All posts in “bites”

Traveling BedBugs

Watch out when traveling:

Bedbugs are traveling about all the time, but during those periods when we travel more we actually hear about them more often as well. So pay attention and if you suspect them in your room, ask to move across the hotel. Don’t place you luggage on bed or on chairs, I place mine in the bathroom, far far away from any place where they might hide. When you return home, undo the luggage in the garage or back porch. No sense bringing them into your home – cause that will bring on added $$$$$$ for treatment. If you think that they got into your home ask for an opinion by a qualified professional pest management operator such as ProBest Pest Management – QualityPro since 2005.

Watch the video for more information regarding these little blood suckers – “Sleep tight and don’t let the Bedbugs bite”.

Oh and by the way, this is a job for someone who knows this bug. Don’t do foolish things like spread DE everywhere or use a blowtorch (I know some people have done this). Use common sense and call ProBest at 602-249-7378, this could be the smartest thing you did this whole year.

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

traveling bedbugs

Bedbug Awareness Week day1

Well it’s that time of year, school is out and the traveling begins. Whether at home or traveling for summer vacation, bedbugs could be a key concern. Although named for their habit of feeding on human hosts in bed, they can be found in all types of locations and items. To promote public awareness and to help avoid infestations, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has declared June 4-10, 2017 as BedBug Awareness Week. ProBest Pest Management is joining NPMA in this important public education effort by sharing common signs of a bed bug infestation to keep an eye out for this summer.

“Just like people enjoy traveling in the summer months, so do bed bugs, and they love using personal belongings like suitcases, boxes and shoes as a hiding place, just to be near a food supply,” said Keith V. Birkemeyer aka Dr. Bug,  at ProBest Pest Management in Gilbert, Arizona. “With these biting pests being easily transported, it’s important to know the top signs of an infestation, so proper precautions can be put in place and to know when it’s time to call a licensed pest control professional such as ProBest 602-249-7378 or call us at 623- 414-0176 to assess the situation.”

Dr Bug shares the following noteworthy signs and symptoms of a possible bed bug infestation:

  • Small red to reddish brown fecal spots on mattresses, upholstery or walls
  • Molt bed bug skins, their white, sticky eggs or empty eggshells
  • Red, itchy bite marks, especially on the legs, arms and other body parts exposed while sleeping
  • Very heavily infested areas may have a characteristically sweet odor

“During the summer, travel increases and so does the likelihood of encountering bed bugs. We strongly encourage the public to take extra precautions to avoid encounters with these biting pests,” added Dr. Bug.”

Bedbug

Bedbug

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPBal3PdvgU[/embedyt]

Beware the venomous spiders, DANGER!

Photo by PPMA

Photo by PPMA

I’m not a big fan of spiders, so when I’m doing work around the outside of my house I always wears gloves. I suggest anytime you do work around the yard, attic, outside or in the garage wear gloves. It’s been a long time that a death has occurred in Arizona but you really don’t need the aggravation or pain of a bite. What do you look for with Black Widow Spiders?

  1. Irregular webbing, sticky.
  2. A spider hanging upside down.
  3. A Black spider with a red hour mark on its belly, or we have the Brown Widow and it has spots sometimes.
  4. They like dark and quiet areas.

Do I really need pest control?

Each of us have to ask that question and maybe even answer it differently depending on circumstances. What are the question?

  1. How often do I see pests?
  2. What are the pests?
  3. Termites are a different type of treatment, requires a strategy?
  4. Is it a time time event, like bedbugs?
  5. Do you see scorpions or venomous spiders?
  6. Can I keep pest out by doing IPM techniques?

If you live in an area where the pests are dangerous then I suggest contacting a local company and getting their opinion. We have scorpions in Arizona and it is tough to keep them from getting into your home. If I lived in an area where Brown Recluse were active I would have service monthly. Answer those questions above and check out the National Pest Management Association website for details on where to locate a reputable pest control company.

ProBestIMG_20130906_131434

It’s close to halloween so BOO!

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Andon was out this last week doing some pest control treating and surprise, something was out sunning. Even at this time of year we all must be aware that in Arizona it’s still quite warm.

I believe this to be a Arizona Mohave Rattlesnake, from what I hear more dangerous than a Diamondback but luckily he saw hit quickly. The weird thing was that he didn’t rattle maybe a bit too cold 80 degrees.  So be aware of your surroundings always.

Bed Bugs spreading across the US

bedbug spreading

bedbug spreading

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bedbugs are spreading rapidly and continue their march across the US. I  don’t always get creeped out with pests but BedBugs do it for me. I think about accidental infestation, maybe a lone bedbug falls into a pocket or shoe and I bring it home.

Take care traveling, check out the room and if you think you see something contact management. Don’t bring in used furniture without looking it over really well. Check out our webpage https://callprobest.com/bedbugs and the Nation Pest Management Association has a site “All Things Bed Bugs”

Other NPMA Bed Bug Info & Facts:

  • Bed bugs can lay one to five eggs in a day and more than 500 in a lifetime.
  • Bed bugs can survive for several months without eating.
  • Bed bugs can withstand a wide range of temperatures, from nearly freezing to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Bed bug draw blood for about five minutes before retreating to digest.
  • Bed bugs hatchlings are so small they can pass through a stitch-hole in a mattress.
  • Bed bugs can ingest seven times their own weight in blood, which would be the equivalent of an average-sized male drinking 120 gallons of liquid.
  • Bed bugs are found in all 50 U.S. states.

 

Bed Bugs in the weirdest places

 

Bed Bugs can show up in the strangest places and cause you to be creeped out just thinking about them. I’ve heard about them in movie theaters, libraries and shelters across the US. So if you notice anything while out, please bring it to the attention of the owner or manager. “VA man says he got bedbugs at movies” , “Bed Bugs discovered at Detroit Medic EMS unit and in ambulances“.

Bed Bugs don’t travel well on your person, but they make every attempt at riding home on clothes, purses or backpacks. Check out some info at “All things Bed Bugs” a site by National Pest Management Association.

12_Bed Bug Nymphs

 

 

 

 

Did you know?

All 50 States have reported Bed Bugs.

Bed Bugs can go several months without food.

To date there are no reports of Bed Bugs transmitting diseases.

Bed Bugs don’t care how clean your home is, they will inhabit both clean and dirty. If your home is cluttered it makes it more difficult to find them.

 

Some flies have stripes, why do Zebra’s have stripes?

Blending in, right?

Some flies have stripes, is it to blend in. I really thought that it was to blend in but I was wrong. Looks like the reason for their stripes has to do with warding off insects. “Why do Zebra’s have stripes? To keep the bugs off.

flies

flies PPMA

Have you seen those TV shows in the Arctic where the flying insects looked like there were zillions. The poor animals having to endure the biting and blood sucking pests. It is amazing to me to see that animals adapt to environments such as these. I have been camping many years ago and the mosquitoes would just drive you nuts, you couldn’t get away from them. I also remember canoeing down the Wekiva river and being attacked by deer flies and horseflies. Those bites really hurt. So it looks like all I had to do was paint myself black and white.

The saga continues – with Bed Bugs of course

 

I’m not trying to scare anyone but this Bed Bug thing continues, yes we are still getting calls weekly about these little biters. So really what is the answer, I just want to amke sure sure you are informed. Visit National Pest Management Association (NPMA) for all things bed bugs.

They are showing up at weird and unexpected places. Sometimes we become detectives in learning how and when they arrived at the place in question. This story out of Nebraska just goes to show where they may or may not pop in from “Claim denied for Bed Bug removal” the claimant believes his daughter picked them up from a 4-H camp.

11_Bed Bug Bites

Photo provided by PPMA

 

A year in review, my Top pest control job for 2013.

Flies may disgust me but Bed Bugs just plain and simply creep me out!

Without a doubt it has to be – wait for it, da da Bed Bugs of course. Names will be changed of course to protect the real parties, I’m kidding I would never release names. This was a rental unit and honestly I have never seen this many Bed Bugs ever! If that wasn’t bad enough they also had German Roaches and disgusting can’t even describe this home. The German Roaches were eating the Bed Bugs, gross. The Bed Bugs were everywhere, the bathrooms and the kitchen areas. Not as plentiful in those areas but you could spot them hiding in places where generally you shouldn’t be finding them. The cockroaches were having a grand ole time, they were fat and also hanging out everywhere. You could see them in door frames, door hinges and dressers just waiting for a Bed Bug to come by.

OK so you’re pretty grossed out, this isn’t the worst of it yet. We started our portable steamer and started our crack and crevice work and then that is when I noticed the blood running. It could have been the Amityville house, OK maybe not that bloody but again gross. It is my opinion that we were probably dealing with hundreds maybe thousands of Bed Bugs.

I’ll say this again, Bed Bug treatment is probably not a Do It Yourself job – call in the Professionals. Don’t let it become this situation above, one Bed Bug is all it takes and boom – out of control. Don’t panic – just call a Pro.

12_Bed Bug Nymphs

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