Tag: poison free rodent control

Common Pest and Rodent Types Homeowners Can Expect During Fall and Winter in Washington State

July 18, 2023 / ParkerEcoPestControl

As the seasons transition to fall and winter in Seattle, homeowners may find themselves facing an increase in pest and rodent activity. The cooler temperatures and rainy weather drive various critters indoors, seeking shelter and sustenance. Understanding the types of pests and rodents that commonly invade homes during these seasons can help homeowners take proactive measures to prevent infestations. In this article, we’ll explore the most common pests and rodents that homeowners in Seattle can expect during the upcoming fall and winter seasons and discuss effective strategies for pest management.

Rats and Mice

Rats and mice are among the most prevalent rodents that invade homes during the fall and winter. These clever creatures seek warmth, food, and shelter in residential properties, making attics, basements, and wall voids ideal hiding spots. They can cause damage by chewing through electrical wires, insulation, and stored items, posing fire risks and health hazards.

Homeowners should be on the lookout for droppings, gnaw marks, and evidence of nesting. To prevent rodent infestations, seal off any gaps or cracks in the exterior of the home and keep garbage tightly sealed. If an infestation is suspected, it’s best to contact a professional pest control service for safe and effective removal.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are resilient insects that can thrive in damp and warm environments, making Seattle’s rainy fall and winter weather favorable for their breeding. These pests can contaminate food, spread diseases, and trigger allergies and asthma in some individuals.

To prevent cockroach infestations, homeowners should maintain a clean and dry living environment, promptly fix any water leaks, and seal cracks and gaps in the home’s structure. If a cockroach problem arises, professional pest control methods may be necessary to eradicate the infestation effectively.

Spiders

As temperatures drop, spiders may seek shelter indoors, particularly in basements, garages, and crawl spaces. While most spiders are harmless, some species, like the black widow or hobo spider, can deliver venomous bites that require medical attention.

Homeowners can reduce the likelihood of spider encounters by keeping living spaces clutter-free and regularly cleaning nooks and crannies. Additionally, sealing entry points and using insecticides around the perimeter of the home can help manage spider populations.

Silverfish

Silverfish are small, wingless insects that thrive in humid environments. During the fall and winter, they may seek refuge in bathrooms, kitchens, and other damp areas of the home.

To prevent silverfish infestations, homeowners should reduce moisture levels by using dehumidifiers and fixing any water leaks. Properly storing food and using airtight containers can also help deter these pests.

Raccoons and Squirrels

Besides insects and rodents, homeowners in Seattle may also encounter larger pests such as raccoons and squirrels seeking shelter in attics or crawl spaces during the colder months. These animals can cause significant damage by tearing insulation, chewing wires, and leaving behind droppings.

To discourage raccoons and squirrels from entering the home, homeowners should ensure that outdoor garbage bins are secure and that tree branches are trimmed away from the roofline. If a wildlife infestation is suspected, it is best to seek professional assistance for humane removal and exclusion.

Conclusion

As fall and winter approach, homeowners in Seattle should be prepared for an increase in pest and rodent activity as these creatures seek refuge from the cold and rain. Taking proactive measures to pest-proof the home, such as sealing entry points and eliminating moisture sources, can go a long way in preventing infestations. If homeowners suspect an infestation or are unsure how to handle a pest problem, it is best to consult with a licensed pest control professional for safe and effective solutions. By staying vigilant and proactive, homeowners can protect their homes from unwanted guests and enjoy a pest-free living environment throughout the fall and winter seasons.

Entry Points – How do rodents get into your house?

June 13, 2023 / ParkerEcoPestControl

Are you ready for a riveting journey into the secret world of home invaders? We’re not talking about burglars or spies, but rather those tiny, mischievous creatures with a knack for making our homes their own: rodents! These crafty critters have perfected the art of finding entry points into our cozy abodes. Join us as we unravel the mystery and explore the most common entry points for these furry invaders. Get ready to be amazed, amused, and maybe a little bit grossed out!

The “Tiny Hole, Big Adventure” Route:

You may be astonished to discover that mice and rats can squeeze through openings as small as a quarter of an inch! That’s right, these masters of infiltration can slither through gaps you’d never think possible. Cracks in foundations, holes around utility pipes, or even damaged weather stripping around doors and windows can serve as their secret tunnels into your home. The next time you spot a hole, remember, it could be an open invitation for a rodent escapade!

Air Vent Express:

Rodents have a fondness for ventilation systems, making air vents an attractive entry point for them. These critters can navigate through ducts, tunnels, and crawl spaces, using the vast network of airways in your home to explore every nook and cranny. So, while you enjoy the comfort of temperature-controlled air, rodents might be enjoying a wild adventure through your ventilation system. Who knew air vents could be the gateway to rodent raves?

Doorways: Welcome to the Party!

Doors may seem like an unlikely entry point for rodents, but these resourceful creatures have a knack for exploiting weaknesses. If your door sweeps are worn out or if there are gaps between the door and the floor, consider it an open invitation for rodent revelry. Mice and rats are experts at wedging their way through the smallest gaps, much to our dismay. Perhaps it’s time to give your doors a closer inspection and make sure they’re not secretly hosting a rodent block party.

The Pipe Maze:

Pipes running into your home can serve as more than just conduits for water and gas. They can also act as superhighways for rodents. Rats and mice can navigate their way through the labyrinth of pipes, finding their way into basements, attics, and crawl spaces. It’s like an underground rodent subway system right beneath our noses! Remember to keep an eye out for any cracks or gaps around pipe entry points and seal them up tight to avoid unexpected rodent houseguests.

Garage Gamble:

Our garages are often packed with miscellaneous items, making them ideal hiding spots for rodents. Rodents are opportunistic creatures, and if your garage door weather stripping is damaged or there are gaps in the walls, they’ll happily invite themselves in. Once inside, they’ll indulge in a treasure hunt, exploring boxes, nibbling on cables, and possibly even constructing their own little rodent hideouts amidst the clutter. Who knew the garage could become a rodent amusement park?

Conclusion:

While we may find rodents cute and fuzzy from a distance, we definitely don’t want them setting up camp in our homes. Now that you’re familiar with their favorite entry points, it’s time to take action. Inspect your home for any gaps, cracks, or compromised areas, and seal them up to thwart these audacious intruders. Remember, keeping rodents out means safeguarding your home from unexpected adventures, wild rodent parties, and potential mischief. Stay vigilant, protect your castle, and bid adieu to those uninvited, furry guests!

Rat-tastic Backyards: Fun Tips to Keep Rodents at Bay!

May 23, 2023 / ParkerEcoPestControl

Ah, the backyard—a sanctuary of relaxation, play, and picnics. But watch out! There’s a sneaky bunch lurking around, waiting for the perfect opportunity to crash your outdoor party: rodents! Fear not, for we have some fun and creative tips to help you keep your backyard clean, tidy, and rodent-free. Let’s dive into the wild world of rodent repulsion and turn your backyard into an unwelcome territory for these uninvited guests.

Musical Chairs for Trash Cans

Rodents love to rummage through trash cans, but we have a clever solution: musical chairs for trash cans! Assign a designated spot for your trash cans and periodically rotate their locations. This confuses the clever critters, making it harder for them to locate a consistent food source. Plus, it adds an element of surprise to your backyard game of “Keep Away from the Rats!”

Scarecrow of Distractions

Who said scarecrows were just for birds? Get creative and make a “rodent scarecrow” to protect your garden and backyard. Dress up a large stuffed animal or create a quirky scarecrow with googly eyes, a funky hat, and wild attire. Position it strategically to intimidate the rodents and deter them from venturing too close. Just imagine their furry little faces when they see your unexpected guardian!

Dance-Off with a Broom

Rodents are skilled acrobats, but they can’t resist a good old-fashioned dance-off! Keep a broom handy, and whenever you spot a sneaky critter scurrying about, challenge it to a dance battle. Bust out your best moves, and the bewildered rodent won’t know what hit them. Just make sure your neighbors don’t catch you mid-groove—it could be the talk of the town!

Camouflaged Traps

Who says rodent control can’t be stylish? Spruce up your yard by turning your rodent traps into artistic masterpieces. Paint them in vibrant colors and patterns that blend with your garden decor. This way, the traps become part of the scenery while silently protecting your backyard from rodent invasions. It’s like having a secret superhero squad guarding your outdoor haven!

Citrus Paradise

Rodents have a keen sense of smell, so let’s use that to our advantage. Create a citrus paradise in your backyard by planting lemon, lime, or orange trees. Not only do these trees add a refreshing touch to your outdoor space, but the strong citrus scent also acts as a natural repellent to rodents. It’s like having a mini tropical getaway right in your backyard!

Rodent Olympics Obstacle Course

Why let rodents have all the fun? Set up an obstacle course in your backyard that challenges their agility and dexterity. Install ramps, tunnels, and mazes made from PVC pipes, old toys, and recycled materials. The rodents will be so engrossed in navigating the course that they’ll forget about exploring your garden. Plus, it’s an entertaining spectacle for you and your friends to enjoy while sipping lemonade on the sidelines.

Conclusion

Keeping your backyard clean and repelling rodents doesn’t have to be a dull task. Embrace your creativity and turn rodent control into a fun and playful adventure. With musical chairs for trash cans, dancing broom battles, camouflaged traps, citrus paradises, and rodent Olympics, your backyard will become a fortress of fun that rodents wouldn’t dare enter. So, put on your dancing shoes, grab a broom, and let the rodent repulsion games begin!

If this doesn’t work, or you just want to hire a professional natural pest control team, contact us today and let us handle your rodent problems.

Rodent Magnets: Understanding What Attracts Them and How to Repel Them

May 9, 2023 / ParkerEcoPestControl

Rodents, with their nimble bodies and incessant curiosity, can quickly become unwelcome guests in our homes. To effectively prevent rodent infestations, it’s crucial to understand what lures them in the first place. In this article, we’ll delve into the factors that attract rodents the most and explore practical strategies to avoid enticing these unwanted visitors. By making our homes less appealing to rodents, we can safeguard our spaces and maintain a rodent-free environment.

Food Sources: The Ultimate Attraction

The presence of accessible food is the primary factor that attracts rodents. They have an exceptional sense of smell and can detect even the tiniest morsels of sustenance. To avoid drawing them in, store food in airtight containers made of glass or plastic. Keep countertops clean, promptly clean up spills, and sweep floors regularly to remove crumbs and food residue. Properly seal trash cans, dispose of garbage regularly, and avoid leaving pet food out overnight.

Clutter and Hiding Places: Rodent Hideouts

Cluttered spaces provide rodents with abundant hiding places and nesting sites. Remove clutter from your surroundings, both indoors and outdoors, to eliminate potential rodent havens. Pay special attention to attics, basements, and storage areas where rodents can easily establish nests. Keep firewood stacks away from the house, and store items off the ground to minimize potential hiding spots.

Entry Points: The Pathway In

Rodents can squeeze through remarkably small openings, so it’s crucial to seal off potential entry points. Inspect your home for gaps around doors, windows, utility lines, and pipes. Use caulk, weatherstripping, or mesh wire to seal these openings. Check for cracks in the foundation and repair them promptly. Install door sweeps and ensure screens are intact to prevent rodents from sneaking in.

Water Sources: Parched Rodent Prevention

Rodents require a water source to survive, so it’s essential to eliminate any standing water or sources of moisture. Fix leaky pipes, faucets, and any plumbing issues promptly. Ensure that gutters and downspouts are directing water away from the foundation. Avoid overwatering plants and promptly remove any standing water in outdoor containers or saucers.

Proper Waste Management: A Rodent Deterrent

Rodents are opportunistic scavengers, and waste can be a readily available food source for them. Proper waste management is essential in avoiding rodent attraction. Use secure, lidded trash cans both indoors and outdoors. Keep garbage areas clean and regularly remove trash from your property. If you have compost bins, use ones specifically designed to deter rodents and avoid adding meat or oily food scraps.

Maintenance and Regular Inspections: Staying One Step Ahead

Regular maintenance and inspections are crucial in avoiding rodent infestations. Keep your property well-maintained, with trimmed trees and shrubs that don’t provide easy access to your home. Regularly check for signs of rodent activity, such as droppings, gnaw marks, or unusual sounds. Early detection allows for swift action and prevents infestations from taking hold.

Preventing rodents from infiltrating our homes starts with understanding what attracts them in the first place. By addressing the factors that entice rodents, such as easily accessible food, clutter, entry points, and water sources, we can significantly reduce the risk of infestations. Regular maintenance, proper waste management, and a proactive approach to sealing potential entry points are essential steps in creating an inhospitable environment for rodents. By implementing these strategies, we can effectively deter rodents and maintain a clean, rodent-free living space.

3 Things You Need to Know About ContraPest: The Birth Control for Rats

March 23, 2022 / ParkerEcoPestControl

Eliminating a local rodent infestation is undoubtedly no easy job! Why? These tiny little critters breed fast, and although rat bait works to reduce rodent numbers immediately, it doesn’t address the long-term problem.

It’s time to talk about birth control for rats, and yes, that’s a thing!

We get it! It can be pretty tricky to get rid of rats and mice. And these days, more homeowners are interested in learning about long-term rodent control options.

So, how do we help you get rid of your rat infestation? Let’s talk about ContraPest—the birth control for rats making headlines.

#1. Will, the ContraPest Rat Birth Control, Reduce the Rodent Population…Yes!

ContraPest rat birth control is a sweet liquid formulation designed to reduce the rodent population over time. It contains two ingredients, 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) and triptolide, which eliminate immature ovarian follicles, prevent sperm maturation and reduce sperm motility.

To ensure its safety and efficacy, the Parker Eco Pest Control team conducted a seven-month trial on a test site. The results were astonishing! ContraPest was able to reduce the rodent population by up to 91%.

#2. Let’s Talk About the Rebound Effect

Poison and traps are a great way to get rid of rats fast, but it also comes with their fair share of drawbacks.

Rat poison addresses the acute problem, and it relies solely upon rats consuming rat bait to meet their defeat. So, initially, it may reduce the rat infestation problem, but it won’t do much over time.

So, why is rat bait not effective in the long run? Well, the answer is simple, rats multiply quickly.

So, let’s look at an example…

A local colony contains 100 rats. Of that 100 rats, 90 consumed rat bait, leaving 10 adult rats active. Remember, rats multiply quickly! A female rat can begin mating at five weeks of age. And, female rats, on average, can have up to 6 litters a year, each consisting of 12 to 15 pups—now that’s a lot of rats.

So, within a few weeks, the rodent population within that colony increases. And, this is what we refer to as the rebound effect!

So, how does ContraPest address this issue?

As mentioned above, the ContraPest formulation takes a preventative approach. By inhibiting different stages of the estrus cycle and sperm maturation, ContraPest prevents rats from producing pups.

It is a long-term solution that allows homeowners to keep their local rodent numbers in check!

#3. This Birth Control for Rats Reduced Bait Aversion

Rats are pretty shy creatures; when introduced to a new food source, they only try or take a little to determine its safety.

Rats are also intelligent little creatures. If they associate a food source with a negative experience, their chances of going back for seconds decrease immensely. This is what we describe as bait aversion, and it’s one of the reasons why rat poison isn’t necessarily the best method of rodent control.

So, what makes natural rat birth control so effective? First, this method of natural rodent control takes a more proactive approach rather a reactive one.

The ContraPest fertility control is a sweet liquid formulation that attracts rats and keeps them interested in the product. And, gradual consumption of the ContraPest rat birth control formulation can reduce the fertility of both male and female rats.

This sweet formulation causes no direct ill-effects to the rats, i.e., death. And that’s great because we actively prevent bait aversion and thus continue the process of reducing the local rodent population.

Rodent Control in Seattle Just Got Easier!

Rodent control is now easier than ever before! Our Parker Eco Pest Control team ensures home, and business owners across Seattle get access to the ContraPest rodent fertility formulation.

So, talk to us today to learn more about how ContraPest rat birth control can benefit you.

Man looking for a rodent in crawl space insulation

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

September 22, 2021 / ParkerEcoPestControl

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?

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!
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.
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

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.

Barn Owl Box: The Natural Rat Repellent in Seattle

August 7, 2021 / ParkerEcoPestControl

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.

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.
Keep it Attractive: Adding straw and untreated natural fibers in the box will encourage barn owls to begin nesting.
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.
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.

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.
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.
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.

Attracting owls for ecofriendly rodent control

November 8, 2017 / Wesley Parker

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.