IPM Archives - Page 2 of 13 - Arizona Pest Control - Pest Management Services

All posts in “IPM”

Block walls

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Block walls

Block Walls can harbor a variety of bugs, especially scorpions and their food. So treating the block walls inside and outside is essential to making them dead. The art od pest control is to manage the bugs so they die before they get to your home or business. So how do we treat?

Arrive at your door and ask any questions about activity?
Using our webber broom we knock down webs and look up to see anything at the roofline. Check your property for other signs.
We don’t generally use spray tanks, overkill of pest and any good bugs. We use backpacks, to target specific areas that bugs hide or harborage in. We do use spray tanks for ticks because they like to climb up weeds and bushes.
We then check the property for any ant mounds and treat each mound.
We then dust those block walls, with DE and/or Delta Dust. Some companies use a foam device to foam those areas. I’m not sure that it works any better, but we use dust every visit.
If you’re home we will check in and leave you with a service ticket or email you one. Of course we will Thank you.

So consider a service by the Leader in Phoenix Pest Management – we use technology to prevent the bugs from getting to you. 623-414-0176 or 602-249-7378

Tank Stand

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Tank Stand

The tank stand is there for your Hot water Tank. It is enclosed and we often fail to see any termites. We have noticed in our travels that 5 out of 10 have issues that are hidden. Therefore we are including a bath-trap access panel in all our termite treatments if applicable. The stand is generally located in the garage and hides the plumbing access from the concrete. Any penetrations through the concrete are potential threats from termites. Those termites have nothing better to do, then try to access your concrete foundation or slab looking for food = wood.

By the way I had someone mention mention – my house is block and can’t be eaten. Big news, there are things inside and the roof is generally wood. I’ve seen them eat pictures, painting and stuff in the garage, nothing is off limits. Don’t fall for that “My house is safe from termites”, maybe better equipped but watch out. There is a saying “Its not a question of if, but when”.

Termites are active in Arizona year round, but more active during or just after Monsoon. More water = more termite or bug activity.

Termite damage

Termites cause over 5 billion in damages each year in the US, more on the East Coast then Arizona. I think mainly due to the lack of water, I’ve seen bathrooms devastated in Florida. Depending on the type of slab and the construction practices at the time, can lead to serious issues in bathrooms etc. My #1 rule is at least once a year walk around your home, or better yet have ProBest Pest Management check your home yearly and you do it once a year as well. I can generally spot termites from the street and if you do it for a living you get pretty good at it.

GREEN organic pest management

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GREEN organic pest management

What’s all the talk and what does it really mean in green organic pest management? There are lots of pest companies that taut that their products are Green or Organic and simply speaking they are not. The terms Green or Organic implies that the treatment is based upon non-chemical measures and the use of naturally occurring pesticides. ProBest has always believed in IPM and that pesticide use should only come after investigation and exclusion if possible.

Based on this perspective, to deliver a truly “green” pest control service, only products that come from “earth-based materials such as borates, desiccant dusts such as diatomaceous earth or DE and silica, or botanical pesticides classified in category 25b by the EPA (EPA exempt materials) can be used. While EPA exempt products may effectively kill pests on contact, they do have their limitations. They may not resolve persistent pest problems since they have little to no residual effect on pests, especially here in Arizona with the extreme heat.

So what does that mean 4 you?

Scorpions are difficult to control under most conditions and with that being said we have experimented with a product that we believe will work as GREEN. ProBest also believes that any treatment within the home is unnecessary and could cause potential harm to pets especially cats. So this NEW service will continue to be outside only, if you have an interior issue please speak with office. We will use a product that is cedar based in spraying and continue using the webber to knock down webs and DE in the block voids and outside cracks and crevice’s. All in line with a true GREEN service.

Pricing

In line with our commitment to keep cost down we will offer our monthly, every other month and quarterly GREEN services at $65 anytime you call. We will also offer a free callback on monthly only. Every other month and quarterly are to far apart in time to offer that guarantee. Also as a side note – ProBest guarantees a true GREEN product.

QualityPro since 2005 – “The mark of excellence in pest management” GreenPro and Public Health certified. Two staff that are trained Associate Certified Entomologists (ACE).

Garage Trim

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Garage Trim

The garage trim is an important feature in your home, its supposed to keep out stuff. Mice, bugs etc come around a corner and quite possibly find an easy way in. We feature a wide variety of home-seal techniques to keep the bugs/rodents out. Storm Shield is just a easy way to keep rain and bugs out, it compresses against the garage trim to make a seal. Over the years of living in a home, things wear out and need replacing. Door seal, window seals and even weep screens need checking. We also install Garage Door Rodent Guards, they adhere to the bottom of the runner/plastic trim on garage seals. They deter mice/rodents from gnawing at the base and gaining entry.

Wildlife & birds

I had a customer call once with a skunk inside the garage, I really thought it would just mousey on but it didn’t. They had left the garage door open and it decided to take up home in a cabinet. We had to trap the skunk, it wouldn’t leave. But is wasn’t before it decided to squirt one day, then they had to leave the door open. It even permeated the house, yuuuuuck! Birds and wildlife can also build nests in the dryer vent exhaust, we clean them and install a device to stop them from building or getting inside.

Best Exterminator

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Best Exterminator

There are bunches of Pest Control operators throughout Arizona, and constantly they are vying for the title of Best. What determines the Best? We were included in a few of those local things, but some are made up and just want to sell plaques etc. This blog has won a few over the years and technically speaking we have been blogging since 2009, now we blog every Monday. So let me tell you what I think makes a Best Exterminator or great pest company.

They return phone calls promptly.
Did they provide an estimate before they started?
I think you should also check them via social media, but again don’t believe everything you read. If they have 10 bad things and you see a trend then consider that.
Do they explain to your satisfaction, what they are going to do?
Do they stand behind their work?
Is the work satisfactory to you and does it look good, did they clean up after themselves?
Are they rated with the BBB or Chamber?
And drum roll please, would you recommend them?

Arizona

I think we do a great job at all of the above, and yes we do make mistakes from time to time. But we correct, finish and stand behind the work we do. Check us out and give us a call 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176

On demand Pest Control

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On demand Pest Control

Are you a snowbird or travel throughout the year, how would you like an on demand service? Whenever you call, we go. Or you can pretty much set it up any way you want the pest control done. The bugs don’t go away just because you did, hey are always looking for that door into your home.

On demand Pest Control – I’ve noticed lately people are getting quite inventive on pest control selling. One item I noticed this week is that they tell you its only $25 monthly but then they say we are only going to show every 3 month – total = $300 so don’t get duped into signing a contract when ProBest service is $45 any way you want it. Quarterly or Qtr Pest Control with ProBest Pest Management is $180.

Some companies also upsell the Every other Month and Quarterly saying they take longer but you can only do so much. Scorpions require some extra work and Quarterly service based on how long the chemical last, how much sun it gets and if anything is digging up dirt may not work. Stay tuned for a product that may help with all this. I’ll post as soon as I can reference to this product.

We also carry a product that keeps the drains in your home from evaporating. Sewer gas Solutions. The other reason with our service is that we may see things others aren’t looking for, like honeybees. I have run across a burst water line in backyard, water meter boxes leaking and tons of water issues under crawlspaces. On demand any time and anyway you want it, we may make suggestions of effectiveness but always so you are well informed. Remember WE KNOW BUGS! 623-414-0176 or 602-249-7378

Scorpion glass

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Spray-on glass

Scorpion glass – One of my strong traits is that I love new technology. I read the current Pest Control magazines like Pest Management Professional and Pest Control Technology. I ran across a product that I definitely think is a game-changer to pests in your home or business. So let’s step back a few years – a company was going to install glass on your slab visible under the stucco. I thought this was too labor-intensive and posed some issues with dirt sticking to the glass and where it connected together.

This week I came across a product from ScorpionRepel.com – I loved this premise. This is a glass-like spray, applied to your slab, and partway up the stucco depending on slab, which prevents scorpions from climbing. They further indicated that they could spray into the garage and below any doors. So far approximately 250 homes have been treated with very good results. No staining, clear which won’t yellow and won’t damage your paint. It will stick to any material such as bricks, metal, and stucco. If it is painted over it needs another treatment and treatment is expected to last about 3 years.

Benefits:

In conjunction with pest control, Scorpion glass can reduce scorpion and prey food.
Home-sealing is another avenue to take
The scorpion stays in the treated pesticide zone longer.
More work can be performed in areas that bugs hide and reduce whole yard spraying.
In line with current standards of IPM – Integrated Pest Management
Lasts 3 years

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IPM less pesticides

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IPM less pesticides

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), (IPM) integrated pest management is best defined as “a long-term, effective, and holistic approach to managing pests of all kinds by carefully combining various interventions (e.g., education, code enforcement, rodent proofing, poisoning) in ways that minimize environmental hazards and deficiencies that affect people’s health.”

IPM less pesticides = the new way to manage pests, all the tools to get rid and prevent pests. If you do a home seal, this reduces the risks of pest and reduces pesticide usage. So lets say you have scorpions and you’re thinking what can I do as the homeowner?

1. Home seal.

2. Consistent pest control, not random whenever you think about it.

3. Caulking holes and ????

4. Clean up back yard, no fruit and trash.

5. Black lighting for scorpions.

All these things mitigate the use of pesticide, therefore this = less pesticide usage.

Aprehend Bedbugs

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Aprehend Bedbugs

One of the great products on the market today is Aprehend a non-toxic mode of action with a 3 month residual. Aprehend bedbugs is really unique in that it requires very little contact with the Bedbug. The product is made up of fungal spores (Beauveria bassiana). It is applied as a spray in a narrow band where they come into contact with the spores. These spores transfer from one bug to another via body contact sticking to their feet and body. Then they take it back home. The Bedbugs are killed with 4 to 10 days, the fungal spores germinate in 20 hours after contact with the bug. Even the ones you don’t see and then penetrate their cuticle.

The thing about this product is that it will not cause unreasonable effects to humans. See the picture below and they are into 70,000 treatments in the field. In my book better than pesticides and less invasive than heating the entire house to +160. In nursery homes, senior centers the people would have to leave those areas and return after 4+hours. See the instructional guides for further information concerning prep that must be done. Also with the use of biopesticides such as Aprehend Bedbugs as it affects target pests, small quantities are effective and decompose faster.

It fits in nicely to our use of (IPM) Integrated Pest Management. Tests results have shown great success and after 5 days of exposure 100% mortality of bed bugs and remember it is effective for up to 3 months. So if you’re a motel/hotel you can be proactive, treat either side of the room in question and rest easy. Call ProBest Pest Management today for a quote 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176

Sanitation

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Sanitation, I think most of us don’t think about but maybe subliminally it’s there? You throw away garbage because it will spoil and smell bad. Food goes bad and we clean out the refrigerator. We clean the counters and the surfaces because they are dirty. So why don’t restaurants do the same? After binge watching Gordon Ramsey on Hell’s Kitchen. Sanitation is VITAL.

Places people should clean:

Sides of stoves, refrigerators. Fans need to be cleaned, oils cling to everything.
Pull out the refrigerator clean the coils, this will save on electricity.
Tops of everything, stoves, cabinets, lighting – everything.
Doors and windows.
Walk in coolers need to be checked frequently. Never stack chicken on top.
Pantries – rotate stock.
If you notice bugs, call your Pest Management Professional ASAP. Things will not get better over time.
Have a system or plan in place, example – wash floor nightly, clean countertops nightly and always say who cleans what.
This should occur at home as well, daily chores.