Pests to know in Durham
Termites in Durham
Eastern subterranean termites live in every North Carolina county, so Durham homes face constant termite pressure, according to NC State Extension entomologists.[6]
Pests local experts flag
Spotted fever rickettsiosis, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, is the tick-borne illness reported most often in North Carolina, and the American dog tick that carries it is common statewide.[4]
Climate
Central Durham (ZIP 27701) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8a, where the average coldest winter night is 10 to 15°F.[10]
Public agencies that handle pests
- Durham County Public Health has used nighttime truck-mounted ultra-low volume spraying to knock down adult mosquitoes in neighborhoods where West Nile virus was confirmed.[1]
- Durham County Public Health promotes Bti mosquito dunks for standing water that cannot be dumped; one dunk keeps killing larvae for up to about a month.[2]
- State health officials say ticks and mosquitoes carry most vector-borne illness in North Carolina, led by spotted fevers, ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease and STARI on the tick side.[3]
- North Carolina treats bed bugs as a pest problem rather than a public health one, since they are not known to spread disease; the state refers residents to licensed pest control professionals.[3]
Local rules and responsibilities
The City of Durham's Neighborhood Improvement Services enforces the minimum housing code plus weedy lot and junk and debris ordinances.[9]
Hiring a licensed company
- North Carolina splits structural pest control licensing into three phases: household pests (P), wood-destroying organisms including inspections (W), and fumigation (F).[7]
- Anyone doing structural pest control for hire in North Carolina must hold a license or work under a licensee, and all applicator cards expire every June 30.[7]
Free local help
Durham County residents can email NC State Extension Master Gardener volunteers at mastergardener@dconc.gov for research-based help, including integrated pest management guidance.[8]
Through the year
- Summer to Fall
- In North Carolina, most mosquito-borne virus cases, such as West Nile, Eastern equine and La Crosse encephalitis, happen from June through September.[5]
- Spring to Summer
- North Carolina termite swarms usually come from late spring through late summer, often on warm, gusty days after rain.[6]
Sources
- Durham County Department of Public Health, “Durham County Department of Public Health to conduct ultra-low volume (ULV) spraying for mosquito control.” dconc.gov/DurhamCo-News/Public-Health/Durham-County-Department-of-Public-Health-to-conduct-ultra-low-volume-ULV-spraying-for-mosquito-control.htm (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Durham County Department of Public Health, “Free Mosquito Dunks.” dconc.gov/DurhamCo-News/Public-Health/Free-Mosquito-Dunks.htm (accessed 2026-10-06)
- NC Department of Health and Human Services, “Vector-Borne Diseases.” epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/diseases/vector.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 Health and Human Services, “Mosquito-Borne Illnesses (Arboviruses).” epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/diseases/arbo.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
- NC State Extension, “Biology & Behavior of Eastern Subterranean Termites.” content.ces.ncsu.edu/biology-behavior-of-eastern-subterranean-termites (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, Durham County Center, “Durham Gardening Resources.” durham.ces.ncsu.edu/gardening-resource/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- City of Durham, “About Neighborhood Improvement Services.” www.durhamnc.gov/4212/About-Neighborhood-Improvement-Services (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 27701 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/27701.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)