Rodent Problems Surging Due to COVID-19

Rodents are entering more WA homes during the pandemic - Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt PestWith everything else going on this year, the last thing you have time to deal with is a rodent infestation. Unfortunately, rats and mice are more rampant than ever right now in due part to the pandemic. When restaurants and bars shut down here in Washington, rodents were suddenly deprived of their once-reliable food source. This has directly correlated to a rise in residential rodent problems. And with the weather getting colder, rats and mice will be looking to make themselves at home in your property soon. Because rodent infestations can be so dangerous, it’s crucial to learn how you can protect your property from rats and mice. With Rodent Awareness Week upon us, Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest is here to share their top tips for prevention.

Why Are Rodents More Aggressive During the Pandemic?

The shelter in place shutdowns caused an uptick in residential rodent sightings as rats and mice became bolder in their hunt for resources. This has since caused an uptick in infestations and rodent-spread issues. While their presence may be more prevalent than ever, you thankfully do not need to worry about rodents transmitting COVID-19 to you or your family.

That said, rodents still can spread other diseases including hantavirus, salmonellosis, and many more. They also can cause significant damage to your home. Because rodents are competing for more food sources, they have been a tad more aggressive as of late. This can lead to more dangerous infestations in your home, making it crucial to learn how to prevent them.

Prevent Rodent Problems In Your Home

To avoid a rodent infestation, try out our top tips for preventing them:

  1. Seal off cracks and crevices around openings. Mice can squeeze inside holes the size of a dime.
  2. Clean up pet food and bird seed debris, and store pet food in robust containers with fitted lids, preferably above ground level.
  3. Securely store all food in metal or glass containers with tight-fitting lids.
  4. Clean inside the house and around the garden. Less clutter means fewer places to hide.
  5. Put outdoor garbage bags in metal garbage cans with securely fitted lids to stop them from feeding on contents.
  6. If you have a compost heap don’t include organic food waste, as this will attract them.
  7. Inspect your garage, attic, crawlspaces, and vents for potential rodent hiding spots.

Rodent Awareness Week 2020

Rodent Awareness Week may just be a week out of the year, but Western strives to educate our customers about the dangers of rodents all year long. With infestations on the rise, now is the time to protect your home. Our rodent exterminators can help. Contact us today to learn more!

Do Termites Stay Active in the Fall & Winter?

Termites can infest homes in Snohomish WA in the fall and winter - Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt PestSome pests are known to overwinter or go dormant in the fall and winter to wait out the colder months of the year. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for termites, which are active all year round. Termites are often seen in the spring and summer when they swarm, but they are very much still around in the other seasons. Queen termites lay their eggs throughout the year, making it easy for a colony to continually grow. Because termites are a year-round threat, it’s crucial to get year-round protection. At Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest, we can help ensure you are protected against termites all year long.

Termite Activity in the Fall and Winter

Termites are most likely to swarm in the months between March and November. However, this doesn’t make it impossible for them to do so in the early fall! Regardless of whether you see a swarm or not, termites remain active as the queen continually lays eggs and colonies grow. The more mature a colony is, the more damage can be made to your home. If you have an infestation festering in your property for more than two years, it is very likely to begin to notice the signs of damage, even in the fall or winter. When we experience colder temperatures in the winter, a termite colony will tunnel deep underground to stay warm until spring rolls around once more.

What are the Signs of Fall Termites?

Termite infestations infamously are often not discovered until extensive damage has been done. During the fall months and throughout the entire year, look for the following signs of a termite colony in your property:

  1. Discarded swarmer wings
  2. Termite frass (feces)
  3. Thin or hollow-sounding timber
  4. Mud tunnels or galleries
  5. Uneven or bubbling paint
  6. Quiet clicking sounds in your walls

How to Prevent Fall and Winter Termite Infestations

Your best defense against a termite problem is to get year-round preventative services. At Western, we offer a number of termite treatment options designed to stop infestations before they begin. To learn more about how our termite exterminators can keep termites away for good, contact us today!