Waukee, Iowa Pest Guide
Iowa Pest Guide started here in Waukee, in Dallas County on the west side of the Des Moines metro. This page pulls together the pest issues Waukee homeowners tend to run into through the year, with links to our full guides and the sources behind them.
Waukee pest calendar
Pest timing in central Iowa follows the seasons. Here is what Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and state agencies describe, in roughly the order you will notice it:
Spring: ant mounds and the first queens
- Ant hills in lawns can pile up during wet spring weather, when ISU says soil-nesting ants are especially busy. Raking or hosing mounds flat is usually all that is needed. ISU notes fire ants are not present in Iowa. See how to get rid of ants in Iowa.
- Wasp queens start new nests around May, each colony beginning with a single queen.
- Ash tree owners: the 2015 state announcement of emerald ash borer near Waukee said the window for preventive ash treatments is mid-April to mid-May.
Summer: wasps build up
- Yellowjacket colonies grow all summer and peak around Iowa State Fair time, with up to roughly 5,000 wasps per nest, according to ISU. See wasp nest removal near Waukee.
Fall: invaders and mice
- Boxelder bugs, multicolored Asian lady beetles and brown marmorated stink bugs look for winter shelter in late summer and fall. ISU says these "accidental invaders" are generally harmless and cannot reproduce indoors. Sealing gaps is the best defense; ISU notes exterior insecticide treatments only help if applied before the insects move in, roughly September to mid-October. Boxelder bugs gather on the sunny south sides of buildings.
- Mice move in. ISU says Iowa's native deer mice and white-footed mice enter homes in fall looking for winter shelter. See mice in your Iowa home this fall.
- Yellowjackets indoors after frost almost always come from a nest inside a wall, according to ISU.
Winter: quiet, but watch the walls
- Overwintering boxelder bugs can wander into rooms on warm, sunny days, ISU notes. House mice can live indoors year-round.
Emerald ash borer near Waukee
In April 2015, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, ISU Extension and the Iowa DNR announced that emerald ash borer had been confirmed in a residential tree in southeast rural Dallas County near Waukee, making Dallas the 21st Iowa county with a confirmed infestation. The release described the beetle as killing all ash tree species, and urged Iowans not to move firewood long distances. If you have ash trees, get advice from a qualified tree care professional.
Guides for Waukee homeowners
- Ant Exterminator Near Waukee: What to Expect and How to Choose a Pro
- How to Get Rid of Ants in Iowa
- Bed Bug Signs and What to Do in the Des Moines Metro
- Boxelder Bugs in Iowa Homes
- Mice in Your Iowa Home This Fall
- Wasp Nest Removal Near Waukee, Iowa
Verify a pest pro in Waukee
Iowa requires anyone in the business of applying pesticides to another person's property to be licensed and certified by the state. Before hiring, use the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship lookup: search by city ("Waukee") or by county ("Dallas"). Our guide on choosing an ant exterminator near Waukee has a full list of questions to ask.
Not sure what bug you have? The ISU Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic in Ames identifies insects mailed in by Iowans. Check its page for current forms and fees.
Local pest pros in Waukee
Aptive Pest Control (Ankeny branch)
Ankeny · 1-515-417-1185
6864 NE 14th St, Ste 3, Ankeny, IA 50023
National pest control company with an Ankeny branch; its Waukee page lists ants, crickets, earwigs, flies, mosquitoes, rodents, spiders and stinging pests.
Services listed on their site: General pest control, Ants, Spiders, Mosquitoes, Mice & rodents, Wasps & stinging insects
Service area (their words): Its Waukee page lists Adel, Altoona, Ames, Ankeny, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Johnston, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines, Windsor Heights and other towns.
IDALS company license record found (10085-001, checked 2026-10-21)
How we checked
IDALS pesticide company lookup (https://agriculture-iowa.my.salesforce-sites.com/lookup), 'Search By Company/License', searched by company name on 2026-10-21. Found active company license 10085-001: Aptive Environmental, Ankeny (Polk County), expiration 2026-12-31. Record is under the name 'Aptive Environmental' at the same city as the branch.
Listing source: https://aptivepestcontrol.com/locations/iowa-ia/waukee-pest-control/ (checked 2026-10-21).
Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Management
Adel · (515) 822-4348
816 Cottage St, Adel, IA 50003
Adel-based company (since 2008, per its site) offering wildlife and rodent control plus insect services for ants, bees, wasps, hornets, cockroaches, mosquitoes, spiders and ticks.
Services listed on their site: Wildlife, Mice & rodents, Ants, Wasps & stinging insects, Cockroaches, Mosquitoes, Spiders, Ticks, General pest control
Service area (their words): Service-area page lists Adel, Ames, Ankeny, Clive, Dallas Center, De Soto, Des Moines, Grimes, Johnston, Panora, Van Meter, Waukee and West Des Moines.
IDALS company license record found (08168-000, checked 2026-10-21)
How we checked
IDALS pesticide company lookup (https://agriculture-iowa.my.salesforce-sites.com/lookup), 'Search By Company/License', searched by company name on 2026-10-21. Found active company license 08168-000: BOBCAT WILDLIFE & PEST MNGMT, Adel (Dallas County), expiration 2026-12-31.
Listing source: https://www.bobcatpest.com/, https://www.bobcatpest.com/service-area/ (checked 2026-10-21).
Critter Control of Des Moines
Des Moines · (515) 287-0419
Independently owned franchise of a national wildlife company; lists wildlife removal and exclusion, rodent, mosquito and pest control services.
Services listed on their site: Wildlife, Mice & rodents, Mosquitoes, General pest control
Service area (their words): Office page lists Adel, Altoona, Ames, Ankeny, Des Moines, Grimes, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines and other towns.
IDALS company license record found (04956-001, checked 2026-10-21)
How we checked
IDALS pesticide company lookup (https://agriculture-iowa.my.salesforce-sites.com/lookup), 'Search By Company/License', searched by company name on 2026-10-21. Found active company license 04956-001: CRITTER CONTROL OF DES MOINES, Des Moines (Polk County), expiration 2026-12-31.
Listing source: https://www.crittercontrol.com/office-finder/iowa/des-moines/ (checked 2026-10-21).
Des Moines Pest Control
Urbandale · 515-278-6785
14302 Oakwood Dr., Urbandale, IA 50323
Family-owned company (since 1974, per its site) offering residential and commercial control of ants, carpenter ants, spiders, mice, wasps, hornets, yellowjackets and other insects.
Services listed on their site: General pest control, Ants, Spiders, Mice & rodents, Wasps & stinging insects, Commercial
Service area (their words): Lists Adel, Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Clive, Des Moines, Granger, Grimes, Johnston, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights.
IDALS company license record found (01467-000, checked 2026-10-21)
How we checked
IDALS pesticide company lookup (https://agriculture-iowa.my.salesforce-sites.com/lookup), 'Search By Company/License', searched by company name on 2026-10-21. Found active company license 01467-000: DES MOINES PEST CONTROL & TURF TONIC INC, Urbandale (Polk County), expiration 2026-12-31.
Listing source: https://desmoinespest.com/ (checked 2026-10-21).
Hawkeye Exterminators
West Des Moines · 515-250-9442
3775 EP True Pkwy #105, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Central Iowa company offering pest control, bed bug and termite services (including real-estate termite inspections), bat and rodent work, and commercial service.
Services listed on their site: General pest control, Bed bugs, Termites, Mice & rodents, Wildlife, Commercial
Service area (their words): Lists Adel, Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Johnston, Knoxville, Newton, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines and other central Iowa towns.
IDALS company license record found (01752-000, checked 2026-10-21)
How we checked
IDALS pesticide company lookup (https://agriculture-iowa.my.salesforce-sites.com/lookup), 'Search By Company/License', searched by company name on 2026-10-21. Found active company license 01752-000: HAWKEYE EXTERMINATORS, Knoxville (Marion County), expiration 2026-12-31. Exact name match; the license address is Knoxville, and the company's site also lists a Knoxville-area phone line.
Listing source: https://www.hawkeyeexterminators.com/ (checked 2026-10-21).
Janssen Pest Solutions
Urbandale · 515-223-0269
10552 Justin Dr., Urbandale, IA 50322
Family-owned company based in Urbandale offering residential and commercial pest control, including termite, rodent, bed bug, mosquito and stinging insect services.
Services listed on their site: General pest control, Termites, Mice & rodents, Bed bugs, Mosquitoes, Wasps & stinging insects, Commercial
Service area (their words): Locations listed on its site include Altoona, Ankeny, Carlisle, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Indianola, Johnston, Norwalk, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights.
IDALS company license record found (02390-000, checked 2026-10-21)
How we checked
IDALS pesticide company lookup (https://agriculture-iowa.my.salesforce-sites.com/lookup), 'Search By Company/License', searched by company name on 2026-10-21. Found active company license 02390-000: JANSSEN PEST SOLUTIONS INC, Urbandale (Polk County), expiration 2026-12-31.
Listing source: https://janssenpest.com/services/pest-control/waukee-ia (checked 2026-10-21).
Midwest Pest Control (Ankeny)
Ankeny · 402-524-5200
1479 NE 69th Place #82, Ankeny, IA 50021
Regional company with an Ankeny office; lists ants, flies, cockroaches, bees and wasps, centipedes, spiders, mosquitoes, rodents and earwigs.
Services listed on their site: General pest control, Ants, Cockroaches, Wasps & stinging insects, Spiders, Mosquitoes, Mice & rodents
Service area (their words): Iowa areas listed include Adel, Altoona, Ames, Ankeny, Bondurant, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Johnston, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights.
IDALS company license record found (11523-001, checked 2026-10-21)
How we checked
IDALS pesticide company lookup (https://agriculture-iowa.my.salesforce-sites.com/lookup), 'Search By Company/License', searched by company name on 2026-10-21. Found active company license 11523-001: Midwest Pest Control, Ankeny (Polk County), expiration 2026-12-31.
Listing source: https://midwestpest.com/pest-control-ankeny (checked 2026-10-21).
Miller Pest Solutions (Clive office)
Clive · (402) 769-0997
1904 NW 92nd Ct., Clive, IA 50325
Midwest pest control company (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska) with a Clive office; lists residential and commercial pest, termite, mosquito, rodent and mole/vole services.
Services listed on their site: General pest control, Ants, Wasps & stinging insects, Bed bugs, Mice & rodents, Termites, Mosquitoes, Cockroaches, Spiders, Boxelder/stink bugs & beetles, Commercial
Service area (their words): Its Waukee page lists Altoona, Ames, Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Grimes, Indianola, Johnston, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Prairie City, Urbandale, Waukee and Winterset.
License not confirmed by us (checked 2026-10-21)
How we checked
IDALS lookup searched by company name on 2026-10-21. No record under 'Miller Pest Solutions'. A record 04889-000 'MILLER PEST AND TERMITE, LLC' (Clive, exp. 2026-12-31) exists, but the name differs from the company's site name ('Miller Pest Solutions LLC'), so we did not treat it as confirmed.
Listing source: https://www.millerthekiller.com/pest-control-waukee-ia/, https://www.millerthekiller.com/pest-control-council-bluffs-ia/ (checked 2026-10-21).
Orkin (Urbandale branch)
Urbandale · 515-380-7871
2929 99th St, Urbandale, IA 50322
National company's Urbandale branch; lists bed bugs, carpenter ants, stinging insects, wildlife, ticks, termites, mosquitoes and other pests.
Services listed on their site: General pest control, Bed bugs, Ants, Wasps & stinging insects, Wildlife, Ticks, Termites, Mosquitoes, Commercial
Service area (their words): Branch page lists Adel, Altoona, Ames, Ankeny, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Johnston, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines and other towns.
IDALS company license record found (02000-000, checked 2026-10-21)
How we checked
IDALS pesticide company lookup (https://agriculture-iowa.my.salesforce-sites.com/lookup), 'Search By Company/License', searched by company name on 2026-10-21. Found active company license 02000-000: ORKIN, Urbandale (Polk County), expiration 2026-12-31.
Listing source: https://www.orkin.com/locations/iowa-ia/urbandale-pest-control/branch-527 (checked 2026-10-21).
Polk County Wildlife & Pest Control
Des Moines area · 641-425-9798
Wildlife removal company (raccoons, bats, squirrels and other animals) that also lists general pest control.
Services listed on their site: Wildlife, Mice & rodents, General pest control
Service area (their words): Typical service area listed: Des Moines, Ankeny, Polk City, Grimes, Johnston, Urbandale, Clive, Waukee, West Des Moines, Altoona, Pleasant Hill and Bondurant.
No matching IDALS license record found by name (checked 2026-10-21)
How we checked
IDALS lookup searched by company name on 2026-10-21. No matching company record found searching 'Polk County Wildlife' or 'Polk County' (only county government records). The site says it is licensed; we could not confirm this. Wildlife work that does not use pesticides may not need this license — ask the company.
Listing source: https://www.polkcountywildlife.com/services (checked 2026-10-21).
Spidexx Pest Control (Des Moines)
Des Moines · (515) 200-2668
Regional company with a Des Moines-area location; lists pest, rodent, mosquito, termite and bed bug services.
Services listed on their site: General pest control, Mice & rodents, Mosquitoes, Termites, Bed bugs
Service area (their words): Its Des Moines page lists Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Waukee and Johnston.
IDALS company license record found (08841-001, checked 2026-10-21)
How we checked
IDALS pesticide company lookup (https://agriculture-iowa.my.salesforce-sites.com/lookup), 'Search By Company/License', searched by company name on 2026-10-21. Found active company license 08841-001: SPIDEXX PEST CONTROL, Urbandale (Polk County), expiration 2026-12-31.
Listing source: https://www.spidexx.com/locations/des-moines-ia (checked 2026-10-21).
Yardline Pest Control
Central Iowa · (515) 735-3585
Central Iowa company offering residential and commercial perimeter pest control.
Services listed on their site: General pest control, Ants, Mice & rodents, Commercial
Service area (their words): Central Iowa; its homepage names Ankeny, Des Moines, Grimes, Johnston, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines and Bondurant.
IDALS company license record found (11205-001, checked 2026-10-21)
How we checked
IDALS pesticide company lookup (https://agriculture-iowa.my.salesforce-sites.com/lookup), searched by company name and by county on 2026-10-21. Found active company license 11205-001: Yardline Pest Control, LLC, Huxley (Story County), expiration 2026-12-31.
Listing source: https://yardlinepest.com/ (checked 2026-10-21).
See all 52 listed companies by town →
Listings are informational, not endorsements or rankings, and no company paid to be listed. Details come from each company’s own website. Always verify an Iowa pesticide license with IDALS before hiring. Companies can request a correction or removal.
Is your business missing or wrong? Contact us with your website and the towns you serve.
Nearby towns we cover
Sources
- How to Manage Ant Mounds in Lawns, Gardens, and Pastures - Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (checked 2026-10-21)
- Yellowjacket Wasp - Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (checked 2026-10-21)
- It is Accidental Invader Season Again - Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (checked 2026-10-21)
- Boxelder Bug - Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (checked 2026-10-21)
- Mice: Damage Management - Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (checked 2026-10-21)
- Emerald ash borer found in rural Waukee tree (IDALS / ISU Extension / Iowa DNR release, April 2015) - The Perry News (checked 2026-10-21)
- Pesticide applicator and company license lookup - Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (checked 2026-10-21)
- Submitting an insect for identification - ISU Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic (checked 2026-10-21)
We link to the original sources so you can read them yourself. Product names are not endorsements.