Pests to know in Eugene
Termites in Eugene
- OSU Extension identifies Pacific dampwood termites and western subterranean termites as the species that damage structures in the Pacific Northwest.[4]
- An OSU Extension specialist writes that Oregon has subterranean termites but not the drywood variety, and that wood touching soil gives termites a path into a structure.[6]
Invasive species reported here
The Oregon Department of Agriculture runs survey and detection programs to catch invasive insect pests early and takes insect ID requests through an online invasive reporting form.[8]
Climate
Central Eugene (ZIP 97401) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b, where the average coldest winter night is 15 to 20°F.[9]
Public agencies that handle pests
- Lane County Public Health notes that bat rabies is the only rabies strain found in Oregon; other animals there that test positive caught it from bats.[2]
- Lane County Public Health advises sealing openings in attics, basements, porches, sheds and barns, and screening chimneys, to keep bats and other wildlife out.[2]
- The Oregon Health Authority says the western black-legged tick, which carries Lyme disease, generally lives in the wetter climates west of the Cascades.[3]
Local rules and responsibilities
Hiring a licensed company
Oregon requires a state pesticide license to apply pesticides to someone else's property, with only a narrow exception for limited landscape maintenance.[5]
Free local help
OSU Extension's Lane County Master Gardener volunteers run plant clinics to help local gardeners, out of the office at 996 Jefferson Street in Eugene.[7]
Through the year
- Spring to Summer
- Most Lyme infections come from tiny nymph-stage ticks, which feed in spring and summer, according to the Oregon Health Authority.[3]
- Summer to Fall
- Swarms of winged Pacific dampwood termites leave established nests in late summer or fall, and OSU Extension says the flying termites are not cause for alarm.[4]
Sources
- City of Eugene Parks and Open Space, “Integrated Pest Management.” www.eugene-or.gov/638/Integrated-Pest-Management (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Lane County Public Health, “Bat found in Lane County tests positive for rabies.” www.lanecountyor.gov/government/county_departments/health_and_human_services/public_health/public_health_news/rabies_bats_2026 (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Oregon Health Authority, “Ticks.” www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/diseasesconditions/communicabledisease/pages/ticks.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Oregon State University Extension (Solve Pest Problems), “Termites.” solvepestproblems.oregonstate.edu/insects-spiders/termites (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Oregon Department of Agriculture, “Explore Licensing Requirements.” www.oregon.gov/oda/pesticides/licensing/pages/license-requirements.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Oregon State University Extension Service, “How can I prevent termite infestation?.” extension.oregonstate.edu/ask-extension/featured/how-can-i-prevent-termite-infestation (accessed 2026-10-06)
- OSU Extension Service, Lane County, “Lane County Master Gardener volunteer program.” extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/lane (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Oregon Department of Agriculture, “Insect Pest Prevention and Management.” www.oregon.gov/oda/ippm/pages/default.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 97401 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/97401.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)