Keith

Blister Beetle

Blister Beetle

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Blister Beetle

Danger Will Robinson Danger, Blister Beetle attack. Most of you know that warning message from the robot to the young Will. This beetle coloring similar to the Poison Dart frogs is that special warning, stay away from me I’m dangerous.

In Arizona we have several species of blister beetles, and some are black and they point their rear end at the aggressor, spraying a noxious spray to render the foe at bay.  Some stand out and some are colored, announcing their toxicity to would-be predators. Even brushing them off or accidentally squishing or crushing them on your skin can cause pain and blisters. Did you know that even dead they can pose an issue? Insects or predators eating them will be treated to a mouthful of pain, along with your pets.

While hiking stay alert:

  • Always be aware of your surroundings.
  • If you see anything suspicious use caution and if alerted stop and think..
  • Take care of pets as well.
  • If you encounter one and it lands on you, don’t swat. Pull it away or scrape it away with your hand.
  • Inform your children about the dangers of certain bugs, we have quite a few to worry about.
    • Rattlesnakes, critters that bite rodents, scorpions, Africanized Honeybees,and those Gila Monster Lizard things.
  • IPM is your friend.
Snakes Good or Bad

Snakes Good or Bad

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Snakes Good or Bad

 

Yes even the old man can wrestle up a snakes good or bad. OK we know its a Gopher snake and it is non-venomous. The point should be made that they are looking for food and if you have mice/rats they will be looking at your place. ProBest has this major account, 400 acres and the reptiles come into the main area in search of food. Often times its Rattlesnakes and nobody wants or needs this.

In general all snakes are good, they reduce the population of vermin. This is great except for those chance encounters in or near your home. King snakes and Gopher snakes are plentiful and will even eat Rattlesnakes.  We often encounter snakes while hiking, our technicians often find them hiding out in rodent bait stations. This gives them a real start for the day, actually anything in the box will scare you.

What do you do?

Since we run across snakes frequently, we do move them for customers. There is a charge for this, especially if it is a rattlesnake. Our liability increases due to the bite factor. Another issue is if you call us, you need to keep an eye out – while we get to your place. If we arrive and the snake slithered away, they is still a fee. Time is money.

The key to living with snakes good or bad, is knowing what kinds of snakes are here in Arizona. See the guide and learn how to identify the good from the bad. As always if you have an issue call us 480-831-9328 or 623-414-0176 and keep an eye on snake so when we arrive we can catch and release down the road.

Honeybee Danger

Honeybee Danger

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Honeybee Danger

As I have mentioned in previous blogs, it is very important to check your home inside and outside monthly. If you have our service, we meet you at the front door with a giant broom. It is intended to make the techs look up and to dust down spiders webs etc. The bugs originate outside for the most part.

 

RV’s and Rodents

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RV’s and Rodents

 

So a few years ago I decided to purchase a camper just to test the waters on this whole camping (Glamping) thing. I bought an older version Winnebago and I allowed my employees access if I wasn’t using it. Well I upgraded to a newer version this year a Thor Outlaw and was having some work done by

RedWrench Mobile RV Service – 231-632-4150 Pete Schmitz

FaceBook https://facebook.com/redwrenchrv/

So of course he knows I’m the bug guy so he tells me about an RV he purchased. He said a few years back and was out on a RV site for about 4 months, when he encountered the rat from hell. See the rotation pics. It doesn’t matter on location because rodents are always looking for a new place to call home. Just look at the damage, thankfully it hadn’t got entirely to the electrical system.

So once again I’ll pass along a few tidbits of useful info from Dr. Bug:

If you live in a permanent home, it cost a lot less to prevent than correct the issue. One electrical or plumbing call-out is easily $500. Remember mice and rats urinate and spread feces everywhere, and if that is your attic or livable space you could be breathing it in. If you’re living in an RV the space is more restricted.

TRUST ME ON THIS, RATS ARE REALLY GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO. PLAN AHEAD AND TAKE PROACTIVE STEPS TO PREVENT.

Call ProBest Pest Management 480-831-9328 or 623-414-0176

If you have a chance to meet up with Pete, he will treat you right and tell him you heard about him from this blog.

 

 

 

Winter Weather

Winter Weather

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Winter Weather

 

Winter weather generally means all of us are cold and that means critters as well. So as we are trying to maintain our houses, pests are trying to get in. Any hole or opportunity will allow them inside. I would recommend the use of IPM, the art of using everything at your fingertips and then getting to pesticide if you have to.

  • Do a monthly or at least quarterly check of your property.
  • Seal any cracks or holes on the home, use caulking or steel wool if rodents are involved. Remember mice need a hole the size of a dime. Rats require something in the area of a quarter to gain entry. Seal it with steel or copper wool and calking or cement.
  • Remove, replace any wood rot and seal it if possible.
  • Keep trash receptacles closed and clean and away from house.
  • Keep bushes, trees and vines away from the house.
  • Keep wood trim painted or sealed to keep away pests.
  • Keep water usage to a minimum, make sure you’re not collecting water in certain areas.
  • If you have a crawlspace keep it clean and dry, always good to keep it ventilated as well.
  • Once a year have a termite inspection done, they can also perform a pest inspection.
  • When in doubt, or maybe you don’t understand the pest – time to hire a Professional call 480-831-9328 or 623-414-0176

The picture is of bait in a rodent station and as you can see activity is taking place. The bricks show that something is gnawing at it, the next visit may or may not show more evidence but rodents should on the down swing.

Windy Weather

Windy Weather

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Windy Weather

 

What is up with this Windy weather, I have lived in Arizona for over 23 years and I don’t thinks its ever been this windy? Does it affect bugs? I’m not sure, but if its cold and windy with a wind chill I guess it would affect them. Here in Arizona unless we have a real deep cold, nothing dies. As we all know, scorpions take a lot to kill. Maybe the wind will send them somewhere else, I don’t think so. What do we do?

  • Reduce prey for the predators.
  • Create a barrier around your house and yard.
  • Web your house, checking above and below for any activity.
  • Check for ant mounds.
  • Consistent scheduling.
  • Use DE or some type of dust for crack and crevice work, where they hide.
  • Always check for additional critters, holes or something digging.

It’s not the service but the knowledge behind the service. WE KNOW BUGS. Anybody can spray but you need consistent with knowledge to tackle the problems. I have probably mentioned this before but we don’t work on our own vehicles, we know bugs not vehicles. Do what you know! This then is a benefit to the customer with the knowledge that comes with ongoing training and continuing education.

Trash

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Trash

 

Trash isn’t always an issue, but it can create some favorite problems and headaches in the way of pests. Its not just rodents, but critters, birds and insect pests as well. This alleyway situation might not be concern, but it will add up influence the neighborhood. If I was an owner of a home, I would try to rally the neighborhood troop to a clean-up day monthly. This benefits the entire community, oh and it might make you the hero.

What do you look for as you clean?

  1. Obviously, the trash, is it being eaten by an animal?
  2. Do the lids close properly?
  3. Are they relatively clean, inside and out?
  4. Do the can have holes?
  5. Do transients make their home in alley?
  6. Take care on needles and other hazards, report issues to Police.

What do you do if you spot activity of the rodent kind?

 

Spring bugs

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Spring bugs

 

What are Spring bugs? Do you contribute to your home pest issues? What are you looking for?

 

Spring is the time of year that bugs reproduce and can become more numerous. What if you have 2-foot-high weeds out back, this can cause sap sucking bugs to get out of control? Do you stack stuff against the house or shed, this allows the pest whether bug or rodent the chance to set up house? Do you have stone up to the stucco, this allows termites access without your knowledge? Is the grass next to the house, or vines? All these things contribute to pests having a chance to get into your home.

  1. I suggest monthly checks of the outside and interior to check screens, door seals and weep holes.
  2. Check outdoor buildings like sheds, storage, or fire grills.
  3. Check the garage.
  4. Check the attic.
  5. Always look up and down, and not a bad idea to check the roof. Be careful.
  6. We have seasons foe specific bugs, the fall monsoon = termites and rodents. Spring = honeybee swarms and small bugs trying to get inside.
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