Fall rodent season
As Boise's nights turn cold in fall, mice and other rodents move toward homes looking for warmth and food. NOAA's engineering weather data for Boise records about 78 freeze-thaw cycles a year, and the change of season is when many homeowners first hear scratching in walls or find droppings in the garage. Fall is the best time to seal entry points: gaps under garage doors, openings around pipes and wires, damaged foundation vent screens and gaps at the roofline. Use metal mesh, hardware cloth and durable sealants; rodents chew through foam.
Summer insects
The National Weather Service describes Boise's climate as semi-arid, and summers are hot and dry, with a record high of 111°F. Ants move indoors looking for water during dry spells. Wasps and yellowjackets are active through summer and early fall, nesting under eaves, decks and in the ground. Hornets and yellowjackets near doors, decks and play areas are best handled by professionals.
Spiders, basements and window wells
Many Boise homes have basements and window wells, which spiders and other insects use for shelter. Keeping window wells clear of leaves and debris, using window well covers, sealing gaps and reducing clutter in basements and garages helps. Most spiders are harmless, but if you're concerned about a particular one, a technician can identify it.
Overwintering pests
Some insects, such as box elder bugs and certain beetles, gather on sunny walls in fall and slip into homes through gaps to spend the winter. They're mostly a nuisance. Sealing gaps around windows, siding and utility lines before they gather is the best prevention.
Moisture and crawlspaces
Most of Boise's precipitation falls from November through May. Crawlspaces and basements that stay damp attract moisture-loving pests. Make sure downspouts carry water away from the foundation, the ground slopes away from the house, and crawlspace vents are clear.
Before you hire
Ask Boise pest control contractors what pest they've identified and how it's getting in, what products they'll use and where, what precautions to take for kids and pets, and what follow-up is included. Look up the company's Idaho registration with DOPL; Idaho also requires pesticide applicators to hold a license from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.
Ants after rain and in spring
Ants often appear indoors in spring as colonies become active and again after heavy rain. Follow the trail to see where they're entering, wipe the trail with soapy water to remove the scent, and use baits rather than sprays so foragers carry the bait back to the colony. If large black ants appear inside in spring, especially near windows or damp wood, have them identified; carpenter ants nest in moist or decaying wood.
Wildlife
Boise's foothills and river corridors bring wildlife close to many homes. Skunks, raccoons and squirrels sometimes move under decks, into crawlspaces or into attics. Sealing openings, securing trash and removing food sources helps. For animals already inside, ask whether the contractor handles wildlife or can refer you to someone who does, and what local rules apply.