Pest Guide

Top 10 Pests in Utah County (And How to Stop Them)

Utah County's diverse geography — from the shores of Utah Lake to the Wasatch Mountain foothills — creates habitats that support a wide variety of pests. After treating thousands of homes across Utah County, here are the 10 pests we encounter most frequently, and what you can do about each.

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1. Ants

Pavement ants, odorous house ants, and carpenter ants are the single most commonly reported pest issue in Utah County. They invade kitchens, bathrooms, and any area with food or moisture. Ant colonies can number in the tens of thousands, and once they establish a trail into your home, DIY sprays often just scatter the colony — they don't eliminate it.

What works: A professional perimeter barrier spray combined with granular baits placed in landscaping close to the home is the most effective approach. The barrier kills ants on contact, while the granules are carried back to the colony to eliminate it at the source.

→ Full ant identification & treatment guide

2. Spiders

Utah is home to over 600 spider species. The ones homeowners encounter most are hobo spiders, wolf spiders, and the occasional black widow. Spiders aren't attracted to your home — they follow their food. If you have spiders, you almost certainly have an underlying insect problem driving them inside.

What works: De-webbing, exterior perimeter treatment, and reducing the prey insects that spiders feed on. Reducing outdoor lighting (or switching to yellow bulbs) also significantly decreases the insect activity that attracts spiders.

→ Full spider identification & treatment guide

3. Wasps & Yellow Jackets

Paper wasps build papery nests under eaves and decks, while yellow jackets nest in ground burrows and wall voids. Both become increasingly aggressive from late July through October as colonies reach peak size and food sources decline. Never attempt to remove an active nest yourself — especially yellow jacket ground nests, which can contain thousands of insects.

What works: Professional nest removal combined with a residual treatment on eaves, soffits, and overhangs to prevent rebuilding. Early season treatment (May-June) is the most cost-effective approach since nests are small.

4. Earwigs

Earwigs thrive in Utah County's irrigated landscapes. They're nocturnal and moisture-dependent, often entering homes through gaps under doors. You'll commonly find them in sinks and bathtubs where they get trapped on smooth surfaces. While they look intimidating, they're harmless to humans — just unwelcome house guests.

What works: Perimeter barrier spray combined with granular treatment in landscaping. Reducing irrigation directly next to your foundation is the single most effective long-term prevention strategy.

5. Boxelder Bugs

These distinctive black-and-red bugs swarm by the hundreds on south and west-facing walls every fall, seeking entry points to overwinter inside your walls. Properties near boxelder and maple trees see dramatically higher populations. They're harmless but leave red-orange stains when crushed and emit a foul odor when disturbed.

What works: Fall timing is critical. A residual exterior wall spray applied in early-to-mid September — before they start migrating — is far more effective than trying to treat after they've entered wall voids.

6. Crickets

Both field and house crickets invade Utah County homes, intensely attracted by exterior lighting. Beyond the obvious annoyance of their constant chirping, crickets can damage fabrics and paper products inside your home. Window wells are a common accumulation point.

What works: Foundation perimeter spray, granular baits near light sources, and switching exterior bulbs to yellow/amber. Properly covering window wells also prevents major accumulations.

7. Mice

House mice and deer mice enter homes through gaps as small as a dime. Fall is peak invasion season in Utah County as temperatures drop. Beyond being unsanitary, deer mice can carry hantavirus — a potentially fatal respiratory disease transmitted through dried droppings. Never vacuum or sweep mouse droppings without proper precautions.

What works: Tamper-resistant bait stations placed along known travel routes combined with identifying and addressing entry points. Snap traps work for small populations but are inadequate for active infestations.

→ Full mouse identification & treatment guide

8. Mosquitoes

Mosquito season in Utah County runs from April through October, with peak activity near Utah Lake, irrigation channels, and any properties with standing water. Utah mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus, making control a health concern — not just a comfort issue.

What works: Monthly yard misting of shrubs, bushes, and shaded resting areas combined with larvicide treatment in any standing water. Expect 70-80% reduction in mosquito activity — complete elimination is not realistic, but significant reduction is very achievable.

→ Full mosquito identification & treatment guide

9. Clover Mites

Clover mites invade by the thousands in spring and fall. They're smaller than a pinhead and leave tiny red stains when crushed on windowsills, curtains, and walls. Properties with lush, well-fertilized lawns that grow right up to the foundation are most affected.

What works: Perimeter spray combined with lawn treatment near the foundation. Long-term, creating an 18" gravel or rock strip between grass and your foundation is the most effective prevention — clover mites avoid crossing dry, bare surfaces.

10. Voles

Voles create surface tunnels that destroy lawns, especially visible after snow melts in spring. They also gnaw bark at the base of young trees (girdling), which can kill them. Utah County homeowners often mistake vole damage for moles, but voles eat plant material while moles eat insects.

What works: Tamper-resistant bait stations placed along active runways, combined with habitat reduction (mowing short before winter, removing ground cover, keeping mulch thin). The best time to control voles is late fall before snow provides cover for their tunneling.

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The Bottom Line

Most Utah County pest problems follow predictable seasonal patterns. A proactive treatment plan that targets pests before they become established is always more effective — and less expensive — than reactive treatment after an infestation takes hold. Our bimonthly service plans are designed around Utah County's specific pest calendar, treating for the right pests at the right time of year.