Boise is consistently voted one of the best places to live in the entire country. Hundreds of thousands of people call this beautiful valley home, including us. The fertile farmland and various (close) outdoor recreational activities make our summers and winters equally fun. Although people have enjoyed this area for decades, insects have always been here. People may have the impression that since it’s cold here in the winters that bugs aren’t an issue. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
These common pest issues can be alleviated and solved with a pest control program that targets the crawlers during the season they are most active.
COMMON PESTS FOUND IN THE BOISE AREA
Ants
Several kinds of ants are located in the Boise area, the most common types being pavement ants, carpenter ants, and harvester ants. Once these guys have made a home somewhere, it can be difficult to get rid of them without the help of a professional.
EARWIGS
Earwigs feed on decaying plants and wood, so it is no surprise to find them in most backyards here in the Boise area. They can easily infest a neglected yard or unclean home. Regular treatment from an experienced pest control company is necessary to control and contain earwigs.
ELM SEED/BOX ELDER BUGS
These bugs are fairly new to the Boise area, being that they were first seen in 2012. Though they don’t bite, sting, or cause damage to a home, they can still be a nuisance. They create an unpleasant odor when they are found in large numbers and when you crush them in your home. We offer quarterly treatment to keep these bugs out of your house.
SPIDERS
Much like anywhere in the world, there are many different kinds of spiders found in Boise. Although we can’t list them all, Hobos, Jumping Spiders, Wolf Spiders, and Black Widows are the ones we have encountered the most. For best results when it comes to keeping spiders out of your home, regular treatments are highly recommended.
RODENTS
Much like all of us, there are rodents that have made a home in the Boise area. The best way to prevent these little guys from invading your space is to keep your home clean by not leaving food crumbs on the floors, sealing any cracks or holes in the floors or walls, and keeping the house free of any clutter.
STINGING INSECTS
Wasps and hornets can be one of the most annoying pests to have, and unfortunately, they are no stranger to Boise. Avoid having any standing water, piles of debris, or old burrows near your home. They are also attracted to cedar fencing. If you have found that you have a wasp, yellow-jacket, honeybee, or hornet problem in or around your home, it is best to leave it to the experts to avoid any injuries.
BED BUGS
Bed bugs are inactive during the day, so they can be difficult to spot. They like to hide in cracks and crevices; especially the folds, tufts, and seams in mattresses and box springs. They are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide. If you have a be bug problem let us help before it gets any worse.
CLOVER MITES
Most common in the Spring, clover mites tend to invade Boise homes in large numbers. Though they don’t bite, sting, or carry any infections, they are a nuisance due to their large numbers and red stains they leave behind when smashed. They feed on vegetation outdoors so it is important to keep vegetation well-groomed and away from the house. Preventative treatments can help immensely as well.
BOISE PEST CONTROL FAQS
- Ants
- Earwigs and Millipedes
- Elm Seed Bugs (a.k.a. Box Elder Bugs)
- Rodents (Mice, Voles, Gophers)
- Spiders (Hobo, Wolf, Jumping, and Black Widows)
- Stinging Insects (Wasps, Hornets, Yellow Jackets, etc.)
In recent years, we have seen an increase in bed bug cases. If you live in Boise odds are you’ve seen these pests around your home.
We have the experience, know-how, and treatments to fend off these unwanted guests. Call us today to learn about our quarterly treatment plan!
And as always, If you have any problems around or inside your house between regular service visits, just call us and we will fix the pest problem for free! If you have a pest problem in Boise, don’t hesitate any longer and contact us today.
Resources
Insect Identification:
A list of bugs and insects commonly found in Idaho.
Common Idaho Bees & Wasps:
Common bees and wasps in the Idaho area as well as a comprehensive guide on first aid for bee stings.
Spiders around your home:
A homeowner’s guide to common spiders found in your home and yard. This resource also lists the poisonous spiders found in Idaho as well as common myths about the creatures.
Spider Bites:
A page from the U.S. National Library of Medicine that reviews spiders bites and how to assess and manage which bites are medically important.
This fact sheet reviews some of the better know, more “dangerous” species of spiders although contrary to popular belief are rarely harmful to humans.
HOW TO KEEP PESTS OUT OF YOUR HOUSE
Although it is near impossible to get rid of an existing pest infestation without professional help, there are some things you can do to minimize/prevent the presence of any unwanted guests in your home. Here are some steps you can take to keep pests out of your house:
Keep a well-groomed yard.
Regular trimming, pruning, and cutting of any lawn, trees, or shrubbery will minimize any real estate bugs will have close to the house.
Minimize clutter.
Any piles of wood, construction materials, or other debris should be distanced from the home or better yet cleaned up. As for indoors, keep rooms free of piles of clothing or garbage, and sweeping and vacuuming daily is a must.
Avoid any standing water.
Pests love a good pool of standing water. By eliminating or decreasing any spots inside or outside your home that create puddles of standing water can greatly decrease the amount of pests you have.
Decrease the amount of outside house lights on at night.
As you may be aware, bright lights attract insects at night. Another way to minimize attracting insects is to install yellow-hued lights. Avoid any bright-white lights as they will attract more insects.
Seal any cracks/gaps in your home.
Do a thorough inspection inside and outside of your home and fill/seal any cracks or gaps you may find. Doing so will ensure pests won’t enter your home easily.
Hire an experienced pest control specialist.
Not only can we eradicate an existing infestation, but we also offer pest preventative services. We can come to your home routinely and ensure pests don’t invade your space.
Our Customers Love Us! See What They Are Saying.
I recently decided to use Barrier Lawn and Pest services as I became acquainted with their services through my place of work. The initial contact with Mike Dean was personable and informative. Scheduling of the service was also very accommodating as I was not given a 2-4 hour window as I had experienced with other companies. The technician arrived on time and reviewed the service with my wife before beginning. Upon completion, my wife was given the company's contact information in case we had any future questions. This experience was very pleasant and we would recommend Barrier's services to any friend or neighbor.
View All TestimonialsThis Month's Featured Pest
Voles
Voles are relatively small rodents that leave very distinctive tunnels just under the layer of grass. They are brown in color, with shorter tails and small eyes, and are rarely found indoors. Voles are often referred to as meadow mice and cause a large amount of damage to yards every year.
More Pests
Give Us A Shot!
Because of who we are, our history, our commitment to the future, our guarantee, and the specific standards that we hold ourselves to, we are confident that you will want to do business with us. Give us a call at (208) 463-4533 to request a quote! We are open Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM.
Service Area (Southwest Idaho)
Our pest control services are also available in Boise, Garden City, Eagle, Emmett, Meridian, Kuna, Nampa, Melba, Middleton, Star, Marsing, Homedale, Caldwell and Mountain Home.