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Laurelhurst’s mix of mature trees, waterfront properties and older homes creates a unique urban-forest edge that roof rats (Rattus rattus) exploit year-round. While these rodents are typically associated with warm, arboreal habitats—moving along branches, gutters and utility lines—short, sharp cold snaps in December can trigger notable shifts in their behavior. For residents and property managers,…

University District labs and studios are hubs of concentrated human activity, diverse microenvironments, and a steady supply of thermal, light, and moisture gradients created by equipment, HVAC systems, and varying occupancy. These features make them fertile ground for arthropod colonization, and spiders in particular are frequent and visible inhabitants of hallways, storage rooms, equipment areas,…

The holidays in Ravenna bring a bright burst of activity: twinkling lights, long-awaited gatherings, and kitchens that hum with the promise of shared meals. But with extra food on hand and busy schedules, pantries can become an inviting buffet for unwelcome guests—everything from pantry moths and grain beetles to ants and the occasional mouse. A…

Queen Anne’s charming older homes and the cozy basement suites carved into their foundations make the neighborhood an attractive place to live — but they also create ideal conditions for a seasonal pest problem: winter roach activity. As temperatures drop, cockroaches that normally live outdoors or in utility gaps move indoors in search of warmth,…

December in Mount Baker brings crisp air, shorter days, and the comforting pull indoors — but it also ushers in a predictable uptick in pest activity as rodents and overwintering insects search out warm, dry shelter. Though Pacific Northwest winters are milder than in many parts of the country, frequent rain, tree cover and older…

When Broadview woke to a week of relentless downpours this spring, many residents noticed more than puddles and swollen gutters: sidewalks, porches and basements were suddenly alive with tiny, fast-moving workers. These were not the familiar pavement ants of summer barbecues but a different phenomenon — sudden surges of so-called “moisture ants,” colonies driven to…

Travel seasons in Northgate bring festive crowds, crowded hotels, and a surge in short-term rentals — and with that increased movement of people and luggage comes an often-overlooked travel hazard: bed bugs. Whether you’re passing through Northgate on a holiday stopover, staying in a nearby hotel to visit family, or renting a vacation apartment for…

For Wedgwood homeowners, attics are meant to be quiet storage spaces — not hidden havens for rats. Yet the neighborhood’s mature trees, older housing stock with attic access points, and close yards can make attics especially attractive to rodents seeking warmth, shelter and easy food sources. Left unchecked, a small incursion can quickly become an…

As the seasons shift and humidity levels rise this month, artisans and hobbyists who store fabrics, papers, patterns and finished pieces face a familiar but often overlooked risk: silverfish. These small, wingless insects thrive in damp, dark environments and feed on a wide range of cellulose-based materials — from book bindings and wallpaper paste to…

Capitol Hill’s skyline is a patchwork of brick rowhouses, historic townhomes and newer rooftop conversions, and as appealing as a top-floor unit with city views can be, those rooftop apartments face a distinct set of pest risks when temperatures drop. Cold weather drives animals and insects from exposed spots into warm, sheltered voids — and…