Right now, as we're heading into Spring, the number 1 pest we're seeing throught the Treasure Valley is the Odorous House Ant (OHA). 

Prior to Winter, this small black Ant may  have moved it’s nest into exterior walls of buildings. Their nests can be found around plumbing where hot water pipes emit warmth. Like most pests, winter also decreases the OHA's food sources, so whether they are being drawn inside for warmth, or managing its dwindling food sources, the Odorous House Ant will find its way into places like bath and kitchen walls.

Regrettably, OHA's are a difficult pest to eliminate. You'll probably need professional help. Non-specific insecticides don't work and store-bought products won't eliminate this pest. Many of our customers have called us after trying these products.

If you're finding these small Ants in your home or building this time of year, give us a call. We can quickly identify them and get you started 

Phil

Bird Control has always been one of my favorite areas of Pest Control. So much of what we do in the Pest Industry is repetitive. Depending on the pest, we assess the problem, determine a fix, then duplicate the process.

Bird Control is different.  Each job is different and it requires its own solution.  Depending on the structure, its use, location and sometimes aesthetics, I find bird control both challenging and fun. 

Until recently, Custom Care Pest Services has mainly relied on conventional systems to deter the birds.  We use Netting, Electric Shock systems, Repellant Gels or Installing Plastic Spike along ledges of rooflines or eves.  None of these systems are harmful to the birds. But recently our bird control challenges have taken on newer tech.

The first of March of this year, we installed an automated Laser system, designed by some young guys in the Netherlands.  We also have combined the lasers with a hazing system that dispenses an organic liquid mist over areas where birds roost. The liquid irritates the birds so they leave for other roosting places.  We installed both of these systems in a southern Idaho dairy last month with anticipation but also with our own question, is this really going to work?

Today, as I’m writing this article, it’s been nearly 5 weeks and the reports we’re receiving on our first new installations is nearly 100% success.  Where there were once hundreds of thousands of birds roosting, the birds are now gone!   Our customer is preparing for a second installation in another building.  Of course we’re happy for the business but really happy for our customer.  It’s been several years of working out the right solution that would be cost-wise for them, while also getting rid of their birds. The new systems came at the right time and they’ve solved the problem!

Our future with lasers and hazers looks bright. We’re now able to control bird problems in large, expansive areas like the dairy we’ve just finished.  We’re able to install this effective system without the extensive labor involved with conventional systems, as well as passing those savings on to our customer!

Needless to say, bird is the word!

Phil

The Treasure Valley has plenty of Spiders.  This pest can be broken into two  groups---hunting spiders and web-building spiders. These two categories depict how spiders catch their food. The hunters hunt and the web builders build webs, then wait for their prey to show up in their webs.

Here is a short list of spiders in the Treasure Valley for each group:

WEB BUILDERS:

     Black Widow

     Hobo

HUNTERS:

     Grass 

     Wolf    

     Yellow Sack

Most times, it’s the Hunting Spiders that people spot, since they are moving around, foraging for food. But late summer is mating season for spiders so Web-Builders are also out and being seen. The only difference is that Web--building spiders aren't hunting prey.  They are hunting a mate. 

Here are some ways to decrease the number of spiders around your home or building:

1) Reduce yard waste around the perimeter of your structure

2) Place glue traps in the house and garage to help catch foraging males

3) An exterior residual application of spider control barrier

4) Let us help you with your spider problems

I hope your summer is going well as we move forward!

Phil

Elm Seed Beetle

For the 3rd straight year the Elm Seed Beetles are invading the Treasure Valley again, and so far, this year is the biggest infestation yet. Our phones have been non-stop with calls about this annoying insect.

I would like to cover our experience with elm seed beetles and how we manage treatment for this pest.

We focus our treatment on the exterior of your building where the elm seed beetles congregate. This outside treatment initially lowers the number that will move indoors but it won’t completely eliminate them. I usually explain to our customers that we can exterminate 100% of the Elm Seed Beetles on your building today but a whole new batch can fly in tomorrow. When a new batch arrives, they will be affected by the residual insecticide that was applied, but the effect of treatment will take some time, usually several hours.

Looking at the exterior walls after an application, you may still see Elm Seed Beetles on your building.  This doesn’t mean the treatment isn’t working.  It just means the treatment is still under way.

After this treatment, there is usually an estimate of 70% reduction in the numbers of elm beetles both inside and outside.  Some infestations require a booster treatment in two to three weeks after the initial treatment. The necessity of this second application is dependent on the level of Elm Seed Beetles pressure coming from yours and your neighbors property.

I hope this information helps with any problem you may be having with Elm Seed Beetles. We would be happy to help you in any way, answering any further questions you may have or scheduling a treatment.   

A continued great summer!

Summer is approaching and you know what that means - the pests will be knocking on your door soon.

I’m not talking bugs here. I mean the summertime door-knocking Pest Control sales people. These pests are usually young College students looking to earn some money during the summer  months. They pull on your heart strings to help them out by switching from your current Pest Control company to theirs.

The problem is that these pests promise a lot of things their company can’t and won’t deliver on. When you realize this though, it’ too late, you’ve already committed to a 1 or 2 year contract.

Here at Custom Care Pest Services we never door knock residences. Your home is your escape from the world and we respect that. We don’t make promises we can’t deliver on and we never have contracts. We have to earn your business each time we’re out to your home.

So before you help out one of these young college students, consider the fact that you will committed to their Pest Control company long after they’re back at the dorms.

Spring is here and our phones are ringing!  So far, the calls we've been receiving have been mostly for:

Bed Bugs

Birds

Box Elder Bugs

Carpenter Ants

Clover Mites

Odorous House Ants

Pavement Ants

Spiders and even Ticks

We're here to help you with your Pest Issues. We will do all we can to solve you pest problem in an efficient, quick and successful manner.

Please call or write if you need our service.

Thanks and here's to a long spring!

Phil

In my last post I mentioned a product we were experimenting with to eliminate Beg Bug infestations. Unfortunately, after monitoring this product for eight weeks, we have come to the conclusion that it doesn’t provide the successful control we were looking for.

Back to square one.

Up to this point - Custom Care Pest Services hasn’t jumped into the Bed Bug world as much as we would’ve liked. There have been many potential customers that have called our office looking to have their Bed Bug problem solved. We have in most cases referred them to other companies that were treating with Heat or other methods. The reason we haven’t fully entered into treating for Bed Bugs is:

When we take a payment from any customer, we want to make sure that when we’ve left their home or business, we are confident that we’ve completely taken care of their pest problem. Unfortunately, we have not had that confidence using any of the products that have been on the market up to this time for Bed Bugs. That has also included Heat Treatments. We have seen many failed heat fumigations from companies the render this service.

There is hope out there (we hope) though. We are currently experimenting with an organic product called Cimi-shield. If this product delivers like the manufacturer claims, and we see the same results as other Pest Control Companies that have shared their success stories through their reviews, we may very well have the solution we’ve been looking for.

If you have or believe you have an issue with Bed Bugs, we are actively seeking customers to try this product on. Please call our office at 208-362-9098 and ask for Phil. We’ll see if this product can deliver the success that we’re hoping for at your home.

Since winter is a quiet time for Pest Control companies here in the Treasure Valley, I thought I would take this opportunity to make a list of the pests we treat for as well as the cities we service.

Main Treasure Valley (Ada, Canyon & Gem Counties):

Boise, Id

Caldwell, Id

Eagle, Id 

Emmett, Id 

Kuna, Id 

Melba, Id 

Meridian, Id

Middleton, Id

Nampa, Id

Star, Id

Pests we treat for in the main Treasure Valley (Ada, Canyon & Gem Counties):

Spiders (All)

Ants (All)

Mice

Gophers

Meadow Voles

Earwigs

Fleas

Clover Mites

Silverfish

Termites

Cockroaches

Bat Bugs

Bed Bugs

Bees (go to idabees.org first to see if a beekeeper will remove colony)

Elm Seed Bugs

Box Elder Bugs

Sage Bugs

Paper

Wasps

Hornets

Yellow Jackets 

Birds & Bats:

 Bats - All

 Birds - Pigeons, Starlings & Sparrows

Pests we will travel out of our area to treat: 

Birds & Bats:

 Bats - All

 Birds - Pigeons, Starlings & Sparrows

Now is the time for a Pest Barrier

As our evening temperatures start to approach freezing, the natural instinct of insects will be to find a place to survive the upcoming winter. They will seek out the smallest of openings on our homes to move into the crawl space, exterior cracks and crevices, inside the exterior walls, the attic and garage. 

Without a preventative Spider / Pest Barrier applied to your home, these insects could emerge into your home all winter long or at the least in the spring time.

The main pests that are trying to move in are:

Box Elder Bugs

Clover Mites 

Cluster Flies

Elm Seed Bugs 

Sage Bugs

Spiders

Wasp, Hornets and Yellow Jackets

Wether you plan to do it yourself or hire a professional, now is the time.

If you plan on do it yourself, understand that you need to put out plenty of product (several gallons) onto and around the perimeter of your house.