Pest Info
We know our pests!
Find out more information here about pests that are common to the Northwest and how we control them
Nuisance Ants
The Facts
Odorous house ants are likely our most common household pest here in the Northwest. They get their name from the fowl odor produced when they are crushed (which is what we all want to do to them!). Constantly in search of sweet food items, they are frequently referred to as "sugar ants." Our homes provide a perfect environment for these ants as they can typically find food and water sources, as well as warm nesting sites - which make them a year round pest issue. During warmer months they can usually be found marching down trees in heavy trails and forming these "satellite colonies" in our homes. Because of their colonies reaching more than 10,000 and the fact that they have multiple nesting sites with up to 200 queens, it can be a real challenge for a homeowner to eliminate these ants.
Pavement ants are less common, but often found pushing up piles of dirt or sand in driveways or even along the edges of walls in homes with slab foundations. This would indicate there is a nest beneath the concrete, which makes it more difficult to access. Pavement ants have a single colony, but can be very large.
The Solution
Knowing and understanding the behavior of these ants is the key to successful eradication. We are aware of the fact that they have very heavy and organized trails between satellite colonies, and are very sensitive to smelly chemicals, so we use this to our advantage! After a thorough inspection, we apply a highly effective but completely odorless product along foundations, baseboards, and other key areas where the ants will come in contact with it and carry it back to their nesting sites and eliminating the entire colony.
Odorous house ants and pavement ants are the most common in the PDX area. Find out more information on their behavior and about our approach to control them.
The recent resurgence of bed bugs may leave you sleeping with one eye open. Learn why you can sleep worry free by choosing us to solve your bed bug infestation.
Most flying insects stay outside, but there are a number that have become household pests. Learn about house flies, box elder bugs, and stink bugs here and how we control them.
Carpenter ants are them most common wood destroying insect here in the Pacific Northwest. Find out how to identify them and learn about our approach to keeping them out of your home.
Flea eradication can be difficult for a homeowner using over the counter flea bombs. Find out why our treatment methods provide more effective and consistent results.
Mice and rats can cause serious problems when they have made their way inside your home. They require different methods to control for various reasons. Find out why and learn how we use our experience to keep your house rodent free.
We may think of birds as cute and innocent... That is until they make a nest in our home. Learn more about how we can both evict and exclude birds from nesting or perching in unwanted areas.
Even though german cockroaches aren't native to the Pacific Northwest, they are often brought in on packaged food items. Find out more about their behavior and our methods to control them.
Spiders may be the king of creepy crawly and the source of many phobias. These are definitely not something that you want in your house. Learn about our approach to effective spider control.
Any insect that can both fly and sting is something we definitely do not want anywhere near our home or family. Find out about the most common stinging insects and how we keep them away.
Termites, powder post beetles and moisture ants are not very common, but an infestation can indicate a serious problem. Learn how to identify them and about our control solutions.
Moths, beetles, weevils... These aren't what we want to find when we open our kitchen cabinets. Learn about the behavior of these insects and the best approach to eradication.
Wildlife can cause a lot of damage and be the vector of may diseases. As licensed wildlife control operators, learn about common nuisance wildlife and about our eviction and exclusion solutions.
Moles are a thorn in a homeowners side when they begin to tear up a nicely manicured lawn. Learn more about their behavior and why we are the choice for successful mole control.