You can sum up your need for professional outdoor pest control in seven words:

You Don't Want Bugs in Your House.

If that doesn't paint the picture, imagine this:

Hobo spiders that run and bite. Creepy earwigs with fierce-looking pinchers. Box elder bugs that gather in gangs.

We could go on. However, let’s shift our focus from the creepy bug details to how to keep pests out of your house.

Table of Contents

• First, What Bugs Are Lurking Out There?
• Pest Control Basics: How Does It Work?
• Professional Pest Control Benefits
• Seasonal Pest Control Calendar for Idaho
• DIY Pest Control Tips for Idaho Homeowners
• Ask Us Anything: Common Pest Control Questions
• Why Choose Lawn Buddies for Pest Control?

Is professional pest control worth it? Should you hire pest control or do it yourself? What common outdoor pests does pest control kill?

It’ll take a few more words, but let’s tackle the answers. In the time it just took you to read this, a spider just crossed from your backyard into your kitchen.

First, What Bugs Are Lurking Out There?

Let’s be honest — nobody in this line-up of bad guy bugs is good. 

If you had to pick three of these common outdoor pests to invite to a sleepover, you’d frantically look for the box to check “none of the above.”

However, you should be aware of who your enemies are. So we’ll give you a quick rundown of the tiny beasts, but we’ll make it quick because nobody wants to linger on descriptions like “fierce-looking pinchers” and “wiggly legs.”

Earwigs

Earwigs appear quite repulsive with their flat, brown bodies similar to cockroaches, intimidating pinchers, and two pairs of wings. They love dark, damp places — like your mulch.

Centipedes

These give plenty of people the creeps because they speed along on all those wiggly legs. Like earwigs, they thrive in wet, damp, dark areas — like soggy leaves and woody mulch.

Spiders

Hobo spiders run with rapid, darting movements, and they bite.

Black widows are one of the most common spiders in Idaho, and the only one here with dangerous venom.

Spiders love quiet, dark places, such as woodpiles, under decks, and in holes. They think your cozy basement is just about perfect. Moving right along. The less said about spiders, the better.

Ants

Ants love it here in Idaho — we have so many different species, you can pick a favorite.

That way, you can have a favorite aunt and a favorite ant:

• The odorous house ant loves sweets and likes to nest between walls, under sinks, or near warm spots like water heaters.
• The pavement ant likes nesting under pavement, large rocks, and concrete foundation slabs. During the summer, they’re a nuisance in your yard and garden.
• The carpenter ant is the largest of all the ants in Idaho and the only one that destroys wood. They don’t eat it, but they hollow it out to make chambers needed for their colony to live in, weakening the wood in your home.

Box Elder Bugs

These pesky red and black bugs are one of the most annoying winter pests in Idaho, and high on the list of pests that enter homes in cold weather. They love gathering in large numbers — let’s go ahead and call them gangs — on warm surfaces when it’s chilly, so they can soak up warmth.

Once they’re hanging out on the outside of your house, it’s not a big journey to make it inside.

If you crush them, as it’s really tempting to do, they release a stinky liquid that attracts other bugs, and it can stain your walls, carpet, or floor. Vacuum them up instead, then empty them into a sealed bag, or sweep them out.

Creeped out yet? Go ahead and add wasps, fleas and beetles to the bad guy bug list.

That adds up to eight buggy reasons to hire Boise, ID professional pest control.

Pest Control Basics: How Does It Work?

Now that you’re better acquainted with all your bug neighbors outside, what next?

Keep common outdoor Idaho pests outside where they belong with perimeter pest control.

This outdoor barrier protection helps prevent pesky bugs from entering your home in the first place. It’s the best place to start.

Perimeter pest control focuses on prevention – applying insect control before bugs enter your home and begin to cause problems and give you the creeps.

Lawn Buddies technicians typically treat areas up to three feet high on the house and six feet out, creating a wide protective barrier around the house that includes the landscaping and lawn directly surrounding your home.

The spray leaves a residue on surfaces that kills common outdoor pests and continues to work for up to three months.

Since the treatment is performed outside, no chemicals are applied inside your home.

In fact, your Idaho Falls perimeter pest control treatments don’t even require anyone to be home at the time they’re applied.

Bonus: We’ll deliver your insect control while we’re already on your property for lawn care treatments. Super convenient.

Lawn Buddies perimeter pest control services in Idaho Falls and Boise, ID, can be added to our Complete Lawn Care Program. Then, the treatments start at $69 and increase depending on the size of your yard.

Why spend the money? Stick with us…

Professional Pest Control Benefits

Why should you hire the pros to get rid of bugs?

Maybe a better question - what are the benefits of professional pest control?

As it turns out, there are quite a few:

1. The Pros Really Know Their Bugs

When you see a sign of bugs around your house, do you know exactly what they are and what it takes to get rid of them? Or are you too busy hiding under the kitchen table?

Experts know. They then offer professional-level, safe products and skilled training to keep common outdoor pests away from your home.

2. Safety First

Pest control services pros have the right equipment and products to banish bugs while keeping your family safe. They’re trained in expert application and safety measures. They know what they’re doing. 

3. Professional Treatments Are Designed to Last

Professional perimeter pest control is designed to last throughout the insect season, with multiple treatments that each last for three months. You get continuous protection. No gaps. No worries.

4. It’s a Wise Money Move

It costs less to pay for pest control prevention than it does to exterminate bugs once they’ve entered your house.

Plus, wouldn’t you rather keep bugs out in the first place than deal with their creepy, skittery presence in your home?

5. It Saves You the Time and Hassle

Perhaps you’ve been considering DIY pest control versus hiring a professional.

Do you really want to mess with this? Figure out what equipment and products to buy? Set aside time from your precious weekends off? Wonder if you’re doing it right — and safely?

Not really, right?

6. Protect Your Health

Common outdoor pests can carry diseases and trigger allergies. Boise, ID professional pest control reduces the health risks associated with close contact with insects.

7. You Get Peace of Mind

Let the pros handle this, and you can relax without worrying about bugs invading your house and causing you stress. That’s worth a lot.

Seasonal Pest Control Calendar for Idaho

When you have spiders, ants and earwigs scurrying around inside your house, you probably aren’t stopping to ask them what their favorite seasons are — you just want them gone.

But common outdoor pests in Idaho do follow a calendar. 

Some creep around in warm summer months. Others are a big pain in the fall. Some are at their most rude when it gets cold outside — the pests that enter homes in cold weather, scurrying inside to keep warm.

What insects are attracted to warmth in winter? Which ones try to barge in at any time of year? And how do you plan professional pest control to keep everybody out year-round?

During the spring, summer, and fall, perimeter pest control has you covered, preventing a whole bunch of bugs from entering your home — ants, hobo spiders, black widows, earwigs, box elder bugs, wasps, fleas, and beetles.

At Lawn Buddies, our final outdoor pest control treatment is typically conducted in October. Once it’s freezing, outdoor perimeter pest control in winter won’t be effective. Pesky bugs aren’t hanging around outside your house anymore.

Many of them burrow underground for the winter or seek out winter homes in old leaves or under rocks. But some bold bugs prefer your basement. What insects are attracted to warmth in winter?

Box elder bugs, ants, and spiders. They see you down there with your cozy blanket, warm slippers, and big bowl of caramel corn and want to join the party.

If you have a bug problem in winter, it’s time for an indoor pest control treatment. So, when you mark your spring, summer, and fall calendars for outdoor perimeter pest control, plan to add an interior professional pest control treatment.

This extra protection is key as bugs try to scurry inside to escape the cold.

DIY Pest Control Tips for Idaho Homeowners

While professional pest control does a great job at deterring insects from getting in your house, you can do your part with some pest control basics:

Clear Away Yard Debris

Bugs love the yucky stuff: soggy leaves, decaying sticks, slimy old perennials, piled-up grass clippings. It’s like a 5-star hotel to them. They have no taste.

Remove the gunk to keep pests out of the house. And if you’re storing firewood outside, make sure it’s covered and elevated.

Aim for a 5-foot radius around your home that’s clear of all outdoor debris to help keep pests out of the house.

Tidy Up Inside, Too

All the good snacks create crumbs, right? Chips. Cookies. Pretzels. Sure, you could stick to crumb-free carrots and celery, but let’s be realistic.

The thing is, ants love crumbs. So keep your surfaces tidied up.

Also, keep your pantry food items safely tucked away in hard plastic storage containers on high shelves. And don’t leave bread or fruit on the counter.

Trim Box Elder Trees

Yup, those annoying box elder bugs are named after your pretty box elder trees. They love sucking sap from the leaves and stems and munching on the seed pods.

Remove the box elder trees, and you’ll reduce these common outdoor pests. Too drastic? (We thought we heard a gasp.) At least consider trimming the trees regularly and raking up the seed pods as they fall to help keep box elder bugs out of your house.

Fill Any Cracks or Gaps

Have you ever noticed how tiny insect pests are? Super tiny. They can sneak through the smallest openings. And cold weather really gets them scooting inside.

To keep pests out of the house, schedule a thorough inspection. Look carefully for any cracks in the foundation or gaps forming in your roof. Are your door seals tight?

Repair any tears or cracks in window screens that allow common outdoor pests to skitter through.

Check Your Indoor Plants for Bugs

What a fabulous vacation it would be for bugs on all your leafy indoor plants. Like an all-inclusive resort!

They think so, too. When watering your plants, inspect them for pests. Anybody munching at the brunch buffet? Spinning a web? Stretching out in a green leafy hammock? Time for an eviction notice.

Turn Off the Welcoming Outdoor Lights

Bugs see lights, and they assume it’s a party. Then spiders see the bugs, and they think it’s a buffet.

So when you can, turn off porch lights or use yellow insect-repelling bulbs to reduce the buffet line that keeps spiders coming back. Once spiders appear in search of light, they’ll want to move into your basement.

Check Your Electrical Cover Plates

That’s right. No opening is safe. Bugs can be so devious. Boxelder bugs love and seek out heat. That means they often make their sneaky way into electrical outlets and heating ducts.

Make sure your covers are tight to help keep these heat-seekers out of your house.

Ask us Anything: Common Pest Control Questions

“How soon can you get here?” is a big one, but pest control is one of those topics that raises a multitude of other questions as well.

Let’s tackle the answers:

1. I Don’t See Any Bugs Around My House — So Why Should I Worry?

Congratulations— you just hopped on board one of the biggest myths about pest control.

Think for a minute about how tiny bugs are. When’s the last time an ant blocked your view?

Even larger bugs, such as boxelder bugs, are adept at hiding.

Trust us — they’re out there. And if you wait until you see an infestation, you’ll kick yourself for wasting valuable time. Where there’s one bug, there are always more.

2. Is DIY Pest Control As Good As Professional?

It really isn’t. For one thing, the products you buy at the store aren’t the same as pro-level products.

The primary difference lies in the degree of dilution. That affects the strength and how well it works.

When you buy a pre-mixed product from a store, it’s mixed at a lower ratio than professional-strength products.

The strength of professional perimeter pest control products enables them to work faster and more effectively than those you can purchase.

Also, professionals do this every day. They can skillfully identify bugs and know what it takes to control them. They have training. They wear safety equipment. They know stuff.

No offense, but you’re just winging it.

3. Should I Hire Pest Control or Do It Myself?

When it comes to DIY pest control vs hiring a professional, ask yourself this: How do you really want to spend your weekend?

Battling bugs is a hassle. At a minimum, you can expect to:

• Buy a professional-grade perimeter pest control product, similar to what professionals use.
• Invest in a sprayer
• Buy personal protection gear to keep you safe
• Properly mix and apply the product, ensuring you follow the detailed set of directions and cautions.

Mess this up, and you’ll be hosting spiders for Thanksgiving. And it’s actually dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Why not let the pros handle it?

4. Is Professional Pest Control Worth the Cost?

Only you can decide how to spend your money.  But know it’s a lot cheaper to pay for Boise ID perimeter pest control now than it is to deal with an insect infestation later.

A whole year of perimeter pest control is significantly cheaper than a one-time exterminator treatment.

5. Do I Need to Do Anything Before Pest Control Comes? How Do I  Prepare for Pest Control at Home?

Nothing major, but a few simple tips will ensure pest control services run smoothly.

• Tidy up your home’s exterior. Outdoor pest control in Boise will work best if there aren’t piles of leaves obstructing your foundation or overgrown brush blocking the way.
• Discuss any firewood piles with your technician. Insecticides can affect when you can burn your firewood, so discussing timing is essential.
• Clear away kids’ toys, pet bowls, and other items.
• Scoot any outdoor furniture out of the way so your technician has as much clear access as possible.

6. How Do I Know If the Perimeter Pest Control Is Working?

Take a look around. See any bugs? If you don’t see insects in your house or outside on your foundation, and you don’t see evidence of insect damage in the plants next to your foundation, it’s working.

No bugs? That’s your biggest sign of perimeter pest control effectiveness.

It takes just a few hours for most perimeter pest control to take effect. The spray residue repels or kills insects upon contact. But it can take a few days to take full effect.

And remember, this barrier spray isn’t a one-time thing.

Which brings us to…

7. How Long Does Perimeter Pest Control Spraying Last?

One treatment of perimeter pest control lasts about three months.

Once those three months have passed, you’ll want another treatment, depending on the time of year. Spring through fall is when pesky insects are lurking here in Idaho.

8. Is Perimeter Pest Control Safe if You Have Pets?

Yes, once the product is dry, it’s safe. You don’t want your dog to come in contact with it while wet. It usually takes an hour or two to dry.

Keep pets inside during perimeter pest control services and ensure all treated areas are dry before letting them back outside.

A couple of extra tips:

Keep pet food and water bowls out of the way. If you forget, discard any remaining food or water and clean the bowls thoroughly after the treatment.

Put away any pet toys before technicians arrive to treat your yard.

Why Choose Lawn Buddies for Your Pest Control Needs?

When you sign up for pest control services with Lawn Buddies, it means you’ve already signed up for our Complete Lawn Care Program, so you’ve already made your life a lot easier.

Banish bugs. Trust your lawn care to professionals who get the job done right—pretty sweet deal.

Meanwhile, you can rest easy knowing Lawn Buddies sends trained, experienced pros to handle your Boise ID outdoor pest control.

Proper training is crucial for safe and effective perimeter pest control.

Lawn Buddies employees ride with another licensed pesticide technician for a time period to learn how to apply pesticides and exactly what they are using before they’re sent out to work on their own.

We also hold weekly training sessions to educate team members on pests, pesticides, and safety.

Beyond key training and experience, here’s how Lawn Buddies makes things easy:

• You receive a no-nonsense lawn care program that clearly outlines what you get and the associated costs. Bonus: You’ve added perimeter pest control, which we’ll deliver while we’re already on your property for lawn care treatments. No extra hassle for you.
• We care about your whole yard’s health. When we’re there delivering your perimeter pest control, we’ll look out for any concerning issues. If we notice signs of lawn fungus or aphids in your shrubs, we’ll snap a photo and email it to you. Say the word, and we’ll fix it.
• Payment is easy. Your credit card will be on file with us so that billing couldn’t be easier. No paper invoices or spending a bunch of time on a website figuring out how to pay. We’ll charge your card automatically a week after our visit.
• Courtesy matters. We’ll close the gate behind us. If your empty trash can is left out on the curb when we arrive, we’ll haul it back up your driveway.
• You’ll have a client portal where you can view your invoices and request services. (It sounds high-tech, but mostly it means we’re here for you.) You’d rather email? We check them and handle them daily.)
• You can reach us. We answer the phone.

Lawn Buddies offers a wide array of other services that are easy to add on, too, once you’re on board with the six-visit lawn care program, from expert plant health care services to deep root fertilization for struggling trees. Just like your perimeter pest control, we can complete the task while we’re already on your property, with no extra hassle.

You’re busy. You don’t have time for repeated phone calls for information or trying to decipher a muddled company website as you compare lawn care and professional pest control services. We make it easy.

Hundreds of homeowners — from Idaho Falls to Boise — have been counting on Lawn Buddies to provide reliable lawn care services since 2001.

When you call Lawn Buddies for perimeter pest control in Idaho Falls and Boise, you can relax, knowing creepy invasive pests aren’t on their way inside your safe and cozy home.

The first step to taking advantage of Lawn Buddies' perimeter pest control is to sign up for our 6-step complete lawn care program.

You’ll be glad you did.

Choose an Idaho Falls or Boise professional lawn care service that makes it easy, bundling your yard’s most-needed treatments into one convenient, no-fuss plan.

Got a few minutes? That’s all you need to get started. You can fill out the form on this page, call us at (208) 656-9131 or read more about our services. Then, you can kick back and relax in your healthy, thriving yard and pest-free home.