New Hampshire Wildlife Alert: The Dangerous Pests You Need to Watch Out For Right Now

From the White Mountains to the Seacoast, here is the current "danger list" for Granite Staters this month.

1. Black Bears: The April 1st "Wake-Up."

On March 30, 2026, New Hampshire Fish and Game issued a high-priority alert: the State approximately 6,000 black bears are officially awake and hungry. Because this winter was particularly harsh, bears are emerging with very little body fat and are aggressively seeking high-calorie food sources.

• The Rule: Take down bird feeders immediately. Fish and Game black bear expert Dan Bailey emphasized that bird seed, trash, and outdoor grills are the primary drivers of bear-human conflict in New Hampshire.
• The Conflict: Once a bear learns that a suburban yard is a "grocery store," it becomes habituated. This often results in the bear being lethally removed.
• Action: Secure all trash in bear-proof containers or inside a locked garage. If you keep chickens, ensure they are behind a high-voltage electric fence, as bears are currently targeting backyard coops across the state.

2. The 2026 Tick "Surge."

Despite the heavy snow, health officials are predicting an early and heavy tick season for 2026. Experts from the region's top tick labs reported a 69% increase in tick submissions as of early April compared to this time last year.

• The Hazard: The snowpack actually acted as an insulator, protecting ticks from lethal freezing temperatures. Now that the snow has melted, they are waiting in the leaf litter for a host.
• The "Poppy Seed" Nymph: In April, be on high alert for nymphal deer ticks. They are no larger than a poppy seed and carry a high risk of transmitting Lyme Disease and Anaplasmosis.
• Safety Fact: Research shows that over 35% of tick bites currently reported involve children under 10, often during garden play or trail walking.

3. Emerald Ash Borer: The "Aftermath Forest."

New Hampshire's battle with the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has reached a new phase in 2026. While the "epicenter" remains around Concord, the beetle has officially been detected as far north as Berlin and Jefferson.

• The Warning: Many areas in Central New Hampshire have reached what foresters call an "Aftermath Forest," where nearly all mature ash trees have been killed. These dead trees are now structural hazards, prone to falling during spring windstorms.
• The "Good" News: As of April 2026, the state is seeing encouraging results from its biological control program. Tiny parasitic wasps released in these aftermath forests are successfully keeping beetle populations low enough to allow some young ash saplings to survive.
• Action: Never move firewood. Moving wood from southern NH to the Great North Woods is the fastest way to kill the remaining healthy ash stands in the White Mountains.

4. Spotted Lanternfly: The Final Scraping Window

While the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) has been slower to establish in New Hampshire than in neighboring states, 2026 is a critical year for monitoring. Reports from late 2025 indicated adults were hitchhiking on vehicles entering the state along the I-95 and I-93 corridors.

• Current Status: We are in the final weeks of the egg mass phase. These look like 1.5-inch patches of gray or brown mud on smooth surfaces, light posts, and trees.
• Action: If you find an egg mass, scrape it into a container of rubbing alcohol. Pay special attention to Red Maples and Willows, which are preferred egg-laying sites in New England.

5. Toxic Plants and Invasive "Escapes."

As you begin your April gardening, the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture is urging residents to avoid certain "prohibited" plants that have been officially banned due to their impact on the ecosystem.

• The Targets: Burning Bush, Norway Maple, and Purple Loosestrife.
• The Danger: These plants escape managed yards and dominate natural environments, outcompeting the native flora that New Hampshire's pollinators depend on.
• Action: If you are looking for spring color, choose native alternatives like Highbush Blueberry or Winterberry.

Summary Checklist for New Hampshire Residents

1. Bird Feeders Away: Store them until late fall to prevent bear habituation.
2. Trash Lockdown: Use ammonia to deodorize cans and keep them inside until the morning of pickup.
3. Tick Checks: Use DEET or Picaridin and check daily, especially for children playing in "edge" habitats.
4. Firewood Rule: Buy it where you burn it to protect the White Mountain National Forest from EAB.