Field notes
Pest control,
explained.
We write these to answer the questions we hear on calls: what's actually crawling around homes in Lake Stevens and the rest of Snohomish County, and what to do about it.
Keeping Mice Out of Your Garage Before Fall
A practical garage inspection for Snohomish County homeowners: door gaps, stored food, clutter, and the signs that call for a rodent inspection.
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Signs of Rats in Your Crawl Space (and What Each One Means)
An ammonia smell at a floor register is one of the first signs of rats in crawl space insulation. What to check, and when the vapor barrier has to come out.
Read more How Much Does Pest Control Cost in Snohomish County?
What actually moves the price of pest control, why nobody can quote you honestly over the phone without asking questions, and the ranges we see across Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Edmonds and Woodinville.
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How to Remove a Wasp Nest (and the Ones You Should Leave Alone)
Timing, which nests are safe to handle yourself, why an old nest in winter is not worth touching, and the one situation where a can of spray makes things considerably worse.
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How to Get Rid of Ants (and Why the Spray Under Your Sink Makes It Worse)
Most ant problems in the Pacific Northwest come down to four species, and the fix is different for each. What works, what backfires, and when the trail on your counter means something is wet inside a wall.
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Why You Have Mosquitoes in the Pacific Northwest (and How to Cut Them Down)
We're supposed to be too cool and wet for mosquitoes, so why is your backyard unusable in July? Here's what's breeding them and how to take the yard back.
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Spiders in Pacific Northwest Homes: Which Ones Actually Matter
Hobo spider, giant house spider, or something harmless? Here's what's really crawling around PNW homes, whether it's dangerous, and how to keep them out.
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Carpenter Ants vs. Sugar Ants: How to Tell What's in Your Kitchen
The two ants we get the most calls about in Lake Stevens look similar but mean very different things. Here's how to tell them apart and what each one is really after.
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Yellow Jackets, Paper Wasps, or Honeybees? Know Before You Spray
Not everything buzzing around your eaves should be treated the same way. Here's how to tell wasps from honeybees, and why one of them you should leave alone.
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Cluster Flies, Fruit Flies, Drain Flies: Why They Keep Coming Back
Three completely different flies, three completely different fixes. Here's how to tell which one you've got and why swatting them never solves it.
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Why Rats Get Into Snohomish County Homes Every Fall
When the weather turns, rats start looking for somewhere warm and dry. Here's how they get into Lake Stevens homes, and how to close the door before they do.
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What Health Inspectors Look For: Pest Control for PNW Restaurants
In food service, a pest sighting isn't just embarrassing, it's a health-code problem. Here's what inspectors check and what a real commercial pest program covers.
Read moreGot something you can't identify?
Send us a photo and we'll tell you what it is and whether it's worth treating. If it is, we'll have someone out within 48 hours.