Washington has its share of unwanted and invasive species in our area. For example, White-nose syndrome, which is incredibly dangerous to bats, and could push some bat species towards extinction, has arrived in Washington and a drop in bat populations will mean a significant increase in populations of the insects that they prey on, some of which are agricultural pests.
Another example is the Asian Giant Hornets (Murder Hornets), which seriously threaten Washington honeybees and the honeybee industry. While the extent of possible damage to Washington’s honeybee industry is not yet known, a similar hornet in Europe has reduced beehives by 30 percent and up to two-thirds of the honey yield.
Lastly, European starlings and sparrows are aggressively taking over the nests of woodpeckers and other birds. These same birds invade other things, too, like your home. They aren’t the only wildlife trying to find food, water, and shelter in your home. Raccoons, snakes, squirrels, opossums, and skunks are just a few more examples of Olympia wildlife becoming a nuisance in developed areas.
What are some of the most common wildlife issues that homeowners face in your area? The most common wildlife issues we face here are Raccoons, Squirrels, Opossum, Skunks, and rodents.
How do the seasons affect wildlife activity in your area? Wildlife activity will vary depending on season, with a large spike in activity in Spring when the babies are born. Squirrels have 2 litters per year, so we get an additional uptick of squirrel activity in the fall. Rodents like rats and mice are steady all year long around.
What are some common signs of nuisance wildlife activity? Common signs of wildlife activity range from subtle things like strange smells coming from the attic or crawlspace, scurrying or scratching sounds at night, or blatant like new holes chewed in your house or seeing a raccoon go through one of your foundation vents.
Any prevention or exclusion tips for residents in your area? Eliminating easy food sources like garbage or pet food will decrease the likelihood of wildlife coming to your home, as well as cleaning up debris and other garbage that can hide them.
When should homeowners call you? Homeowners should call us at the first sign that something out of the ordinary is happening. The earlier an issue is found, the easier it is to fix.