How Do Pests Affect Graze Land In Boise And Nampa Idaho

Most people think of grazers when they think of Boise, Idaho. In fact, you might not have given much thought to the countless species that utilize the local rangelands, but you should. Domestic livestock cattle and sheep are typically seen as prime examples on these types of lands, yet they're only one part of an ecosystem full of other animals who depend upon them too! Take a look at this list from Utah State University: antelope (a type of small deer), elk(ish), moose, or bison.

Livestock grazing is an important management tool for maintaining healthy ecosystems.

The Wildlife Habitat Committee of The Society for Range Management's annual meeting in Casper, Wyoming (3 - 4 February 2003), organized and facilitated a symposium on "less considered" invertebrate species that inhabit rangelands, such as worms, insects, etc. The purpose was to examine their habitat requirements and ecosystem interactions with other organisms living in this environment.

Invertebrate animals such as nematodes can have profound effects on primary productivity. They are particularly important in rangelands and occur at higher densities than they do elsewhere, with the top 4 inches of soil potentially supporting 1 million individuals per square foot!

While you might not see them, they play a big role in decomposition and the release of nutrients that are vital to plant growth. In fact, termites alone are thought to consume about 10%  of the world's above-ground wood production each year!

They also aerate the soil and help with water infiltration and drainage. Their grazing can help reduce thatch accumulation and generally improve soil health. So the next time you're out on a hike, take a moment to think about all the different creatures - both big and small - that call Boise home.

You might be thinking, does that mean that local pest control companies are a danger to the range lands around Boise? The answer is no. This is because most pest control companies focus on homes and contained spaces such as retail stores. The treatments that these pest control companies apply do not affect the farmlands that the cattle and wildlife graze on.