Rodent Problems?

Are rodents a problem around your home or vehicle?

Unfortunately, rodents are difficult to control since we live in a wooded area (and impossible to completely eliminate). Rodents seek shelter & food -- so they will try to nest in unsealed crawl spaces & unattended cars, especially if they can find even the tiniest food source. And professional rodent control is very expensive -- and experience shows that even the best control is not entirely effective.

Fortunately there are some simple things we can each do:

• For HOMES, we should be sure that crawlspace vent screens are intact. Rodents can easily get in through broken vent screens.
• For VEHICLES, it helps to carefully clean all food crumbs & wrappers out. This stuff attracts rodents & makes a car an inviting home. It is also smart not to leave your car sitting for several days; it's good to drive it (or at least move it) frequently. Sedintary, unattended cars are rodent targets.
• For OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, it's important that we all take steps to prevent & pick-up wind-blown garbage. This stuff gives rodents a buffet to enjoy, and makes them feel right at home. We must all use straps (or locking lids) on garbage cans to keep them tightly shut & garbage in.

Homeowners are welcome to try traps or sticky boards inside their homes or vehicles. (Poison is also an option, but poison can often cause rodents to die in a crawlspaces -- a stinky problem, worth avoiding.)

Join the Conversation! Pest Control.

Some homeowners have recently voiced concern about "bug problems" in our community (particularly hornets & ants). Consider this:

• Hornets have been a big problem recently. As of last week, of the 44 homes in Mt. Si Cottages, 37 homes had at least two nests visible. Fourteen homes had three or more nests. One cottage alone had 9 hanging nests! Yowsa! Late last week we had an exterminator remove these nests, to hopefully resolve the concern.
  
  
• Most homes have ants around the foundation. Since we live "in the wilderness", this is pretty common. But some homeowners are concerned that ants are getting inside. Fortunately they are not destructive ants, but they can be annoying.

How big of a problem do you think the bugs are? Considering the VERY high cost of pest control, is pest control something to prioritize in the budget? (Or to allocate money from the emergency fund for?) Or, would you prefer to use the money for other things?

Bees?

Do you have bees or wasp nests? Please call The CWD Group at 206-706-8000 and ask to speak with Sandy to report the locations of the nests. The pest control company is coming to Mount Si Cottages on Friday, August 21st so please let CWD know as soon as possible if you know of any nests that need to be removed.