Pest control in Idaho

What to know about pest control in Idaho

Idaho's pest problems lean toward the outdoors, with mosquitoes, ticks and stinging insects in the warm months and mice moving into cabins and sheds. Knowing who licenses pest control companies in Idaho makes it easier to hire well.

Common pests in Idaho

Idaho's health agencies and University of Idaho Extension describe these pests.

• Mosquitoes. West Nile virus is the mosquito-borne illness Idaho health officials watch most closely. Two Culex mosquitoes are the most likely carriers, and the state asks residents to drain standing water and change birdbath water weekly. See our page on mosquitoes.
• Ticks. Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tick-borne relapsing fever and tularemia are the tick-borne diseases of concern in Idaho. The tick that carries Lyme disease is not known to live in the state. See our page on fleas and ticks.
• Deer mice. In Idaho, deer mice carry Sin Nombre hantavirus. Public health officials say the risk is greater in spring and summer, in rodent-infested cabins, sheds and campsites. Cleaning up after mice calls for wet methods, never dry sweeping or vacuuming. See our page on rodents.
• Spiders. University of Idaho Extension says the black widow is the only spider in the state that is medically important. Hobo spiders can bite but are no longer thought to be poisonous. See our page on spiders.
• Yellowjackets and wasps. These can give painful stings, and University of Idaho Extension publishes a homeowner guide to deciding when control is needed. See our page on bees and wasps.

Who licenses pest control companies in Idaho

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture licenses pesticide applicators. Anyone who applies pesticides to another person's property for pay needs a professional applicator license. Getting one means passing exams and showing proof of financial responsibility, such as company insurance. Read more on the department's applicator licensing and certification page, and check a technician with its applicator license search.

How to check a company before you hire

1. Ask for the technician's license number and confirm it with the applicator license search.
2. Ask which pest they found and what evidence shows it.
3. Get the treatment plan, follow-up visits and any warranty in writing before work starts.
4. Read reviews from other Idaho customers. If you've hired a company, you can write a review to help your neighbors, and learn how reviews work.