Posts Tagged ‘Phoenix’

You never know where bug activity will spring up, I believe this is Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico

I love hanging out in New Mexico and of course you all know I love my bugs, so its wonderful when they just happen to be active and nearby. Carpenter ants are my nemesis and should not be dismissed as just another set of bugs. While not eating wood, they can damage it by making their home inside of it. I have run across these ants only one time so far in Phoenix and that is OK by me.

Kudo’s to Phoenix Magazine

They recently ran a story on “Sticker Shock” December 2012 by Tom Marcinko in Phoenix Magazine on the new Scorpion anti-venom. We ran a blog “Face the Facts” back in August 2011 on the new technology including the new anti-venom. So how about a few “Did you know that?”

1. Scorpions typically eat insects, but their diet can be extremely variable—another key to their survival in where they live.If you can get rid of their harborage (where they hide, or where their food hides) it will help control them.
2. The venom, a neuro-toxin, it is held in a gland at the tip of the tail and is injected through its stinger to kill prey by affecting the central nervous system. Sometimes they can sting us by accident, always wear gloves and never put your hands where you can’t see.
3. Rain or the lack of rain, cold or the lack of cold can make the scorpions here in Arizona move and cause a few problems. I suggest homesealing your home.
4. The time to know about scorpions is before you are stung, read the stories above and take care!

No self respecting Bug would Dare – enter my home, or would they?

Well it finally happened, the ants came marching into my kitchen Saturday. In my 10 years at this home in Phoenix I’ve only had a few little bugs make their way into the realm of the “Bug Guy”. A few years ago an American Roach had made it’s way into my shower and another had made it’s way into my kitchen but not bad for 10 years. Saturday I got up to make some coffee and there they were on the window sill and counter, trying to make their way into the bag of garbage there. Luckily enough for me I had some TerroPCO to stop them in their tracks. I think I created the issue, we were moving the stone from the back yard to the side and it’s a little higher than it should be, but my goal is to remove it completely and replace it with wood chips or bark.

Now I know what you are thinking – didn’t the ants know better than to come to a house of someone licensed to kill (bugs only)? I think they temporarily lost sight of the real facts, just because there is food handy – its not always free. No free entitlements here at my home, especially to any wayward pests!

They were Black Fire Ants and they were just looking for food, the best way to combat any ants that make their way into your home is to identify and then treat. I decided to try the TerroPCO first and they readily started feeding on it and within 2 days they were gone. You can’t just spray them, this may kill the surface ones but will never solve the problem. You must get to the source and that is the Queen ant, she lays the eggs and you must kill her and the easiest method is for the foragers to take the food home to share.

Dr. Bug plays — Name and Identify that Bug!   Wednesday Madness – picture guess????

Any guesses on this macro picture? Come on it’s only a game, take a guess. The answer tomorrow.

  Effective Leadership – What Scouting Taught Me!

I think leadership is something you are born with and is also something that you can cultivate and make better. As an Eagle Scout, former Woodbadge Scouter’s Key trained 15 year Scoutmaster I spent many a day planning, organizing and setting into motion events and training programs. Each and every day at ProBest Pest Management those same thoughts help me to plan and organize my day, month and year. I carry everyday my “Marketing and Planning book” because as the saying goes “He who fails to plan, plans to fail“. So what is my plan:

1. I have a 1 year plan and 5 year plan!
2. Marketing, advertising and planning are a day to day process.
3. Try something and if it works continue, if it doesn’t try something else. With that being said you must track the marketing.
4. To succeed everyone must understand the plan and be on-board to make it happen.
5. Training is essential, there are 2 things that I never care about; #1 taking my employees to events with other pest industry technicians – some leaders worry that their technicians will be stolen by other companies. If they leave they weren’t that loyal to you anyway. weren’t that loyal to you anyway. #2 I require certain amounts of continuing education and encourage my employees to learn and yes even to the point of getting them certified as Qualifying Operators which means that they could leave and start their own business. Anything is a risk but if you treat your employees well, hopefully that will come back around (Karma).
6. I encourage my employees to speak their minds but ultimately it still is my ship to steer.
7. No one is perfect and the way you learn is by making mistakes.

Scouting builds character!