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On rainy days in Madison Valley, it’s common to settle into a cozy living room only to find a small, eight-legged tenant has beat you to the couch. That phenomenon—spiders appearing indoors during wet weather—can seem mysterious or unsettling, but it’s actually the predictable result of spider biology, neighborhood ecology, and how our homes interact…

As winter tightens its grip on Seward Park, backyard sheds — those handy outbuildings used for tools, lawn furniture and holiday decorations — become unexpectedly attractive to a different kind of tenant. December brings a predictable shift in rodent behavior: falling temperatures, dwindling natural food sources and the search for warm, dry nesting sites drive…

A strange or persistent smell in a basement is more than an annoying nuisance — for homeowners in Roosevelt it can be an early warning sign that pests have taken up residence below the living space. Basements are attractive to animals and insects because they offer shelter, steady temperatures, and easy access to food and…

For many residents of Phinney Ridge, a compact, leafy neighborhood perched on a ridge above Seattle’s Greenwood and Ballard areas, the home office has become as much a fixture as the neighborhood’s distinctive craftsman bungalows. Whether it’s a converted spare bedroom, a sunlit nook, or an attic studio, these workspaces often double as archives: stacks…

As temperatures drop and snow begins to blanket sidewalks, rodents that once scavenged around alleys and green spaces move closer to the warmth and predictable food sources of human habitations. In university districts—where dense housing, high turnover, late-night eating, and a mix of older buildings create ideal conditions—winter can mean a sharp rise in mouse…

If you live in Queen Anne with a dog, cat, or other furry companion, it’s easy to believe that the arrival of cold weather means fleas are gone for the season. That’s a comforting thought, but it’s rarely true. Fleas thrive indoors where homes are heated and pets sleep — and their life cycle (eggs,…

Rainier Valley’s long, wet winters make basement leaks more than a nuisance — they’re often the first step in a cascade of problems that can quickly turn a dry, livable space into a hub for pests and structural decay. When rainwater, seepage, or foundation cracks allow moisture into lower levels, that damp environment creates ideal…

Few traditions are as evocative of the holidays as bringing fresh greenery indoors—magnolia branches and wreaths, with their glossy, deep-green leaves and velvety undersides, add instant warmth and a classic, Southern charm. But as inviting as these natural decorations are, they can also be a conduit for unwelcome guests. Insects, egg masses, spider webs and…

West Seattle’s charming older homes—many dating back several decades and clustered in historic pockets—offer character you won’t find in newer construction: mature trees, leaded-glass windows, deep eaves and original millwork. Those same features, however, create a mosaic of winter pest weak points. As temperatures drop and the Pacific Northwest’s wet season arrives, animals and insects…

For Wallingford homeowners and renters, moisture-seeking ants are more than a nuisance—they’re often an early warning that wood or building materials are staying too wet. Whether you live in an older Colonial with a basement, a split-level with a crawl space, or a newer home with attic ventilation issues, seasonal rain, thaw cycles, plumbing leaks,…