A Quick Note About Hantavirus And Rodent Cleanup

Recent news coverage has brought renewed attention to hantavirus, which is associated with deer mice and exposure to contaminated droppings.
Here in the Inland Northwest, deer mice are commonly found in rural and wooded environments, though finding them around Spokane and even within city areas is not unheard of.
One important thing people should know is that rodent droppings should never be cleaned up dry.
Sweeping or vacuuming dry droppings can disturb particles into the air where they may be inhaled.
Instead:
thoroughly wet droppings and contaminated areas first
use a bleach-water solution or appropriate disinfectant
allow it to soak before cleanup
avoid creating dust during the process
Most rodent issues are nuisance problems, but proper cleanup and exclusion still matter.
Tahoma Specialty Pest Services
509-978-7830
tahomapest.com

Understanding Stinging Insects Around Your Home

As temperatures warm up, stinging insect activity begins increasing around homes and businesses throughout the Inland Northwest.
Not all stinging insects are the same, and understanding the differences is important when deciding how to handle them.
Some species are primarily nuisance pests, while others are important pollinators that should be protected whenever possible.
Common stinging insects seen in our area include:
paper wasps
yellowjackets
bald-faced hornets
mud daubers
honey bees
bumble bees
solitary native pollinators
Each behaves differently and builds nests in different locations.
Paper Wasps
Paper wasps commonly build small exposed nests under eaves, overhangs, railings, and sheltered areas around structures. While generally less aggressive than yellowjackets, they can still become a problem when nesting near entryways or high-traffic areas.
Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets are among the more aggressive species and are commonly associated with ground nests, wall voids, and hidden structural cavities. These are often the insects involved when someone accidentally disturbs a nest while mowing or working outside.
Bald-Faced Hornets
Despite the name, bald-faced hornets are not true hornets. They are actually a type of aerial yellowjacket. They build large exposed hanging nests in trees, shrubs, and on structures and can become defensive around the nest.
Mud Daubers
Mud daubers are solitary wasps that build mud tube nests on structures. Unlike social wasps, they are generally non-aggressive and are rarely a concern beyond the appearance of the nests themselves.
Honey Bees, Bumble Bees, and Native Pollinators
Not all stinging insects should automatically be eliminated.
Honey bees, bumble bees, and many solitary native pollinators play an important role in the environment and agriculture. As a beekeeper myself, I take a conservation-minded approach whenever possible.
In many cases, bee issues can be addressed without destroying the colony. Depending on the situation, this may involve relocation, removal, exclusion, or helping the homeowner understand whether action is even necessary.
Prevention Matters
One of the best ways to reduce wasp problems is preventing nests from becoming established in the first place.
Preventative exterior treatments focus on areas where wasps commonly begin building nests, including:
eaves
overhangs
corners and voids
siding gaps
nooks and crannies around the structure
Treatments are designed to reduce nesting activity before colonies become large and difficult to manage.
Trapping and Mitigation
Trapping can also help reduce activity around homes and outdoor living spaces.
There are effective commercial traps available, along with several DIY trapping methods that work surprisingly well when used correctly.
Depending on the situation, management may involve:
preventative treatment
nest elimination
removal of existing nests
trapping and baiting strategies
exclusion and structural recommendations
Like most pest issues, the best approach depends on the species involved and the specific situation around the property.
Tahoma Specialty Pest Services
509-978-7830
tahomapest.com

Seeing More Seed Bugs This Year? Here’s What’s Going On

Seed bugs are a common issue around homes in this area, and this year they seem to be showing up in higher numbers than usual.

“Seed bugs” isn’t just one insect — it’s a general term people use for a group of outdoor plant-feeding insects. Around here, that often includes:

-boxelder bugs
-elm seed bugs
-stink bugs

These insects primarily live outdoors, feeding on plants and trees, but they tend to gather on homes in large numbers as temperatures shift.
You’ll usually see them:

-on sunny sides of the house
-around siding and foundations
-near doors, windows, and entry points

They’re not trying to infest the home, but once they gather in large numbers, some will find their way inside through small gaps and openings. That’s where they become a nuisance.
This year, activity seems heavier than normal, likely due to a milder winter. When conditions allow more of them to survive, populations build up quickly.
The key to controlling seed bugs isn’t chasing the ones you see inside — it’s managing what’s happening on the outside.
An exterior treatment, similar to what’s used for ants and spiders, is typically very effective. The focus is on:

-nooks and crannies
-warm surfaces where they gather
-entry points around the structure

Timing also matters.
Spring and fall are the most important times to stay ahead of activity and prevent large numbers from building up.
In more severe cases, especially during winter when bugs have already moved into wall voids or attic spaces, additional treatments such as attic fogging may be needed.

Like most pest issues, the goal isn’t just to react — it’s to get ahead of the conditions that allow the problem to develop in the first place.

Tahoma Specialty Pest Services
509-978-7830
tahomapest.com

This Is What I See All The Time

This is what I see all the time.
Small gaps, overlooked openings, and conditions that don’t seem like a big deal at first glance.
A gap under a door.
A break in the foundation.
An opening around the structure.
These are the kinds of things that allow pests and wildlife to get in.
Most of the time, the issue isn’t complicated — it’s just something that went unnoticed.
Once that opening exists, it becomes an easy access point.
From there, the problem develops.
That’s why I spend a lot of time looking at the structure itself.
Not just what’s inside — but how it got there in the first place.
Because if the access point isn’t addressed, the problem usually comes back.

Tahoma Specialty Pest Services
509-978-7830
tahomapest.com

What Attracts Pest?

Pest problems don’t usually start with the pest.
They start with conditions.
Things like overflowing garbage, gaps around doors, overgrown vegetation, and materials stored against the structure all create opportunities for pests and wildlife to move in.
For example:
Overflowing garbage can attract a wide range of pests, from insects to rodents and even larger wildlife.
Gaps under doors or around the structure provide easy entry points, especially for rodents.
Overgrown vegetation creates cover and shelter, allowing pests to move undetected right up to the home.
Firewood or debris stacked against the house can hold moisture and provide harborage for insects and other pests.
In many cases, these conditions go unnoticed until a problem develops.
That’s why pest control isn’t just about sprays and traps.
Those tools have their place, but if the underlying conditions aren’t addressed, the problem often returns.
When I look at a property, I’m not just looking for pests — I’m looking at what’s allowing them to be there in the first place.
That may involve:
identifying entry points
pointing out attractants
recommending changes to the property
Sometimes the solution involves treatment.
Sometimes it involves correcting conditions.
Sometimes it involves both.
In some cases, I can take care of those corrections directly. In others, I’ll point you in the right direction and help guide the process.
The goal is to solve the issue — not just treat the symptoms.
Tahoma Specialty Pest Services
509-978-7830
tahomapest.com

Why Wildlife Can’t Just Be Relocated (And What Actually Works)

A common question is whether wildlife can simply be trapped and relocated somewhere else.
It sounds like a straightforward solution—but in most cases, it’s not allowed, and it’s not effective.

In Washington, relocating wildlife is heavily regulated. Outside of very specific situations (such as certain beaver relocations under proper permitting), both the public and licensed operators are generally not allowed to trap and relocate animals to a new area.
There are good reasons for this.
Most wildlife is territorial. Moving an animal into a new area often puts it into conflict with others already established there.
Survival rates after relocation are also low. Animals depend on familiar food sources, shelter, and travel patterns. When moved, they often struggle to adapt.
Because of this, relocation is usually not the responsible solution.
In most cases, the options are limited to:
releasing the animal on-site (when appropriate), or
resolving the issue in a way that addresses the problem directly
That’s why the focus of professional wildlife control isn’t just on the animal—it’s on the conflict.

As I often tell customers:
“My job is to eliminate conflicts, not necessarily eliminate critters.”

That can involve identifying how the animal is accessing the area, correcting conditions that are attracting it, or using techniques like harassment and hazing to encourage it to move on.
Not every situation requires removal, and not every job should be done. In some cases, the right approach is simply understanding what’s happening and letting wildlife be.
Tahoma Specialty Pest Services takes a practical, conservation-minded approach—focused on solving problems while respecting the role wildlife plays in the environment.

Tahoma Specialty Pest Services
509-978-7830
tahomapest.com

Why You’re Starting to See More Spiders Around Your Home

  As temperatures begin to warm up, it’s common to start noticing more spider activity around homes.
While spiders are often seen as the problem, they’re usually a sign of something else going on.
Spiders follow food.
As insect activity increases in the spring, spiders begin to show up in areas where food is available. This often includes:
• around exterior lighting
• along siding and eaves
• near entry points
• inside garages and basements
In many cases, the presence of spiders indicates that other insects are active in and around the structure.
Because of this, focusing only on spiders doesn’t usually address the root of the issue.
Effective control comes from reducing the underlying insect activity and maintaining a consistent exterior treatment around the home.
As overall pest pressure increases through the season, spider activity often follows the same pattern.
Tahoma Specialty Pest Services
509-978-7830
tahomapest.com

Why Ant Problems Keep Coming Back (And What Actually Works)

Ant problems are one of the most common issues homeowners deal with, especially as temperatures begin to warm up.
What most people don’t realize is that the way ants are treated often determines whether the problem actually goes away — or keeps coming back.
One of the biggest mistakes is using over-the-counter sprays inside the home.
With species like odorous house ants, spraying can actually make the problem worse. Instead of eliminating the colony, it can cause it to split and spread, leading to more activity in multiple areas.
Effective treatment focuses on the colony itself.
Interior treatments typically involve placing baits where ants are actively foraging. These baits are carried back to the colony, allowing it to be eliminated at the source.
On the exterior, treatments are applied around the structure to create a barrier and reduce incoming activity. Depending on conditions, this may involve liquid applications or granular materials during wetter periods.
Because materials don’t last indefinitely, and because ant pressure can change throughout the season, ongoing treatment is often the most effective way to maintain control.
At Tahoma Specialty Pest Services, we typically recommend service three times per year to stay ahead of activity.
We also take a different approach than many companies — there are no contracts. We call it satisfaction-based service. If you’re happy with the service and want it to continue, we keep going. If not, we don’t.
Ant treatments can also help reduce other crawling insects, including spiders, as part of the same process.
Tahoma Specialty Pest Services
509-978-7830
tahomapest.com

Where Animals Start Getting Into Homes Around Spokane in Early Spring

As temperatures begin to warm around Spokane, pest and wildlife activity begins to increase.
One of the most common issues this time of year isn’t just the animals themselves — it’s how they get into structures in the first place.
Many homes have small openings that go unnoticed until activity starts picking up in spring.
Common entry points include:
• gaps along rooflines and eaves
• attic vents and soffit openings
• areas where utilities enter the home
• damaged or loose vent screens
• gaps along foundations or under siding
Wildlife like squirrels, raccoons, and rodents are especially good at finding these weak points. Once inside, they can nest in attics, crawlspaces, or wall voids.
In many cases, the problem isn’t just removing the animal — it’s identifying and addressing the entry point that allowed it in.
Spring is often when these issues first become noticeable, as animals become more active and begin looking for shelter or nesting locations.
If you’re hearing movement, noticing damage, or seeing signs of activity, there’s usually a structural reason behind it.
Tahoma Specialty Pest Services
509-978-7830
tahomapest.com