Pest control in Nebraska

What to know about pest control in Nebraska

Nebraska homeowners deal with ticks and mosquitoes in the warm months and carpenter ants in and around the house. In Nebraska, anyone doing structural pest control for hire needs a commercial license, even when they use only general-use products.

Common pests in Nebraska

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and University of Nebraska Extension describe these pests in the state.

• Ticks. Ticks in Nebraska can carry Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. Frequent tick checks and prompt removal lower the chance of getting sick. See our tick and flea companies.
• Mosquitoes. In Nebraska, West Nile virus is spread by Culex mosquitoes. Cases happen during mosquito season, from summer through fall. See mosquito control companies.
• Carpenter ants. The black carpenter ant is the most common carpenter ant in Nebraska, and a smaller red and black species lives here too. Black carpenter ant swarms are most often seen from March through June. See ant control companies.
• Bed bugs. The state health department gets regular questions about bed bugs. Most pests like these don't carry disease, but the department notes they can be a substantial public health nuisance. See bed bug companies.

Who licenses pest control companies in Nebraska

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture certifies and licenses pesticide applicators. People who apply structural or lawn care pesticides to someone else's property for hire must be licensed as commercial applicators, whether they use general-use or restricted-use products. Treating a home for mice or roaches falls under the structural and health related pest control category. The department's applicator certification and licensing page explains the rules, and its public records page links to a search of certified applicators.

How to check a company before you hire

• Ask for the name of the technician who will treat your home and confirm they hold a commercial license in the right category.
• Ask which pest they found and what they plan to do about it. For carpenter ants, ask where they think the nest is.
• Ask what you need to do to get ready, and how long to keep people and pets away from treated areas.
• Get the treatment plan, the number of visits and any warranty in writing.
• Read reviews from other Nebraska customers, and share your experience after the job. Learn how reviews work.