H3 Pest Control

Free ant control advice for Oregon homeowners:

Ants are one of the main pests I get calls about, and they can also be one of the hardest problems to solve completely. Here in the Willamette Valley, the most common ant we deal with is the odorous house ant.

My biggest DIY advice is to be careful with store-bought sprays. Most over-the-counter sprays are designed for quick contact kill, but they usually do not have much transfer effect back to the rest of the colony. That means you may kill the ants you see, but not necessarily solve the main problem. In some cases, spraying can even make the issue more frustrating by causing the ants to spread out.

For homeowners trying to handle ants on their own, I generally recommend sticking with ant baits. Baits give ants a chance to carry the product back and share it with the colony, which usually gives you a much better shot at long-term results.

Of course, there are a lot of opinions on the best way to handle ants, and I’m not saying this is the only option. This is just my opinion on one of the most cost-effective and efficient DIY approaches.

For professional service, H3 Pest Control guarantees ant control and offers free inspections and quotes. If you have tried everything and need to bring in the big guns, I would be happy to take a look.

Reach out anytime for a free estimate.

https://h3pestcontrol.com/ant-control-oregon/

https://h3pestcontrol.com/albany-oregon-pest-control/

Rodent issues, especially rats, are not something to take lightly. One of the biggest keys to solving a rat problem is not just trapping the rodents already inside, but figuring out how they got in to begin with and completing a thorough exclusion.

At H3 Pest Control, I specialize in rodent control that focuses on long-term solutions. That means a full inspection, identifying entry points, sealing them properly, and using an interior trapping program to remove any rodents already inside the home.

I generally avoid using rodent bait inside homes because of the risk of rodents dying in walls, attics, crawl spaces, or other hard-to-reach areas, which can lead to unpleasant odors and even bigger issues for the homeowner.

I added a few pictures from past jobs to show some of the most common entry points I find. Two of the biggest are broken crawl space vents and damaged crawl space doors — and yes, we repair both.

Another common issue I see is spray foam being used for exclusion. While there can be a time and place where spray foam is effective, it is not always the best option by itself. In one of the pictures, spray foam was used to seal around a dryer vent. It is a little hard to see in the photo, but rats chewed right through it and were entering the crawl space underneath the dryer vent.

Another photo shows a rat that chewed through sheetrock over the weekend. When it comes to interior holes like that, I generally recommend not sealing them up until the rodent problem is fully solved. The real focus should be on finding and sealing the main entry points on the exterior so the problem does not continue.

If you are hearing scratching, seeing droppings, noticing damage, or just want peace of mind, inspections are always free. I’m happy to come take a look and give an honest recommendation on the best way to solve the issue.

Reach out today to schedule your free rodent inspection.

Pests and Wildlife in the PNW Learn about common pests in the Pacific Northwest, including ants, rodents, and wildlife. Experts share prevention tips and regional insights.

It’s that time of year to get ahead of wasps and other stinging insects around your home.

Today, I serviced a customer and knocked down more than 25 active wasp nests. This time of year, queens are out looking for places to build new nests, and small nests can quickly turn into bigger problems if they are not taken care of early.

Here in the Willamette Valley, paper wasps are one of the main stinging insects we deal with. They commonly build small nests around eaves, rooflines, entryways, sheds, and other protected areas. We also deal with yellow jackets and bald-faced hornets, which can become much more aggressive as the season goes on.

With my basic pest control service, I knock down both new and old nests, then treat the areas to help keep them from coming back. Wasps, yellow jackets, and bald-faced hornets are all included in the service.

I’m currently offering 50% off the initial service, so now is a great time to get ahead of the problem before activity increases.

Reach out today for a free estimate!

https://h3pestcontrol.com

A lot of people do not realize that a quality pest control service is about more than just spraying product. Part of a complete pest control package should include knocking down spider webs in hard-to-reach areas like eaves, corners, around lights, and rooflines, as well as removing active wasp nests when it is safe to do so. These areas are often where pests are living, rebuilding, and becoming a bigger problem over time. Taking care of webs and nests not only helps your home look cleaner, but also reduces pest activity and helps prevent future issues. It is one of those small details that makes a big difference, and it is something we believe should be included as part of doing the job right.

Just got the opportunity to participate in NPMA Legislative Day. I was the only person from Oregon this year, but since it was my second time, my hill visits were smooth and successful. I'm currently part of the NPMA Executive Leadership Program Class of 2025. Being part of that has opened doors to awesome opportunities like this. Looking forward to the rest of our events this year.