Common pests in the Northwest
There’s a lot of climatic variability in this region, with wet conditions along the coast, and hot, dry summers and cold winters east of the mountains. One thing the whole region faces, though, is pest pressure.
The most active and problematic pests will depend on the season:
- Spring (April-May): ants, overwintering pests, and mosquitoes
- Summer (June-August): mosquitoes, spiders, and ants
- Fall (September-October): overwintering pests, spiders, and ticks
- Winter (November-March): indoor nesting ants, pantry pests, and overwintering pests
Pest prevention in the Northwest
When it comes to pests, the best offense is a good defense. Sticking to Integrated Pest Management principles will help prevent and reduce general pest issues:
- Remove or reduce habitat and food and water sources.
- Scout for pests regularly around the home and yard.
- Identify pests if one does emerge.
- Practice pest prevention and change the environment to be less pest-friendly.
- Use chemical control as a last resort.
Sunday Tip:
What’s an overwintering pest? These are the bugs that may find themselves indoors to escape the weather, or to find a food source. Common overwintering pests include ants, boxelder bugs, stink bugs, ladybird beetles, elm leaf beetles, and kudzu bugs. Here’s how to bug-proof your home.
How to control overwintering pests
Follow these tips for preventing and managing the top pests in the Northwest during their active seasons:
- Install or refit things like window screens, weather stripping, and door sweeps to prevent entry to the home.
- Keep firewood stored away from the house, clean up debris around the yard, and create a vegetation-free zone close to the house to help reduce pest habitat.
- Store food in airtight containers and clean up spilled food or drink to reduce pest’s food sources indoors.
- Use Sunday’s Bug Doom to create a barrier to the home, or treat pests inside the home.
How to control spiders
- Use yellow bulbs outdoors to attract fewer insects for spiders to feed on.
- Seal cracks or openings to the home to prevent entry.
- Clean up clutter around the yard and regularly vacuum or sweep indoors (especially dark corners) to reduce hiding spots.
- Catch and release spiders outdoors when possible—spiders are actually beneficial predators and will eat many other pests.
- Use Sunday’s Bug Doom to help manage heavy spider infestations.
How to control mosquitoes
- Dump any standing water around the yard, which can serve as a breeding habitat for mosquitoes.
- Mow the lawn, trim trees, and prune shrubs to reduce shade- and moisture-rich mosquito habitat.
- Use Sunday’s Mosquito Deleto to treat your protected zone (patio, outdoor dining area, swingsets, etc.).
Northwest pest control
Deciding what practices and products to use to help you manage pests in and around your home can be tricky. Start by narrowing in on the specific pest issues you’re facing. Then, modify the environment to be less welcoming to that pest, and then determine if pest products are necessary to help prevent or manage your pest problem.
Here are some of our go-to products for the Northwest that you can get shipped to your door from Sunday!
Total Home Pest Medium Protection Plan
- Protects your home against unwanted bugs, inside and out
- Kills ants, centipedes, cockroaches, crickets, spiders, and more
- Active ingredients include pyrethrin and canola oil
Mosquito Control Pest Plan - Medium
- Contains yard spray, personal insect repellent, mosquito dunks, citronella candle
- Mosquito Deleto kills and repels mosquitoes, ticks, and ants
- Plan includes 4-6 months of protection
Ant Adios Insect & Ant Killer (2-pack)
- Controls ants, earwigs, cutworms, sowbugs, pillbugs, and crickets
- Each bag covers 4,000 sq. ft.
- Effective for up to 4 weeks
- OMRI-listed for organic gardening
Resources for Northwest pest management
Spiders
Have a not-so-itsy-bitsy spider problem? Identify, prevent, and manage spiders with this helpful guide.
Mosquitoes
Use this handy guide to help you identify, prevent, and control mosquitoes in your backyard.
Natural ways to prevent pests
Follow these pest prevention tips, to help keep pests from becoming a problem in the first place.
Indoor insect ID guide
Have a critter that worked its way inside the home, but not entirely sure what it is? Use this indoor insect ID guide to help identify your pest and get some quick tips on how to prevent and control them.
Outdoor insect ID guide
Got a backyard bug that’s really bugging you? Our outdoor insect ID guide can help!
Ticks
Stay tick-free this summer—use this tick guide to help identify, prevent, and manage ticks.
