As bugs prepare for the winter, they retreat indoors to seek shelter during winter. In warmer regions, as the dry season fades to wet, bugs seek out shelter that is warm and dry. While you anticipate spending the rainy or snowy weather in your snug, warm and dry haven indoors, so do bugs.

Cats and dogs bring in fleas from the outdoors, causing flea infestations in your home. They are the most pervasive parasites that could crop up in a Northwest household and grow in moist areas, such as your cat’s litter box.

Rats and mice are scavengers. They will dwell in places where there is a good source of food. Mice could even live in the cold freezer feeding on your frozen food. These pesky rodents wouldn’t go very far from places where food is always available.

The hottest months are here and it’s the perfect time to hit the beach or go camping in Washington’s most popular campgrounds. But while the summer months are the best time to go outdoors, it’s also a great time for common pests to thrive in your home and surroundings.

Fleas usually come from outdoors or other animals. Once your indoor pets have them, fleas can quickly spread throughout your home. Fleas can transmit disease, that’s why it’s so important to prevent a flea infestation and to treat your pets when they have them.

Rodents and other critters can be quite crafty when it comes to making their way inside homes and structures. From garages to barns to attics, colder months tend to drive wildlife toward your home. Rodents in particular can be extra determined when the temperature drops.

Anyone who has lived in Washington knows Spiders are frequent visitors of our homes, offices, and gardens. They are a type of Arachnid, meaning they use 8 legs to move around. Spiders can also spin strands of silk in order to create webs, allowing them to take cover in out of reach areas. These silk threads enable Spiders to fly along the breeze like tiny, creepy Mary Poppins.

If you have lived in the Pacific Northwest long enough to experience the rainy season, then you know that we’re getting close to another six or seven months of regular drizzling. This often results in water-damage to susceptible wood, such as roofs or porches. 

Odorous House Ants, known by their common nickname “Sugar Ants,” are a frequent and annoying pest here in the Pacific Northwest. While generally harmless, they are a challenge to eradicate. They move quickly, have large colonies, and feed on a wide variety of foods. These are some of the most common invaders here in Western Washington, so it is important that we get to know them!