As Colorado’s summer camping season kicks off, families across the Front Range are packing up tents, loading coolers, and heading into the mountains for fresh air and adventure. But while you’re enjoying the outdoors, pests are looking for ways to come home with you. At EnviroPest, we know firsthand how easy it is for insects like ants and spiders to travel from campsite to couch—especially when you're not looking for them. That’s why we specialize in helping families with dependable home pest control so those summer memories don’t include uninvited guests.

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Why Summer Travel Brings More Pests Home

Colorado's natural beauty attracts people—and pests. Whether you're camping near Estes Park or fishing around Chatfield Reservoir, many common pests live right in these outdoor spaces. And unfortunately, they’re skilled hitchhikers.

During summer, these pests are more active, reproduce quickly, and take advantage of the increased human movement. All it takes is a few insects hiding in your backpack or latching onto your dog’s fur to turn your living room into their next habitat.

The Most Common Hitchhiking Pests in Colorado

Not all pests that come home with you are visible right away. Some stay hidden for days before showing up in your garage, kitchen, or basement. These are the pests we get the most calls about after summer travel:

Ticks

Ticks are especially active in the summer and love shady, wooded areas. They latch onto pets or clothing and can be hard to spot until they’re already inside. In addition to being a nuisance, ticks can pose health risks by transmitting illnesses like Lyme disease.

Ants

From the pavement ant to the carpenter ant, Colorado has several species that thrive in outdoor areas but easily transition indoors, especially if they find food in your gear or car.

Spiders

Spiders often hide in tents, firewood bundles, or sleeping bags. While most Colorado spiders are harmless, no one wants them wandering into bedrooms or bathrooms.

Earwigs and Beetles

Moist conditions around lakes and rivers attract insects like earwigs and beetles. These pests frequently crawl into gear or coolers and can go unnoticed until they appear on your floors at home.

How Pests Sneak into Your Home

Most families don’t realize they’ve brought pests home until they start seeing them days later. Here are some of the most common ways pests get inside after your outdoor adventure:

Camping Gear and Equipment

Backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, and coolers often come into contact with the ground, grass, and brush—prime environments for pests. Once packed away, bugs inside these items make the journey straight into your home.

Your Vehicle

Cars can become pest carriers when gear, food, or pets bring bugs inside. Ticks can survive on a host but will not live long if they become unattached in the vehicle. If left unchecked, ants may nest in bags or food containers.

Pets

Dogs and outdoor cats are particularly vulnerable to picking up fleas and ticks while exploring wooded or grassy areas. These pests can go unnoticed for days while multiplying indoors.

Why Regular Home Pest Control Matters

Once pests find a way inside, they don’t leave on their own. That’s why investing in routine pest control is so important. At EnviroPest, we help families with home pest control in Denver, Colorado Springs, and throughout our service area eliminate active pest problems and prevent future ones through effective methods backed by decades of experience.

We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach or rely on quick fixes. Our team inspects your home from top to bottom—inside and out—to understand where pests are hiding and how they got there. Our services cover a wide range of invaders and are tailored to the unique pest pressures that come with Colorado’s warm-weather months.

What to Expect With Our Home Pest Control Services

Our approach to home pest control in Colorado starts with prevention and includes comprehensive inspections, targeted treatments, and family-friendly solutions.

When you partner with EnviroPest, here’s what we provide:

  • Full-property inspections after camping season or anytime pests appear.
  • Customized treatment plans for your home’s specific pest issues.
  • Ongoing maintenance programs to prevent reinfestation.
  • Expert advice on reducing pest access points—especially during high-travel seasons.

If pests have already followed you home, check out our seasonal pest plans for Colorado homeowners.

For seasonal pests, such as mosquitoes and ticks, we highly recommend protecting your family and pets at home with our effective mosquito and tick control!

Tips to Minimize Pest Hitchhiking

While professional pest control is the best defense, a few habits can help you reduce the risk of bringing bugs home after your next trip.

Before unpacking, we recommend:

  • Inspecting and shaking out tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks outside.
  • Wiping down coolers, chairs, and outdoor gear before bringing them indoors.
  • Giving your pets a thorough brush and inspection after every trip.
  • Unpacking in the garage or on a patio, away from your main living areas, if possible.

Still, no precaution is foolproof. If you see pests in the days after returning home, it’s time to call in professionals who know what to look for.

Keep the Outdoors Outside This Summer

You shouldn’t have to trade your summer adventures for pest headaches. If you’re worried that your camping trip brought home more than memories, we’re here to help. At EnviroPest, we protect thousands of Colorado homes every year from hitchhiking pests and frustrating infestations. Our expert technicians understand the specific bugs that show up after camping season and how to keep them out of your home for good.

Call or contact us online to schedule your pest control service or learn more about our local pest control programs today.