arizona Archives - Page 12 of 14 - Arizona Pest Control - Pest Management Services

All posts in “arizona”

Hey, what’s that hanging from my ceiling?

Comments Off

Hey, what’s that hanging from my ceiling?

With all the rains we have had it is not surprising to any of us that termites are still very active. This is a frequent little phenomenon that happens here with our desert termites. They find their way into our homes and follow the wood grain, hit the next 2×4 and then follow that grain and rather than return the longer way they attempt to go back down from where they are at the moment. Tricky little bugs, right?

So before you just clean it up and disregard it, check it out – is it dirt and do you see any little white 6 legged ant type critters. Surprise, it’;s probably termites – give us a call to make sure 602-249-7378

What is a micro-encapsulated formula pesticide?

Comments Off

What is a micro-encapsulated formula pesticide?

The capsule suspension is protected from the environment and is slowly released to provide long-term activity. Demand CS is an odorless, micro-encapsulated insecticide containing 9.70% Lambda-cyhalothrin, ProBest utilizes this formulation during the more extreme hot months here in Arizona.

Demand CS combines an advanced-generation pyrethroid with a unique capsule suspension formulation for outstanding protection against numerous perimeter insect pests. Essentially, Demand CS consists of thousands of tiny capsules that hold their shape and stay where applied over an extended period of time.

Have you ever wondered why fleas can jump so far?

1 Comment

Have you ever wondered why fleas can jump so far?

They can jump due to their very strong back legs and from pads of a rubber-like protein called resilin. Some fleas can jump up to 150 times their own body length. What would that be to a human – a 100 story building.

Fleas caused the Bubonic Plague back in 1358 and are found throughout the U.S. We normally don’t have much of a problem here in Arizona, I think mainly due to the lack of humidity.

Flea control is really a four-step process: Stop wild animals from coming into your yards and absolutely making sure they cannot get into your home, the pet should be treated, indoor and outdoor control. This process can also be used on ticks, which we do have issues with in Arizona. Don’t confuse Ticks with Bed Bugs.

It’s not always about the Scorpions, how about visiting Arizona? Montezuma’s Castle

Comments Off

It’s not always about the Scorpions, how about visiting Arizona?

Montezuma’s Castle

On the last day of each month we will run a series on visiting Arizona and what cool stuff we have here including wildlife. 12 of my favorite places.

This picture is Montezuma’s Castle – located near Camp Verde, Arizona, in the Southwestern United States, features well-preserved cliff-dwellings. They were the Sinaquas. Ancient Indian Tribe who built the cliff dwellings called Montezuma Castle about 700 years ago in the early 1300s. The Sinaqua abandoned their habitat in this Verde Valley Arizona area in the 1400s.A few desert animals are primarily active during the day, or “diurnal”. These include rock squirrels, chipmunks, lizards, snakes, hawks, and eagles.

How can you deal with these Arizona woodpeckers?

Comments Off

How can you deal with these Arizona woodpeckers?

Is there anything more annoying than a woodpecker who decided its time to bang on your house while your trying to sleep? I have a chimney just outside my upstairs bedroom door and it actually has a metal cap on the top and this woodpecker really knew how to wake me up. I was lucky because it was an easy fix – I installed 2 Daddi Long leg spiders on my chimney and it stopped the woodpecker from getting the chimney cap. There are other products available but you’re going to love this – the woodpecker protective coating spray doesn’t work on our Arizona woodpecker. These repellents do generally work on the other 23 varities of woodpeckers in the U.S.

Arizona Bed Bug Laws

Comments Off

Arizona Bed Bug Laws

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 9, chapter 4, article 8, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 9-500.30, to read:

9-500.30. Prohibition on adopting landlord tenant bedbug control requirements

A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, a city or town shall not adopt requirements by ordinance or otherwise for landlords or tenants that relate to the control of bedbugs as defined in section 33-1319, other than the requirements prescribed by section 33-1319.

B. A city or town may adopt requirements relating to the proper disposal of items that are infested with bedbugs.

Sec. 2. Title 11, chapter 2, article 4, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 11-269.10, to read:

11-269.10. Prohibition on adopting landlord tenant bedbug control requirements

A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section the board of supervisors and any other person under the authority of the board of supervisors shall not adopt requirements by ordinance or otherwise for landlords or tenants that relate to the control of bedbugs as defined in section 33-1319, other than the requirements prescribed by section 33-1319.

B. The board of supervisors or a person under the authority of the board of supervisors may adopt requirements relating to the proper disposal of items that are infested with bedbugs.

Sec. 3. Title 33, chapter 10, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 33-1319, to read:

33-1319. Bedbug control; landlord and tenant obligations; definitions

A. A landlord has the following obligations with respect to a bedbug infestation:

1. As a portion of its obligations under section 33-1324, the landlord shall maintain the dwelling unit free of an infestation of bedbugs.

2. The landlord shall provide existing tenants with a copy of this section on or before September 1, 2011 by personal delivery or first class mail and shall provide new tenants with a copy of this section on commencement of a new lease. The landlord also shall provide educational materials to existing and new tenants. Educational materials may include:

(a) A description of measures that may be taken to prevent and control bedbugs.

(b) Information about bedbugs, including a description of their appearance.

(c) A description of behaviors that are risk factors for attracting bedbugs such as purchasing renovated mattresses, using discarded mattresses and furniture, using used or leased furniture, purchasing pre-owned clothing and traveling without proper precautions.

(d) Information provided by the United States centers for disease control and prevention and other federal, state or local health agencies.

(e) Information provided by federal, state or local housing agencies.

(f) Information provided by nonprofit housing organizations.

3. The landlord shall not enter into any lease agreement with a tenant for a dwelling unit that the landlord knows to have a current bedbug infestation.

4. Within seven business days after receiving written or electronic notice of a possible bedbug infestation from a tenant, the landlord or the landlord’s licensed pest control applicator shall visually inspect the dwelling unit for bedbugs. Within seven business days after finding evidence that a bedbug infestation exists in the dwelling unit, the landlord shall start the process of mitigation of the bedbugs in the dwelling unit.

5. Unless the landlord is a licensed applicator, the landlord shall not use any pest control techniques that constitute mitigation and shall use for mitigation a pest control applicator who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 22.

6. The landlord shall provide the tenant with written notice of the bedbug mitigation treatment protocol at least three business days before the initial treatment. Notice shall be deemed received by the tenant on the date the notice is personally delivered or mailed first class.

7. Unless otherwise provided in this section, the landlord is responsible for the bedbug mitigation expenses for the dwelling unit and any surrounding units that are infested.

B. A tenant has the following obligations with respect to a bedbug infestation:

1. As a portion of the tenant’s obligations under section 33-1341, the tenant shall maintain the dwelling unit free of an infestation of bedbugs.

2. The tenant shall not move materials into a dwelling unit that are infested with bedbugs.

3. A tenant who knows of the presence of bedbugs shall provide the landlord written or electronic notification of the presence of bedbugs in the dwelling unit within three business days. Notice that is provided by the tenant pursuant to this paragraph constitutes permission to the landlord to enter the dwelling unit for the sole purpose of inspecting for or mitigation of bedbugs.

4. After receiving notice from the landlord of a bedbug inspection or mitigation as provided in subsection a of this section, the tenant shall allow the landlord and the landlord’s licensed pest control applicator access to the dwelling unit.

5. The tenant shall comply with the bedbug mitigation protocol established by the licensed applicator, which may include pretreatment activities, temporary evacuation of the dwelling unit, posttreatment activities and an obligation to report the ineffective treatment or reinfestation to the landlord within three business days.

6. The tenant shall not apply or permit any unlicensed person to apply any bedbug control techniques that constitute mitigation.

7. If a landlord fails to inspect and, if necessary, mitigate a bedbug infestation within the time prescribed in subsection A of this section, the tenant shall provide written notice to the landlord of the tenant’s intention to correct the condition at the landlord’s expense. If the landlord fails to correct the condition within ten days after being notified by the tenant in writing, the tenant may cause the work to be done by a licensed pest control applicator, submit to the landlord an itemized statement for the pest control services and deduct from any rent due the actual and reasonable cost of the pest control treatment not to exceed five hundred dollars or one‑half of the monthly rent, whichever is greater.

8. If the tenant fails to comply with any of the obligations prescribed in this section, the tenant may be held financially responsible for bedbug mitigation expenses for the dwelling unit and surrounding units that are infested.

C. The landlord and tenant of a single family residence may agree that the tenant is responsible for bedbug mitigation as provided in section 33‑1324, subsection c.

D. A landlord is deemed to have successfully mitigated a bedbug infestation on completion of bedbug treatment by a licensed pest control applicator.

E. This section does not limit the landlord’s or tenant’s rights and obligations under this chapter.

F. Except as specifically provided in this section, this section does not create a cause of action against:

1. A landlord or a landlord’s employees, officers, agents and directors by a tenant or a tenant’s guests for any damages caused by bedbugs.

2. A tenant by a landlord for any damages caused by bedbugs.

G. For the purposes of this section:

1. ”Bedbug mitigation expenses” means the reasonable and necessary cost of the pest control treatment or treatments and may include the cleaning, removal and replacement of flooring if reasonably required by the degree of infestation.

2. ”Bedbugs” means any insect in the genus cimex and its eggs.

3. ”Infestation” or “infested” means that the presence of bedbugs is sufficient to materially affect the health and safety of tenants and their guests.

4. ”Mitigation” means the process undertaken by a pest control applicator who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 22 to attempt to eliminate or manage the infestation of bedbugs by poisoning, spraying, fumigating, trapping or any other recognized and lawful pest control method, including repeated applications of any treatment, particularly to areas where bedbugs are likely to congregate.

5. ”Surrounding unit” means a dwelling unit that shares a common wall with, or that is directly above or below, another dwelling unit.

Damage from Pocket Gophers

Comments Off

Damage from Pocket Gophers

Pocket gophers, are burrowing rodents that get their name from the fur-lined, external cheek pouches, or pockets, they use for carrying food and nesting materials. Pocket gophers are well equipped for a digging, tunneling lifestyle with their powerfully built forequarters; large-clawed front paws; fine, short fur that doesn’t cake in wet soils; small eyes and ears; and highly sensitive facial whiskers that assist with moving about in the dark. In Arizona significant damage can be done to soccer fields and other areas we play, Pocket Gophers create holes where children can fall into and break ankle or wrist. A gopher’s lips also are unusually adapted for their lifestyle; they can close them behind their four large incisor teeth to keep dirt out of their mouths when using their teeth for digging.

Sometimes those termites drive you daffy…

Comments Off

Sometimes those termites drive you daffy…

Every once in awhile you get that termite job that is either unique or somehow just different. No matter what you do, the termites continue to do some damage in a home.

Scenario

House is about 20 years old, no record exists for a pretreatment with the state – in Arizona (Office of Pest Management)we are required by law to report all termites treatments. I actually wrote a home seal “Termite Sleuth on the Job” same house – continued issue but in a different area.

Treated entire house with Termidor, down drilled all attached slabs and garage and have drilled various areas within the home on the wooden floors. I’m almost convinced that no pretreatment was ever done. No further issues along the exterior of the home, only on the interior and once we drill the area we notice activity later. Now I did mention Termidor, but if it isn’t where they are moving through it – it won’t work. So without taking the floor up I decided to use some bait stations – FirstLine™ by FMC. I used another product in Florida and have learned a few things on bait systems after some time in Arizona. I place the units in areas where there is some shade or something with a bigger footprint to help hold cooler temperatures and maybe water.

probestpestmanagementIMAG0771 probestpestmanagementIMAG0770

Termite Tubes and more termite tubes….

Comments Off

Termite Tubes and more termite tubes….

Bigger and bigger, the termites are munching away at this home. Our termites in Arizona are not as aggressive as the Eastern US termites so typically we don’t have extensive damage to homes.

ProBest Pest Management Awarded Best of 2012 on Kudzu

1 Comment

best-of-2012-header

ProBest Pest Management Awarded Best of 2012 on Kudzu

Voted by Kudzu users as a top company in Gilbert Pest & Animal Control

Gilbert, AZ – Dec. 23, 2012 – ProBest Pest Management was named a Best of 2012 winner in Gilbert Pest & Animal Control on Kudzu, the leading source of local business information and consumer reviews. Over 5 million businesses competed across 30 categories, and winners were awarded based on the highest number of votes received on Kudzu.com.

Over 80+ customers have reviewed ProBest Pest Management

“Keith V. Birkemeyer aka “Dr. Bug” is very pleased with this award, it honors our commitment to customer service. We are proud to be among the most highly regarded and trusted Pest & Animal Control companies in Gilbert. Winning this award from Kudzu only strengthens our commitment and excellence of service to our customers.”

“Consumers value companies who appreciate their business and provide superior service. We wanted to create an open forum where the best companies could be recognized by Kudzu users,” said Fran Wills, General Manager of Kudzu.

For a full list of Best of 2012 winners, visit: http://www.kudzu.com/best.

About ProBest Pest Management
Bugs are a reality of life. But when they show up in your home, they can make life for you and your family uncomfortable, even potentially hazardous. For 30+ years ProBest Pest Management has been specializing in diagnosing and treating your home. All of our services are customized for your comfort and protection. Buying or selling your home call ProBest for a Wood Infestation Report. Call 602-249-7378 /602-759-8173 /or 623-414-0176 or check our website at https://callprobest.com and our home seal at https://callprobest.com/home seal for everything to know about bugs in Arizona.

____________________________________________________________________________

About Kudzu:

Kudzu helps consumers research and evaluate services and choose highly rated providers in their area. Kudzu.com features expert videos, business profiles, consumer reviews and 30,500 money-saving deals for homeowners in every major U.S. city. Kudzu.com is owned by Cox Search Inc., a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, a leading communications, media and automotive services company. Cox’s businesses include Cox Communications, Manheim, AutoTrader.com and Cox Media Group. For more information, visit http://www.kudzu.com.