The Pacific NW is a perfect habitat for rats to thrive in. In the Pacific Northwest we have two primary species of rats: The Common or Norway Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) and the Black Rat (Rattus-Rattus), also referred to as the Roof Rat, Ship Rat, or House Rat.

There are two primary species of mice that you may encounter in the Pacific Northwest…the Deer Mouse and the House Mouse. The primary differentiator between the two species is the color of their bellies. Deer Mice have a white belly. House Mice have a brown colored belly.

Cockroaches are prolific and adapt extremely well to the environment in which they live. In the Pacific Northwest we have two primary species of roaches: German Cockroaches and American Cockroaches.

In the Pacific Northwest, ants can be classified into two (2) broad categories: Carpenter Ants and what we generally refer to as “Small Ants”. Carpenter Ants will hibernate through the winter and Small Ants will remain active all year.

Spiders are plentiful in the Pacific Northwest. They get a bad rap as they appear menacing and there is nothing more unnerving than walking into a spider’s web as you walk to your front door or down a sidewalk. But overall, spiders are considered beneficial as they capture and feed on other insects.

There are three (3) species of termites in the Pacific Northwest…Subterranean Termites, Western Dry Wood Termites and Damp Wood Termites.

Identifying a bee or wasp is the first step in controlling a problem. There are three or four main types of bees/wasps you will encounter in the Pacific Northwest. Honey Bees, Bumble Bees, Paper Wasps and Yellowjackets.