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A close-up of several carpenter ants on a piece of wood shows their dark, segmented bodies. One ant is moving toward a small hole, hinting at the possibility of an infestation in its wooden home.
Why Do I Have Carpenter Ants in My Home?

Carpenter ants are known for the damage they can inflict on wooden structure. Like termites, carpenter ants can destroy a house from the inside out. But unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t actually ingest the wood they are removing from a structure! So what attracts carpenter ants, if it’s not food? Carpenter ants seek wood as […]

A sugar ant with wings is gracefully walking on a textured orange surface.
Do Sugar Ants Bite?

If you find your home overrun with small black ants in the spring, you may be experiencing an odorous house ant infestation! Commonly known as “sugar ants”, these tiny insects can quickly become a big problem for any homeowner in the Northwest. These ants are called sugar ants because of their preference for sugary substances. […]

A bug with a dark body and orange markings is perched on bright yellow flowers, showcasing the beauty of springtime pests against a blurred green background in Portland's vibrant Northwest landscape.
5 Springtime Pests in Portland and the Northwest

As the rain begins to slow and spring emerges in Portland, pests begin to come out as well! Here at PURCOR, we believe preparation is a great way to prevent seasonal pests. We’d like to help you prepare for the 5 springtime pests we see most often in Portland and the surrounding cities in the […]

Close-up of a wasp with a yellow and black striped body perched on a flat, textured surface. A member of the stinging insects family, its wings are open, and its legs and antennae are clearly visible.
Bees vs. Wasps: A Guide to Stinging Insects in Portland and Vancouver

Spring is here, and summer is right around the corner! Are you prepared for stinging insects? Take a look at our guide to bees and wasps! Bees and Wasps Look Very Different Here’s an easy and quick way to tell the difference between bees and wasps: How does their waist look? If it’s thick and […]

A line of home-invading ants crawls along the edge of a dirty kitchen sink, forming their persistent march after it rains. In the background, blurred dishes and a yellow sponge add to the scene's everyday chaos.
Get Rid of Home-Invading Ants After it Rains

We love spring rain to green our grass, but ants don’t find it quite so nice. Think that scene in A Bug’s Life where heavy rain sends panicked ants scattering for shelter—If you haven’t seen the movie, you just might need a 2-year-old to open your eyes to the wonders of education by Disney, Dream […]

A swarm of bees flies in the foreground with a blurry cityscape in the background, reminiscent of flying ants on a summer day. The clear sky frames the scene as buildings below fade out of focus, creating a stunning urban tableau.
Those Flying Ants in Your Home Could Be Moisture Ants

Flying Ants in House: These Could Be Moisture Ants Flying ants are a common sight during the warmer months. During certain stages of their lifecycle, all the ants in a swarm are involved in mating and establishing new colonies, making it crucial to recognize and address swarming behavior. Flying ants are attracted to moisture and […]

Close-up of a worn wooden surface revealing small brown bed bugs and dark specks, likely fecal matter. Dust accumulation is apparent, highlighting the urgent need for effective bed bug control amidst this infestation.
How to Handle Bed Bug Infestations

STEP 1: Contact a Professional Never try to tackle a bed bug infestation alone. Proper intervention demands a deep understanding of bed bug biology and behavior, and the pesticides that are most effective are only available to trained, licensed professionals. Applying pesticides without proper training can be ineffective at best and dangerous at worst. Contact […]

A close-up image of a small black ant walking on a white, ridged surface. The ant's body and legs are clearly visible, contrasting with the neutral background.
Moisture Ants – How to identify and remove these ants from your home

Understanding Moisture Ants Moisture ants are a type of ant that thrives in damp environments, feeding on sweet substances and honeydew produced by aphids. These ants are often mistaken for carpenter ants due to their similar appearance, but they can be identified by their yellowish-brown color and translucent abdomen. Moisture ants are particularly attracted to […]

Close-up of a black ant on a wooden surface, surrounded by small granules that appear to be sugar. The ant is in focus, highlighting its detailed body and legs, while the background is blurred. This scene captures a natural way to observe the behavior of sugar ants up close.
How Do You Get Rid of Sugar Ants Permanently

Sugar ants can seem like an endless plague, especially in the Pacific NW. It can be frustrating to understand where these tiny pests come from and what attracts them in the first place! Although a number of species are commonly known as “sugar ants,” odorous house ants are the common culprit. When crushed, these ants […]

A cityscape features a cluster of tall buildings with a forested area in the foreground, where spring's vibrant colors hint at renewed life and pest control. In the background, a mountain with a snow-capped peak is visible under a clear blue sky during sunset.
Spring Pest Control in Western Washington: What You Need to Know

  There’s nothing quite like springtime in western Washington. After an often long rainy season, spring brings out the sunshine, flowers, and, yes, the bugs. With everything in full bloom, people who live in western Washington often feel like they’ve gone from not seeing any bugs to being unable to walk to their driveway without […]