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Common Pests in the Treasure Valley

What they are, why they show up, and when it's time to call. Quick, straightforward info โ€” no fluff.

๐Ÿ•ท๏ธ Spiders ๐Ÿœ Ants ๐Ÿ Wasps & Hornets ๐Ÿญ Rodents Box Elder Bugs Beetles Earwigs ๐Ÿฆ— Crickets ๐Ÿ› Centipedes
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Spiders
Year-Round

Spiders

Spiders are one of the most common complaints we hear about in the Treasure Valley. While most species found in Idaho are harmless, a heavy infestation around windows, doorways, eaves, and basements is a sign that conditions around your home are attracting them โ€” and that's worth addressing before it gets worse.

Signs You Have Them
  • Webs in corners, windows, and doorframes
  • Spiders visible indoors, especially at night
  • Clusters around exterior lights
  • Egg sacs in garage or basement
Why They Show Up
  • Other insects nearby (their food source)
  • Cluttered storage areas
  • Outdoor lighting attracting prey
  • Gaps and cracks in the home's exterior
Get a Free Quote โ†’ We treat interior and exterior entry points on every visit.
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Ants
Springโ€“Fall

Ants

Ants are a seasonal but persistent problem for Treasure Valley homes. What starts as a few in the kitchen can quickly become multiple trails throughout the home. Store-bought sprays often make the problem worse by scattering the colony โ€” effective treatment targets the entry points and the source, not just the visible trail.

Signs You Have Them
  • Trails along countertops or baseboards
  • Ants appearing near food or moisture
  • Ant activity around exterior foundation
  • Small dirt mounds near the home
Why They Show Up
  • Food and moisture sources inside
  • Cracks or gaps in the foundation
  • Mulch or wood debris near the home
  • Warm weather driving them indoors
Get a Free Quote โ†’ We treat trails, entry points, and nesting areas โ€” not just what you see.
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Wasps & Hornets
Summerโ€“Fall

Wasps & Hornets

Wasps and hornets build nests in eaves, fences, decks, and ground-level areas around Treasure Valley homes. Unlike bees, wasps can sting repeatedly and become aggressive when disturbed. By late summer, colonies can reach several hundred โ€” making removal increasingly difficult and risky without the right treatment.

Signs You Have Them
  • Nest visible under eaves or in structures
  • Increased wasp activity around your yard
  • Wasps entering and exiting a specific spot
  • Paper-like nest material on exterior surfaces
Why They Show Up
  • Protected overhangs and eave spaces
  • Outdoor food and sugary drinks
  • Other insects nearby (food source)
  • Untreated nesting sites from prior years
Get a Free Quote โ†’ Safe nest removal plus preventative treatment for common nesting sites.
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Rodents
Fallโ€“Winter

Mice & Rodents

As temperatures drop in the fall, mice look for warm places to nest โ€” and homes in the Treasure Valley are a common target. They can squeeze through gaps the size of a dime, contaminate food, and cause damage to insulation and wiring. The best time to address rodents is before they get inside.

Signs You Have Them
  • Droppings in cupboards, drawers, or along walls
  • Gnaw marks on food packaging or wood
  • Scratching sounds in walls or ceiling
  • Nesting material (paper, insulation shreds)
Why They Show Up
  • Dropping temperatures in fall
  • Gaps in foundation, vents, or roofline
  • Food or pet food left out
  • Cluttered storage areas near the home
Get a Free Quote โ†’ Exterior baiting, exclusion advice, and ongoing monitoring to keep mice out.
Box Elder Bugs
Fall & Spring

Box Elder Bugs

Box elder bugs are a seasonal nuisance that cluster in large numbers on the sunny sides of homes in fall as they search for overwintering spots. They're harmless but can stain surfaces and are unpleasant in large numbers. Once they find a way inside, they can be surprisingly hard to eliminate without treating the exterior first.

Signs You Have Them
  • Large clusters on exterior walls in fall
  • Black and red bugs near box elder trees
  • Bugs appearing inside during winter
  • Staining on light-colored surfaces
Why They Show Up
  • Box elder, maple, or ash trees nearby
  • Sun-warmed exterior walls
  • Gaps around windows and doors
  • Lack of preventative exterior treatment
Get a Free Quote โ†’ Seasonal exterior treatment stops them before they cluster and get inside.
Beetles
Varies by Species

Beetles

Several beetle species are common in Idaho โ€” from carpet beetles that damage fabric and stored goods, to ground beetles that wander inside in search of food or shelter. Most beetles are more nuisance than hazard, but consistent perimeter treatment is the most effective way to keep them out of your home throughout the year.

Signs You Have Them
  • Beetles appearing on floors or windowsills
  • Damage to stored clothing, carpet, or food
  • Larvae or shed skins near fabric items
  • Beetles clustering near exterior lights
Why They Show Up
  • Gaps in doors, windows, or foundation
  • Stored organic material (wool, grain, pet food)
  • Outdoor lights attracting them at night
  • Moisture or decaying wood near home
Get a Free Quote โ†’ General pest protection covers beetles as part of every scheduled treatment.
Earwigs
Springโ€“Fall

Earwigs

Earwigs are one of the more alarming-looking pests homeowners find in the Treasure Valley โ€” though despite the pinchers, they're not dangerous to people or pets. They thrive in moisture and are most often found around garden beds, under debris, and in basements or crawl spaces. They become a nuisance when they move indoors in large numbers seeking shelter or moisture.

Signs You Have Them
  • Pincher-tailed bugs near garden beds or under pots
  • Finding them in bathrooms, basements, or laundry rooms
  • Damaged seedlings or garden plants with ragged edges
  • Activity near mulch, leaf piles, or wood debris
Why They Show Up
  • Moisture-rich areas around foundations
  • Organic debris piled against the home
  • Gaps under doors or around window frames
  • Overwatered garden areas near the house
Get a Free Quote → Perimeter treatments eliminate earwig harborage and entry points.
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Crickets
Summerโ€“Fall

Crickets

Crickets are a common late-summer and fall nuisance in the Treasure Valley. Their chirping is immediately recognizable, and when they get inside โ€” which happens frequently in Idaho homes โ€” they can be surprisingly destructive, chewing on fabrics, papers, and even wallpaper. Field crickets and house crickets are both common in the area, and both respond well to perimeter treatment.

Signs You Have Them
  • Chirping sounds, especially at night
  • Crickets found in garages, basements, or ground level
  • Chew damage on fabric or paper items
  • Large numbers clustering near exterior lights
Why They Show Up
  • Outdoor lights attracting them at night
  • Warm temperatures and dry conditions pushing them in
  • Gaps under garage doors or around ground-level entries
  • Lawn clippings or debris near the foundation
Get a Free Quote → Exterior treatment and entry point sealing keeps crickets from getting inside.
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Centipedes & Millipedes
Springโ€“Fall

Centipedes & Millipedes

House centipedes and millipedes are both common in Treasure Valley homes, particularly in basements, garages, and bathrooms. Centipedes are fast-moving predators that actually feed on other insects โ€” their presence often signals a broader pest issue in the home. Millipedes are slower and more likely to be found in large numbers after rainfall or during seasonal migrations. Both benefit from perimeter treatment and moisture control.

Signs You Have Them
  • Long, multi-legged insects in damp areas
  • Centipedes appearing in bathrooms or basement
  • Millipedes in large numbers after rain
  • Finding them under door mats, rocks, or debris
Why They Show Up
  • Moisture in crawl spaces, basements, or bathrooms
  • Other insect activity (centipedes follow their food)
  • Organic matter like mulch, leaves, or wood near the home
  • Seasonal rains driving them out of the ground
Get a Free Quote → Reducing moisture and treating the perimeter keeps centipedes and millipedes out.

We'll Figure It Out Together

Not every pest is easy to identify, and that's fine. Tell us what you're seeing โ€” where, how often, and when โ€” and we'll help figure out what's going on and what to do about it.

Get a Free Quote →
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