About Backwoods Pest Control

Meet Brian — Co-Owner & President

Brian is a military veteran who began working in pest control during the COVID-19 pandemic before opening Backwoods in January 2022. He manages the business and performs inspections and treatments, with a particular interest in finding the reasons behind a pest problem.

Research is a large part of his work. Brian studies pest behavior, treatment methods, and product information to help explain the options available for each property. When an answer is not clear, he would rather investigate further than give you an unsupported answer.

Meet Krista — Co-Owner & Vice President

Krista performs services in the field, helps current and new customers by phone, and handles billing records. She brings nearly 20 years of restaurant experience, along with grocery customer service and trucking-company billing experience. At the grocery store, she and one other employee ran the natural foods department, which included organic foods.

She takes pride in caring for each customer's home as she would her own and giving the work her full attention. An animal lover, Krista also understands why customers want clear preparation instructions and thoughtful attention to their households. Her goal is to help people feel confident and relieved, with practical guidance and no judgment.

Honest Answers. Thorough Work. Realistic Expectations.

We want our service to reflect the investment you make in it. That means paying attention to the details, explaining the work, and following through on the service we agree to provide.

• Understand the cause. We look for pest activity, entry points, and conditions that may be contributing to the problem, wherever accessible.
• Explain your options. We discuss recommended treatment, preparation, prevention, and any limits on what the service includes.
• Keep expectations realistic. Pest problems develop over time, and improvement may take time too. Some require monitoring, repeat service, and changes around the property.
• Work together. Clear access and agreed preparation help us inspect and treat thoroughly. We explain what you can do between visits.
• Keep learning. Research and continuing education help guide our recommendations. We can discuss the products used and provide applicable labels and safety data sheets.

Local Roots & Professional Involvement

Backwoods is a local, family-owned business with veteran and woman ownership, based in Elk, Washington. We provide home pest control and commercial pest control within our Eastern Washington and North Idaho service area.

We are members of the Washington State Pest Management Association (WSPMA) and the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), and a Better Business Bureau accredited business.

Brian served as one of WSPMA's first two board members at large, helping guide the association's direction and decisions. His service in that role concluded on December 31, 2025. He also previously served as WSPMA's PestVets Chair, supporting military members, veterans, and their families within the pest management industry. He has since stepped away from those leadership responsibilities to focus on growing Backwoods and serving its customers.

License numbers: Washington 101788 · Idaho 97249.

Recognizing Our Community

Our discounts recognize people who contribute to our community and customers who help others find us. Please tell us when requesting service if one of these applies to you so we can review and apply the appropriate discount.

• Educators: 5%
• Healthcare and medical employees: 5%
• Military and first responders: 10%
• Friends and family referrals: 5%

What Child-Friendly & Pet-Conscious Pest Control Means

You deserve more than a “kid-safe” or “pet-safe” slogan. We research product labels, treatment options, and application methods so we can plan around your household, explain the precautions, and reduce unnecessary exposure. Product selection matters, and so do where, how, and when a product is applied.

We consider these questions at home, too

We live on ten acres with children, three dogs, a barn cat, other outdoor cats, and chickens. Protecting a household with animals is personal to us. Many of the routine products we choose for customers are products we are comfortable using on our own property when appropriate and applied according to their labels.

That perspective informs our research and decisions, including our choice and placement of rodent-control products. It does not make any product harmless or suitable for every property. We consider the animals present, possible exposure, and the precautions needed. Specialized, pest-specific treatments require their own assessment and may involve different products or restrictions.

What EPA registration tells you

For registered pesticides, the EPA evaluates proposed uses, including the treatment site, application amount and frequency, and potential health and environmental effects. Its health assessments consider exposure and sensitive groups, including children and people with suppressed immune systems. Label directions and restrictions are part of managing those risks. Learn about EPA pesticide registration.

Agricultural and structural treatments can involve different exposures. Food-crop uses raise questions about residues on food and exposure to agricultural workers; uses around buildings raise questions about people contacting treated areas. EPA's residential exposure framework includes schools and daycares. Neither category is automatically safer: the particular product and permitted use matter.

A label permitting certain uses in a home, school, daycare, or hospital does not authorize every application in that setting. The location, method, timing, and restrictions must fit the label, along with applicable state and facility requirements. For example, EPA explains that a label prohibiting institutional applications while occupants are present prevents treatment in that immediate area while it is occupied. See EPA labeling guidance. Registration is not a promise of zero risk.

How we put that into practice

We look for effective options that reduce risk and use targeted placement where appropriate, such as treating pest entry points or labeled cracks and crevices. We also discuss prevention and conditions that contribute to the problem. We explain preparation and reentry instructions for your specific treatment, rather than giving every customer the same waiting time.

Tell us about children, pets, aquariums, and any particular concerns before service. Follow the label and our instructions about keeping treatment areas clear and returning afterward. For many sprays, that includes waiting until treated surfaces dry; additional precautions may apply. Labels and safety data sheets are available, and questions are welcome. Read the EPA's guidance on protecting pets.

What about essential-oil-based products?

We can discuss these options when suitable. Plant-derived products still contain chemicals, and “natural” does not automatically mean harmless. Risk depends on both the product and exposure. In our service experience, maintaining control with essential-oil-based options may require more frequent applications and visits, so they are not our usual first recommendation. We explain the expected schedule, cost, and precautions before you decide. Learn how toxicity and exposure affect risk.

Questions About Working With Us

What should I understand after an inspection?

You should understand what we observed, what may be contributing to the activity, the recommended next steps, and what remains uncertain. We explain treatment options, your preparation responsibilities, and what progress may look like. Questions are welcome.

Can you help me prevent or manage pests myself?

Yes. Education is an important part of our approach. We share practical prevention advice and explain when a problem may need professional attention. Our pest library and pocket gopher DIY guide are places to start.

Will one treatment solve every pest problem?

No. The pest, surrounding conditions, access, and level of activity all affect the approach. Some problems need ongoing management. We explain the scope and expectations for your particular service; coverage and any included follow-up depend on your agreement.

Let's Talk About Your Property

Tell us what you are seeing and what concerns you most. Contact Backwoods Pest Control to discuss your property and arrange an inspection.