Pests to know in Omaha
Termites in Omaha
Omaha homes face only subterranean termites; Nebraska Extension notes drywood, Formosan and dampwood termites are not established in Nebraska.[6]
Invasive species reported here
Pests local experts flag
Nebraska's health department notes bed bugs are not known to spread disease, though bites can itch and scratching may lead to secondary skin infection.[5]
Climate
Central Omaha (ZIP 68102) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6a, where the average coldest winter night is -10 to -5°F.[12]
Public agencies that handle pests
- Established blacklegged tick populations, the vector of Lyme disease, are known in four Nebraska counties, including Douglas and Sarpy in the Omaha area.[1]
- Nebraska has four endemic mosquito-borne viruses of human concern: West Nile, St. Louis encephalitis, Western equine encephalitis and Jamestown Canyon virus.[2]
- Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia are all tick-borne diseases found in Nebraska, according to the state health department.[4]
Hiring a licensed company
- In Nebraska, anyone making structural or lawn care pesticide applications to another's property for hire must be licensed, even when using general-use products.[9]
- Nebraska commercial applicator certification must be renewed every three years, by retesting or attending a University of Nebraska training program.[9]
- Nebraska offers separate commercial applicator exam categories for Structural Health and Wood Destroying Organism work, on top of a General Standards core exam.[10]
Free local help
Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties, at 8015 West Center Road in Omaha, helps residents manage landscapes and address pest issues.[11]
Through the year
- Summer to Fall
- In Nebraska, West Nile virus is spread by Culex mosquitoes, and cases occur during mosquito season, which starts in summer and continues through fall.[3]
Sources
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, “Lyme Disease.” dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Lyme-Disease.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, “Mosquito-Borne Diseases.” dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Mosquito-Borne-Diseases.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, “West Nile Virus.” dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/West-Nile-Virus.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, “Tick-Borne Diseases.” dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Tick-Borne-Diseases.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, “Bed Bugs.” dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Bed-Bugs.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, “How to Select a Pest Control Company (G1647).” extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/g1647/na/pdf/view (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Nebraska Forest Service, “EAB Key Points and Recommendations.” nfs.unl.edu/ianr/nebraska-forest-service/sites/unl.edu.ianr.nebraska-forest-service/files/media/file/EABKeyPointsandRecommendations.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Nebraska Department of Agriculture, “Emerald Ash Borer.” nda.nebraska.gov/plant/entomology/eab/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Nebraska Department of Agriculture, “Acquiring a Pesticide Applicator License.” nda.nebraska.gov/pesticide/cert (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Nebraska Department of Agriculture, “Nebraska Pesticide Applicator Testing Sites.” nda.nebraska.gov/pesticide/applicator_testing (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties, “Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties.” extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 68102 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/68102.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)