Idaho has several beautiful species of animal and insect. It even has the beautiful Monarch butterfly, so much a point of pride that Idaho made it their state insect. Not all are so beautiful, though, and you may find yourself the victim of a sizeable infestation at some point in your life.
For that reason, this article will summarize some of the worst Idaho bugs you may find in your home and garden. That way, you can know if what you have found is a pest or a friend.
List of Idaho Bugs
The following is a summary of ten of the most serious bugs to find in large numbers. If you discover them in your home, you may want to contact an exterminator such as those found at https://www.altuspest.com/
1. Bed Bugs
The Bed Bug is a flat bug with a rust-colored carapace due to the blood it ingests. It will be even redder after devouring the blood of its victim.
They often hide in mattresses and tend to lay eggs in the folds on the edges of beds and bedding. You can recognize these as a sort of red dust, which is the egg casings.
While they do not pass on diseases, they can cause significant skin irritation or an itchy area on the body.
2. Clover Mites
These tiny creatures are a bright red in color and as small as the head of a pin. While they are not dangerous to people, they can be a nuisance as they tend to invade homes in large numbers around mating season. They often make their home in linen and curtains, or invading furniture and are noticeable from their constant movement.
While these creatures tend to live outside, they often come into the house via windows and doors. When searching, you can often find them around the edges of these areas.
3. Cockroaches
Everyone hates cockroaches. These pests are one of the major sources of indoor allergens and many people have phobias of them.
While they do not bite, they can scratch people with their leg spines, which can transfer bacteria and disease to the scratched individual.
Cockroaches are a household nuisance that is also a sign of poor waste disposal and a lack of cleaning. They tend to congregate in locations where there is easy access to food, so making sure your kitchen is secure from them can be a priority.
4. Earwigs
Earwig infestations are rare but do happen. They are outdoor insects, but a part of a home with rotting wood or dark and damp can give them a place to feel secure.
Earwigs are not creatures that live in hives and they do not have queens, so do not expect an infestation to congregate in one place. If you see many of them in one area, though, it means that it is a significant problem.
While they have tail pincers, do not worry. These things cannot harm a human. If you find plenty of them, though, it would be sensible to call an exterminator.
5. Masked Hunter
The masked hunter is one form of assassin bug. They tend towards dry areas so you may find them in attics and crawlspace where their prey tend to congregate.
The strange and scary look of the masked hunter is down to its camouflage. They gather dust and link on strong microscopic hairs all over their body that allows them to be harder to see in the places they live.
You should be aware of the danger of these creatures, though. If handled without thick gloves, they may bite you and break the skin. This bite can be very painful and cause swelling but tends not to be dangerous.
6. Spiders
Spiders are another one of those insects that, like cockroaches, are often loathed by the world. Whether they have earned that reputation or not, Idaho does play host to one of the more famous deadly spiders: The Black Widow.
Despite the infamy of this predatory insect, it rarely injures anyone in the Idaho area. Still, could you sleep knowing a single one was anywhere in your bedroom? For this reason, people often find ways of getting rid of them as fast as possible.
7. Stink Bug
Stink bugs are a widespread invasive species across America, including in Idaho. Their most unique feature is one of their defensive measures. They release a toxic odor when disturbed or when crushed.
Because of this odor, you may want to search for a good professional to get rid of infestations of stink bugs. If you do not, their stinky reaction to attempts to capture them could hinder your efforts.
8. Ticks
While often thought to be insects, these tiny critters are actually arachnids. They often feed on bats, birds, and pets when they manage to latch onto their hair or feathers and go along for the ride.
Removing ticks from the body can be fairly involved, but getting rid of them in the home is even worse. Talking to a professional will allow them to identify the specific tick species and do so in a safe way. This will prevent these creatures from sucking your family’s blood in the future.
9. Wasps
There are several different kinds of wasps in the Idaho region. Out of these, the Yellow Jacket is the most infamous for two reasons: Its sting is very painful, and it builds nests.
While the Yellow Jacket’s nest is often built on the edges of forests, they can sometimes intrude into a home. They may take up residence anywhere they have good access to wood they can pulp with their mandibles to build the nest. This is especially true in the spring season when they come out of hibernation.
If you find a nest, keep your children and pets away from it while you call in a professional.
10. Windscorpion
Windscorpions, or sun spiders, are neither scorpions nor spiders. They are large arachnids that can grow up to 15cm long including their legs but are not a danger to humans.
There are several urban legends surrounding the deadly nature of windscorpions. Although as they do not have venom or fangs these stories tend to be refuted. They do look very ugly, though, and can frighten anyone who sees them in their home.
Where Can You Learn More?
As you can see, many Idaho bugs can be particularly vexing to have in the home. There are several ways you can deal with them, though.
For more information on removing them from your home, check the rest of our blog. We have plenty of information on this and more at your fingertips.
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