Meridian, Idaho is not only one of the fastest-growing cities in the state, but it is also among the fastest-growing cities in the entire country. For the more than 100,000 people that live in this bustling city, and the visitors that come every year, there is a lot to see and do.
However, although there are many people in Meridian, there are also many pests, and a need for professional pest control services. Although some may find that these pests are just an annoyance, they can also carry diseases and become a real problem for people and the homes they live in. When these pests become uncontrollable, it is important to contact a Meridian pest control company that can help.
Barrier Pest Control proudly serves the Treasure Valley area, including residents in Meridian. Do you have a question? Do you need help identifying a pest on your property? Please give us a call to find out how we can help you.
COMMON PESTS FOUND IN MERIDIAN
ANTS
Ants are pervasive insects that will enter homes in search of food and moisture. Although ants are known for being most attracted to sugary substances, they will eat just about anything they can find. The most common types of ants in Meridian include pavement ants, harvester ants, and carpenter ants. While many homeowners use DIY solutions, such as ant traps, to get rid of these pests, these measures are often not enough.
As ants search for food, they leave behind a trail that leads other worker ants to the food source. Unless a person knows exactly where this trail is and how the ants are entering the home, traps are not enough. A professional pest control service can effectively remove the ants from the home in a safe and effective manner.
EARWIGS
Due to the fact that earwigs have pincers protruding from their abdomen that look quite menacing, many people are fearful of them. However, these pests are not harmful to humans and will not actually pinch anything but prey. Still, earwigs are unsightly and many people find them some of the most annoying pests. They are attracted to damp and dark areas, so they will quickly invade an unkempt yard or a disheveled home. Cleaning up these areas and removing the hiding places that earwigs make their home is a good step in preventing and removing these pests. For serious infestations, a pest control professional is typically necessary.
ELM SEED/BOX ELDER BUGS
Box elder bugs get their name from the fact that they suck juices from the box elder tree, although they will also move to other vegetation, such as maple trees, as well. These pests pose very little threat to humans, but they can cause irritation when their piercing mouthparts puncture the skin. Additionally, they can also leave behind fecal marks on curtains and other items within a household, making them a real household pest. The box elder bugs are common in Meridian, and an infestation may develop around certain homes. A female box elder bug will also fly, mostly so they can fly up the tree to lay their eggs, but this also makes them more difficult to get rid of on your own.
SPIDERS
Spiders are usually only harmful to humans when they feel threatened. Still, Meridian is home to some spiders that can be incredibly dangerous to people. Black widow spiders typically pose the most risk. Although these spiders are rarely fatal to humans, their bite is venomous and can cause serious problems including muscle cramps and spasms, chills, fever, nausea, and vomiting, to name just a few.
Hobo spiders are also very prevalent in Meridian. Hobo spiders are also poisonous, but their venom is not strong enough to cause life-threatening complications for humans. Still, these spider bites can cause pain, redness, and even leg twitching that lasts for up to 12 hours. Although not life-threatening, no one should try to remove either of these types of spiders on their own, due to the fact that their bites can cause serious symptoms.
STINGING INSECTS
Certain stinging insects such as wasps and hornets are incredibly annoying as they can create a nest close to a home and quickly take over one’s backyard. These insects are not only annoying, but they can sting over and over again and cause a person serious injuries. Worse, when someone has an allergy, these insects can also place a person’s life in danger. Other stinging insects, including honeybees and bumble bees, are very beneficial for backyards and the entire planet, in fact. Allergies are still a problem for many people in regards to these insects, and when they take over a yard, they must also be removed.
No one should ever try to remove a wasp or hornet’s nest on their own. These insects become incredibly aggressive when their home is disturbed and a person places themselves in great danger when trying to eliminate the problem on their own.
FLYING INSECTS
Flying insects include mosquitoes, house flies, and crane flies, to name a few. While some flying insects are not harmful to humans, the two that pose the most risk are mosquitoes and house flies. Mosquitoes are known to transmit certain diseases such as the Zika virus and malaria, while the seemingly harmless house fly can also transmit infections such as diarrhea, typhoid, and cholera. Even when these diseases do not pose a danger, mosquitoes and house flies are both a real nuisance.
Mosquito control typically requires the help of a pest control specialist that will spray a pesticide around the perimeter of the yard, particularly in shrubbery where mosquitoes typically like to hide. Insecticides are also used for house flies, although a professional may also use fly bait and traps to remove the adults. In both cases, a pest control specialist will also identify breeding spots that must be removed so the problem does not return.
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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
Cat Faced Spider
The Cat-Face Spider is an Orb Weaver, as their intricate webs suggest. The Cat-Face Spider tends to make its webs near lights and corners along the outside buildings. Full-grown females are large and have a combination of odd projections on the abdomen and dark indentation markings that some say resemble the ears and eyes of a cat. Despite their large size and bizarre appearance, Cat-Face Spiders are not venomous. It has been our experience that homes close to the Snake or Boise River have more issues with these feline-faced spiders.
As with most other spiders, regular pest control treatments and exclusion methods are essential to keeping the Cat-Face Spider off and out of your home.

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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.