Orb Pest Solutions Blog

Fall Pest Control Checklist for Everett, WA Homeowners

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 23:41:08 GMT

Prepare your Everett home for Cooler Weather and Help Prevent Common Fall Pests from Moving Indoors.

As temperatures begin to drop across Everett and the surrounding area, pests start looking for warm, sheltered places to escape the changing weather. Your home can quickly become an attractive refuge for rodents, spiders, ants, and other seasonal pests.

The good news? A few simple preventative steps can help reduce the chances of unwanted pests making themselves comfortable indoors this fall.

Use this fall pest control checklist to prepare your Everett home and catch potential pest problems before they become bigger issues.

Why Fall Is an Important Time for Pest Prevention

As outdoor temperatures change, pests naturally adjust their behavior. Some insects become less active outdoors, while rodents and other pests may begin searching for protected areas.

Homes with accessible crawl spaces, garages, attics, sheds , and other sheltered areas can be particularly attractive.

Fall home maintenance isn't just about cleaning gutters and preparing your heating system. Taking a few minutes to look for pest entry points can also help keep unwanted visitors outside.

1. Inspect the Outside of Your Home

Walk around your property and look closely at the exterior of your home.

Check for:

-Cracks in the foundation

-Gaps around doors and windows

-Openings around pipes and utility lines

-Damaged screens

-Gaps around garage doors

-Holes or deteriorating areas around siding

-Openings leading into crawl spaces or attics

Seal appropriate gaps and repair damaged areas as part of your regular fall home maintenance.

2. Inspect Your Attic and Crawl Space

Attics and crawl spaces can be attractive shelter for rodents and other pests.

During your fall inspection, look for signs such as droppings, nesting materials, unusual odors, gnaw marks, or damaged insulation.

If you discover signs of pest activity, avoid disturbing nests or wildlife and consider contacting a pest-control professional for an inspection.

3. Gutter Cleaning and Roof Inspection

Clean gutters and inspect the roof during the fall to help prevent pests from entering or nesting around the home. Remove fallen leaves, debris, and standing water from gutters, and check the roof for holes, cracks, or damaged shingles. Sealing these openings and keeping gutters clean can help keep insects and rodents out as the weather gets colder.

4. Store Firewood Away From the Home

It is important to store firewood away from your home in the fall because firewood can attract insects, rodents, and other pests. Keeping it away from the house also reduces the risk of mold and moisture damage. Firewood should be stacked off the ground and covered on top to keep it dry while allowing air to circulate.

5. Remove Leaves and Vegetation Trimmed Along the Home

Removing leaves and trimming vegetation around your home helps prevent pests from finding places to hide and keeps moisture from building up near your house. It also keeps gutters, drains, and walkways clear and helps prevent mold and decay.

Ready to get your home fall-ready?

Now is the time to check your property and complete these important seasonal maintenance tasks. If you need professional help, contact Orb Pest Solutions to schedule an inspection or learn more about how we can help protect your home this fall.

5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Pest Control Company.

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:18:34 GMT

What to know about pest treatments, safety, guarantees, and follow-up services before choosing a pest control professional in Everett, WA, and surrounding areas.

Finding pests in your home or business can be stressful. Whether you're dealing with ants, wasps, rodents, spiders, or another unwanted pest, choosing the right pest control company is an important decision.

Before hiring a pest control company in Everett, WA, or the surrounding areas , it's helpful to ask a few important questions.

Five Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Pest Control Company

1. What types of pest do I have?

A professional pest control technician should begin by identifying the pest causing the problem.

Different pests require different treatment methods.

Proper pest identification is an important first step toward developing an effective treatment plan.

2. Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

Your pest control company should explain any safety precautions you need to follow.

Depending on the treatment, you may need to leave the property temporarily or keep children and pets away from treated areas.

Ask:

"How long should people and pets stay away from the treated area?"

Always follow the technician's instructions and applicable product-label directions.

3. Do I Need to Prepare My Home Before Treatment?

Some pest control services require preparation before the technician arrives.

You may need to remove clutter, store food properly, clean certain areas, move furniture, or provide access to specific parts of the property.

Ask the company for preparation instructions before your appointment so you know exactly what needs to be done.

4.Are Your Technicians Licensed and Insured?

Ask whether the company and its technicians meet the licensing requirements applicable in your area.

This is particularly important when pest control treatments involve pesticides, specialized equipment, or structural pest issues.

5. Do You Offer Recurring Pest Control Services?

If you're dealing with recurring pest activity, ask whether the company offers an ongoing pest management program.

Recurring service may include scheduled inspections, preventive treatments, and monitoring.

Before signing up, ask:

How often will a technician visit?

Which pests are covered?

What does each visit include?

Are follow-up treatments included?

Can I cancel or change the service?

The right service frequency depends on your property and pest concerns.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a pest control company is an important decision for homeowners and businesses. Before scheduling service, ask questions about pest identification, treatment methods, safety, pricing, follow-up visits, guarantees, and prevention .

If you're looking for pest control in Everett, WA, or nearby communities , asking these questions can help you understand what you're getting before treatment begins.

A trustworthy pest control professional should be willing to explain the problem, answer your questions, and provide clear information about the recommended service.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. The more you understand about the treatment, the better prepared you can be to protect your property from unwanted pests.

Why Am I Seeing More Spiders in Snohomish County?

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 23:51:36 GMT

Understanding the Seasonal Spider Increase—and What You Can Do About It

If you've noticed more spiders around your home lately, you're not imagining it. Homeowners throughout Snohomish County often notice an increase in spider activity during late summer and early fall.

From large webs around porches and windows to spiders appearing in garages, basements, and even inside the house, this seasonal increase can be surprising. The good news is that seeing more spiders doesn't necessarily mean your home is infested. In many cases, it's simply part of the spider life cycle and the changing seasons.

Here's why you're seeing more spiders around your Snohomish County home and what you can do to reduce their presence.

Fall Is Prime Spider Season

Late summer and fall are when many common spiders have reached adulthood. As they mature, male spiders become more active as they search for females and mates . This increased movement can make spiders seem like they are suddenly appearing everywhere.

In other words, fall isn't necessarily when spiders suddenly arrive—it's when many of them are fully grown, actively reproducing, and much easier to spot .

You may notice larger spiders crossing sidewalks, patios, garages, and other areas as males move around in search of females. Females may also be highly visible in their webs, where they wait for prey and, depending on the species, encounter potential mates.

This is also why those impressive webs seem to be everywhere. Mature spiders are actively building and maintaining webs, and the cooler, damp mornings of fall can make those webs especially easy to see.

So if you're seeing more spiders around your Snohomish County home in September and October, there's a good chance you're witnessing a normal part of their seasonal life cycle

More Insects Can Mean More Spiders

Spiders follow their food.

If your property has lots of flies, moths, mosquitoes, beetles, or other insects, it can become an attractive hunting ground for spiders.

Outdoor lighting can contribute as well. Lights attract many flying insects at night, which can in turn attract spiders looking for an easy meal.

Keeping exterior lights off when they aren't needed may help reduce insect activity around doors and windows—and potentially reduce the number of spiders nearby.

How to Reduce Spiders Around Your Home

If you'd rather see fewer spiders, a few basic steps can make your property less attractive to them:

-Seal cracks and gaps around doors, windows, and the foundation.

-Repair damaged screens.

-Keep vegetation and shrubs trimmed away from the house.

-Remove clutter from garages, sheds, and other storage areas.

-Reduce unnecessary outdoor lighting at night.

-Keep outdoor areas relatively clean and free of debris.

-Address other insect problems that may be providing spiders with a food source.

-Regularly remove visible webs from exterior areas.

Ready to Get Rid of Spiders Around Your Home?

Don’t let spiders take over your home. Orb Pest Solutions can help reduce spider activity and keep your home more comfortable and pest-free. Our professional pest control team will identify areas of activity and recommend an effective solution for your home.

Call Orb Pest Solutions today to schedule your spider inspection and take the first step toward a spider-free home!

Wasp Nest Removal in Snohomish County: Why a Full Home Assessment Matters

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 23:51:31 GMT

One Wasp Nest? Here’s How Professional Wasp Removal Can Help

If you’ve found a wasp nest around your home, you may be wondering, “Can I get wasp removal for just one nest?” The answer is yes. You don’t necessarily need a full-home pest control plan to address a single active wasp nest.

At Orb Pest Solutions , we help homeowners dealing with wasps and other stinging insects. If you have one nest near your home, garage, roofline, patio, deck, or another frequently used area, professional wasp removal can help address the problem before it becomes a bigger nuisance.

Do I Need Pest Control for Just One Wasp Nest?

A single wasp nest can contain numerous active wasps. While the nest may appear relatively small, disturbing it can cause wasps to become defensive.

This is especially concerning when a nest is located near:

Understanding Nest Locations

A single wasp nest can contain numerous active wasps. While the nest may appear relatively small, disturbing it can cause wasps to become defensive.

Where do pests typically build nests?

Doors and entrances

Patios and decks

Play areas

Outdoor seating

Garages and sheds

Roof eaves and gutters

Attics and other parts of the home

How can I identify a nest location?

If you’ve noticed increased wasp activity around one specific area of your property, there may be an active nest nearby.

What should I do if I find a nest?

Do not attempt to remove it yourself, as this can be dangerous. Contact Orb Pest Solutions for expert removal and prevention strategies tailored to your home. We will inspect the area, determine where the wasps are coming from, and recommend an appropriate treatment based on the location and activity of the nest.

Whether you’ve discovered a nest around your home or are seeing wasps repeatedly entering and leaving a specific area, professional inspection can help determine the best course of action.

Why is nest removal important?

It can be tempting to leave a nest alone if you’re only seeing a few wasps. However, an active colony can become increasingly noticeable as the season progresses.

Wasps may also become defensive when their nest is approached or disturbed. This can make DIY removal particularly risky, especially if the nest is located near an entrance, children's play area, or other high-traffic part of your property.

Professional wasp nest removal gives you a safer way to address the problem without putting yourself unnecessarily close to an active colony.

Schedule Your Wasp Inspection with Orb Pest Solutions

Are wasps invading your space? At Orb Pest Solutions, we specialize in safe and effective wasp nest removal. Our experienced team understands the importance of protecting your home while ensuring the safety of beneficial bees. Don’t let wasps disrupt your peace—contact us today for a thorough inspection and prompt removal services!