With its lush greenery and mature tree canopy, Beaverton is one of the prettiest towns in the Portland metro area. But there is a secret problem many homeowners may never even realize they have: the Douglas firs, western red cedars, and ornamental shrubs that give shape to our neighbourhoods are also making roads for pests directly in your living room.
If tree branches are touching your roofline or overgrown vegetation is against your foundation, you are inviting rodents, ants, and spiders. Beaverton gets 42 inches of rain on average each year, and that moisture the plants hold against your home creates ideal conditions for pests to thrive any time of year.
You need to call a professional who understands the specific pest pressures in our area and helps you keep your home pest free in Beaverton.
Why Trees & Vegetation Are Pest Magnets For Beaverton Homes
- Moisture Retention Creates Ideal Habitats
With Beaverton’s wetter climate, any vegetation around your home stays moist for months. These pests are drawn to moisture and include ants, carpenter ants, and millipedes.
- Branch Bridges Provide Direct Access
The obvious branches hang over roofs, creating natural roads for roof rats, squirrels, and raccoons. Once they reach your roof, they will find ways in through vents, chimneys, or broken shingles.
- Dense Foliage Offers Protection
Rodents and spiders have excellent hiding places just feet from your front door or window, under thick shrubbery, on the ground, or in unkempt grass. They are close to their food source, your home, and feel protected from predators.
- Leaf Litter Breeds Problems
The dried leaves and needles that build up near foundations also provide hiding places for earwigs, sowbugs, and centipedes. They then enter through the small openings in the base.
- Fruit Trees Attract Multiple Species
If you grow apples, pears, or plums, which are common in Beaverton yards, fallen fruit draws yellowjackets, wasps, and rats. These pests are relatively fast from the yard to the home.
Is It Possible to Avoid Them? (Honest Take)
Face it, you cannot eliminate the risks posed by pests that come with having trees and vegetation around your Beaverton residence. We are literally a city built in a forest. The City of Beaverton’s Urban Forestry data estimates that we have 1.4 million trees within our city limits. Meaning about 14 trees for every resident! You are not going to get rid of every single Douglas fir on your property because you happen to have a line of ants.
The good news is that you can significantly reduce pest pressure by landscaping effectively and with a bit of upkeep. Anyhow, the point is knowing that it is not all about choosing a lovely yard or an insect-free house. It’s about finding the balance.
Steps to Take To Find a Solution Permanently
Always begin with a proper property inspection. Take a stroll around the outside of your home and identify where plant life is coming into direct contact with your building. Cut back any branches within 6 feet of your roofline. Stems from shrubs that brush your siding should be cut back or moved at least 18 inches away from the foundation.
Next, address moisture issues. Keep those gutters clean. With this amount of rainfall, gutters in Beaverton fill up fast with leaves and needles. Position downspouts so they discharge at least 5 feet from your foundation. Clear any leaf litter and organic debris from the perimeter of the house.
Lastly, seek the help of experts who understand the unique pest ecology in Beaverton. They are dedicated to helping local homeowners tackle the unique challenges posed by our area’s climate and vegetation. These have seasonal pest pressure-based monitoring and treatment plans, which is critical information considering the number of pests that keep going throughout our mild, wet winters.