Pest control in Nevada

What to know about pest control in Nevada

Nevada homes face termites in the soil, black widows in garages and woodpiles, and in parts of southern Nevada, aggressive honey bees. Anyone who does pest control for pay in Nevada needs a license from the state Department of Agriculture.

Common pests in Nevada

The Nevada Department of Agriculture and University of Nevada, Reno Extension describe these pests as concerns around homes.

• Subterranean termites. The state's termite study guide says the arid land subterranean termite is found statewide, and the western subterranean termite is found mainly in northwestern Nevada. Both need moisture, which they usually get from the soil. See our termite page.
• Western black widows. University of Nevada, Reno Extension says they are found throughout Nevada. They hide in woodpiles, debris, garages, crawl spaces and porches, so wear gloves when you reach into those spots. See spiders.
• Africanized honey bees. Some areas of southern Nevada have Africanized honey bees, which behave more aggressively than other honey bees. In parts of southern Nevada, moving a honey bee swarm requires state paperwork, and an aggressive colony may call for a pest control company. See bees and wasps.

Who licenses pest control companies in Nevada

The Nevada Department of Agriculture licenses and monitors pest control companies and the people who work for them. A license is required to apply pesticides for hire, to run a pest control business, to sell or advertise pest control services, and to do pest inspections for pay. The department's pest control page links to a list of licensed operators, and its page on who needs a pest control license explains the rules.

How to check a company before you hire

1. Ask for the company's Nevada pest control license number and find the company on the department's list of licensed operators.
2. Ask which pest they found and what they saw that shows it.
3. Ask how they plan to treat it, and what you need to do before and after treatment.
4. Get the treatment plan, the cost and any warranty in writing, including how follow-up visits work.
5. Read reviews from other customers. Compare the companies on this page, and write a review once the work is done. You can also see how reviews work.