All posts in “bugs”

Bug-Man

The Bug -Man

Bug-Man strikes – My office staff has really stepped up this year, we incorporated a sign into our welcoming of our Post Office clients. We tell them the weather forecast and often underping the pest world into the mix. We even mention it in our message on our service slips.

“Bugs aren’t going to inherit the earth, they already own it”. Since the dawn of time, by the way I wasn’t there bugs have been gunning for us. We invaded their territory, we made caves our domain and then we build houses where they lived first. So technically they were here first but God gave us dominion over all creatures. In some cases people have to decided to just grin and bear it, but bugs can make it tough. I remember a campout once where the mosquitoes just wouldn’t leave me alone. By the way it is tough trying to breath when your all locked away in a sleeping bag. Have you witnessed those shows where the flies or gnats are a real pests especially for animals?

 

bug-man

Bees need water

Honey bees and all living creatures need water

Bees and all creatures need 3 things, water, food and shelter. It is very important for all creatures and with very few exception it is Life and Death. Some creatures can take water directly from the food they eat. Mice and termites are just a few.

So what do you do when they invade your space, adapt of course? We have tried moving a dish of water away from a pool or putting in a fountain to distract them away from the other water source. Most times the honey bees won’t sting, but why tempt fate, right? Imagine coming up from under the water and bee is on your face or head and they decide to randomly sting (rare). So we have tried the water dish and or fountain idea to motivate them away. These little bees were just going ahead with their business and unprovoked would never bother anyone. I often see bushes full of flower that almost come alive with honeybee activity – “leave them bee and they will leave you bee”.

I have a large account and they have a huge fountain and there are days when they are really active. I also know that most people are not familiar with bees like I am but just be nice to them and they will generally leave you alone. Remember one out of every mouth full of food relies on honeybees, we really need them to do their work. They are also the only insect that supplies us food. Something to really think about.

Bees

Fountains and bees

Water Fountains and bees

Anytime we think we are safe in the water, wait that was the Shark headline. Honeybees need water just like us and they will take it from anywhere they can find it. Water fountains aren’t the perfect place and neither are swimming pools. Swimming pools can be a sting of a place if you surface and the bee tags along she may decide to sting you and ouch.

This circumstance is difficult to adjust, the bees don’t want to move and generally speaking they won’t. I have tried placing a water dish with stones so they can get a drink, gradually moving it away from the other source.

 

fountains     fountains

Doodlebugs / Antlions

Antlions = Doodlebugs

Doodlebugs you might notice especially under sheds or awning small funnel shaped pits, yep it’s the antlions trap. The antlion waits on unsuspecting prey to fall into the trap and then attacks. These little assassins reside just about everywhere in the US, well maybe not Alaska but check them out anyway. They are way cool!

Now another bit of information, there are bugs that transform into more beautiful things. Monarch Caterpillar into a beautiful Butterfly, Dragonfly Triad into a beautiful Dragonfly and then this Antlion terror larva into a Lacewing, check out some pictures online to see what I’m talking about.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er7EeBBwako[/embedyt]

Doodlebugs

Silverfish / Firebrats

Silverfish / Firebrats

Silverfish / Firebrats can infest various and obscure places, this one was is in an outside rodent station. Usually found within structures and notorious for eating books, book bindings, papers and old documents. The quickest and easiest way of transporting them into your home is by way of old storage boxes or materials which they love to infest. Silverfish are usually uniformly silver, while Firebrats are mottled gray-brown color. They are usually associated with damp areas, active at night and hide during the day. Mainly nuisance pests, usually causing little damage. They do not cause disease and they don’t come up drains. The best method is reduce the dampness and they will usually disappear.

I think if you have a crawlspace and/or attic, this would be the first place to check. Those areas are noted for undisturbed and dampness, depending as well on geological areas of the country. I would then check areas of bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchen and basements  and don’t forget to check stockpiles of books or magazines. I also think baits work best on getting rid of the little pests.

So here are a few tips:

  1. Fix any leaks.
  2. Caulk any opening in wall and any areas where they could slip in.
  3. If you see 1, take action. If your system doesn’t get rid of them – Call a Pest Management Professional such as ProBest. 602-249-7378

Silverfish / Firebrats

Pest Control Services

Pest Control Services

Pest Control Services -One stop service for all your pest needs. ProBest Pest Management has been in the Valley since 1981

Our services include:

Residential and Commercial, Rodents, Scorpions, Cockroaches, Bed bugs, Termites, Termite Inspections and treatments, birds including pigeons, home-sealing including StormShield, One time and Monthly, Every other month and Quarterly services available. Everybody wants a clean and pest free home, and those bugs can slip right on in. Home-sealing is the best preventive measure that can be done to prevent them from getting in.

ProBest services include phoenix home pest control and  commercial pest control.   We are in the Phoenix and surrounding cities.  Gilbert. Mesa.  Chandler. Queen Creek.  Apache Junction.  Gold Canyon. Johnson Ranch. Buckeye.  Avondale.  Surprise.  Sun City.  Glendale.  Peoria.  Deer Valley.  Scottsdale.  Tempe. Maricopa. Casa Grande.  Goodyear.  El Mirage.  Litchfield park.  Tolleson.  Laveen. Carefree. Cave Creek.  Fountain Hills. Gila Bend. Paradise Valley.  Youngtown. New River. Sun Lakes. We will also travel to Tucson and Prescott.

pest control services

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thk3ND217aQ[/embedyt]

Bug t-shirt

Bug t-shirt

Bug t-shirt, what a great idea. A little friend of Dr. Bugs zoo came by to check on our favorite buggy friends and his Grandma had just bought him a new t-shirt. Of course I wanted one but I’ll have to check and see if they come in my size. We have a few children that come by weekly to check on Hagrid the Bearded Dragon, the snakes, cockroaches and tarantula. Post Office was the original best idea and the bug zoo (to keep the kids entertained)  the 2nd best idea.

Bug t-shirt

Other shirt and shoes maybe?

I often see spiderman shoes and clothes but this was the first bug out shirt I’ve seen. Hopefully we will see more in the future, every kid loves bugs, right? I did when I was growing up. I do have a few shirts with bugs on them, my Beatle’s shirt and my spider shirt but that’s it.

Palo Verde Bugs and you

Palo Verde Bugs

Palo Verde Bugs and I just had to post this short little video, this is a relatively BIG bug and they fly. I’m always a bit concerned at this time of monsoon time of year. Since they fly and could hit a motorcyclist and we have enough issues with people not seeing motorcycles.

They feed on the roots of trees especially Palo Verde trees. They then pupate into a beetle that can grow to about 4 inches and they have spines oh and they can bite (see my blood). That makes them one of the largest beetles in North America and can you imagine getting hit in the head with one of these. Ouuuuuch! Did I mention that cats love to play with these little monsters?

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ9gCoZXCC4[/embedyt]

palo verde bugs

Poop – What is it?

Poop?????

Is it Poop? Not the best and most visible pictures, I need a new camera. Any ideas? I have been called a few times by people believing this to be from termites, not. I find this at the bottom of stucco and pretty readily found in Arizona.

poop DSC03764

Ok so we know its not termites, well here it is drum roll please – cricket poo. Somehow the crickets get into the wall and their feces falls down the wall voids. This is also a big sign that you need pest control because the next problem will be scorpions. I’m only guessing here but I’ll bet that scorpions love to eat crickets.

PANIC

Panic and bugs

Panic may be involved with bugs. There are a lot of bugs out there folks and we as humans have aversions to many of them. I met a lady awhile back that absolutely was terrified of crickets, mine is spiders. They just look creepy and with all those eyes staring right back at you, you see my point. The one we really should be scared to death is the mosquito, this little bug has killed more more humans than anything else.

What is your phobia?

Is it snakes, spiders or cockroaches? There can be other forms which may include the mere thought of the bug or animals. I’m sure I mentioned this before but just in case I haven’t – this guy had roaches in the toilet and I couldn’t spray so I just reached in and grabbed them – he went running. He was just freaked out but for me I was fine with that, but if that had been spiders – hell no! So don’t underestimate the fear, that is why Dr. Bug is here.

panic

 

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