Blog and Pest Control News * ProBest Pest Management Home Sealing Termite

Essential Services

Essential Services – In response to the Covid-19 virus

This virus has certainly made people think, maybe those Preppers were right? Maybe we all need to think about – what if? The President, Governor of Arizona all have weighed in and set guidelines and protocols to the Pandemic. So why is Pest Control an Essential Service?

We are the Protectors of Public Health!

As you quarantine in place, we continue to serve your home or business. I never in all my days ever thought this day would come, yet here it is. The scorpions, ticks, mosquitoes, and rodents will not go away on their own. They will continue to be a constant threat against our lives. While many carry diseases, we are the force needed to stop them. We have the tools and knowledge to keep them at bay. The key in my mind is knowledge, anyone can spray but do they know the enemy? There are numerous pesticides on the market one even touts yearly protection – if that was true I would use the stuff. Depending on time, weather conditions and other factors, most pesticides only last a limited amount. Why has ProBest Pest Management stopped doing insides homes and when did you stop? I made this decision years ago, probably about 2005. The pesticides are mixed with water, put down wet which dry and children and pets can then come in contact with these pesticides. Once dry they can become airborne and nobody needs to breath that over time. Most all work can be done from the outside, this requires more time. These days pesticides have come a long way, only certain pests like German Roaches require inside treatment (can be done with specific pesticides such as dry baits or gels). Ants can also be treated with baits. Bed bugs are a different story but these days there are fungal spores ready to annihilate the blood suckers.

Long story short, we PROTECT the PUBLIC. I personally have almost 30 years of experience, many long hours of study and credentials ready to serve you. Read my bio and you decide, who do you want on your side? Someone who cares and loves his job, or somebody just in it for the money. ProBest Pest Management 623-414-0176 or 480-831-9328.

Construction errors

I don’t think that most people in the construction trade think about a home after it is built. Many things that we think are architecturally beautiful often can be a haven for animals and birds. The corner in the picture is in a hidden area and birds can build nests and raise their young. Pigeons are generational, raising their young on a home which they will continue to return to forever. Birds like sparrows can take up smaller spaces while pigeons occupy larger spaces, pigeons love corners which allow them to protect their backs. Nobody can sneak up on them like hawks, eagles and other predators.

One of my pet peeves are those closets found in garages. They secure the bottom boards with staples and prevent the termite technicians from accessing the expansion joints. I think the boards would stay in place just by gravity and allow us the ability to pull up the board and drill the slab at the expansion joint. But I’m not a builder or carpenter and they are often mandated by City, County and State code laws. Maybe not directly related to birds or pigeons but an example of building issues associated with homes or sometimes businesses.

Carpet Tack

Carpet Tack is usually reserved for carpet, however I recently saw something unique in bird avoidance. By the way as you can see it isn’t working. It was a good try but the nails are not long enough to persuade the birds from landing. Also these are probably sparrows, not pigeons so it really needs to be bird spike. The technique of bird spikes is that they prevent the birds from landing, hence bird deterrent.

Leave it to the professionals when it comes to the outside of your home, we have been providing excellent work for almost 40 years. We have all the tools necessary to plan and carry out the work. I have experimented with many things, especially when it comes to woodpeckers. So call us and at least get an estimate before you attempt this on your own. Often times it may be less expensive and it will diffidently look better. Call 623-414-0176 or 480-831-9328 for a free estimate, save yourself the hassle.

Customized Service

Every house and business is unique, some have flat roofs, tiles or shingles. Is it a bird and/or rodent? Customized is the way to go, let us the Pest Management Professionals guide you to a fix. There is some exclusion work that can be done and we will recommend that service.

We always do an inspection first, then we evaluate and make the plan. Yes you can also inspect your house and I suggest monthly. Call us for your free inspection 480-831-9328 or 623-414-0176. Customized Service is the way to go.

1. Check outside and inside

2. Check for holes

3. Check screens, weep holes and vent louvers

4. Check high and low

Snakes & Rodents

Well it’s that time of the year for snakes to become a tad more adventuresome . They are looking for food and may be drawn into your property following their food. They like ground squirrels, rodents and smaller game. So, much like scorpions and their food, it is important to keep an eye out for rodent activity leading to snake activity.

Remember snakes are venomous versus poisonous, they bite and that is the difference. Anything that bites, injects is venomous while things like Poison Ivy is poisonous – if you eat it etc.

Snakes provide a real service by keeping the population of rodents in check. Many people would argue but even rattlesnakes have their place – as long as its not near or in your home. ProBest does have a service to remove those snakes from your property. The only thing I ask, please keep an eye out until we arrive so it doesn’t take us an hour to find it. Please call ProBest Pest Management today for any information 480-831-9328 or 623-414-0176.

Rat holes

Does your yard have rat holes, do you know what is happening in your yards or your neighbors? Rats or rodents in general can do a lot of damage to wiring and irrigation pipes. Their teeth continue to grow and they need to gnaw them down and they do it by using wiring and other harder items.

Now if that wasn’t bad enough consider for a moment that they might get into your home? They are not very clean and can distribute urine and feces everywhere. They can carry in parasites like ticks and mites. They can also damage any plastic in the home. The other issue in Arizona is the more rats you have the greater possibility of snakes. The snakes looking for food, often will trail them right into your yard or area and set up shop.

Now most snakes are probably OK but you don’t want those venomous ones like the West Rattlesnakes etc. If you don’t know what they look like don’t take a chance. Always, always use gloves and pay attention to your surroundings. Don’t just throw bait in the rat holes, they can and will kick it out. Poison Control is 1-800-222-2222 and as always call 911 immediately. We can help with snake removal so call ProBest once you are safe 480-831-9328 or 623-414-0176. Always take care, we live in a desert – caution.

Tubes

Tubes are an easy way to see the evidence of subterranean termites. They live in the ground and work their way up into your home. They use dirt, mud soil to protect themselves and as a way of regulating their body temperatures and well being. The only way to keep them out is a soil treatment, don’t treat inside the walls as it only affects one or two tubes. We use only Termidor, in my opinion the best product to keep them out. There are generics but I only promote the original formulation.

I suggest a yearly or every few year inspection, as it is just a matter of time before you get them. Over 8 billion dollars of damage in the US every year blamed on these little bugs. Florida ranks up higher on the list of real problem mainly due to excess moisture.

Put the onus on us, rather then you – call ProBest Pest Management for an inspection today at 480-831-9328 or 623-414-1076

Screw me

Screw me, have you ever had a day when all goes against you? Even the rats are out to get me. It was a sign – have you ever had a rat bring you a present in the rodent station? OK I’m just kidding, I don’t think they are that smart or maybe they are? I’ve had rats that are trap shy so you have to be clever with them.

Ways to keep the rats out.

1. Check your home frequently for holes, rub marks (rats have oily fur).

2. Pick up fruit daily, see f you notice teeth marks.

3. Check areas of pool pumps and ac units for rat poop.

4. Pay attention to noises coming from attic or roof.

5. If your neighbors mention rodents, take care. They will not go away on their own, they require food and water and will stay in an area.

As always if you are unsure you call ProBest 480-831-9328 or 623-414-0176.

TRUSTWORTHY

Everyday I get bombarded with “I can get it for cheaper”, what is TRUSTWORTHY and what does it mean to you? You know the commercial on TV where the patient ask about the Doctor, and the Nurse says he’s OK. I don’t want to be known in the community as OK, I want to be known for the Quality of our work. I use the Boy Scout Law as a measurement of the business and TRUSTWORTHY is #1. One of the things I like to do, is to find out where and how the termites ae gaining access into the home. Almost like a who done it moment for me.

Hey if it’s just about the money, fine but if your going to live in the house or stay in business at that location think about QUALITY. Listen to the guy selling you, does it sound like he knowns about the thing he’s talking about? Ask questions, if you get quotes compare the right things.

I just had some inside home work done, first off I know nothing about what is code and not. I had to get another Handyman because I wasn’t to sure about things and a few things are not code. Yep I’m screwed, not to code. Why do people do that? I’ll let you know in a few weeks about the new Handyman. Remember you get what you pay for, right? TRUSTWORTHY?

Kings of Pain

Kings of Pain tv show, you have got to watch this show. These two guys inflect pain upon themselves and then rate the pain on 3 levels – intensity, duration and damage 1 -10. They expand on the work of Justin O. Smith 1-4 with his pain scale. Now just so you know, I’m a wimp when it comes to pain. I think by now you should realize that men are babies, I can be a home sick and continue to moan as if there was someone home to hear me.

So I hear about these stings, I have been stung a few times by bees or hornets but nothing serious. Now I’m not downplaying the issues some people have with one sting but apparently I can get through several.

Now look at the stinger on this Tarantula Hawk, wowzers. This menacing bug ambushes tarantulas, lays an egg on it after stinging it and paralyzing it and the baby grows up on tarantula meat. This flying little bugs rarely mess with us, but if you provoke them watch out for that stinger. So give the Kings of Pain a look and see what you think?