October 21, 2026 · 6 min read
How to Tell Mice From Rats
Mouse or rat? How to tell them apart by size, droppings, and behavior, plus what deer mice mean for Oregon homes and how to clean up after them.
Pest Control Blog
Pest news and seasonal tips for Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington. Short reads, answers up front.
Latest Pest Control Articles
Fresh pest news from our technicians and office team, covering the pests moving through Oregon and Southwest Washington right now.
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October 15, 2026 · 6 min read
Do Termites Live in Oregon and Washington?
Yes, termites live in Oregon and Washington. How to tell subterranean from dampwood termites, when each swarms, and the signs each one leaves.
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September 17, 2026 · 6 min read
Signs of Carpenter Ants vs Termites
Carpenter ants push sawdust out of their tunnels; termites eat wood from the inside and leave none. How to tell the two apart in a Northwest home.
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September 15, 2026 · 6 min read
Are There Cockroaches in Washington?
Yes, Washington has cockroaches. In Clark County homes the German cockroach drives most infestations. Which species turn up and how they get inside.
More From the Blog
Every earlier post, newest first.
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September 10, 2026 · 6 min read
Are Hobo Spiders Dangerous in Oregon?
Hobo spiders are far less dangerous than their reputation. What the research says, how to identify one, and when spiders in an Oregon home need help.
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September 8, 2026 · 6 min read
Fall Rodent Proofing for Portland Homes
Why rats and mice move indoors in the fall, the gaps Portland homes most often leave open, and the signs that a rodent problem needs professional help.
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August 25, 2026 · 5 min read
Our Exterior-First Approach to Managing Stink Bugs & Boxelder Bugs in Portland
How A&A handles stink bugs and boxelder bugs in Portland: treat and seal the exterior before fall, so the bugs stay outside instead of wintering indoors.
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August 18, 2026 · 5 min read
Types of Ants in Oregon Homeowners See
The four ants Portland and Vancouver homeowners see most: odorous house, carpenter, pavement, and moisture ants, and how to tell them apart.
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August 13, 2026 · 5 min read
What Are Common Indoor Spiders in Oregon?
Giant house spiders, cellar spiders, orb weavers, and jumping spiders: the four indoor spiders Oregon homeowners meet most, and what each one means.
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August 11, 2026 · 6 min read
What Are the Signs of a Rat Infestation in Oregon?
Norway rats or roof rats? The signs of a rat infestation in Oregon homes, where each species shows up, and why late summer and fall are the busiest time.
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July 28, 2026 · 5 min read
Are There Poisonous Spiders in Oregon?
Which Oregon spiders deserve caution and which do not: black widows, hobo spiders, yellow sac spiders, and why a brown recluse is almost never the answer.
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July 21, 2026 · 5 min read
Are There Cockroaches in Oregon?
Yes, Oregon has cockroaches. The three species established here, why summer heat pushes them indoors, and what draws them into Portland homes.
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July 14, 2026 · 6 min read
What Kinds of Wasps Live in Oregon?
Yellow jackets, paper wasps, bald-faced hornets, and mud daubers: how to identify Oregon's four common wasps, where they nest, and how worried to be.
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July 7, 2026 · 6 min read
What Kinds of Beetles Get Into Oregon Homes?
The beetles that get into Oregon homes, from carpet and pantry beetles to wood borers, and which ones are nuisances and which do real damage.
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May 19, 2026 · 8 min read
Beyond the Treatment: Why A&A Pest Control is the Gold Standard
Why quick-fix pest control keeps failing, and how A&A's Integrated Pest Management approach targets the source in Portland homes and businesses.
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April 14, 2026 · 3 min read
Professional Pet-Friendly Pest Control and Residential Safety Protocols
Meet Lola, A&A's Pawsitivity Manager, and how A&A plans pest control around pets: targeted treatments, tamper-resistant bait stations, and prep tips.
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April 6, 2026 · 11 min read
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Pest Control Company
The questions to ask before hiring a pest control company in Portland or Vancouver: licensing, treatment methods, warranties, pricing, and service.
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March 2, 2026 · 8 min read
Reclaim Your Home: Our Proven 4-Step Protocol for Total Ant Eradication
Why ants keep coming back, why DIY sprays fall short, and A&A's four-step approach to ant control: discovery, strategy, application, and prevention.
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February 25, 2026 · 12 min read
Commercial Pest Control for Portland & Vancouver: A&A’s Strategic Portfolio Management Guide
A&A's guide to commercial pest management for Portland and Vancouver properties: IPM programs, documentation, and protection across a portfolio.
Reading about a pest you are currently hosting?
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