Category: Uncategorized

Why Ground Squirrels Are More Than Just A Nuisance

Ground squirrels are a common sight throughout Eastern Washington, especially around agricultural properties, pastures, hay fields, and rural acreages.
While many people see them as harmless wildlife, large populations can create significant problems for both property owners and livestock.
The most obvious issue is burrowing.
Ground squirrels create extensive tunnel systems that weaken soil and leave holes throughout fields, pastures, and grassy areas. For horse owners, these burrows can be especially concerning. A missed hole in a pasture can create a serious injury risk if a horse steps into it while running or playing.
Ground squirrels can also contribute to:
damage to pastures and forage areas
loss of desirable vegetation
soil erosion around burrow systems
damage to irrigation and agricultural infrastructure
increased attraction of predators and scavengers
Like many wildlife issues, small populations can quickly become large populations if left unmanaged.
Effective control depends on the property, the surrounding environment, and the presence of non-target wildlife. Management strategies may include population reduction, burrow monitoring, habitat considerations, and ongoing maintenance to keep numbers under control.
The goal isn’t simply removing animals. It’s protecting the property, livestock, and resources that are being impacted by their activity.
Tahoma Specialty Pest Services
509-978-7830
tahomapest.com

Sometimes The Pest Isn’t The Problem

One of the most common misconceptions about pest control is that the pest itself is always the problem.
In reality, many pest issues are symptoms of something else.
Ants may indicate a moisture issue, food source, or structural condition that’s attracting them.
Spiders are often a sign that other insects are present.
Rodents usually don’t appear by accident. They’re finding food, water, shelter, or an easy way inside.
Even nuisance wildlife is often responding to conditions around a property. Accessible garbage, pet food, bird seed, damaged vents, and unsealed entry points can all contribute to ongoing conflicts.
That’s why effective pest management isn’t just about applying products or setting traps.
It’s about understanding why the pest is there in the first place.
When I inspect a property, I’m looking for the conditions contributing to the problem:
-entry points
-moisture issues
-food sources
-harborage areas
-structural deficiencies
-landscaping concerns
Sometimes treatment is part of the solution.
Sometimes exclusion is the solution.
Sometimes a simple change in conditions solves the problem entirely.
The goal isn’t just removing what’s there today.
The goal is preventing the problem from coming back tomorrow.
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

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

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

Marmots Are Waking Up Around Spokane

With spring approaching in the Inland Northwest, one of the first nuisance wildlife problems to reappear around Spokane is marmots.
Also known as rock chucks or whistle pigs, these large burrowing rodents spend most of the winter in deep hibernation. As temperatures begin to warm, they start emerging hungry and ready to reclaim territory.
For homeowners, that’s often when the trouble begins.

Where They Show Up Around Homes
In the Spokane area.

Marmots commonly burrow around:
-Retaining walls                                              -Concrete slabs
-Rock landscaping
-Foundations
-Decks and sheds
These burrow systems can extend 15–30 feet underground, and over time they can undermine structures and cause settling or collapse.
Areas along the Spokane River corridor and the I-90 area tend to see particularly heavy marmot activity.

Signs You Might Have Marmots Nearby

Homeowners usually notice:
Large burrow openings (6–10 inches wide)
Fresh dirt piles near rocks or structures
Chewed vegetation or garden damage
Marmots sunning themselves on rocks or retaining walls A sharp whistling alarm call (where the nickname whistle pig comes from)

Why Early Spring Matters

When marmots wake up from hibernation they immediately start:
Feeding heavily
Reestablishing territory
Preparing for breeding season
Addressing activity early in the season can prevent larger problems later in the year.
If you’re seeing marmot activity around your property in the Spokane area, early intervention is often the best approach.

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

#Spokane

#marmots

Tahoma Specialty Pest Services Launches Newly Redesigned Website for Spokane area Homeowners

Over the past several weeks, we’ve been working behind the scenes on a complete overhaul of the Tahoma Specialty Pest Services website.

The new site is now live:
👉 https://tahomapest.com

The goal wasn’t to make it flashy.

It was to make it clearer, easier to navigate, and better aligned with how we actually approach pest and wildlife problems in the Spokane, and Inland Northwest region.

Why the Redesign?

Pest and wildlife issues are stressful enough.

When homeowners go looking for information, they shouldn’t have to dig through cluttered pages or vague service descriptions.

The updated site was built to be:

  • Cleaner
  • Easier to understand
  • More direct
  • More transparent about our process

Our work has always centered on thorough inspection, structural awareness, and long-term solutions. The redesigned website reflects that clearly.

What’s Improved

The new site includes:

  • Clearer explanations of rodent and wildlife control
  • Better breakdowns of inspection and exclusion work
  • More detailed service pages
  • A simplified contact process
  • Improved mobile experience

Spokane homeowners deserve straightforward information when dealing with structural pest or wildlife issues. The new layout makes that easier.

Built for Spokane

Homes in Spokane and the surrounding areas have specific structural patterns and seasonal pressures. The updated site speaks directly to those realities.

No hype. No gimmicks. Just clear information and a structured approach to solving problems correctly.

If you haven’t visited yet:

👉 https://tahomapest.com

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