Pest Seasonality in the Pacific Northwest

Rodents are a common seasonal pest in Everett and Snohomish WA - Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest

Here in Washington, pest problems tend to be in full force in the spring and summer months. But what about fall and winter pests? While you may not see them as often, fall and winter pests can be some of the most troublesome as they often look to get inside your property. With our wet climate, pests of all kinds can infest our homes for warmth and shelter. At Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest, we believe the key to preventing pests is knowing what pests are looking to infest your property during certain parts of the year. With help from the NPMA, our team is here to share information on pest seasonality in the Pacific Northwest.

What Pests Are Active in the Fall and Winter?

Due to our wet climate and mild winters, the NPMA has predicted that ticks may be more active in the fall than usual. In the coming months, a less rainy season and cold weather will drive rodents into homes for water, warmth, and shelter. Other fall and winter pests we need to keep an eye out for include ants, which do not like the rainy weather we are accustomed to. Roaches and spiders are also likely to seek shelter inside our property this time of year.

Winter pests in the Northwestern United States map
Rodents
Ticks

Spring & Summer Pests in the Pacific Northwest

A rainy spring and hot summer is a haven for many types of pests, which is why this time of year results in a lot of infestations. Some of the most common pests we deal with in the northwest region this time of year include:

  • Ants. Rainy weather drives ants out of their colonies and into homes for shelter.
  • Stinging insects. Bees, wasps, and hornets will construct nests near residential properties and can be a threat to families.
  • Mosquitoes. These insects lay a lot of eggs in standing water during the summer months, which is when they’re most problematic.
  • Termites. Our climate is a haven for termites, who swarm in the spring and are at full force in the summertime.

Preventing Seasonal Pest Problems in Washington

Your best defense against seasonal pests is to work with a professional pest control company that can protect you year-round. At Western, we believe that pest prevention is the best form of pest control, and we can work with you to ensure you do not deal with pest infestations in the fall, winter, spring, or summer! Call us today to learn more.

Keep Bugs Away From Your Outdoor Living Space

Tips to stay pest-free in your Marysville WA yard - Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt PestBugs and pests are a common part of outdoor life. If you’re spending more time outdoors this year than ever, you’ve likely noticed the influx of insects! Especially here in Washington, pests are at full-force in the summer and early fall. But they don’t have to ruin your time spent outside. To avoid mosquitoes in your birdbath, ants on your barbecue, or wasps in your deck, it’s important to learn how to make your yard less attractive to pests. At Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest, we are committed to ensuring our customers live pest-free—both inside and outside their home. Keep reading to learn more about our best bug-free outdoor living tips and tricks.

Top Tips to Prevent Pests in Your Yard

Most pests are simply a nuisance. House flies surrounding your outdoor trash cans or spiders crawling around in your garden are to be expected. But what about mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas? Because these pests in particular can be dangerous for you and your family, it’s important to learn what to do to prevent them. Our top tips to keep pests away from your outdoor living space are:

  1. Remove standing water. Mosquitoes only need a half inch of standing water to breed.
  2. Keep your lawn and shrubs trimmed. Overgrown grass provides mosquitoes and ticks with shelter.
  3. Be on the lookout for ant hills. Even a tiny mound can contain thousands of ants inside.
  4. Thoroughly inspect wood structures. Your deck or porch may be vulnerable to termite or carpenter bees.
  5. Regularly clean up your outdoor space. Crumbs or spilled liquids will attract ants and other insects.
  6. Burn a few citronella candles. While not a long-term solution, this will repel mosquitoes.
  7. Try replacing light bulbs. Yellow bulbs or sodium vapor lights will not attract as many insects.
  8. Apply an insect repellent. Any repellent with DEET will help repel mosquitoes and ticks.
  9. Wear appropriate clothing. If you are going to be outdoors for a longer period of time, consider wearing long sleeves or pants to keep pests from biting.
  10. Use a tight-fitting lid on your trash can. Food items in an unsealed container will attract all types of pests.
  11. Store firewood away from the home. Piles of wood are a magnet for multiple kinds of pests.
  12. Plant a garden. Certain plants and herbs, including marigolds, mint, and basil, act as a natural insect repellent.

Hep With Outdoor Pests

To avoid a pest infestation inside, you need to prevent them outside first! If you are looking to implement pest prevention into your yard maintenance routine, the pest control and lawn care experts at Western are happy to help. Call our team today to learn more!

Summer Ticks: How to Protect Your Pets

Prevent ticks in pets this summer in Snohomish WA - Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt PestIn the summertime, we are all accustomed to seeing endless insects. One many neglect to think about are ticks! These blood-sucking pests are most common in the warmer months of the year. Unfortunately, this is also the time when more people spend time outdoors! Pets are a common target for ticks: dogs and cats alike often bring them inside. The main concern with ticks is the fact that they can transmit Lyme disease, which is the most common vector-borne disease nationwide. Because these pests pose a health risk to your pets, it’s important to learn how you can keep them away. The team at Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest is here with expert tips on preventing ticks this summer in Washington — keep reading to learn more!

4 Tips to Prevent Ticks

There are several things you can do to lessen the risk of getting ticks this summer. These include:

  1. Investing in tick prevention
    • Consider speaking to your veterinarian about tick prevention methods. Some may have suggestions or solutions for keeping your pets safe.
  2. Keeping a tidy, pest-proof yard
    • Mow your lawn regularly and trim bushes or trees on a regular basis.
    • In addition, implement pest exclusion to keep rodents out as they often carry ticks.
  3. Inspecting pets and family members
    • Whenever you take your pets outdoors, make sure to inspect them for ticks. Pay close attention to areas behind the ears, neck, and under the legs. In addition, check your children for ticks after hikes.
  4. Avoiding areas with tall grass or vegetation
    • Ticks are known to be in areas with high grass or vegetation. Be careful to stay on trails when hiking or walking.

Do Ticks Bite Dogs?

Just as they would with people, ticks can easily latch onto and feed on dogs. They are less likely to do so on cats, as cat grooming behavior can expel them. In some animals, ticks have been known to cause anemia. The main danger is, of course, contracting Lyme disease. Ticks may feed for anywhere from a few hours to a few days, making it important to check your pets every time they’ve been outside.

Dogs can be seriously affected by Lyme disease and will begin to show several symptoms if affected. Always be on the lookout for signs of depression, loss of appetite, fever, lameness, or swollen joints and lymph nodes. If you notice any of these symptoms, immediately take your pet to see a veterinarian.

What to Do When You Have Ticks

Ticks need to be removed as soon as they are noticed. If you or your pet exhibits any symptoms, it’s crucial to receive medical attention as soon as possible. In general, always be on the lookout for ticks on your family and pets, especially after spending time outdoors. For more tick prevention tips, contact the team at Western today!

Are Insects Carriers of COVID-19?

Mosquitoes do not cause coronavirus worldwide. Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest in Everett WAAt Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest, our team is aware of how uncertain times are right now during the current pandemic. With a dedication to the health and safety of our communities here in Marysville WA, we are keeping up-to-date with all of the information coming out each day about COVID-19. There is a lot of misinformation spread about the nature of the virus, and we are here to set one of those myths straight. From what we know according to the CDC, COVID-19 is not transmitted by mosquitoes or ticks. Although these two insects play a role in the transmission of some of the most deadly diseases across the globe, coronavirus is not one of them. Keep reading to learn what we know so far.

Mosquito Bites & Coronavirus

There has been no research or evidence to suggest that mosquitoes or ticks transmit COVID-19. From what we know, coronavirus is a respiratory virus spread to pass from person to person. Droplets from saliva or nasal discharge are often the cause of transmission, often generated when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Contaminated surfaces also are contributing to the virus, which is increasingly being considered an airborne virus. Infection are best avoided by avoiding exposure with infected persons. Diseases that are caused and spread by mosquitoes and ticks are spread and transmitted in an entirely different way.

What Diseases do Mosquitoes and Ticks Transmit?

Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes are considered vectors for a number of infectious diseases. Vector pests are organisms that transmit diseases to humans through bites. Mosquitoes and ticks especially are capable of transmitting a few very dangerous diseases:

  • Malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever, and more are just several of the diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.
  • Lyme disease, which is currently the most common vector-borne disease in the nation, is transmitted by ticks.
  • It’s important to know how these are transmitted. When these vector pests feeds off a diseased host, they can transmit pathogens that may infect other hosts it subsequently bites. 

We Are Here For You!

Mosquitoes and ticks may not transmit coronavirus, but they can still be dangerous. More so than ever, it’s important to take caution in the presence of pests and to always enlist the help of a professional exterminator to prevent dangerous insects. The team at Western Exterminator is proud to continue to provide essential pest control services to our communities during these times and all year long!

As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold, we want to encourage our customers to seek more information and follow guidelines released by the WHO and the CDC.