bugs in Iowa Homes
• How to Get Rid of Ants in Iowa
• Mice in Your Iowa Home This Fall
• Wasp Nest Removal Near Waukee, Iowa

How to check a pest company's license in Keokuk

Iowa requires anyone in the business of applying pesticides to another person's property to be licensed and certified by the state. To check a company:

1. Open the IDALS license lookup and choose Search By Company/License.
2. Type part of the company's name, or pick the county LEE - 56 to see every company registered there.
3. Check that the expiration date is in the future. Expiration dates in the lookup fall on December 31.

When we searched Lee County on 10/22/2026, the lookup returned 59 company records. That count includes every license type (lawn care, agriculture, golf courses and pest control) and some expired records, so narrow it down by name. A company is listed under the county of its own address, so a company that serves Keokuk may be listed under a neighboring county. Our guide on choosing a licensed pest pro has a checklist of questions to ask.

Frequently asked questions

What county is Keokuk in?

Keokuk is in Lee County, Iowa. The county matters for two things: which ISU Extension office is closest, and which county to choose in the IDALS license lookup.

Has emerald ash borer reached Keokuk?

Yes. The state's confirmed-site list includes Fort Madison (2015) in Lee County, and IDALS confirmed EAB in all 99 counties in October 2024.

How do I know a pest company in Keokuk is licensed?

Search the company's name in the IDALS lookup and check that the expiration date hasn't passed. A company saying it's licensed is not the same as a current state record.

Is the Lee County Extension office in Keokuk?

No. ISU Extension and Outreach Lee County lists its office at 414 North Main Street in Donnellson (mailing address PO Box 70). Its phone number is 319-835-5116.