One of the great joys of visiting the North Cascades is the abundance of little critters that can be viewed almost constantly. The verdant array of species and colors, sounds and sometimes smells can accentuate any hike. What is not as fun is when they enter the cabin in search of food or warmth. Lookout Mountain Concierge works frequently with local business AhhRats R. Dean Henry to keep pests at bay. Learning about the best ways to avoid problems before they start has been an interesting experience.
The best defense is a good offense. The first step in prevention of pests is to make sure they can’t get inside. The first areas to check are the most obvious. Look at all the windows and doors for gaps or areas where you can see light. Any place where there is an opening for heat, plumbing or ventilation is a nice spot to get inside. Check under the house for any spaces or voids that can house them. Adding certain accessories can help encourage beneficial species to house near, but not inside the house.
For the comfort of the guest, most, if not all of the windows should have screens. To avoid issues with insects, be sure the mesh is small enough to keep them out. Check frequently for holes as corvids are fond of pecking holes where they see lights shining through the window. One way to avoid frequent replacement would be to install black, aluminum screens. The color black creates invisibility so any view is not obscured. The aluminum is more difficult for the crows, ravens and steller’s jays to poke through. Keep items with small charging lights away from windows as the light can attract the birds.
Mice can enter a space much smaller than one might expect, so doors should have no light present around the borders. This can also prevent spiders, ants and other small bugs from entering the home. Many off-grid homes, especially in the Marblemount area, were built with what was on hand. Second hand items don’t necessarily fit as snugly as one might like. Installing some well fitting door seals can help seal any gaps, ensuring better heat retention as well!
Other gaps that might be lurking would be entry points for washer/dryer, stove, heater, water heater, dishwasher, propane appliances and anywhere else there are small openings in the construction. Stuffing small holes with steel wool and foam insulation can close small gaps while adding boards or other substrate to prevent entry may be a better solution for larger voids.
Once all the gaps and voids have been addressed, the next area of prevention is the kitchen. Be sure that boxes and bags of food are kept in solid, sealed containers to avoid nibbles from mice. Sugar and other granular items should be kept in airtight resealable containers to prevent clumping from humidity and keep out invaders.
Dean is ready to step in if the outside still wants to get inside! From prevention to bait traps to monthly services, Dean understands the life cycles and the habits of the kinds of life from the forest that likes to live in our homes.
Creating a barrier between the outside and the inside is a comprehensive activity, rather than a one shot project. Plan to pay attention to troublesome areas and check for signs of mice or insects. Have your cleaners check traps on a regular basis.
AahRats Pest Control
R. Dean Henry
deanhenry@aahratspestcontrol.com
425-791-5505
