Great video by Raising Arizona Kids Magazine

Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222

Have you heard about the Cicada commotion on the East Coast?

You have to check out the following article from North Carolina on what they are calling “Swarmageddon“, its been in the making for 17 years. They are finding Cicada’s everywhere, from blades of grass to trees and everywhere in between.  Check out all the neat photos of Cicadas’s and their molted skins, they are estimating billions of these critters will be making their comeback this spring.

Have you ever heard their singing chorus, OK you are probably thinking chorus yea right? I’ll bet the birds and other animals that eat cicada’s are going to have plenty of food for a few weeks. So what do you do when an invasion like this sets in? Really not much you can do, set back and grin and hope they don’t make it in the house. They don’t bite but can be a nuisance.

We occasionally have bugs explosions here in Arizona, from grasshoppers to mosquitoes. depending on weather conditions and the amount of rain.

What are the Health Risks Posed by Pests?

The  Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and the National Pest Management Association have teamed up to promote public awareness of allergies and asthma with a Public Service Annonucement or PSA.

Did you know that cockroaches and rodents may be a factor in asthma cases across the U.S.

http://aafa.org/pdfs/QRChome.pdf

National Pest Management Association

Is a synthetic spider venom better for all of us?

Researchers have devised a synthetic antidote to a Loxosceles (Brown Recluse species) bite. It promises fewer side effects than existing treatments and reduces the suffering of the animals required to produce it. Synthetic spider venom makes a kinder, safer antidote by Andy Coghlan gives new insight into current research.

I’m constantly amazed at the research being done and the advances in science and applaud the work done by researchers across the world.

A team led by Carlos Chávez-Olórtegui of the Federal University of Mias Gerais in Brazil has developed an alternative. On a side note this is great news as the Brazilian Wandering Spider is from Brazil and is considered one of the deadliest spiders in the world. Arizona Brown or Brown Recluse Spider blog article by ProBest Pest Management.

(Photo Courtesy of Univar?)

Were you aware that May is “National Pet Month”?

Lots of us own pets, from cats to snakes and because of this we can also from time to time get uninvited pests including ticks and other vermin. In Arizona we don’t get fleas very often but we do encounter ticks on a regular basis. So what can you do to stop those infestations from happening to your home.

1. Don’t leave food out for feral cats, this may bring in other unwanted pests.
2. If you see holes in the yard check for Pocket gophers, they can damage plants and bring in pests.
3. Even birds like pigeons can bring in pests, don’t allow them them to live on your roof.
4. Bats can make your attic a home, seal and block all access into your attic. Bat Bugs can take up residence within your attic and if you get rid of the bats, the Bat Bugs may come into your home space.
5. Check your pets frequently for signs of fleas or ticks. You can use over the counter medicines but if you do please mention this to your Pest Management Professional – some of those products may contain a similar products and cause an overdose to the pet.
6. Keep grass or vegetation trimmed around the home.
7. Don’t become a hoarder, keep debris away from the home and discourage rodent activity.
8. Never place firewood next to your home, don’t invite rodents or pests near the home. If you use firewood only bring in what you plan on using right away.
9. If you have rodents, it may lead to snakes. Snakes have to eat so don’t encourage them to come to your house.
10. Don’t allow water to stand, mosquitoes can bite and transit diseases and parasites to your pets.