Lynnwood is a busy place for shopping and eating in Snohomish County. Local business owners take pride in serving people near the Alderwood Mall or along Highway 99. Many of these shops are in shared buildings or stand-alone stores with a lot of people coming in and out every day.
While keeping the front of the store clean is very important, the area behind the building often tells a different story. The back alley where the trash is kept is the most likely spot for a pest problem to start. In Lynnwood, how a business handles its garbage can decide if it stays clean or faces a big pest invasion.
If a dumpster is placed too close to a back door or against a wooden fence, it acts like a bridge for pests. They see your trash area as a free meal and your store as a warm place to sleep. Protect your business and call Lynnwood pest control nearby for a special check of your trash area.
The Problem with Dumpsters Near Building Doors
The main problem with many store layouts in Lynnwood is the small space for trash. In crowded shopping areas near 196th Street SW, dumpsters are often squeezed into tiny corners. Many times, these bins end up right next to the delivery doors or the kitchen’s back entrance.
This is a big mistake because pests are drawn to the smell of old food. Once they get to the dumpster, they are only a few feet away from the cracks under your doors.
The ground in Lynnwood stays very wet during the rainy Washington winters. This wet weather makes cardboard and wood trash rot faster. This creates even stronger smells that draw in rodents from blocks away.
If a dumpster is sitting on dirt or broken pavement, it provides a perfect hiding spot underneath. Rats only need a tiny gap to squeeze under a door and into a storage room or kitchen. Since these bins are so close to the building, the pests do not have to travel far to find a way inside.
Why Pests Love Hiding Near Dumpster Gaps
Many business owners are surprised to learn that the dumpster itself is not the only problem. The “seams” or the spots where the dumpster meets the ground or a wall are where the real danger is.
In Lynnwood neighborhoods like Martha Lake or the City Center, many businesses use wooden fences to hide their trash bins. While these look nice for customers, they often create hidden holes that pests love. Over time, the heavy rain makes the wood soft or the ground sink, which creates small openings.
These tiny openings often hide behind the heavy metal of the dumpster or the corners of a trash fence. Because these areas are dark and rarely cleaned, pests can live there for months without anyone knowing. They use the dumpster as a shield from the wind and rain while they chew through the building’s walls.
How Pests Find Their Way From the Trash to Your Store
Mice and rats have a very strong sense of smell and can find food from far away. In Lynnwood’s business areas, dumpsters are like a giant sign pointing toward your store. Pests follow the “scent trail” of leaking bags or spilled drinks that lead from the bin to your back door.
Even if you keep your dumpster lid shut, the liquid that leaks out of the bottom can soak into the ground. This creates a map that tells rodents exactly where to find a meal.
Keep Your Business Safe with a Professional Plan!
Seeing a rat near a store can drive customers away and lead to bad health scores. Saela Pest Control experts understand exactly how the local Lynnwood pests act near stores and offices. They understand the challenges of our local weather and how it moves pests around.
Call them for an inspection today!
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