The Case for Preventive Pest Control in Seattle

Spotting a stray pest might seem like just part of PNW living. But waiting until a pest infestation is obvious often leads to a headache. Letting pests get established carries genuine risks you shouldn’t ignore.

Think about rodents chewing wires, creating fire hazards, or carpenter ants silently damaging damp wood – common Seattle issues. Repairs can be costly and are usually not covered by insurance. Who wants that unexpected expense?

Beyond costs, consider your family’s well-being. Various pests, such as rodents, can carry diseases and other contaminants that you do not want in your home. Simply knowing pests share your space steals your comfort and peace at home.

Why Seattle’s Pest Seasons Matter for Prevention

If you want to prevent pests from entering your home, you should understand what type of pests are active in each season throughout the year. Pests, although always around, are particularly interested in finding shelter or invading homes during the change of seasons. 

Spring 

Spring brings the ants out foraging for food, which may lead them into your kitchen! As the days get warmer and you begin to leave windows and doors open in your home, ensure entry points are sealed with a protective screen. Additionally, maintaining a clean household and promptly putting away foods that may attract ants is key. 

You can expect to see common ants such as odorous house ants and carpenter ants in the springtime. Similarly, house flies and fruit flies are common intruders in the springtime. As the days get longer, spiders will also begin venturing around and may look for shelter in your home. 

Pests that are most active in spring:

• Ants
• Flies
• Spiders

Summer

As summer begins, wasps and other stinging insects will begin building nests. Before summer arrives, you will want to be sure no old wasp nests are standing around your home to avoid attracting them from returning. If wasps return, be sure that you have a trusted pest control company on speed dial to help you get rid of wasp nests safely.

Pests that are most active in summer:

• Wasps
• Ants
• Spiders

Fall 

As the weather begins to change, pests may be looking for shelter. Spiders may find themselves inside your home. Cluster flies may swarm your attic around a light if not properly secured. Rats and mice may find their way into your attic or crawl space. 

Other pests that you may encounter that are less invasive are boxelder bugs and stink bugs.

Pests that are most active in the Fall:

• Spiders
• Cluster flies
• Rats
• Mice
• Boxelder bugs
• Brown marmot stink bugs

Winter

As winter approaches, homeowners may run into rodent issues and lingering spiders. However, as temperatures drop, your pest problems may as well. Winter is a perfect time to have your home evaluated by a professional pest control technician who can recommend the best ways to prevent future infestations. 

Knowing this cycle allows you to act before an infestation. Prepare your home ahead of these seasonal peaks to ensure pests don’t find their way in.

How to Prepare Your Home to Avoid Pests

One of the most effective ways to prevent pests from entering your home is to ensure there are no entry points for the pests to sneak in. Think of your home’s exterior as its first line of defense. Weak points in your walls, windows, and doors are an open invitation for pests to wander indoors. Preventing pests from getting inside is far better than trying to push them out once they are in.

Here’s how to start:

• Sealing Cracks 

Start by inspecting your home’s exterior, paying close attention to where the foundation meets the siding – a common hidden entry point. Look for cracks and openings around utility lines (where pipes, wires, or AC components enter) and around window and door frames. Spotting every potential entry point, especially the tiny gaps a mouse or even ants can exploit, requires a keen eye.

When considering what type of materials to use to seal entry points, it may be best to contact a professional pest control company that can educate you on the most durable and effective solutions available. This is where Pest Pros can help – our technicians are trained to see what often gets missed.

• Doors, Windows, and Vents: Don’t Forget These Gateways

Ensure all your window screens are in good repair – no rips or tears. Check the seals around windows and doors, and replace worn-out weather stripping that allows pests to slip through.

Attach sturdy door sweeps to the bottom of exterior doors to close that gap along the threshold. Vents are another major entry point, especially for rodents.

Foundation vents, attic vents, and dryer vents should be covered with durable 1/4-inch hardware cloth. This specific mesh size is strong enough and small enough to block rats and mice while still allowing airflow.

• Defending Against Seattle’s Climbing Pests

Don’t neglect the roofline, especially with agile roof rats common in the PNW. Inspect roof-soffit junctions, ensure vents are screened, and check around chimneys.

A crucial, often overlooked step is managing nearby vegetation. Overhanging tree limbs act like bridges directly onto your roof.

Trim everything back at least six feet from the house structure – don’t give pests an easy path to your house!

Making Your Home Less Welcoming to Pests

Sealing the outside is crucial, but maintaining a clean interior environment is also vital to deter pests. When doing so, it all boils down to denying them easy access to food, water, and shelter.

• Kitchen Cleanliness

Go beyond surface cleaning by regularly cleaning under and behind appliances, like the stove and fridge. Make sure you empty the toaster crumb trays frequently.

You’ll also want to clean pet bowls daily. When it comes to dry pet food (and your pantry staples like flour and grains), store them in airtight hard plastic or metal containers, not the original bags that rodents can easily chew through.

• Zap Indoor Moisture

Seattle’s damp climate attracts moisture-loving pests, including moisture ants and rodents. Tackle indoor damp, moisture-ridden areas proactively by fixing leaky pipes or dripping faucets under sinks and in bathrooms.

Try also using exhaust fans when showering or cooking to vent excess humidity outside.

In naturally damp areas like crawl spaces, ensure your crawl space is cleaned out and is well-equipped for moisture. This may mean that your crawl space is well-insulated or encapsulated, making the area less hospitable for pests and mold.

• Cut the Clutter, Cut out Hiding Spots

Piles of boxes or papers look like luxury condos to pests. Pay specific attention to areas like garages, basements, attics, and storage closets.

Decluttering eliminates these safe havens. Aim to get rid of stacks of old newspapers, magazines, or cardboard boxes whenever possible.

Store items you need to keep in sealed plastic totes rather than cardboard, and try to keep them elevated off the floor. If you store firewood, keep it away from the house foundation and, if possible, raise it off the ground. 

A tidy, organized space offers fewer invitations for pests to move in.

Why Attics & Crawl Spaces Need Your Attention

Your attic and crawl space might be out of sight, but they shouldn’t be ignored in your pest prevention plan. These dark areas are magnets for Seattle pests – think rodents seeking shelter from the rain or carpenter ants targeting compromised wood.

Neglecting these zones creates a significant vulnerability in your home’s defense.

What Pest Pros Looks for During an Inspection

A professional inspection goes deep, beyond what you might easily see. Pest Pros technicians are trained to spot subtle clues – hidden rodent evidence, signs of insects, and critical moisture problems.

Let us Handle the Dirty Work

Inspecting these areas thoroughly can be difficult and unpleasant. When you call Pest Pros, a dedicated technician will evaluate your property and recommend preventative pest control services. This may include:

• Identifying any elements inside or outside your home that may be attracting pests
• Identifying any potential entry points that need to be sealed
• Identifying signs of a previous infestation that could come back
• Recommending any home improvements needed to prevent pests
• Recommending any attic or crawl space services to prevent pests 
• Applying any necessary treatments to prevent pests from entering your home 
• Recommending how frequently you should have a pest control team inspect and treat your property

Our technicians pinpoint specific risks and recommend targeted solutions to keep pests out of your home. A comprehensive evaluation is a key part of ensuring your preventive pest control strategy is comprehensive.

Stay Ahead of Pests & Protect Your Peace With Pest Pros

Taking proactive steps, timed with Seattle’s seasons, is the smartest way to protect your home from unwanted pests. With Pest Pros’ help, you can prevent future infestations from occurring and protect your home and the residents living within it. 

Don’t wait for trouble, contact Pest Pros today for a free estimate. Have questions? Our friendly staff are available to talk on the phone for extended hours each day. Give us a call at (866) 686-3118