In the Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington area, we have a lot of different pests that can invade our homes. If you are new to the area, you might expect that termites are a big issue for the northwest, but this is not nearly as big a problem as it is in the southern states. Up here, we mostly deal with nuisance pests, but we have our fair share of wood destroying pests as well. Here is a list of the most common pest issues that you will find in the Portland Metro area.
Sugar Ants
Odorous house ants (most commonly called “sugar ants”) are our most common pest that we treat for at New Leaf Pest Control. Every house will have these pests at some point. They are very common and are a type of soil ant that comes from the ground around your home and makes their way into your walls. They are foragers and will easily find any food or liquids that are left out, which is why you generally see them in a kitchen or a bathroom.
Rodents
Mice and rats are everywhere in both urban and rural areas of Portland. They will often get into your house when you have open or damaged foundation vent screens, but they can easily burrow underneath a foundation footing and get into your crawlspace. Rodents leave a lot of contamination and should be addressed immediately if you think you have them. It is important to not only get rid of the rodent infestation, but also get rid of the contamination that they leave behind. Sometimes this means having a crawlspace restoration to clean up after the rodents.
Carpenter Ants
The most common wood destroying pest that we have in the Portland Metro area is a carpenter ant. These ants will infest homes and damage the structure. Many people see these ants around the home and do not realize that they are a wood destroying pest. They are a larger black ant, but unlike sugar ants, they can come in a variety of sizes ranging from small (nearly the size of a sugar ant) to large black ants with wings. If you do see ant that fits this description, it should be addressed before damages take place.
Wasps and Bees
During the summer months, we get a huge influx of calls for bee and wasp removal. Honey bees are beneficial to the world around us and should not be exterminated. Instead, we recommend calling a beekeeper to have them removed. Wasps, hornets and yellowjackets are another story and pose a threat to people in the area of where they make their nests. These should be approached with caution and wasps (hornets and yellowjackets are a type of wasp) can be very aggressive, especially in late summer.
Spiders
There is a huge variety of spiders in our area. Some spiders in your garden are beneficial and should be left alone, but many can pose a threat. Although we do not get many of the dangerous spiders in our area (black widow, brown recluse, etc), they can be found from time to time. The most common type of spider that we see that can pose a serious risk is a Hobo Spider. Hobo spiders do look very similar to an aptly named spider called a “Giant House Spider” that is very common in our area. Either way, spiders are unpleasant and should be exterminated from the home.
There are many other pest issues that we see around the area including cockroaches, beetles and many other nuisance wildlife, but the above list is what is most common in the Portland Metro area. If you are having issues with any pest and would like some help, please call us at New Leaf Pest Control today.