According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, 25% of fires attributed to “unknown causes” are caused by rodents chewing electrical wires and gas lines.
Buying a commercial property is a huge undertaking and performing due diligence is critical. When buying a standalone building or a multi-unit property, be sure to have your inspector check for rodent activity. If you skip this step you might be setting yourself up for a disastrous fire down the line. Rat and mice teeth grow constantly, meaning they have to chew virtually nonstop. They gnaw metal wires and gas lines to prevent their teeth from overgrowing and suddenly you’ve got a fire on your hands.
Areas to check for rodent activity
Crawl spaces. Dirt crawlspaces in particular are vulnerable since rodents can tunnel under the skirting.
Attics are a classic spot for rat and mouse nests. Look for rub marks along walls and around entry holes.
Distinguishing between an old rodent problem from years past and a fresh infestation can be tricky. Droppings dry very quickly, so something a few days old looks similar to something a few years old. The best method is by scent (do you smell fresh urine?) and chew marks (do you see newly exposed wood or old, weathered wood?).
If you find evidence of an infestation the next step is figuring out how they got in. Look for weak points… – Roof lines for dormers and other vulnerable joints – Doors not closing all the way – Entry points along supply lines
Pick the right insurance carrier
A fire in an uninsured building is devastating for almost any business owner. Every carrier is different when it comes to fire claims—that’s why it’s important to know your insurance policy inside and out. In fact it is one reason Parker Eco Pest Control has stuck with the same Seattle business insurance broker for years (shout out to Heather Hanson at Northwest Insurance Group!). We highly recommend having a relationship with a broker who understands your business model and can pull together coverage options, financing arrangements, and answer questions at the drop of a hat.
This comprehensive ebook will tell you everything you need to know about getting rid of mice in your house using natural, poison-free methods. A printable PDF version is available for free download.
A poorly maintained home on the block (we know you know the one)
A chicken coop nearby
It’s like the old adage, “You don’t have to run faster than the bear, just faster than your friend.” You don’t have to make your house mouse-proof, you just have to make it less attractive than your neighbor’s house. Mice will go where it’s easiest to get water, food, and shelter.
Natural ways to reduce interest from mice…
Bungee your garbage bins to keep the lids snug
Seal food in airtight containers like glass canisters
Clear a 1 foot perimeter around your house, including brush, wood piles, rockery, etc.
Remove standing water like bird baths
Clean up dog poop since it is full of protein, carbs, and other things mice like to eat
Keep bird seed off the ground by investing in a rodent-proof bird feeder and installing it at least 6 feet from “launch pads” like fences or trees
Trim fruit trees and berry bushes on the bottom and sides to prevent rodents coming up for a snack
Step 2. Seal up your house
How to find mouse entry holes
Check your utility lines to ensure pass-through holes are snug:
Sink supply and drain lines
Plumbing stacks on the outside of the house
Gas lines coming into your kitchen or laundry room
Electrical lines, particularly through exterior walls
Verify all utility vents have tight wire mesh and snug pass-through holes:
Dryer vents
Bathroom fan vents
Kitchen fan vents
Weather-proof your doors:
Garage doors should have weather stripping to close gaps
Cracks in concrete pads (such as the area below your garage door) should be filled for a seamless seal with the door above
Exterior doors should hang plumb and square so they seal tightly
Scope out your roof for easy access points, then double down on wire mesh:
Dormers have complex joints between shingles, fascia boards, and windows that require precise cuts to stay mouse-proof. Time and poor craftsmanship can create gaps.
Attic vents are necessary to keep moisture at bay but can decay with time. Wasp nests, bird nests, and other animal activity can also puncture your vent grates.
Chimney caps are metal boxes that cover the hole at the top of your chimney. Check yours for gaps or rust. If you don’t have one, buy one for less than $100.
How to install wire mesh for mouse-proofing
Select your wire mesh: Pick a mesh with quarter inch holes and make sure it’s easy to bend. We recommend galvanized mesh since it has a special coating to resist rust, making it last longer. You can buy products like this at most hardware stores for about $10.
Select your screws: The ideal screw for installing mesh has a large head so it doesn’t pass through the holes in the wire. Again, we recommend galvanized screws to resist rust. Try to keep the length to about an inch and keep the diameter to a minimum. Using a oversized screws means making oversized holes in your house.
Installing your wire mesh: Cut a section of wire that extends at least an inch beyond the edge of the hole in all directions. Bend the wire so it fits snuggly inside the corner or around edges. If there is slack in your mesh the mice will simply push under it. Anchor the mesh with screws, about one every four inches. When on your roof, DO NOT anchor directly into your shingles or you risk creating a leak.
Can you use spray foam or steel wool instead of wire mesh?
Yes, but we don’t recommend it.
Step 3. Trap mice already in the house
There are two key factors in making sure you’ll get rid of mice naturally– picking the right trap and placing it properly. No matter what type of trap you use we recommend baiting it with peanut butter. It’s cheap, natural, and incredibly tempting to mice.
Why you shouldn’t use poison baits
By far the most common type of mouse bait is an anticoagulant rodenticide. That’s a fancy way to say that it thins the animal’s blood, causing them to bleed out and die slowly.
It’s cruel to kill the animals slowly over time.
Poison has terrible consequences for predators that eat mice like urban owls and your neighborhood cat.
The mice die in your walls. Some pest control companies claim the mice become thirsty, seek water, and then die outside. This is nonsense.
Get more information on the negative impacts of rodenticides from the Audubon Society.
Owl image is courtesy of the Audubon Society
So why are poison baits so common?
Traditional pest control companies rely heavily on poison bait because it is cheap and any employee can do it without training. Setting out a bait box is faster and simpler than doing an inspection, sealing entry holes, and setting traps in strategic locations.
Types of all-natural mouse traps
T-Rex snap traps are reliable, humane, & reusable
The plastic T-Rex snap trap from Bell is a highly sensitive trap with interlocking teeth. They are much heavier than a traditional wooden trap so they stay put. You can also wash and reuse the traps indefinitely, so they are more eco-friendly than disposable traps. The plastic teeth have a lot of force, making for a quick and humane death. The traps have small holes in the base so you can feed a zip tie through and secure the traps on vertical pipes and beams. Parker Eco Pest Control uses these traps exclusively (and no, they didn’t pay us to say that!).
Wooden snap traps are tough to set properly
Victor mouse traps are the stereotypical trap you see in the movies baited with a piece of swiss cheese. Setting these traps involves pulling back the pin carefully, setting the bait, and putting it in the right spot without triggering it. They’re pretty finnicky and go off without catching a mouse often, especially compared to the T-Rex.
Glue traps can be cruel
Glue traps come with a lot of well-deserved horror stories. Mice have been known to languish in the glue, starving to death. They sometimes chew off their own legs to free themselves. If you opt for a glue trap we suggest you use it ONLY under close supervision. As soon as you catch a mouse you should either:
Put on gloves and wipe the mouse down in olive oil to free it from the trap. Set it free outside.
Fill a bucket with water and drop the mouse and attached trap in for a quick death.
Live traps require daily supervision
If you can’t bring yourself to kill a mouse you might lean towards live traps. Simply place a tasty treat inside and let the door snap shut once the mouse is inside. Traps like this MUST be checked daily or you risk leaving a mouse to die slowly from starvation – this is far worse than a quick death from a snap trap.
Where to set mice free
Washington State law (and many other states) does not allow for relocation. That means you cannot release the mouse in a local park a mile away. Your best bet is releasing it back on your property and hoping you did a good job sealing up entry holes in your home.
What if the mouse isn’t dead?
Sadly, mice can sometimes set off a trap with a foot instead of their head. The humane thing to do is put the animal out of its misery immediately. We recommend filling a bucket with water and placing the animal—trap and all—into the water until it drowns.
Where to put the traps
The simplest solution is putting traps where you find the most evidence of activity like droppings, urine smells, or rub marks.
There is some finesse to how the traps are positioned. Mice are neophobic, meaning they are suspicious of new things. You need to make it as easy as possible to stumble into the trap. Look for narrow paths next to walls and hidden corners. Do not waste your time by simply opening your attic door and setting a trap on the open space inside.
Diagrams are courtesy of the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management
Step 4. Natural mouse control outdoors
Automatic traps
The A24 from Goodnature is a self-resetting trap that kills 24 mice with a single cartridge. Set it up outside, sit back, and wait. Parker Eco Pest Control will gladly install one.
Owl Boxes
Owls eat as many as 12 rodents a night! Installing an owl box gives you about a 50% chance of getting an owl every nesting season. Learn more about owls for natural mouse control on our blog.
As rodent populations worsen in King and Snohomish counties, more and more cities are passing rat abatement laws for construction projects. Seattle, Kirkland and Shoreline have passed rules requiring developers to control or eradicate the rodent population when “clearing, grading or demolishing” on a jobsite.
Why do Seattle rat
abatement rules exist?
Buildings slated for demolition can be ideal habitats for rodents. Older structures are often full of holes for easy entry. Vacant places have nesting material like insulation, clothing, or furniture. The ideal spot for a rat is close enough to humans that they have access to food (like our garbage) but far enough away that they can nest and breed without being disturbed. That empty house on the block is the perfect hideaway!
When a vacant structure is demolished the rodents explode
out into the surrounding neighborhood. Add in the increasing density of King
and Snohomish counties and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
How developers comply
with the law
If your project will include “clearing, grading or demolition”
you must have a pest control professional with a license from the Washington
State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) inspect the property. If evidence of
rodent activity is found (droppings, nesting, skeletons, old bait boxes, etc.) you
must start an abatement plan at least 15
days prior to beginning work. The plan should extend up to the planned date
of demolition. If the inspection reveals no evidence of rodent activity then you’re
home free! Just have the pest control company write up a declaration.
Paperwork for a rodent abatement plan must be written up by a pest control professional and submitted to the city by the developer
How much do rat abatement plans cost?
Parker Eco Pest Control charges $200 for an inspection. If no activity is found, that’s all you pay.
If we do find evidence of an infestation, the fee is usually $399 (the $200 inspection fee + $199 abatement fee). That can vary with the size of your project. After the plan is complete, we write up the paperwork proving that your property meets the city requirements. You hand the paperwork into the city and proceed with demolition.
What a rodent abatement
plan looks like
A lot of pest control companies simply show up and drop bait
boxes, then collect a large fee. Parker Eco Pest Control actually conducts an inspection.
It’s not uncommon for us to clear a structure as rodent-free during
this inspection. We would rather be honest with you and build a long-term relationship
than collect a quick buck.
If the inspection uncovers evidence of an infestation we’ll
develop a plan for dealing with the problem. This usually requires several visits
to monitor activity up until demolition.
We conduct an exterior inspection
to see where they are getting into the structure.
We seal up any holes greater than
¼ inch with sealants, foam or other materials.
We remove anything that might be
attracting them to the property.
We place traps in appropriate
places.
Have questions about rat abatement before demolitions? Get in touch! Call 800-ECO-1698 or email Info@ParkerEcoPestControl.com.
After a warm reception in Seattle, Parker Eco Pest Control is growing north! We’re pleased to have a second location in Northwest Everett. We’re enjoying brews at the Scuttlebutt, views off Jetty Island and Latin fusion over at Sol Food Bar and Grill. Our service list and prices are the same but the team and customer service continue to expand with our new receptionist Brooks, and a new technician named Isaiah. We’re also pleased to announce online appointment requests. So if you live between Lynnwood and Everett we’re delighted to answer all your eco friendly pest needs!
Our service area now stretches from Seattle all the way to Everett, following the I-5 corridor.
Whether you’re looking to solve the problem yourself or just need some tips between regular visits from Parker Eco Pest Control, we hope you find this information helpful.
Keep your eyes open
Ants use scouts to find new food sources. A single ant out on patrol will locate food and create a trail back to the nest for other ants to follow. More and more ants swarm the area until the food is gone. If you see a single ant roaming across your counter, kill it.
Clean and seal your home
Your kitchen might already be clean but consider taking it to the next level. Wipe your counter and table down with a white vinegar and water mixture after food prep. Clean all dishes immediately. Store your food and dog food in air tight containers. Take your trash out daily. Even the smallest bits of food can attract an ant swarm.
There are also some basic home repairs that can make your home less hospitable for ants. Take a look around your house for damp or decaying wood. Do you have a leak under your sink? Is there a wet wood pile against the exterior wall? You can’t prevent ants from creating nests outside but you can calk cracks around doors and windows so it’s harder for them to enter. If you aren’t sure where the ants are coming from, stage a stakeout. Follow them all the way to the exterior wall where they are entering and seal it off. You likely can’t seal every hole, but look for the major ones.
Make a DIY eco repellant
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth along cracks where you see ants crawling. Distribute a thin, even layer of dust. This is not an immediate solution but it’s safe for kids and pets. It will slowly dehydrate and kill the bugs after coating them. This is one of our favorite products.
Wipe up ant trails with a mixture of vinegar and water.
Put a few drops of essential peppermint oil on a cotton ball. Wipe down cracks where you see ant trails and entry points. You can also leave the infused cotton ball in a pantry, cabinet or entry point. Refresh every few days. Be careful not to damage woodwork with the oil.
Plant a garden
While it might seem counterintuitive to plant more vegetation, consider some ant repelling herbs. Lavender, rosemary and mind have all been shown to repel ants.
Good luck! Feel free to call us if you have any additional questions about ecofriendly methods for controlling ants.
Owls and cats have long been used to control rodents naturally. Getting a cat is as simple as visiting the local shelter, but what about attracting a wild owl? You might be surprised to learn you don’t need a barn or acres of land to create a suitable owl home.
Do owls really help control rodents?
Absolutely. An adult barn owl will catch and eat up to 12 rodents per night while brooding in the late spring and early summer. Even without babies to feed they maintain a steady nightly hunting routine of several rats, mice and moles. Owls fly with almost no noise at all making it easy to sneak up on an unsuspecting rat or mouse. Washington State alone is home to 13 different species of owls.
One important thing to keep in mind if you’re hoping to attract an owl is avoiding the use of rodent poison. At Parker Eco Pest Control we avoid rodenticides (nobody wants a rat dying slowly in their wall) but the most important reason to avoid poison is the harmful impact on the food chain. Rats eat a small amount of the poison and owls eat many, many rats, concentrating the poison. The cumulative effect on birds of prey and neighborhood cats can be deadly.
Setting up an owl box
Timing: While you can install an owl box year round, most owl species begin looking for a nesting spot between January
This owl box from Looker is available on Amazon and many other online retailers.
and March. Now is the perfect time to install a box, sit back, and wait.
Position: Follow these best practices to increase the likelihood of attracting an owl.
Mount the box at least 10 feet off the ground.
The opening shouldn’t face towards the wind. For most locations this isn’t an issue, but if you live on a bluff with a constant breeze you should take that into consideration.
Do not put an owl box on a utility pole.
Make sure the interior floor of the box is level once it’s mounted.
Position it with a clear approach path, not hidden by branches. Owls will likely discover the box by spotting the dark entry hole.
Try to face the entry hole out over an open area rather than inward towards nearby trees or buildings.
Some research shows that owls prefer an Eastern-facing opening.
Luck: Owls are successfully attracted about half the time. Your best bet for attracting an owl in an urban environment is installing multiple boxes in the neighborhood. Placing a box approximately every 100 yards will boost your chances. Having an owl on your block will greatly reduce your rodent population, even if the owl isn’t nesting in your backyard.
How do you know if your box has a new resident? Look for stray feathers, white droppings around the entry hole, and above all listen for hoots and shrieks at night.
Want help installing an owl box in the Seattle area?
We can help you find and install the perfect owl box for your property, even if you’re in the city. Contact Chris Parker, owner of Parker Eco Pest Control, at 800-326-1698 or Chris@ParkerEcoPestControl.com.
Bats are a bit creepy and maybe even scary to your average city dweller, especially if they’re living in your attic. But it’s important to know that Washington State has strict laws to protect bats. Here’s why bats are actually awesome, and how to handle a bat infestation legally and safely.
Why are bats beneficial to your neighborhood?
A female bat can consume her entire body weight in insects in a single evening. Forget the citronella candle, just get some bats! Mosquitos, termites, and other much more serious pests are kept in check by a healthy bat population. It’s difficult to stress just how many more creepy crawlies would be in your house and biting you in your garden if bats suddenly disappeared.
Why are bats living in your attic?
Bats naturally seek out cavities in trees, caves and other places that protect them from light and predators. As our region densifies there are fewer natural spots for them to live. They begin seeking out attics, wells, and other manmade hidey-holes. You’re most likely to find bats living on the southern side of a building with full sun.
How do you get bats out of your attic?
First off let’s say that bats are not as harmful to your home as rats or mice. They don’t chew wires but their guano can be smelly and cause water damage to drywall.
While it may be tempting to close off the entry holes, you would likely be trapping the bat pups inside your attic. This is a recipe for a very stinky, and very cruel disaster. The safest, and legal option is coaxing them out on their own volition.
Note that these methods only work when the pups are mature enough to fly so you’ll have to wait until mid-August. That gives you a couple weeks to plan the bat siege…
Make some noise. Put a radio in your attic as close to their roosting site as possible
Use shop lights to make the space bright so they can’t get to sleep (preferably fluorescent bulbs since incandescent lights risk starting a fire)
Install a one-way door so bats can go out, but not back in
Put a bat box nearby to encourage these beneficial creatures to stay in the neighborhood
Close every entry point and use caulk for the most complete seal job possible
And don’t wait too long! Be sure to do a thorough exclusion job before October or you may be stuck with bats all winter. For more information on bats in Washington State check out the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s guide to living with wildlife.
If you have a bat problem or are interested in installing a bat box call our owner and head technician, Chris Parker at 800-326-1698.
A beautiful Rain Wise garden. Photo courtesy of Seattle Mag
If you live in Seattle you’ve probably seen gardens with signs about the Rain Wise program. Seattle Public Utilities subsidizes rain gardens in certain parts of the city to protect everyone from storm water runoff that causes sewer backups and flooding. You can get details about the program or see if you qualify at the SPU Rain Wise website.
Diagram courtesy of Seekamp Environmental Consulting
While these rain gardens look beautiful, they can attract unwanted pests like rodents and insects. The rain garden provides added food, water, and shelter – the three biggest attractants for pests. Having one in your yard could leave your house vulnerable to an infestation. Here at Parker Eco Pest Control we often get calls to help people manage ants, spiders, mice, and rats that have been drawn to the home after installing a rain garden.
To get the best of both worlds and protect your home from these pests, make sure you maintain your rain garden on a regular basis. Foliage that falls to the ground should be raked up regularly. Be sure to leave at least a foot of space between any vegetation and your home. If these branches touch your house it can act as a highway for insects like ants, cockroaches, spiders, and more.
Image courtesy of the West Seattle Herald
Even if you don’t have a formal rain garden through the Rain Wise program, you might live in an area prone to the same pests. Take a look at the Rain Wise map and see if your home is at risk.
Overall these gardens provide a public good. With a little knowledge and some careful planning you can keep your neighborhood safe from flooding and your home free of pests. If you’d like more information to keep your home protected from your rain garden, give Parker Eco Pest Control a call and we’ll work together to find a low cost and eco-friendly solution.
As the temperature drops you may find yourself with some unwanted house guests this holiday season. Winter is peak time for rodents as they look for warmth in crawlspaces, attics, and garages. These disease carrying animals make nests in your insulation and chew everything in sight. Rat teeth grow quickly which forces them to chew constantly and grind them down. It’s estimated that rodents cause up to 20% of house fires every year just by chewing on wires. In addition to causing fires they can knaw through pipes and create plumbing leaks within your walls. All these problems are significantly more expensive to fix than they are to prevent. Do yourself a favor and monitor your home for signs of rodent activity this winter to head off any problems before it’s too late!
Notice that the upper wire has been chewed on. The insulation nearby could easily catch fire.
Parker Eco Pest Control offers environmentally-friendly solutions for both preventing and treating infestations. We use a combination of physical tools to keep the rats and mice out, and chemical tools that kill and repel. Call us today!
Ants use scouts to find new food sources. A single ant out on patrol will locate food and create a trail back to the nest for other ants to follow. More and more ants swarm the area until the food is gone. If you see a single ant roaming across your counter, kill it.
Absolutely. An adult barn owl will catch and eat up to 12 rodents per night while brooding in the late spring and early summer. Even without babies to feed they maintain a steady nightly hunting routine of several rats, mice and moles. Owls fly with almost no noise at all making it easy to sneak up on an unsuspecting rat or mouse. Washington State alone is home to 13 different species of owls.
