Pest Library

Bed Bugs

Bed bug infestations have grown significantly over the past decade. There was once a time during the times of DDT when bed bugs seemed to have been under control, but now it seems it is as bad as ever. Bed bugs have adapted and survived and have become harder to kill and are now thriving in many metropolitan areas around the country. Portland, Oregon is no exception and the problem is getting worse and worse

Ants

Sugar ants are a type of soil ant, so they come from the ground outside and find their way into your home. They are distinguished by the distinct smell that they give off when they are squished. The smell has been described as anything from a rotten coconut to gasoline. Although they do not do any damage to the home, they can multiply quickly and spread out across the home.

Spiders

Hobo Spiders: These are the most common venomous spider that we have in the area. Although we have identified them from time to time in Sandy, Oregon, they are still fairly rare. In fact, most of the time they are mistaken for a “Giant House Spider”. Identifying them can be challenging, but you can look for a few distinguishing signs. They are larger brown spiders with dark brown markings on their back and they are one of several spiders that create a funnel web. Unlike most spiders, they do not have darker-colored joints on their legs.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches will typically be in areas that provide warmth, water, and food to thrive and reproduce. Usually, this is in the kitchen where they find all of these things under the refrigerator or behind the oven. Since cockroaches have been known to carry 33 different types of bacteria, the kitchen can become an unsanitary place. In addition to the bacteria, cockroach feces can also be an allergen and can induce asthma-related symptoms.

Fleas

Obviously, the first thing that you should do when trying to address a flea problem is to look at the pets. You really get what you pay for on flea medication, so be sure to be using something of good quality like Advantage or Frontline. If your pets don’t have fleas or you don’t even have pets, there can be other sources. For example, if you have rodents or any other animals living under your home, your crawl space might be infested with fleas that are making their way up to your living space. It might be worth having a pest control company do a free crawl space inspection to let you know if there is a problem down there.

Rodents

If you are seeing a rodent inside of your house, then there is a high likelihood that they are nesting nearby (usually in your crawl space). Rodents are drawn towards your crawl space in particular because it provides warmth and shelter. They typically are able to access the crawl space easily by entering through a broken foundation vent screen or burrowing underneath the foundation. Once they are established, their scent can also attract more rodents. They also reproduce very quickly (a female mouse can have over 70 babies a year), so the problem can get out of hand very quickly if it goes unchecked. For severe infestations in the crawl space, you may have to have a crawl space restoration performed, which can be costly.

Bees / Wasps

Wasps and bees are generally lumped in the same category, but they are very different.

-Wasps eat other insects, while bees eat nectar from flowers.

-Bees are “furry”, while wasps have a smooth, shiny body.

-Wasps do not pollinate as bees do.

-If a bee stings you it will die, but a wasp can sting multiple times.

For the most part, wasps and (especially) bees are beneficial to our environment. Wasps kill and feed on many types of insects that can damage plants and become a nuisance to us and we all know that bees pollinate and make the Sandy, Oregon area beautiful. However, they can also pose a threat to us since 1 out of 3 people are allergic to their sting and over 3% of the population is fatally allergic to stings. It is because of this that you should be sure to exterminate any wasp or bee nest that poses a threat to humans.

Termites

Termites cause more damage to structures worldwide than any other wood-destroying insect, accounting for billions of dollars. They are far more common in warmer climates, but an active termite infestation in Sandy, Oregon, or anywhere else in the Portland area can do just as much damage. There are several species of termites, but around here we just have two that you need to know about:

Moles

Moles are active all year long, which gives them ample opportunity to damage your land. Although moles primarily eat insects, vegetation can make up about 20% of their diet. If they find your garden or crops, they can easily ruin them.

Signs of mole activity in your area can include mounds of dirt which are made when moles are tunneling. On average, one very active mole is capable of creating up to 50-100 mounds in a month.

Nuisance Pests

We have plenty of nuisance wildlife here in Sandy, Oregon, and the rest of the Portland Metro area. It is common to see a raccoon, opossum, or skunk roaming around our neighborhoods and they are only looking for two things, food, and shelter. Unfortunately, your nice warm crawl space with all of its insulation and seclusion provides the perfect home for these animals to live and breed. If you are unlucky enough to get one of them in your crawl space, they can do a whole lot of damage in a short amount of time.

New Blog Posts Coming...

Fall Pest To Watch For

Inspections

October 11, 2024•3 min read

As the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, many homeowners notice an increase in unwanted guests around the house—but not the friendly, seasonal kind. Fall brings a rise in pest activity as various critters seek shelter from the cold. At Wildwoods Pest Control, we know how frustrating these autumn invasions can be. In this post, we’ll outline the most common pests you’re likely to see during October and November and offer some helpful tips on how to keep them out of your home.

1. Rodents (Rats and Mice)

Rodents are notorious for making their way indoors as soon as the weather cools down. They can squeeze through tiny openings and cause serious damage, chewing through wires and insulation. They also carry diseases, so spotting signs of their presence, like droppings or gnaw marks, should lead to immediate action.

2. Cockroaches

Cockroaches thrive in warm environments, and when it gets chilly outside, they look for warmth indoors. They often infest kitchens and bathrooms, and once they settle in, they can be tough to get rid of. Professional pest control is highly recommended to eliminate cockroaches.

---

3. Spiders

While most spiders are harmless, no one likes an increase in indoor sightings. In the fall, spiders may come indoors seeking warmth and a food source. Common house spiders and cellar spiders are the usual suspects.

---

4. Stink Bugs

Stink bugs become a significant issue in the fall. They often gather in large numbers on warm sides of houses, and if they get inside, they release a pungent odor when crushed or disturbed.

---

5. Boxelder Bugs

Boxelder bugs are harmless but can be an annoying nuisance as they gather in large numbers on the sunny side of homes. Like stink bugs, they are trying to find a place to overwinter, often getting inside through small cracks and crevices.

---

6. Ants

Though they’re less active outdoors in the fall, ants may start entering homes more frequently in search of food. Carpenter ants, in particular, can cause structural damage if they establish nests indoors, so it’s crucial to address any infestation quickly.

---

7. Cluster Flies

Cluster flies are another pest that becomes more of a problem in the fall. They swarm on sunny walls and often end up inside attics or wall voids, where they hibernate through the winter.

---

8. Ladybugs (Asian Lady Beetles)

While they may seem cute, ladybugs (especially the Asian lady beetle species) can become a nuisance in the fall when they invade homes in large numbers. You’ll often find them clustered around windows and doors, trying to get inside.

---

How to Protect Your Home from Fall Pests

Now that you know what pests are active during the fall months, here are a few tips to keep them out:

- Seal entry points: Inspect your home for cracks, gaps, and holes in the foundation, doors, and windows. Seal any potential entry points with caulk or weather stripping.

- Keep your home clean: Pests are attracted to food, so regular cleaning and proper food storage will reduce their interest in your home.

- Eliminate moisture: Fix any leaky pipes or areas of excess moisture, as pests like cockroaches and ants are drawn to water.

- Store firewood properly: Keep firewood at least 20 feet away from your home to prevent pests like rodents from finding an easy path indoors.

---

Call Wildwoods Pest Control Today!

If you’re noticing an uptick in pests this fall, don’t wait until it gets worse. At Wildwoods Pest Control, we offer comprehensive pest management services to keep your home pest-free year-round. Give us a call today to schedule an inspection or learn more about our seasonal pest control solutions!

fallpestswinter pest control

Renae McKague

Owner/VP of Wildwoods Pest Control

Back to Blog