How to Prevent Termites in Your Yard

Mulch attracts termites to yards in Snohomish WA - Learn more from Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt PestTermites are attracted to sources of wood, and some species are attracted to moisture. Here in the Snohomish WA area, properties definitely provide both! Because termites are such a feared pest, it’s important to know what you can do to make your yard and property less appealing to them. An infestation can cause a lot of damage that is costly and frustrating to repair. Unfortunately, infestations often are not found until this level of damage has been done. To avoid that, it’s important to know what attracts termites to your property in the first place. Keep reading for tips from Pratt on how to keep the termites away from your yard.

What Attracts Termites to Your Property?

Everyone knows termites are attracted to wood, but each one has specific preferences that influence what structures they infest. The following list contains the main things that often attract termites to your property:

  1. Improper drainage or clogged gutters causing excess moisture and drainage problems
  2. Firewood or wood piles stored in or near your property
  3. Wooden foundations in direct contact with soil
  4. Airflow or ventilation issues causing excess humidity inside of a home
  5. Mulch or landscaping too close to the foundation of the property

How to Prevent Termites

In addition to limiting the presence of the above attractants, there are several other things you can do to prevent termites in your yard:

  • Be proactive about checking your home for pest problems
  • Fix broken roofs and seal gaps and crevices in the home
  • Keep a neat garden with trees and shrubs trimmed back
  • Regularly inspect porches, decks, and outdoor furniture

The best thing you can do to prevent termite problems is to invest in regular visits from a pest control company that can provide inspections and preventative services.

Long-term Termite Protection

Termites are a frightening pest. Once you have them, you certainly need the help of a termite exterminator to get rid of them. The team at Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest knows how to keep termites away from your property all year long. Contact us today to learn more about how we can keep you termite-free.

Here’s What to Know About Murder Hornets

Murder hornets - Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest - Snohomish WALiving in the Marysville and Snohomish WA area, there’s a large chance you’ve heard all about the Asian giant hornet, infamously dubbed as the “murder hornet”. With two sightings of these dangerous hornets in the northernmost part of our state, it’s understandable why you may be worrying about these insects. As the biggest hornet in the world, the Asian giant hornet can administer a potentially lethal sting. Besides that, they are also extremely threatening to the honeybee population. The team at Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest is here to share all you need to know about the murder hornet.

Where are Asian Giant Hornets Being Spotted?

True to their name, these hornets are historically found in China, Japan, and some other Asian countries. However, the first sighting of them in North America occurred several months ago in an area that probably feels a little too close for comfort: the Blaine area. And another sighting has just been recorded in Bellingham! As of now, it’s still unknown how they arrived in North America, but it’s predicted to be through international cargo shipments.

How to Identify Murder Hornets

Asian giant hornets have very distinctive features and are best identified by their size.

Some of their features include:

  • Workers are 1 ½ – 2” in length while queens can exceed 2”
  • Light orange head with an orange, black, and brown striped body.
  • Large, prominent eyes
  • Distinctly sharp mandibles
  • Six legs and a set of antennae
  • ¼” (6 mm) length stinger

The Dangers of Asian Giant Hornets

These hornets are predators of honeybees and can quickly devastate the population. They attack honey bee hives, killing adult bees and devouring bee larvae and pupae. A single murder hornet can kill dozens of honeybees in minutes, and a group of 30 hornets can devour a hive of nearly 30,0000 bees in just a few hours. 

Of course, people are very concerned about the lethal sting these hornets can administer. Like many stinging insects, the murder hornet will not attack humans unless they feel provoked or threatened. Their stings contain neurotoxins and are extremely painful. If someone is stung multiple times, the neurotoxins can cause organ failure and eventual death. In Japan, these hornets are responsible for nearly 50 deaths a year.

How Worried Should We Be?

Thankfully, scientists are working hard to find, trap, and eradicate these pests before they become a real problem. Because they thrive in the wooded landscape and mild, wet climate, there is a chance more sightings can occur. If you think you’ve caught sight of an Asian giant hornet, it’s important to stay away and contact a licensed professional to report the sighting.

Exploring Common Myths About Bed Bugs

Common myths about bed bugs in Everett and Snohomish WA - Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt PestBed bugs are one of the most dreaded pest problems in the nation, and it’s easy to understand why. Not only do these bloodsucking pests bite you in the night, they also can spread throughout your home. Bed Bug Awareness Week is here, making now the perfect time to learn what’s fact and what’s fiction when it comes to bed bugs. Because these pests incite so much fear, it’s important to separate the myths from reality in order to be better prepared for a possible infestation. The team at Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest is here to dispel common myths about bed bugs–read on to learn more!

Bed Bug Myths–Debunked

If you have had bed bugs in the past, you know they can cause a lot of distress. Much of the fear surrounding these bugs, however, is based off of common myths about bed bugs. Here are some of the ones we hear most often:

  1. Bed bugs are nocturnal.
    • Bed bugs are active when their hosts are at rest. This obviously means they are often most active at night, but they can also adjust their schedule to feed during the day!
  2. Bed bugs only infest beds and bedrooms.
    • Bed bugs gather near areas where people rest. This can include sofas, chairs, cracks in the wall, and even power outlets in any part of your home.
  3. Bed bugs are too small to see without a magnifying glass.
    • Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed and often group together, making them easy to spot. Nymph bed bugs are much smaller and translucent, which is why they’re rarely seen.
  4. Bed bugs jump and fly.
    • Unlike fleas and ticks, bed bugs cannot jump or fly. They have underdeveloped wings, and can only move by crawling.
  5. Bed bugs are attracted to messy or dirty homes.
    • This is one of the most common myths about bed bugs. Whether your home is clean or dirty, a bed bug infestation can happen in any property.
  6. Bed bugs latch onto or burrow into your skin.
    • Bed bugs will not latch onto you. After they feed, bed bugs prefer to retreat back to their hiding spot.
  7. Bed bugs transmit dangerous diseases with their bites.
    • Bed bug bites will leave you with red, itchy marks. Thankfully, their bites do not transmit any dangerous diseases as mosquitoes do.
  8. Bed bugs can live a year without a blood meal.
    • While they definitely can survive months without a meal, it is very unlikely for bed bugs to survive an entire year unless under optimal conditions

Can You Get Rid of Bed Bugs Yourself?

In addition to the above myths about bed bugs, there is a lot of false information online claiming you can get rid of bed bugs with a hair dryer, DIY or all-natural methods, or throwing out infested items. Unfortunately, these are not true. The only way to make sure you get rid of all bed bugs in your property is to enlist the expertise of a professional bud bug control company. To learn how Western Exterminator can keep you safe from bed bugs, contact us today.