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!

Burke Lake Park is easily the best part of living in our community. Between the beautiful five-mile trail, the fishing spots, and the frisbee golf course, it is the top place for fun in Burke, Virginia. 

However, the same woods that make the park a local treasure also make it a primary home for ticks. These pests love the thick, green woods at the park. They are also experts at catching rides in our local neighborhoods. 

Understanding how these bugs move from the park to your lawn is the first step to staying safe. If your yard has become a hotspot for these biters, getting professional pest control services in Burke can help create a strong barrier around your home. 

How the Park Connects to Your Lawn 

Many Burke neighborhoods sit right against the edges of Burke Lake Park. This close proximity creates a natural path for tick activity. Ticks do not fly or jump like other bugs. Instead, they wait for you to come to them. 

The park has thousands of acres of deep forest and tall grass where they can breed. When you walk the trails, you are entering their territory. Even if you stay on the paved path, ticks wait at the very edge of the grass. 

They use a move called “questing.” They hold onto a leaf with their back legs and reach out with their front legs. They grab onto your clothes or your skin as you brush by. This makes it very easy to bring ticks home after a simple walk by the water. 

Animals Are Bringing the Park to You 

You are not the only one visiting the lake. Local wildlife plays a huge role in moving ticks from the woods to your fence. Burke Lake Park is full of deer, squirrels, and mice. These animals do not care about property lines or fences. 

A deer might eat near the park trails in the morning and wander through your backyard by sunset. As these animals move through your bushes, ticks fall off into your grass. Once they land in your yard, they hide in mulch or woodpiles to lay eggs. 

This constant movement of animals means new ticks arrive in your yard every single day. Even if you keep your grass short, the neighborhood wildlife keeps the cycle going. 

Keeping Your Family and Pets Safe 

The big worry about ticks in Burke is not just that they are gross. They carry serious diseases like Lyme disease. This is a big concern for both people and our pets. Dogs are at high risk when they play in the yard or walk near the lake. 

Ticks are tiny and very good at hiding under thick fur. Local vets see many cases of tick bites during the warm months because we live such active lives outside. You should check your kids and pets for ticks every time they come inside. 

Keeping your bushes trimmed and clearing out dead leaves can also help. The less shade you have on the ground, the harder it is for ticks to live there. 

Manage the Edge of Your Property 

Living near a big wilderness area like Burke Lake Park takes a little extra work. You can protect your home by creating a “border” at the edge of your yard. Using a strip of dry wood chips or gravel can stop ticks from crawling into your play areas. 

They do not like crossing hot, dry surfaces. It is also a good idea to keep swing sets and patio chairs away from the tall weeds at the edge of the woods. By making a few small changes, you can make your property much less inviting to pests.

If you are tired of worrying about ticks every time you step outside, experts like Green Pest Services can help. They can focus on keeping your yard safe so you can enjoy the outdoors without the stress of pests, so contact them today!