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Pest problems are a normal part of homeownership, but when children live in the house, the stakes change. Young children are more vulnerable to chemical exposure because they spend more time on the floor, frequently put objects in their mouths, and have developing organs and immune systems. For parents, the goal is to eliminate health…

As a parent, you want your child’s school to be a safe place for learning—free not only from obvious hazards but also from hidden risks like unnecessary pesticide exposure. Concerns about health effects from chemical pest control, especially for children with asthma, allergies, or developing nervous systems, have pushed many districts to adopt safer approaches….

When pests are discovered in Seattle schools, districts are legally and ethically obligated to respond quickly in ways that protect students, staff and the learning environment. That response is guided by Seattle Public Schools’ policies, Washington state model integrated pest management (IPM) guidance, and public-health best practices: the first imperative is to assess and contain…

Hiking the mossy trails of the Pacific Northwest is a defining family experience — ferns, waterfalls, and shady, cool forests that invite kids and dogs to explore every log and leaf pile. But those same lush habitats are ideal for ticks, tiny parasites that can transmit bacterial and viral infections such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis,…

In rainy climates, mosquito control becomes both a public-health priority and a persistent logistical challenge. Heavy seasonal or year-round precipitation creates abundant, often transient breeding sites—puddles, flooded ditches, clogged gutters, discarded containers, and water-holding plant axils—that allow mosquito populations to explode in a matter of days. The result is not only an increase in biting…

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that has circulated in the United States since 1999 and has been detected intermittently in Washington State. For Seattle residents, the overall risk has historically been lower than in many parts of the country, but local transmission does occur during the mosquito season. Understanding when and where…

Seattle’s temperate, rainy climate and abundant green space make the region pleasant for people — and for mosquitoes. While the Pacific Northwest doesn’t have the same year‑round mosquito pressure as some warmer climates, Seattle properties still provide plenty of small, sheltered pockets of standing water where mosquitoes can complete their life cycle quickly after spring…

For many Seattle residents, the first hint that something is changing comes on an evening walk along the ship canal or in their backyard garden: a sudden whine, the familiar bite on an ankle, or a swarm hovering near a backyard firepit. That everyday nuisance raises a bigger question with public-health and quality-of-life implications: are…

Ticks are small but potentially dangerous parasites: they bite to feed on blood and can transmit bacteria, viruses, or parasites that cause illnesses such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and others. Because the risk of infection rises the longer a tick remains attached, prompt and proper removal is important. At the same time, improper removal…

Ticks in Washington State carry a wider range of organisms than many people realize. While Lyme disease often dominates public conversation about ticks, the Pacific Northwest is home to multiple tick species that can transmit bacteria, viruses, and protozoa causing illnesses with very different symptoms and severities. Because tick species, host animals, and local environments…