Pests to know in Asheville
Termites in Asheville
NC State Extension says Eastern subterranean termites are found in every North Carolina county, putting structures statewide at constant risk.[1]
Invasive species reported here
NC State Extension says the hemlock woolly adelgid, thought to come from Asia, has reached North Carolina; infested hemlocks usually lose needles and die within a few years.[7]
Pests local experts flag
NCDHHS says La Crosse encephalitis is North Carolina's most common mosquito-borne virus and occurs mostly in the western part of the state.[4]
Climate
Central Asheville (ZIP 28801) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7b, where the average coldest winter night is 5 to 10°F.[9]
Public agencies that handle pests
- Buncombe County's Communicable Disease Program warns that mosquito and tick bites can transmit West Nile virus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme disease.[3]
- To report a suspected communicable disease case in Buncombe County, the county asks residents to call 828-250-5109.[3]
- NCDHHS reports that spotted fever rickettsiosis is the most commonly reported tick-borne illness in North Carolina.[5]
Local rules and responsibilities
- Buncombe County's Board of Health mosquito rules apply countywide, including all cities and towns, and require every premises to be kept so mosquitoes cannot breed.[2]
- Under the county mosquito rules, an occupant (or the owner, if vacant) must start eliminating or treating a breeding source within 48 hours of being notified by the health department.[2]
Hiring a licensed company
North Carolina requires anyone doing structural pest control for hire to be licensed or employed and supervised by a licensee; all cards expire June 30 each year.[6]
Free local help
Buncombe County Extension Master Gardener volunteers, trained by N.C. Cooperative Extension, give residents science-based garden and landscape advice from the center at 49 Mt Carmel Rd, Asheville.[8]
Through the year
Sources
- NC State Extension, “Biology & Behavior of Eastern Subterranean Termites.” content.ces.ncsu.edu/biology-behavior-of-eastern-subterranean-termites (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Buncombe County Board of Health, “Buncombe County Rules Governing the Control of Mosquitoes.” media.buncombenc.gov/common/health/rules-governing-mosquitos.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Buncombe County Health and Human Services, “Communicable Disease.” www.buncombenc.gov/454 (accessed 2026-10-06)
- NC Department of Health and Human Services, “La Crosse Encephalitis.” epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/diseases/lac.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- NC Department of Health and Human Services, “Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Other Tick-Borne Spotted Fevers.” epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/diseases/rmsf.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, “Structural Pest Control Licensing & Certification.” www.ncagr.gov/divisions/structural-pest-control-and-pesticides/structural/licensing-and-certification (accessed 2026-10-06)
- NC State Extension, “Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.” content.ces.ncsu.edu/hemlock-woolly-adelgid (accessed 2026-10-06)
- N.C. Cooperative Extension, Buncombe County Center, “Extension Master Gardener Volunteers in Buncombe County.” buncombe.ces.ncsu.edu/buncombe-county-extension-master-gardener-volunteers/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 28801 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/28801.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)