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As the holidays fill Columbia City with lights, packages and neighborly cheer, they also bring a predictable—and preventable—spike in household and commercial waste. Gift wrap, cardboard boxes, food scraps from parties, and extra takeout containers all mean fuller cans, longer curbsides, and more opportunity for pests to find an easy meal. Left unchecked, holiday trash…

Phinney Ridge is a tightly knit, green-leaning neighborhood where many residents proudly compost kitchen scraps as part of a sustainable lifestyle. But December brings a particular set of challenges: holiday food waste increases, yard work winds down, and cooler—but not consistently freezing—Pacific Northwest temperatures can push rats to forage more actively for high-calorie, sheltered food…

Fremont’s network of pet-friendly parks, off-leash areas, and miles of trails are a big part of why the city is such a popular place for dog owners and their companions. Those same outdoor spaces that invite play and exercise can, however, become hotspots for parasites during the rainy season. Wet weather alters the microclimates of…

As the days shorten and temperatures drop, homeowners around Green Lake should shift their focus from summer upkeep to winter-proofing — and that includes a careful look at basement windows. These openings, often overlooked, are prime entry points for rodents seeking warmth, shelter and easy access to food. A timely rodent-seal check not only keeps…

Every December Wallingford’s shops, community centers, and living rooms bustle with the unmistakable trappings of the season: rolls of glossy paper, delicate tissue, natural twine, velvet ribbons and piles of gift-ready boxes. These materials help create the polished, festive look customers and neighbors expect — but they also create an attractive environment for household pests,…

Rainier Valley sits squarely in Seattle’s wet climate, where long, drenching seasons and sudden downpours are the norm. For homeowners, attic ventilation systems — including attic fans — are essential for controlling heat and moisture buildup, but they can also become unintended conduits for pests after heavy rains. Saturated ground, blown-in rain, damaged roof elements…

For homeowners in Ravenna, managing the crawlspace is a practical necessity: it protects plumbing and ductwork from freezing, helps maintain energy efficiency, and keeps structural components drier and healthier. Crawlspace heaters are one tool used to raise temperatures beneath the house, but their effects on moisture dynamics—and on pests that are drawn to moist, sheltered…

As the days shorten and the Pacific Northwest chill settles in, Ballard homeowners often turn their attention to winterizing their properties — and to a less welcome seasonal visitor: rodents. Even though Seattle’s winters are milder than many parts of the country, the combination of steady rain, occasional cold snaps, and the urban-green interface of…

As the short, wet days of December settle over West Seattle, the city’s alleys take on a particular life of their own. “Alley rats” is a phrase often used to conjure images of nocturnal scavengers slipping between dumpsters and back doors, but it also points to a real, resilient group of urban mammals that adapt…

Capitol Hill’s charming rowhouses and older brick buildings are part of what makes the neighborhood so desirable — but that same historic character, combined with an urban setting, can make kitchens especially vulnerable to pest intrusion. During a renovation, every exposed wall cavity, recessed gap and utility chase is an opportunity for rodents, cockroaches, ants…