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When you discover wood that looks “off” in your home—soft, discolored, crumbly, or warped—your first thought may be termite invasion or, alternatively, a leak or long-term moisture problem. Telling the difference matters: termite damage signals an active pest problem that can continue to eat away at structural members, while moisture damage indicates water intrusion that…

The Pacific Northwest presents a particular set of challenges and opportunities for termite management. Its cool, wet climate, abundant forests, and widespread use of wood in homes and landscaping create ideal conditions for dampwood and subterranean termites—most commonly the western dampwood (Zootermopsis spp.) and the western subterranean termite (Reticulitermes hesperus). Unlike hot, dry regions where…

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is often touted as a natural, nonchemical solution for household pests, and many homeowners wonder whether a dusting of DE can control serious wood-destroying insects like termites and carpenter ants. At its core, DE is a fine powder made from fossilized diatoms—microscopic algae with silica-based shells. Its insecticidal action is physical rather…

Few problems pose as stealthy and costly a threat to a home as wood‑destroying insects. Termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees and wood‑boring beetles can all chew away at structural timbers, trim and siding long before visible signs appear, turning small, fixable repairs into major structural and financial headaches. Routine, professional wood‑destroying insect (WDI) inspections are…

Termites are among the most costly and destructive pests homeowners can face. Hidden within walls, under foundations, and inside wooden structural elements, these silent feeders can cause extensive damage before their presence is obvious. When an infestation is suspected or when preventative measures are considered, two common professional strategies stand out: termite bait stations and…

Termite soil treatment warranties are one of the most important — and most misunderstood — parts of protecting a home from subterranean termites. A soil treatment is usually a liquid barrier applied around and beneath a structure to block or kill termites that attempt to enter from the ground. The warranty that accompanies that service…

Seattle’s long, damp springs create the exact conditions that trigger termite swarmers to emerge, so a rainy evening in the city is a prime time to spot them. After a warm rain event, subterranean and some dampwood termite species take to the air to mate and start new colonies; high humidity and saturated soil make…

For many Seattle residents who wake up to small, dark pests in a mattress seam or along a baseboard, the immediate fear is bed bugs — a well-publicized urban scourge. But just as often those intruders are carpet beetle larvae, tiny, bristly insects that inhabit rugs, upholstered furniture and closets. Because both pests show up…

Flea bites and bed bug bites are commonly confused because both produce itchy red bumps, but they come from very different insects with different habits — and those differences are usually the best clues for identification. Fleas are tiny jumping parasites that live on animals (especially household pets) and tend to bite lower body areas…

A flea infestation can feel small at first—one itchy bite, a few tiny jumping specks on your pet—but it can quickly become a household crisis. Because fleas reproduce rapidly and their eggs and larvae hide in carpets, upholstery, and cracks, what starts as a problem on a single dog or cat can spread through an…