Termites in Nevada: Desert Species, the State Report and Strict Rules

Nevada is dry, but it isn't termite-free. The southern desert and the northern valleys have different termites, and Nevada writes its inspection rules in unusual detail, down to how many inches of clearance count as a problem. Here's what lives where, and what the state's report has to tell you.

By John Updated 5 min read Termite pressure: Moderate to heavy
Sketch map of Nevada labeled with moderate to heavy termite pressure

The short version

Nevada's main pest is the subterranean termite: the arid-land species statewide and the western species mainly in the northwest. Western drywood termites are native to southern Nevada, and a desert dampwood termite is known only from Clark County. Home sales use the state's own Wood Destroying Pests Inspection Report, and the Department of Agriculture bars the national NPMA-33.

Nevada at a glance

Termite pressure
Moderate to heavy
Termites to know
Arid-land subterranean, Western subterranean, Western drywood
Why termites like it here
Desert in the south and high desert in the north, with subterranean termites statewide and drywood termites native to the south.
Inspection report for home sales
Nevada Wood Destroying Pests Inspection Report
On this page
  1. Who lives where
  2. Nevada termites and their seasons
  3. When subterranean and drywood termites swarm
  4. Nevada's own report, and only that one
  5. The conducive conditions Nevada defines
  6. New houses: notice, barriers and a tag in the panel
  7. Who to call
  8. For Nevada homeowners
  9. Questions

Who lives where

The Nevada Department of Agriculture's structural pest control manual describes a state with two termite regions:

  • The arid-land subterranean termite lives statewide.
  • The western subterranean termite is found mainly in northwestern Nevada. The two are hard to tell apart, so the manual treats them together as subterranean termites.
  • The western drywood termite is native to southern Nevada. In the north it has turned up only in furniture and mobile homes moved from the south, and isn't established there.
  • The tube-building desert termite lives in southern and western desert areas below about 6,000 feet and is becoming more common in southern Nevada.
  • The desert dampwood termite has been recorded only in Clark County.
  • The Nevada dampwood termite lives in the forests of northwestern Nevada.

Subterranean termites do almost all of the damage to houses. The manual puts their colonies at about 5,000 to 500,000 termites.

Nevada termites and their seasons

From the Nevada Department of Agriculture's structural pest control study manual.

When Nevada's termites swarm
Termite Where When it swarms
Subterranean (arid-land and western) Statewide; western mainly in the northwest Mostly spring and fall, when there's enough moisture
Western drywood Southern Nevada Bright sunlight, usually at 80°F or warmer
Tube-building desert termite South and west, below about 6,000 ft Mid-June to late September, often during or after rain
Desert dampwood Clark County Late May to early September, about 15 minutes after sunset
Nevada dampwood Northwestern forests Mainly July to October, late afternoon or evening after rain

Drywood termites leave hard pellets and don't need contact with soil. See drywood termites.

When subterranean and drywood termites swarm

The chart shows typical swarm months for the western subterranean and western drywood termites. Nevada's subterranean swarms come mostly in spring and fall, depending on moisture.

Typical swarm months for two of Nevada's termites
Termite J F M A M J J A S O N D
Western subterranean Sunny days after the first fall rains some swarms some swarms some swarms some swarms peak common
Western drywood Warm, sunny afternoons some swarms peak peak some swarms

Nevada's own report, and only that one

For inspections, Nevada uses the Nevada Wood Destroying Pests Inspection Report. The Department of Agriculture prohibits any other form, and in 2005 it told companies they couldn't use HUD's new NPMA-33 in Nevada. Reports now come on a numbered form supplied by the department or an approved electronic form carrying a department-issued number; a regulation filed in December 2025 updated the signature rules for electronic reports.

Under NAC 555.430, the inspector must give you the written report within 5 days of the inspection, file a copy with the department within 15 days, and keep it for at least 3 years. The report states whether there are active or inactive infestations of termites, other wood-destroying insects or wood-destroying fungi, and mold can't be reported as fungus. It includes a diagram of the structure and describes inaccessible, uninspected or altered areas. Only someone licensed by the department can inspect, write a report or bid on termite work.

The conducive conditions Nevada defines

Most states list conducive conditions in general terms. Nevada's rule defines them with numbers, from NAC 555.430 as summarized in the department's study manual.

What counts as a conducive condition in Nevada
Condition Nevada's definition
Earth-to-wood contact Wood touching the structure that's less than 3 inches above the soil, with listed exceptions
Faulty grade A joist or stringer less than 12 inches above soil, a foundation top less than 3 inches above adjacent soil, or visible surface water against the structure
Insufficient ventilation Less than 1 square foot of crawlspace vent per 300 square feet, or per 1,500 with a vapor barrier, or fewer than four vents
Cellulose debris Raked debris adding up to half a cubic foot or more

These definitions are a ready-made fix list. Most of them cost little to correct. See what termite inspectors look for.

New houses: notice, barriers and a tag in the panel

Nevada's pretreatment rules are hands-on:

  • Notice first. The company submits a Termiticide Pretreatment Notification Form to the department before treating a new house.
  • Two barriers. A horizontal barrier goes down before each slab pour, and a vertical barrier at critical areas and along the foundation exterior within 30 days after final grading.
  • Measured application. Flow meters are required for liquid pretreatments.
  • A tag. Tags go up right after treatment. If the exterior final grade wasn't treated at first, the final-grade tag goes in the house's electrical box, or the company submits an electronic tag to the department.

If you're buying a new house, look for that tag in the electrical panel and ask for the treatment records. More in termite pretreatment.

Who to call

Pest control in Nevada is licensed by the Nevada Department of Agriculture. Every company must have a qualified principal, carry insurance on a department-approved form and renew its license each year by December 31. The department's Las Vegas office is at (702) 668-4590 and its Sparks headquarters at (775) 353-3712, and the department publishes a list of licensed pest control companies. The general approach to complaints is in how to file a complaint.

For Nevada homeowners

Do

  • Ask for the inspection report within 5 days
  • Read the conducive conditions section closely
  • Check the electrical box for a final-grade tag on a new house
  • Inspect used wooden furniture from southern Nevada for pellets

Don't

  • Accept an NPMA-33 in place of Nevada's form
  • Keep soil within 3 inches of the foundation top
  • Leave form boards or scrap wood in the crawlspace
  • Assume a dry climate means no termites

Questions people ask

Are there termites in Nevada?

Yes. Subterranean termites live statewide, western drywood termites are native to southern Nevada, and dampwood termites live in Clark County and the northwestern forests, according to the Nevada Department of Agriculture.

What termite inspection form does Nevada use?

The Nevada Wood Destroying Pests Inspection Report. The Department of Agriculture prohibits other forms, including HUD's NPMA-33.

How fast do I get a termite report in Nevada?

Nevada's rule requires the written report within 5 days of the inspection. The company must also file a copy with the Department of Agriculture within 15 days.

When do termites swarm in Nevada?

Subterranean termites swarm mostly in spring and fall. Western drywood termites fly on bright, warm days, and desert dampwood termites swarm just after sunset from late May to early September.

Sources