One day, your garage is pristine, and the next day, you find droppings by your beloved holiday decorations or scratch marks on your cardboard boxes. Unfortunately, Washington’s wet, cold winters are the perfect storm for unwelcome visitors looking to hunker down in your garage. During November to February, temperatures in Kent start dropping into the mid-30s, and rain becomes almost a daily ritual. Pests see your garage as a haven from the cold, harsh conditions outside.
The issue is not only an annoyance; these unwelcome guests can destroy your possessions, spoil food, and pose a hazard to your family’s health. And if you are battling an ugly infestation, hiring Saela Pest Control can save you from wasting time, cash, and energy.
Why Washington’s Winter Climate Drives Pests Indoors
Washington winters do not see the brutal cold that plagues other parts of the state, but the moisture and temperate conditions combine to make things just right for pests. Kent receives about 38 inches of rainfall each year, with most falling between October and March. That never-ending moisture forces rodents, insects, and other pests to hunt for dry cover, and your garage, with its little openings and understudied doorways, is prime real estate. Whereas intense cold can eliminate pest populations, insects remain relatively active year-round because winters in Washington are not extreme.
Common Winter Pests Found in Washington Garages
- Rodents (Mice and Rats)
During the winter months, rodents are the number one cause of garage invasions in Kent. They can wriggle through cracks as small as a quarter-inch, so even well-maintained garages are often at risk. Local pest control data shows that rodent activity surges by approximately 40% in King County during the winter months when rodents are in search of warmth and food sources.
- Spiders
The moisture in Washington’s climate helps spiders reproduce, and garages are an excellent, quiet place to spin their webs. Although the majority of spiders seen in the local area are harmless, some, like the hobo spider and the giant house spider, common in Kent, can be frightening and may bite when provoked.
- Silverfish
These humid-loving insects enjoy the high moisture of the Pacific Northwest. Silverfish eat paper, cardboard, and fabrics, all of which are stored in garages. They tend to hide in boxes or behind stored items where humidity is likely to build up.
- Carpenter Ants
Winter may hit Ohio and other states hard every year, but carpenter ants hibernate in Washington only when they can find shelter indoors. Kent garages can be susceptible to heavy rainfall, which can lead to moisture-damaged wood that attracts these damaging bugs.
- Stink Bugs
With temperatures dipping, Brown marmorated stink bugs are on the hunt to set up indoor camps and become more prevalent in Washington. Although they have no intention of causing damage to your property, they become undesirable visitors in your garage when disturbed, releasing a pungent, sharp-smelling defense..
When to Call Professional Pest Control in Washington
Now, these DIYs are not always going to work, particularly with an established infestation. When your preventive measures are not doing much to keep pests away, it is time to call the professionals. If you are seeing active nests, droppings scattered all over your garage, or have structural damage from carpenter ants or rodents, then you need a professional. Often, Kent residents with ongoing pest issues rely on services like Saela Pest Control, which offers year-round protection plans tailored to Washington weather. They are familiar with the Pacific Northwest’s seasonal pest patterns and can identify entry points you may have overlooked. When it threatens our health, like rodent droppings carrying hantavirus and some spider bites needing medical attention, professional pest control is paramount. Instead of dropping cash on countless proprietary solutions that only treat the symptoms, a pro can quickly identify the underlying problem and provide custom-fit solutions, ensuring you never have to worry about lag again.
