Tacoma, Washington, is a vibrant city known as T-Town. It has a history tied to its busy waterfront. Tacoma hosts the largest deep-water port in Washington State. This unique spot on Commencement Bay creates a perfect environment for pests.
Rodents thrive where shipping lanes meet parks and older neighborhoods. The constant moisture and cool weather of Western Washington help them live year-round.
They are always searching for food and warm shelter. This intense search makes local homes its top target. Dealing with these unique port-city invaders needs expert local knowledge.
If you are struggling with this issue, you need professional help now. For effective solutions and peace of mind, you can find expert services at saelapest.com. This challenge is a serious one for Tacoma homeowners.
Tacoma’s Unique Rodent Residents
Tacoma is home to several kinds of rodents. The most troubling are the Norway rat and the roof rat. The common house mouse is also a major pest. You can also find deer mice, packrats, and voles here.
Tacoma’s varied landscape supports large rodent numbers. Parks, greenbelts, and other natural areas offer them safe places to hide. They find steady food sources close to people. They eat pet food, open trash, fallen fruit, and bird seed.
Once they find a stable food supply, they look for warmth. They settle in and quickly start building nests. Older homes in Tacoma offer many easy entry points. Vents and structural gaps can loosen over time.
Even new homes can have problems if landscaping is too close to the structure. Knowing the exact species helps a lot with control.
The Difference in Dock Rats
The two main types of rats show very different habits. The Norway rat is large and has a heavy body. Its fur is brown, and its belly is lighter. This rat stays near the ground. It is an expert digger.
Norway rats make burrows along foundations and fences. They often live near sewers and crawl spaces. Their thick, scaly tail is shorter than their body. They chew constantly on hard materials. This includes wood, wires, and plastic pipes.
The roof rat is a thin, speedy rodent. It is usually black or dark brown. You can spot it by its huge ears and extra-long tail. The tail is actually longer than its body. Roof rats are amazing climbers. They travel easily using things like tree limbs, utility wires, and fences.
They commonly get inside houses high up, often using roof openings or attic vents. Like other rats, both types leave behind small droppings and dirty, greasy marks wherever they travel.
The Serious Damage They Cause
Dealing with rodents is a dual threat to your family’s health and your house’s structure. Rodents carry many different diseases, making them very unsafe. For example, Deer mice are known to carry the Hantavirus.
Touching their waste or nesting materials is risky. Rats and mice must chew nonstop to keep their teeth short. They will gnaw through almost anything they find. They cause damage to drywall and insulation.
They chew through electric wires and plastic pipes. Wires that have been chewed create a major fire risk for any home. Their waste leaves behind a strong, stinky odor that stays around. They also draw in other pests, like fleas.
This ongoing damage slowly weakens your home. If you see small droppings, teeth marks, or hear noises, you need to act right away.
Get Help From a Professional Pest Control Agency
Rodents remain active all year in the Tacoma area. The unique blend of port activity and older housing demands specialized control methods. Effective protection starts with the proper identification and sealing of every entry point.
Do not try to solve a rodent invasion on your own. Professional pest control offers the lasting solutions that Tacoma homes need.
Saela Pest provides reliable pest control services. They focus on effective rodent removal and exclusion. You can find solutions tailored for the unique challenges of Western Washington. Visit their site and protect your home today!