Grass Eaters

 

Grass Eaters termites are a little different in that they prefer desery landscapes versus eating your home. Gnathamitermes – tube building desert termites because they attack dead grass, weeds, and the outer portion of cactus and trees. Again remember they only eat dead cellulose or wood.

Often times we are consulted to termites on trees etc, generally you can leave them alone as they typically don’t damage the tree. On the other note, more termiticide on a property may prove valuable. Grass eaters can get inside and damage books and paintings but generally don’t do structural damage. So from a termite point of view its good to take action and get them away from your property and stuff.

Electric

 

Well its inevitable when you do termite work you are going to hit a few pipes. Normally I think of water pipes not electric. In my 30 years of doing pest control work, I don’t recall hitting an electric line so this week was it. Woo hoo and no injuries, just a breaker that popped.

The problem was we have no idea where the construction people lay the lines. In this case it was diagonal from the water spigot. No chance of knowing where they are and no chance of guessing. You wouldn’t expect lines to criss cross the garage floor, but we hit one in that situation, no where close to any water device.

Termite work can be dangerous, pest control and wiring. Use a reputable company, one that will help if they encounter an issue. Call ProBest today for any termite or pest issues 480-831-9328 or 623-414-0176

Carpet & termites

 

You return home from vacation and there it is Carpet & termites. Now what do you do, call ProBest Pest Management of course 480-831-9328. This is a result of a crack in the foundation and the termites found their way into the home and through the carpet.

Easy fix for a termite company, take up the carpet and treat the crack in the slab. Termiticide does fail and once that crack begins to expand it moves the barrier treatment. So don’t just look around the foundation edge of the house or the ceiling, if you spot something like this connect immediately so we can assess the root cause.

If you ever decide to take up carpet and replace with tile or wood and you find cracks in the slab, call us. It is easier to fix the problem before the time is in place, never looks the same.

Recessed lights

 

Recessed lights, vents or any device in your ceiling allows an entry into your home for pests. As you check your light, vents etc look for space between the ceiling and the device. Those holes they make in the drywall are often larger that the device fitting through.

Use a caulking material and make that gap go away. This also helps in keeping the cold air in and the warm air in depending on the time of year. Those Recessed lights etc are a quick way in for numerous pests, so fix them and this also will save you money and who doesn’t like that. Remember that scorpions only need the thickness of a credit card to sneak in. Owning a house takes effort but together with a reputable honest Pest Company such as ProBest Pest Management 480-831-9328 it will be a breeze.

Advertising idea

 

Advertising ideas where do I start, what works what doesn’t. OK I have no idea, I do know which works the best for me right now – referrals. That being said what media form is the best, is it newspapers, magazine, billboards – I’ve tried most.

FaceBook seems to garner most of the activity for me right now, but in a month it might all change. Demographics change as well, a study by BASF suggest that women generally purchase pest control.

So on the advertising idea thoughts, any idea I try reevaluate and move on. So if you have any ideas what might work, send me an email. Never hurts to ask for advice, right?

CHEAP WORK

 

Cheap work is what I’m talking about today, those companies that I can’t figure out how they do it.

So lets say a home is about 150 lineal feet, complete exterior of that building. What’s the cost and I know everyone’s is different. I see prices out there at the low end of $298

Termidor (yes you want Termidor) probably at least 30 gallons or approximately $67

Cost of labor 5 hours at $15 = $75

Cost of doing business – NPMA (National Pest Management Association) several years ago suggested 32.5% = $97

Total $239 – profit of $59

For all the liability we encounter are you willing to take in $59 as profit, what if you hit a pipe? Homeowners, if they aren’t making money, they won’t be around very long. Make sure it’s a complete exterior.

Do business locally and don’t automatically take the cheap proposal. ProBest has been a QualityPro member since early 2005, actually just after I bought the place.

Construction

 

Construction is a trying mess from time to time with me. Sometimes I wonder what they were thinking, or not thinking. This photo is a prime example of the problems that Termite companies experience. Where are those termites coming from and sometimes in construction you may find the prime cause of the issues.

Once in Florida I ran across a wood floor with sleepers, which kept the wood from sitting on the concrete and possible affected by water or condensation. But it turned out to be saw palmetto roots coming up through the slab after it was buried and not removed.

If you’re building a home check the soil before they pour the cement and request stuff to be looked over. It’s your house.

Termite Awareness Month

 

Termite Awareness Month, ok you’re going to mention that he dates are wrong. Well you’re right, but NPMA is looking at the East Coast where most of the action occurs with termites. Here in Arizona we wait for the monsoon, yea if it ever happens. When it rains, it takes about a month to get the termites going and then we see activity. On the East Coast they are more active beginning in February and then depending on rain and time of day they swarm. Here is AZ really have I seen a swarm, I was sitting on I-17 waiting for an accident to be cleared when a swarm happened and I could see them landing on the car. Termite Awareness Month in my book is whenever you have termites.

So watch for signs:

  1. Termite mud tunnels on foundation
  2. Down tubes or dirt on ceiling
  3. Baseboards crumbled inside to outside

Roaches

 

Roaches along with Bed bugs are the nattiest of bugs, except for flies in my book. Flies fly and then vomit on your food, they can be in your back yard and fly in and land right on that beautiful steak. Yuuuuck. But anyway back to roaches, everyone thinks they have the silver bullet. In my professional opinion it is a combination of protocols and knowledge is what it takes to combat these invaders. Any house, yes I said any house can get them, clean to dirty it doesn’t matter. They like to hang in box lids, touching top and bottom of their bodies and make their way into your home.

So some advice.

  1. Check boxes before putting them in cupboards.
  2. If it is pasta or rice, freeze box then place in sealable containers.
  3. Even dog/cat food can have pests, check it out.
  4. At the first sign of cockroaches/roaches call a Professional. 480-831-9328
  5. Roaches hide so once inside, they will go the far away hidden areas. Don’t install those motels in the bottom cabinets, that isn’t where they are going to be.

Thanks to Michael Brinkman for permission to use the picture.

Cat versus Dragon

 

Cat versus Dragon, every once in awhile you have that moment to take a picture that just has to be taken. This cat and probably very nervous Bearded Dragon, were just hanging out. The owner said they do it daily and have been doing it for a long time – unlikely friends, right?

What does this have to do with pest control? Many people ask if we can kill or get rid of lizards. We can’t and don’t, lizards eat bugs and are a natural way to get rid of pests, especially crickets. Just like bats they eat a lot of bugs on a weekly basis. I’ve also seen cats play with scorpions, never reacting to stings if stung. But still no reason to have bugs in your house.