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Pests most often contaminate food through three main pathways: physical contamination (droppings, urine, hair, shed skins and insect fragments), biological contamination (carrying and depositing bacteria, viruses, parasites and their eggs), and chemical contamination (introduction of toxins, venom or pesticide residues). Common examples include rodent feces and urine that carry Salmonella and hantavirus particles, insect fragments…

Keeping pantry pests out of holiday baking supplies requires storing flours, grains, nuts and spices in airtight, pest‑proof containers, keeping storage areas cool and dry, and routinely inspecting ingredients and packaging for signs of infestation. Pantry pests such as Indian meal moths, flour beetles and rice weevils are attracted to the high concentrations of starches,…

Mosquito dunks work by releasing a strain of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) into standing water; mosquito larvae ingest the bacterial toxin, which destroys their gut lining and kills them within one to a few days while leaving fish, birds, mammals and most beneficial insects unharmed. The dunks are formulated as a slow‑releasing tablet…

Yes — cold temperatures commonly reduce the effectiveness of many insecticides and consumer “bug sprays” by changing how the chemicals disperse and by slowing insect metabolism and behavior. Lower temperatures can decrease chemical volatility and alter spray droplet size and deposition, reduce insect movement so pests are less likely to contact or ingest toxins, and…

Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your house, elevated off the ground on a pallet or rack, and covered only on the top so the wood stays dry while the sides remain ventilated. Keeping wood raised and at a distance reduces direct access for rodents, prevents moisture buildup that attracts wood-boring insects, and…

Clogged gutters trap leaves and other organic debris, hold standing water, and create sheltered voids that supply moisture, food, and protected nesting sites—conditions that attract mosquitoes, rodents, ants, and other pests in the fall. As gutters back up and overflow, moisture wicks into fascia and roof structures, promoting wood decay that draws moisture‑seeking insects like…

Fall leaf piles attract pests because they create warm, moist microhabitats rich in shelter, food and nesting material that many insects and small mammals seek out as temperatures cool. Layered leaves retain heat and moisture, hide movement from predators, and concentrate decaying organic matter that supports detritivores (slugs, sowbugs, springtails) and the insects that prey…

Yes — in the Seattle area, late summer through early fall is generally the best time to trap moles. During this period mole activity often increases as juveniles disperse and adults intensify foraging to build fat reserves before the wetter, cooler months; simultaneously, soils remain warm and moist, which keeps invertebrate prey like earthworms available…

Mole breeding season in the Pacific Northwest generally runs from late winter into early spring, most commonly between February and April, though exact timing can vary by species and local conditions. Species found in the region, such as the Townsend’s mole and the coast mole, typically mate in the cooler months with females giving birth…

Moles are not major reservoirs of human disease, and direct transmission of pathogens from moles to people is uncommon; however, they can carry ectoparasites such as ticks, fleas and mites that pose indirect risks to both pets and people. As insectivores that spend almost all of their time underground, moles do not typically contaminate food…