Pest Info
We know our pests!
Find out more information here about pests that are common to the Northwest and how we control them
Bees, Wasps & Yellow Jackets
The Facts
Wasps and bees are certainly insects that we don't want living in our home or place of business as they are dangerous and can cause damage to structures.
Honeybees are very common here, and for the most part are beneficial because they are pollinators. The problems arise when they choose our home to build their nests which can have colonies that reach over 10,000. They will look for voids in the structure to fill with honeycomb which if not properly removed can attract new colonies for years to come. Swarms of honeybees can be very dangerous when provoked and should only be dealt with by a professional. A honeybee dies once it releases its stinger.
Paper wasps are abundant where we live, and can be seen making their small nests underneath the eaves of our homes, and any other place where they can get out of the weather. Their nests have an open comb and range from quarter to Frisbee sized. A typical nest may have between 10 and 40 wasps, but they can get larger. Wasps are yellow and black, with elongated bodies around 1 inch long. They are not as aggressive as yellow jackets, but will sting to protect their nests. If not removed they may continue to build unsightly nests around the eaves and awnings of your home for years.
There are several different species of Yellow Jackets that live in the Northwest. They are easily identified by their yellow and black stripes. Some are fairly docile while others are extremely aggressive, especially in late August when their nests are well developed. They may make their nests in holes in the ground, in trees, and will even build nests in walls or attics. These guys are nasty, as they can sting repeatedly, and many times without much provocation. During the winter, the colony dies off except for the queen which will start the process over again in the spring.
Hornets are the largest of the wasp species. They are also the most aggressive and venomous, as they can sting multiple times and are painful! Bald faced hornets are the most common in the Northwest. They are similar to yellow jackets, although they can be distinguished by their black and white stripes, with no yellow. They will usually build a hanging nest, either from a tree branch, or attached to a house, and don't often build nests in wall voids.
The Solution
Wasps and bees are dangerous, and treatment and removal should be handled by a professional! Unless you enjoy being stung, do not try to do this on your own! Many times spraying a can of store bought spray may kill a few, but will provoke hundreds more to swarm out of the nest with YOU as their target. If bees or wasps are entering a crack or hole and getting into a wall void, spraying the hole, or trying to caulk it will only stir them up and make them look for a new way out, which often will be through the sheetrock and into your home! We have many years of experience dealing with bees and wasps, and the proper equipment and protective gear to perform a safe treatment. After a proper evaluation, we will decide what the best approach will be. In most cases we use a non-repellent powder to avoid making them more aggressive, which will kill the colony within 24 hours. In other cases it may be necessary to flush them out immediately with special equipment.
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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.
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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.