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Category: Animal removal

How to get birds, squirrels, bats, raccoons, opossums and other animals out of your house.

Finding the Best Pest Control in Everett

If you’re looking for the best pest control in Everett, you’ve come to the right place!

Ants, spiders, wasps, rodents, and more! Whatever infestation you may face, our team of professional pest control exterminators is here to handle the job. We are a professional-licensed pest-control in Seattle, who provides the best pest control services in Everett, Seattle, Marysville, and more! 

 Natural and Effective Rodent Control 

Did you know that rats and mice are some of the most common pests infesting homes in Washington. These cheeky rodents can do quite a lot of damage to the insulation in your crawlspace and attic. Not to mention, they’re a hazard to human and pet health.

We’ve got the skills and expertise you need when it comes to rodent control. Our Everett pest control team utilizes a dynamic, holistic approach to control and prevent rodent infestations in a home. We provide natural rodent control options in Everett, and we also offer attic and crawl space cleaning services at an affordable cost. 

Everett Pest Control Services: Ants Exterminators 

If you’re looking for some top-notch ant exterminators in Everett, then look no further! A few ants trailing across your home is often an indication of a bigger problem. We at Parker Eco Pest control utilize safe, effective, and natural methods for extermination! 

Talk to us, your local pest control pro, to learn more about ant control in Everett. 

Pest Control Everett: Wildlife Control, Wasp Removal, and More!

Wasp nest removal

Ground wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets—these stinging insects are not only a nuisance but also a safety concern. When it comes to stinging insects, we never recommend dealing with them on your own. The Parker Eco Pest Control Everett team will provide a wide range of services to clients across Everett, Washington, from ground wasps to hornets. We can safely and effectively offer wasp removal services throughout Everett. 

Check out more about how we approach wasp removal with our clients.

Commercial Pest Control Services

Looking for the best commercial pest control services in Everett can be tricky and expensive! But, it doesn’t have to be.

Rats, mice, stinging insects, and more! We can handle it all. Our Everett pest control service team provides commercial pest control options for commercial and family-owned businesses, including schools, restaurants, warehouses, and retail spaces. 

Dealing with pests never got easier! Reach out to us to learn more about the best pest control company in the Everett area. 

How to Get Rid of Flies Quickly

If you’re trying to keep flies away from home using a natural fly repellent, then you’ve come to the right place. In this special post, we’ll discuss some tips and tricks homeowners can use to get rid of flies naturally. 

Flies in House: Here’s Some Natural Fly Repellent

We all know that flies love stinky stuff, especially organic material like compost and rotting food. But, did you know that certain scents fly simply detest! 

  • Cloves: Sweet and spicy cloves are another great way to keep flies away from home. For this trick to work, you’ll need to poke about 20 to 25 cloves into a sweet ripe fruit—apples and pears work great!
  • Citronella candles: For decades, citronella candles have proven to be quite effective at deterring flies and mosquitos alike. The sweet and fresh aroma emitted by these candles can keep mosquitos and flies away at a distance of 1 to 2 meters. 
  • Citrus: You can make your natural fly repellent using these fresh citrus-smelling scents. Combine essential oils from lemongrass, eucalyptus, and lavender in a spray bottle and mix thoroughly. Spray across the home, including the kitchen bench, garbage bins, and windows.

How to Keep Flies Away from the Home

Keeping flies away from home—and outside—can be easy because it all comes down to prevention. Yes, that’s correct; perhaps the best and most effective.’ natural fly repellent’ is prevention. So, what exactly does this entail?

When it comes to getting rid of flies from home, the first thing you need to do is eliminate sources of attraction. This can include:

  • ensuring no food is kept out and in the open in the kitchen or other home areas. 
  • Placing your garbage in a can with a tight-fitting lid.
  • Keeping garbage and/or compost as far away from the main home. 
  • Cleaning up your backyard, i.e., regularly cleaning dog and cat feces from the backyard. 

The DIY Fly Trap: How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

how-to-keep-flies-away-outside-venus-fly-trap

If you’re looking for a safe, all-natural pest control trap for flies, then look no further. This simple DIY fly trap is undoubtedly a favorite among most homeowners struggling with fruit fly infestations. So, how do you do it?

Step 1: Pour 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar into a shallow dish or mason jar. 

Step 2: Add 2 to 4 drops of dishwashing liquid to the apple cider vinegar solution. For optimum efficiency, we recommend using fruit-scented dish soap.

Step 3: Seal the jar with either the lid or some soft-plastic wrap (saran wrap) and make a few puncture holes. The small holes will allow the flies to enter the jar quickly. But, don’t worry, they’ll struggle to escape. 

If you’re looking to get a little greener, consider using venus fly traps! Place these carnivorous plants around problem areas like kitchen benches or window sills and watch the fly population diminish.

Getting Rid of Flies Naturally: Talk to Us Today 

Homeowners who struggle with an ongoing pest problem, i.e., rat infestation or possum infestation, may struggle to get rid of flies around the home. Rat feces, urine, and carcasses are all elements that attract flies. And, so it’s essential to address any underlying pest problem.

If you’re struggling to keep flies away or if you’ve got a rodent infestation, then it’s time to call our team of professional pest exterminators. Talk to us today to learn more about natural pest-control services in Seattle. 

A Quick Guide on How to Find a Ground Wasp Nests

Ground wasp nests have become quite the problem; not only can these pests invade your home, but they can also continuously sting you when threatened. So, how do you get rid of an underground wasp nest? And, should you call a pest control service provider to help you? In this article, we’ll answer everything you need to know about dealing with a wasp nest that’s underground. 

There are many different species of ground wasps found throughout the USA. Two of the most common ones encountered include the Yellow Jacket and the Cicada Killers.

Identifying Ground Nesting Wasp Nests

Locating wasp nests in the ground can be fairly tricky! However, these little creatures really do know how to hide their borrows. Nevertheless, there are a few things you can look for when trying to find that wasp nest in the ground. 

  1. The ground wasp loves dry soil! They tend to avoid moisture-rich soil, so they are unlikely to create a nest in an area prone to moisture.
  2. The mound of dirt and an entry point:  The queen is partly responsible for creating the nest, and she does this by digging up dry soil, creating an entry point for her fellow wasps. As well, ground-dwelling wasps are a lot bigger than ants, so the entry point to their underground nest can be pretty large. 
  3. Multiple little holes everywhere: Yellow Jackets are little social insects that form tight-knit communities. In doing so, they may create multiple nests scattered in a particular site. These nests will look similar, possessing a large entry point surrounded by a mound of dirt. 

So, How Do You Prevent Ground Nest Wasps?

So, now that you’ve dealt with that pesky wasp nest in the ground, we are sure you’re asking, how on earth do you prevent ground-nesting wasps from infesting your backyard? There are many tips and tricks a pest control service will give you, but these are our favorite so far:

  1. Cover any garbage cans in the area and keep areas free of exposed food. 
  2. The nest of a ground wasp tends to be empty (low population) over the winter months, so this is an excellent time to call your local wasp control exterminator as they can remove the nest quickly.
  3. Get gardening! Clove, lemongrass, peppermint, and geranium are just some plants that appear to repel wasps and other insects. 

How Do You Get Rid of Underground Wasp Nest?

Underground wasps are generally not aggressive; however, if their nest is threatened, they can cause quite a lot of damage to humans. Traditionally, pest control service providers and exterminators use various tactics to eliminate a wasp nest underground. These may include a combination of pesticides and insecticidal dust, which can be sprayed directly on the nest, gradually killing its residents.

Don’t Like Pesticides? Eco-Friendly Wasp Control in Seattle

removing a ground wasp nest in Seattle, Washington

Looking for a natural wasp control and extermination in Seattle

When dealing with an underground wasp nest, the Parker Eco Pest Control team always recommends seeking the advice and skills of a professional wasp nest exterminator. Our focus is to provide homeowners with the option of choosing natural wasp removal and control methods.

So, how do we do it?

  • We can physically remove any wasp nest that’s lingering around your property.
  • We set traps around nuisance areas decreasing the ground wasp nest population.
  • We only use insecticides when it’s safe to do so! Insecticide dust is commonly on underground wasp nests and can be very effective when out of reach, in the ground, or walls.

A Fool’s Proof Guide to Dealing with Crawl Space Pests in Seattle

Dirt crawl spaces in Seattle are the perfect breeding grown for a range of pests! Cheeky rodents, cockroaches are just some of the common Seattle pests that can invade your crawl space. At Parker Eco Pest Control, we see many homeowners struggle to keep rats out of a crawl space! In fact, providing adequate rodent control and crawl space repair is one of our most requested services. So, in this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about dealing with crawl space pests in Seattle. 

Help! How Do I Keep Rats Out of My Crawl Space?

Rats dwelling in your crawl space can leave quite a mess behind! Feces, urine, and damaged insulation are just some of the problems you may face. There are a few things you can do when it comes to keeping rats out and away from a crawl space!

Remove damaged insulation: Insulation can retain urine, and it’s a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. In the long run, urine-damaged insulation can lead to increased humidity, odor, and mold growth, all of which can affect your health and well-being. 

Rodent control is key: There are many different ways you can choose to control the rodent population around your home. Talk to us today to learn more about how we handle rats and mice naturally and effectively

Managing Rodents in a Dirt Crawl Space

diagram of how to manage rodents in a crawl space, seattle home

When it comes to crawling space rodent control in Seattle, we have your back at Parker Eco Pest Control. Managing rodents like mice and rats within a dirt crawl space will require skilled pest control professionals and time. At Parker Eco Pest Control, we deal with the problem using a 3 visit plan approach. 

So, how do we do it?

  1.  Remove those cheeky pests! Of course, it comes without saying that as part of the pest control protocol, we must remove as many rodents as we can from the crawl space. This may involve setting various mouse traps and baits to decrease the rodent population gradually.  Don’t worry; we have organic pest control options too!
  2. Seal those entry points! Mice and rats can find many ways to invade your home. A skilled pest controller will examine the exterior of your home and crawl space to determine potential entry points and openings. The aim here is to seal any cracks or holes, which decreases the risk of a population of rodents from establishing.
  3. Rodenticides and rat baits for better control: In some cases, we may recommend placing rodenticides throughout your crawl space to control the rat and mice population. 

We Have Options for Pest Control Crawl Space Barriers

Installing galvanized steel mesh along the foundation of your home and sealing off your joists will prevent rodents from damaging crawl space insulation. Buried galvanized steel mesh can also prevent rodents from entering the living area of your home. 

Got Rodent Damaged Insulation? Talk to Us About Crawl Space Repair

Rodent proof insulation diagram

Rodents can not only leave behind feces and urine, but they can also damage the insulation of your crawl space. In the long run, this can lead to many problems, including poor insulation, further pest problems, and more! 

When it comes to cleaning up, sanitizing, and re-insulating a crawl space, our Parker Eco Pest Control team is here to help. Our highly trained team of professional pest controllers works one-on-one with homeowners to sanitize, re-insulate, and repair crawl spaces throughout Seattle. 

What’s Included in Our Rodent Crawl Space Clean Up?

We understand that repairing and cleaning a rodent-infested crawl space in Seattle can sound costly! But, it doesn’t have to be. At Parker Eco Pest Control, we offer homeowners several service levels to cater to their needs and budget. 

Refresh:

This option is perfect for crawl spaces with minor rodent damages. Refreshing your crawl space will include:

  • Vacuuming rodent dropping and sanitizing the area with an industrial fogger
  • We can replace the vapor barrier
  • Our team can remove sections of contaminated insulation and replace insulation as needed. 
  • As part of our protocol, we install permanent rodent barriers and rodent-proof insulation. 

Remove:

This option is perfect for crawl spaces with moderate rodent damages. In particular, it’s a great option for homeowners who lack a permanent rodent barrier within their crawl space. This option is similar to our refresh selection which includes

  • Vacuuming rodent dropping and sanitizing the area with an industrial fogger
  • We can replace the vapor barrier.
  • Our team can remove sections of contaminated insulation and replace insulation as needed. 
  • We provide an air gap sealing service that can cut your energy bill by 15%. Air gap sealing will also stop drafts and heat loss. 
  • As part of our protocol, we install permanent rodent barriers and rodent-proof insulation. 

Replace

This option is perfect for crawl spaces with significant rodent damages, including damaged insulation. The replace option includes everything listed above.

  • Vacuuming rodent dropping and sanitizing the area with an industrial fogger
  • We can replace the vapor barrier.
  • All insulation is removed and replaced with new rodent-proof insulation. We even insulate HVAC ducts and water lines to prevent heat loss.
  • We provide an air gap sealing service that can cut your energy bill by 15%. Air gap sealing will also stop drafts and heat loss. 
  • As part of our protocol, we install permanent rodent barriers and rodent-proof insulation. 

Getting rid of rats from your crawl space doesn’t have to be a difficult task! Talk to us today to learn more about crawl space repair and pest control services in Seattle. 

Dealing with Rodent Damaged Insulation in Seattle

Rats in the attic or crawl space are common problems Seattle homeowners know all too well. And as the cold Seattle winter sets in, these pesky critters are in search of a warm cozy place to nest. Don’t let rodents ruin your home. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about rodent damaged insulation and effective pest-control

Replace Vs. Refresh your Rodent Damaged Insulation

In the wild, rodents, be it mice or rats, will seek soft fibers for their nests. And unfortunately, insulation found within our crawl spaces, walls, and attics appear to be their favorite nesting material. As a result, rats and mice can damage the insulation in your home by either collecting insulation fibers for a nest elsewhere or directly making a nest within the insulation itself. 

Effective Rodent Control: Crawl Space and Attic Hygiene

In the wild, rodents, be it mice or rats, will seek soft fibers for their nests. And unfortunately, insulation found within our crawl spaces, walls, and attics appear to be their favorite nesting material. As a result, rats and mice can damage the insulation in your home by either collecting insulation fibers for a nest elsewhere or directly making a nest within the insulation itself. These can gradually lead to long-term problems which can affect both your home and health.

Effective rodent control in your Seattle home is essential when it comes to preventing the spread of disease. The feces and urine produced by rodents accumulate over time, leading to an increased risk of spreading zoonotic diseases. According to the CDC rat infestation guide, rats and mice in Washington spread diseases (viral and bacterial) directly and indirectly. Some of these zoonotic diseases include:

  • Leptospirosis: which spreads through urine and waterways.
  • Hantavirus: is a virus that spreads through rodent urine and feces.
  • Salmonella: A bacteria that spread via the fecal-oral route.
  • Rat-Bite Fever: A bacterial disease that spreads through bites and scratches caused by rats. It can also spread through the oral-fecal route (i.e., consuming food or water contaminated by rats).

Do You Need to Replace Insulation After a Rodent Infestation?

replacing rodent damaged insulation in crawl space, Washington

Rats have damaged the insulation in your beautiful Seattle home. What do you do? Replace, refresh, or remove? We completely understand that removing and replacing insulation from your crawl space and attic is time-consuming and extremely expensive. 

If the damage to the insulation is minimal, then our team at Park Eco Pest Control will choose to refresh the existing insulation material. Now, refreshing existing insulation simply entails that only sections (damaged) insulation are replaced. We only ever completely replace insulation from a crawl space or attic when the damage caused by rodents is extensive due to long-term uncontrolled rodent destruction, or if you’d like to increase the energy efficiency of your home.

How to Keep Rodents Out of Insulation in Seattle

Keeping rodents out of your crawl space, attic, and insulation will require some time and effort. And since these pesky critters pose a risk to human health, we recommend reaching out to a professional pest control service in Seattle for an initial first clean.

When it comes to cleaning and refreshing your damaged insulation, our team at Parker Eco Pest Control will:

  1. Locate and seal up any holes, burrows, vents, and gaps that allow rats and mice to enter your crawl space.
  2. Do some dirty work and safely remove all dead rats and mice from your crawl space or attic. We will even humanely remove any active nest sites present in your attic or crawl space. 
  3. Our Seattle pest-control team will most importantly remove and dispose of all rat feces and droppings present in the attic or crawl space.
  4. Sanitize and disinfect the entire area with an eco-friendly, enzyme-based product that actually eats the organic material left by feces and urine. It leaves behind water and CO2 as an odorless, harmless bi-product. 
  5. Replace the vapor barrier in your crawl space if it’s damaged. 
  6. Finally, depending on the degree of damage and contamination, we will either refresh or replace the insulation.

Attic and Crawl Space Cleaning by Parker Eco Pest Control

rodent control services in seattle

Winter is on its way, and so are the rats! Getting a good rodent control regime is crucial in preventing rats and mice from damaging your insulation. Parker Eco Pest Control provides excellent and professional pest control services all the way from Seattle through to Marysville. So, talk to us today about rodent pest control and crawl space cleaning in Seattle. 

Barn Owl Box: The Natural Rat Repellent in Seattle

Are you looking for natural rodent control methods? Well, let us introduce you to the power of the barn owl nest box. Keeping rats and mice out of your home and garden can be an incredibly tedious task. Often we find that rat control options such as rat bait aka rodenticides, only provide short-term control of rodents, not to mention that the toxic substances are incredibly cruel. But, what if we told you there’s a better way to keep the rodent population in your area at bay? In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about barn owl boxes as natural rodent control. 

Here’s Why You Need a Barn Owl Nest Box 

Barn owls are exceptional predators that often go unappreciated. These deadly hunters possess powerful vision and hearing, which allow them to track and kill prey quickly. But, perhaps the greatest feature of this predator is its appetite for rodents. Yes, that’s right! Barn owls love rats and mice, and in fact, in a single nesting season, a pair of barn owls can consume up to 30,000 rats.

Installing your Barn Owl Nest at Home

Installing a barn owl box for rodent control in Seattle home

For this natural rodent control method to work, you’ll need to make the nest box appealing to the barn owls. This might be a particularly tedious task if you live in a busy Seattle suburb. So, here are our top tips to consider when installing a barn owl nest in your backyard.

  1. A Good-Sized Nest Box: Barn owls require adequate space to nest and grow their young. We recommend creating a nest box that is anywhere from 10 to 15 cubic feet. Entry holes into the nest box should be a minimum of 6 inches. 
  2. Keep it Attractive: Adding straw and untreated natural fibers in the box will encourage barn owls to begin nesting.
  3. The Right Placement: Barn owls prefer to hunt rodents in big grassy open fields. As such, we recommend installing your barn owl nesting box with the opening facing a wide open space. An ideal position protects the entry hole from the wind while offering a great view of prey.
  4. High Above: In the wild, barn owls nest high up on buildings, trees, or mountain cliffs. So, make sure to place your nest box at least 10 feet above the ground. 

Don’t want to build a barn owl box yourself? Don’t worry we sell the perfect pre-made barn owl boxes that are sure to attract some owls to your property. Make sure you reach out to us to learn more!

Do Fake Owls Keep Rats Away?

Yes! Installing fake owls around your property can act as a great rat repellent. It’s a great little trick that works similarly as a scarecrow on a field, although they do become less effective over time as rats outsmart the decoy. That being said, it’s not the best natural rodent control method as it does not reduce the rodent population on your property like a real owl would. 

3 Reasons for Humane Pest Control

Installing a barn owl nest box isn’t the only way to control your rodent problem. If you’re interested in learning more about natural rodent control methods in Seattle, check out our top tips

  1. Rodenticides kill animals slowly. Did you know that rat bait kills rodents slowly? These poisons result in coagulopathies, which means that the animal will die slowly from uncontrollable bleeding. 
  2. Rodenticides can harm your pets and owls: Rat bait toxicity is a common problem seen in companion animal medicine. It often occurs due to a dog or cat eating either the rat bait directly or eating way too many mice that have consumed rat bait. Wild animals like our American barn owl can also die from rat bait toxicity when they consume large amounts of poisoned rats or mice. So, keep your pets and wildlife safe by avoiding rodenticides. 
  3. Barn owls provide better long-term control: Barn owls that nest in your nest box will continue to nest on your property each season. It’s a great way to reduce the overall rodent population on your property and acts as a long-term rodent repellent. 

Parker Eco Pest Control: Natural Rodent Control in Seattle 

Controlling those pesky rodents is tricky! But, you don’t have to do it alone. At Parker Eco Pest Control, we proudly support customers who choose natural rodent control methods. We can help you create and install the perfect American barn owl nest box, so you don’t have to worry about getting the niggly details right. Correctly installing a nest box to suit the barn owls’ natural behavior is critical to ensure adequate rodent control. So, reach out to us today to learn more about finding and installing barn owl boxes for pest control in Seattle. 

Mice or rodents in the attic? Your roof needs drip edge flashing

One of the most common ways for rodents to enter an attic is through a gap between the shingles and the gutter. Gaps like this are extremely common in Washington State due to a quark in the residential building code. This gap, sometimes called a carpenter’s gap or construction gap, can be sealed off using a piece of metal flashing called a drip edge. This piece of metal is also known as gutter flashing or rake edge flashing.

How to check for drip edge flashing

If you’re stumped on how mice, rats, birds, or squirrels are getting into your attic, we highly recommend looking at the exterior of the roof line. If you have a hipped roof (shaped like a pyramid) you should check the entire perimeter. If you have a gabled roof you likely only need to check the two sides with gutters.

Slide your hand to the back of the gutter where it’s secured against the house. If you can fit your hand under the shingles it’s big enough for a rat to squeeze through. Remember, rats only need a gap the size of a quarter and mice only need a gap the size of a dime. Rodents usually leave signs on the areas they frequent the most. Look for chewing, greasy smears called rub marks, and of course droppings.

Drip edge wasn’t in Washington code until 2015

Washington State residential code only began requiring drip edge in 2015, meaning If your home was built in 2014 or earlier, there is a good chance you have a large gap running continuously around the perimeter of your roof. You can read the code yourself online.

Should you install drip edge flashing to seal the attic from rodents?

Yes, you should definitely install a drip edge (AKA gutter flashing) to seal out mice, rats, squirrels and birds. At a cost of $10 to $20 per foot installed, it’s fairly inexpensive and will save you money down the line compared to the cost of damage from an infestation.  

In addition to blocking pests, drip edge flashing protects your house from wind and water dripping behind the shingles, hence the name “drip edge.” It’s a wise investment for any roof.

Getting rid of bats safely and legally

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.

Brown bats in an attic

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.