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Pests and pest control in Nebraska

Pests to know in Nebraska

Why each one matters here is cited in the sections below.

Pests documented in Nebraska

From public GBIF occurrence records since 1990. A record means a species was documented in Nebraska, not that it's common near you.

Many public records (382)

Fewer public records (276)

Range named by extension sources (4)

Termites in Nebraska

The termites usually found in Nebraska are subterranean termites, which stay connected to the soil and need high moisture to survive.[2]

Invasive species reported here

Emerald ash borer has killed millions of ash trees in North America; Nebraska rescinded its state EAB quarantine in 2020 but asks residents of non-infested counties to report suspected infestations to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.[3]

Pests local experts flag

  • Common ant species in Nebraska homes include acrobat, carpenter, citronella, odorous house, pavement and thief ants.[4]
  • Ticks in Nebraska can carry Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia, all of which are found in the state.[5]

Public agencies that handle pests

The Nebraska DHHS Vector-Borne Disease Program covers the state's four endemic mosquito viruses of human concern (West Nile, St. Louis encephalitis, western equine encephalitis and Jamestown Canyon virus) and publishes West Nile and mosquito surveillance data.[6]

Hiring a licensed company

Nebraska's pesticide regulatory agency is the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (Plant Health Programs, Pesticide).[1]

Licensing agency: Nebraska Department of Agriculture — Plant Health Programs, Pesticide[1].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

  • The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic identifies insects, mites, spiders and other arthropods, including samples from homes and structures.[7]
  • UNL's Tick, Tag, Go project collects ticks people come across in daily life to track which tick species are found where in Nebraska.[8]

Local guides in Nebraska

Through the year

Spring to Fall
Termite swarms in Nebraska usually happen from March through May after significant rainfall.[2]

Sources

  1. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. Nebraska Extension (GRO Big Red), “Termite FAQs for Nebraskans.” grobigred.com/2023/05/15/termite-faq-nebraska/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. Nebraska Department of Agriculture, “Emerald Ash Borer.” nda.nebraska.gov/plant/entomology/eab/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. University of Nebraska-Lincoln, “Urban Entomology.” hles.unl.edu/insects/urban-entomology/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, “Tick-Borne Diseases.” dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Tick-Borne-Diseases.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, “Mosquito-Borne Diseases.” dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Mosquito-Borne-Diseases.aspx (accessed 2026-10-06)
  7. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Plant Pathology, “Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic.” plantpathology.unl.edu/extension-outreach/plant-pest-diagnostic-clinic/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  8. University of Nebraska-Lincoln, “Tick Tag Go.” hles.unl.edu/insects/tick-tag-go/ (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-06. Every statement on this page comes from the cited state, federal or university source. Spot an error? Tell us.