Rats or mice? How to tell which one is in your Seattle home
Droppings, sounds, timing and entry size tell rats from mice. A Seattle guide to identifying what is in the walls before you choose a treatment.
Read the guideGuides for Seattle homes
Straight answers on the pests Seattle sees most. Identification tips, seasonal checklists and honest pricing, written by Marjorie Tidwell, our pest prevention writer.
In short: Pick a guide below for self-checks and prevention steps. If you are dealing with active pests right now, call (206) 944-0849; we answer 24/7.


Most Seattle pest problems trace back to two things this region has plenty of: moisture and older construction with small gaps. The guides below show what to look for and what you can safely do yourself.

All guides
Droppings, sounds, timing and entry size tell rats from mice. A Seattle guide to identifying what is in the walls before you choose a treatment.
Read the guideBig black ants or winged insects in spring? How Seattle homeowners can tell carpenter ants from dampwood termites by wings, waist, frass and damage.
Read the guideBefore October rains push rats and mice indoors, check vents, gaps, food and yard. A practical fall rodent-proofing checklist for Seattle homes.
Read the guideMost Seattle homes sit over a crawl space. Learn the smells, sounds and visible signs that rodents, ants or moisture problems are building below the floor.
Read the guideAugust and September bring peak yellow jacket activity in Seattle. How to spot ground nests, avoid stings and protect outdoor meals safely.
Read the guideBig fast spiders crossing the floor in September are usually harmless giant house spiders. Why they show up in fall and how to reduce them in Seattle.
Read the guideTiny dark ants that smell like coconut when crushed are odorous house ants. Why they invade Seattle kitchens in spring and how baiting beats spraying.
Read the guideA simple post-travel routine to check luggage and clothes for bed bugs, plus signs to look for at home and when an inspection makes sense.
Read the guideTypical Seattle pest control prices for one-time treatments, quarterly plans, rodent work, exclusion and cleanup, plus what moves the price up or down.
Read the guideTalk to a technician
Describe what you are seeing and a technician will tell you what it is and what to do next.
Call (206) 944-0849Answered 24/7 from our Seattle service office.
Find the office
Our service office sits at 1440 5th Ave in Seattle, with the head office over in Aberdeen. Calls route to a person, not a queue, any hour.