Pests to know in Reno
Termites in Reno
Under Nevada rule NAC 555.427, pest control companies must file a Termite Pretreatment Notification with the Nevada Department of Agriculture before doing a preconstruction termite treatment.[5]
Invasive species reported here
UNR Extension, the Nevada Department of Agriculture and Nevada Division of Forestry run a citizen monitoring effort to spot exotic tree-killing insects early, before they establish in Nevada.[9]
Pests local experts flag
- Deer mice in Washoe County carry hantavirus. NNPH says the average infection rate in local deer mouse populations is about 15%.[3]
- Around Reno, California ground squirrels, golden-mantled ground squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits can harbor plague-carrying fleas, though NNPH reports no human plague cases in Washoe County in over twenty years.[3]
- UNR Extension says the European earwig is the most common earwig in northern Nevada, and that earwigs are mostly beneficial, breaking down organic matter.[7]
Climate
Central Reno (ZIP 89501) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7b, where the average coldest winter night is 5 to 10°F.[10]
Public agencies that handle pests
- Northern Nevada Public Health, formerly the Washoe County Health District, handles public health matters for Reno, Sparks and all of Washoe County.[1]
- NNPH's mosquito surveillance regularly sends mosquito samples to the Nevada State Laboratory for West Nile virus testing; the agency notes it is common for local mosquitoes to carry the virus.[1]
- The health district's Vector-Borne Disease Program treats mosquito larvae by helicopter, dropping small pellets on wetlands in areas like the North Valleys, Swan Lake, Double Diamond/Damonte and Washoe Lake.[2]
Hiring a licensed company
- Nevada requires a pest control license from the Nevada Department of Agriculture for anyone in the business of applying pesticides or using mechanical devices to control pests.[4]
- In Nevada, controlling pigeons and other vertebrate pests with mechanical devices does not require a pest control license.[4]
Free local help
University of Nevada, Reno Extension runs an Integrated Pest Management program focused on pest identification and public education, with classes, Spanish-language resources and a pest directory.[6]
Through the year
- Summer to Fall
- In Washoe County, mosquito season starts in the summer and continues through fall, which is when West Nile virus cases can occur.[2]
- Spring
- Northern Nevada homeowners may see swarms of flying carpenter ants each spring; these are mating reproductives that can start new colonies in water-damaged wood.[8]
Sources
- Northern Nevada Public Health, “NNPH detects West Nile Virus in mosquitos in Northern Nevada.” washoelife.washoecounty.gov/nnph/nnph-detects-west-nile-virus-in-mosquitos-in-northern-nevada/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Washoe County Health District, “Vector Borne Disease Program to begin aerial mosquito abatement.” washoelife.washoecounty.gov/nnph/health-district-vector-borne-disease-program-to-begin-aerial-mosquito-abatement-may-5/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Northern Nevada Public Health, “Vector-Borne & Zoonotic Diseases Program.” nnph.org/programs-and-services/phd/communicable-diseases-and-epidemiology/programs/vector-borne%20zoonotic%20program.php (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Nevada Department of Agriculture, “Who Needs a Pest Control License?.” agri.nv.gov/Plant/PEST/Who_must_have_a_pest_control_license (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Nevada Department of Agriculture, “Termite Pretreatment Notification.” agri.nv.gov/Plant/PEST/Termite_Pretreatment_Notification_Form/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- University of Nevada, Reno Extension, “Pests and Plant Diseases.” extension.unr.edu/pest-diseases.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
- University of Nevada, Reno Extension, “Earwigs.” extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=3259 (accessed 2026-10-06)
- University of Nevada, Reno Extension, “A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing: Carpenter Ants.” extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=5493 (accessed 2026-10-06)
- University of Nevada, Reno Extension, “Exotic Insects Invading Nevada’s Trees! Be a Citizen Monitor for Urban and Native Forests.” extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=3294 (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 89501 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/89501.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)