Blog - Lawn Buddies

9 Common Questions About Perimeter Pest Control in Idaho

Written by Chase Coates | Jan 25, 2024

If your first question is “How soon can you get here?” sorry to hear that. You must have a real pest problem, like spiders the size of dogs roaming the halls or rampaging gangs of ants wielding tiny torches and raiding your cupboards.

If things aren’t quite that desperate, put your feet up and check out these common perimeter pest control questions:

1. First, How Does Perimeter Pest Control Service Work?

It’s pretty easy. Perimeter pest control is an outdoor barrier spray that helps prevent bugs from entering your home and foundation. They hate the spray, so they turn around and decide to vacation in Europe, instead, or maybe your neighbor’s house. 

Lawn Buddies technicians spray around the perimeter of your home and yard to keep pests like ants, hobo spiders, and beetles from making their way inside.


It’s all about prevention — keeping the creepy crawlers out of your house. Better out than in, right? 

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

Bye, bugs.

2. How Long Does Perimeter Pest Control Last?

Professional perimeter pest control lasts about three months

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

A late fall treatment will help prevent these crumb and heat-seeking pests from coming inside, but once it’s freezing, perimeter pest control service won’t do much good. 


At Lawn Buddies, our last exterior pest control treatment is done in October. Once the winter freeze arrives in Idaho, bugs aren’t hanging around outside your house anymore. 

See you again in the spring.

(If you have a bug problem in winter, it’s time for an indoor pest control treatment to take care of the winter pests hanging out inside.)

3. What Pests Does It Control?

Here are just some of the creepy pests that perimeter pest control keeps away:

  • Ants
  • Hobo spiders
  • Black widows
  • Earwigs
  • Box elder bugs
  • Wasps
  • Fleas
  • Beetles
  • And more

4. Does Perimeter Pest Control Kill Mice?

Nope. This is one of the biggest myths about perimeter pest control services. Sorry, you’re on your own with mice. Maybe get a cat. Or convince them there might be good work at a Florida theme park.

5. Do You Have to Be Home When Perimeter Pest Control is Applied?

Nope. Go deep sea fishing. Take tango lessons. Enter a pie eating contest. Perimeter pest control services happen outside, so you don’t need to be home while technicians are treating your yard.


And if you don’t catch any fish or discover you have two left feet, at least you’ll come home knowing icky bugs are banished. Plus, you had pie.

6. Is Perimeter Pest Control Safe for Pets?

Yes, once the product is dry. You don’t want your dog to come in contact with it while wet.

How long does it take to dry? It depends on the weather, but usually about one to two hours. 

So keep your pets inside during perimeter pest control services and make sure all treated areas are dry before letting them back outside.

7.  How Much Does It Cost?

Here at Lawn Buddies, perimeter pest control services start at $69 a visit and can increase depending on the size of your home and property.

8.  Can’t I Just Do Perimeter Pest Control Myself?

Sure, but it likely won’t be as effective. The products professionals use are stronger. 

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 allows them to work faster and better than the ones you can buy. 

The pros make it look easy. They do this every day. But it isn’t. They’re trained for this, dressed safely and appropriately and know how to handle any mishaps. When you head outside in your shorts and flip flops, without proper equipment, it’s actually potentially dangerous.

9.  DIY Perimeter Pest Control Products Are Cheaper, Right?

Probably. But professional perimeter pest control products work. And it’s a lot cheaper to pay for professional perimeter pest control now than it is to deal with a pest infestation later. 

A whole year of perimeter pest control services is significantly cheaper than a one-time exterminator treatment. And it’s safer for you and your family, too.

Have More Perimeter Pest Control Questions? Ask Lawn Buddies

Got questions? We have answers. 

And if your question is still “How soon can you get here?” grab your bug-bashing bat and hang in there. We’ll be over as soon as we can. 

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.

Fertilizing, weed control, grub control. Done. Add pest control. Double done. 

We’ve got your back. 

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