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In Ballard — a neighborhood threaded with mature trees, older homes, and the damp maritime climate of the Pacific Northwest — roof rats (Rattus rattus) are a familiar but often unseen part of the urban ecosystem. Known for their agility and preference for elevated nesting sites, these rodents typically spend most of their lives above…

As temperatures drop and Capitol Hill’s historic rowhouses and brownstones seal up for the season, many homeowners assume pest problems will vanish with the last leaves. In truth, winter simply changes pests’ behavior — many species that thrive outdoors in spring and summer move indoors to find warmth, food and shelter. Capitol Hill’s dense urban…

Green Lake Condos, like many lakeside vacation properties, becomes a hub of activity during holidays: families, couples and out-of-town guests stream in and out, bringing luggage, clothing and souvenirs from across the country and around the world. That busy turnover, combined with the cozy, high-occupancy nature of short-term rentals and condo sharing, increases a particular…

Rainier Valley’s temperate, rainy climate and many older, wood-framed homes create a perfect storm for crawl space moisture problems — and where moisture persists, rodents quickly follow. Crawl spaces are dark, sheltered, and often poorly ventilated, so damp insulation, rot-prone joists, standing water, and accumulated debris make ideal nesting sites for mice, rats and other…

As temperatures drop in December, rats become more determined to find warm, sheltered places and consistent food sources — and homes in Magnolia are no exception. The combination of cooler weather, holiday food waste, and dense landscaping common in many Magnolia yards makes this month a peak time for rodents to move from the margins…

The holidays in Wallingford bring a welcome flurry of activity: parties, visits from out-of-town relatives, gift exchanges, and the hunt for the perfect present. Amid the cheer, though, there’s a quieter, less festive risk that can hitch a ride into your home with that carefully chosen gift — pests. Items that move between homes, come…

Phinney Ridge’s charming older homes and tight-knit urban blocks make the neighborhood a desirable place to live — and, unfortunately, an attractive one for rodents looking for warm, quiet places to nest. Insulation in attics, crawlspaces and wall cavities offers the perfect combination of shelter and nesting material, so early detection of rodent activity in…

The holiday season at Roosevelt brings a familiar, comforting bustle: kitchens full of fragrant spice and simmering pots, community potlucks and multi-generational recipe exchanges, and pantries replenished with the staples that make festive baking and feasting possible. Families and neighbors stock up on flour, rice, nuts, dried fruit, and spices in larger-than-usual quantities, often buying…

Queen Anne homes are prized for their ornate trim, asymmetrical facades and richly detailed windows — features that give these houses their character but also present special maintenance challenges. Basement windows on Queen Anne houses are often small, original wood sashes or hopper-style openings set low to the ground, sometimes with decorative stained or leaded…

When university campuses empty out for a holiday break, the streets and dormitories of the university district often look like they’re taking a collective breath — but that same exodus of students, staff and visitors is exactly what turns these neighborhoods into hotspots for bed bug spread. Mass movement of people and belongings, short-term stays…