All posts in “pests”

Swarming Ants

Swarming Ants

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Swarming Ants

Monsoon is the time for Swarming Ants, usually it triggers the reproductive cycle with the species. This occurs in many social insects, its a way of spreading their genes further from the original colony. I was down at the dog park and noticed the ants making their way up the grass blades to get a little height in their journey. This does occur with termites but it’s just rare to see it.

Honeybees do a similar thing, its just that they divide and leave. Ideally the farther away the better as this helps the gene pool to distribute the DNA away from the parent.

As I mention continuously, inspect your property is the key in keeping those pests at bay. If you spot them in this action, address it immediately  by calling a Professional. Show them where the nest is and let them treat. This prevents the possibility of them getting into your home or biting. The ants at the dog park were vicious biters, even my dog got bit and I had to administer some Benedryl for allergies.

Be careful as some ants will float to get away from flooding waters, and if you get into that mess it can really hurt. Call ProBest Pest Management 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176 for quick action against these biters.

Attached are 2 videos on swarming ants, they were everywhere.

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Wood beetles

Wood beetles

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Wood beetles

Somewhere along the line, some wood beetles laid some eggs in this tree and the larva did some burrowing. In most cases only cosmetic damage is seen and there is no risk of secondary infestation within the home. I have seen some homes where it is a pleasing sight to have this in the wood, while others may not like the look. Ambrosia beetles create a staining within the wood and can look quite nice. Powderpost beetles are often associated with a re-infestation, I have seen art work brought back into the US with these potential issues. In one case we froze the Giraffe for approximately 2 weeks and that took care of the problem. This is a part of IPM or Integrated Pest Management.

What do you look for?

  • Before bringing back any wood into the US please check for issues. Most lumber is treated or inspected.
  • Damage to the wood.
  • Sometimes these bugs expel wood pellets similar to Drywood termites.
  • Any change to the appearance of the wood.
  • Any winged insects within the home, can be identified by a Pest Professional. Call ProBest Pest management 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176

 

Drains & Restaurants

Drains & Restaurants

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Drains & Restaurants

Do you ever check bathrooms before you eat at a restaurant, I check drains and restaurants for a living? I won’t eat until I check the bathroom, if its clean then probably (probably) the kitchen is clean. If you have a restaurant, staff must be taught that part of the process is cleaning. Everyday a certain station should be cleaned and then someone needs to double check. If a customer gets something in their food, the reputation can be sullied in that visit and those reviews sites are not forgiving.

  1. Daily cleaning, certain areas.
  2. Weekly cleaning.
  3. Inspection by someone who cares, not just someone that wants to go home.
  4. Inspection by management. If you set the standard – staff will comply.
  5. A German Cockroach can get by with just a speck of grease, don’t forget in between appliances.
  6. Use a checklist, its not tough. If you start out clean and keep it that way.

The Public is your Critic

  • Only takes one complaint, and if its online – it is there FOREVER. Those Dirty Dining shows are proof of that.
  • Make the weekly cleaning game with free appetizers etc. If staff doesn’t consider it work – it won’t be.
  • Set the standard, if you don’t then no one else will.
Termite or???

Termite or???

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Termite or???

Lookalikes similar to termites or earwigs in appearance – are they Termite or??? Nope they are web-spinners, small eyes, thread-like antenna and longish bodies. You often find them under rocks and stones in warmer climates. The females have no wings, and some males may have no wings either. The female feeds on plant material, and the males probably don’t eat and die soon after they mate when they might get eaten by the female.

They really do look like termites, so you really have to take a second look to identify correctly. Without a proper identification, you won’t know how to treat properly.

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.
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 602-249-7378 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.

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.

Pest Control Technician

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Pest Control Technician

“We’re extremely pleased to see exterminator, or pest control technician, listed among the top ten best maintenance and repair jobs by U.S. News & World Report,” said Cindy Mannes, senior vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association.

2022 the job market – if let’s say a certain fast food place ups the game and pay $15, that in itself starts the ball rolling. Now I’m not saying that $15 is not right, but we are talking a entry level job. Where $15 was a good wage to start a Professional job now has to rise higher and what if you can’t, how much can you afford for a pest service? We raise our rates generally every 2 years, this year mainly due to gas. How much do I then make, if gas goes up $2 – $3 dollars. Its not just gas but my suppliers have to pay more, manufactures charge more for chemicals – its a viscous circle.

I noticed a guy on Facebook looking for a job for is 15 year old son, he wanted $32 an hour. I think we have gone over that edge, I’m not sure I make $32 and hour after 30s years in this Professional.

Operating a business is not for the weak of heart, many things weigh on the owner from vehicles, vehicle maintenance to payroll.

spiders inside

Spiders Inside

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Spiders Inside

Spiders inside can be scary, but most won’t hurt you. There are a few in the US that are venomous including the Black Widow, Hobo Spiders and the Brown Recluse. Sometimes they hitch rides to AZ such as is the case of Hobo and Brown Recluse, we have a relative called the AZ Brown. This spider does bite but isn’t has much of a deal here in Arizona.

I think most people don’t realize how open their homes are, screens need to fit tightly and door sweeps need to be installed and maintained. Garages need that bottom seal and the sides need that weatherstripping. Any opening the thickness of a credit card is an opening that will exploit, and that includes any bug or rodents.

What can you do?

  • Check screens and yearly, no spiders inside.
  • Do a walk around, checking for holes or evidence of infestation.
  • Looks for rodent activity, holes or gnaw marks.
  • Employ a quality pest control company on a consistent basis.
  • Have an annual inspection for termites.
  • Check high and low, that is why my techs use a webber pole to take down webs.
  • Check out buildings, sheds, garages etc.
  • If you notice a spot take a pic and send it to us.

 

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