All posts in “bugs”

What is it?

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What is it?

 

You know how this works, someone sends you something to look at and identify and it is almost impossible to figure out what it might be? So take a look and help me identify what you think these are. Comment below and give me a hand, please!

The answer tomorrow….

Clutter and the bugs…

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Clutter and the bugs…

Sanitation is the key to any commercial restaurant and should be the guiding light to any homeowner. With the spread of bed Bugs nothing has the potential to cause extreme infestations like clutter. The problem is where to begin the treatment and to be successful you must get to all the spots. I don’t care if it’s heat or steam treatment if you can’t get to where the bug is living there is virtually no chance of winning the war against these little biters. This problem extends to cockroaches and rodents as well, clutter is the enemy whether in or around your home.

Inside:

  1. My theory is that if you haven’t touched the item its time to throw it out or better yet give it to a charity!
  2. Closets are not a throw and forget place.
  3. Under beds is also not a very handy place – exceptions include those little plastic cases, at least they are manageable.

Outside

  1. Never stack firewood against the home, ever!
  2. The more stuff around the home and in the yard may attract bugs, spiders and rodents.
  3. Don’t use the shed or garage as a dump site either. If you ever take anything from that area make sure it is clean before bringing it in. Bugs and rodents love to hide in that stuff.
  4. Attics – you can store boxes up there but again make sure they are empty before bringing anything inside. If you store stuff in a commercial storage facility make sure you check stuff before bringing it home.

CLUTTER IS THE ENEMY! SANITATION IS YOUR FRIEND!

PestTube! What is this thing

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PestTube! What is this thing.

Pestubes-In-The-Wall™is a proactive, centralized pest control system designed to deliver a mild residual pesticide inside the walls of your home where bugs live and breed.

Pestubes-In-The-Wall™eliminates 90% of the need to spray within in your home’s living area by equipping your new home with a fundamental barrier against pests. Pestubes-In-The-Wall™ is a reliable, modern approach to pest control that can help keep your family and home free of harsh pesticides.

The innovative Pestubes-In-The-Wall™system, shown below, incorporates a network of precision perforated tubes built into your home’s framing, which are linked to a pesticide injection port located on the home’s exterior.

OK for my take, I have investigated numerous versions of this device both under concrete and in walls. The version under concrete which I have seen in action was more of a pvc pipe versus tubing (TermGuard) and I really liked the ability and adaptability of this product. The only issue is pricing and with the advent of repellent termiticides such as Termidor or Transport I just don’t see this catching on.The stuff in the walls I’m not sold on, I think the tubing kinks to often and this prevents the products from being delivered to the area in question. The other problem is the product used whether dust or liquid often blocks the tubing and now we have to address the propellent. This propellent needs to ensure that the product is pushed to where it is needed and unfortunately I just haven’t seen anything that really gets the product to the end source.

Safety Precautions for Total Release Foggers

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Safety Precautions for Total Release Foggers:

EPA has prepared this fact sheet to help users reduce potential hazards associated with total release foggers. Total release foggers, also known as “bug bombs,” are pesticide products containing aerosol propellants that release their contents at once to fumigate an area. These products are often used around the home to kill cockroaches, fleas, and other pests. Because the aerosol propellants in these foggers typically are flammable, improper use may cause a fire or explosion. In addition to this hazard, failure to vacate premises during fogging or reentering without airing out may result in illness.

There are several video’s that outline the proper use of these tools for pest control (vacate residence, do not use more than on label and ignition sources)  and with all the stories over the last few years its probably time for a detailed guideline on usage. I will add one more item, there is a place for this type of tool within pest control but bear in mind that improper use may make the bug go deeper into the walls or hiding place. This may actually make the situation worse and more difficult if you then must hire a Pest Management Professional.

Flying insects abound with rain and great weather…

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Flying insects abound with rain and great weather…

 

           Thanks to Scorpion Techs for the pictures. www.ScorpionTechAZ.com

 

So yesterday we had a rash of calls concerning little tiny crawling and flying bugs. These above came from Scorpion Techs and they were curious what they were, after a little book research I think we have Chinch bugs. The other ones earlier in the day almost look like a Pirate Bug which sucks  juice from plants such as Aphids do. Nothing a little general pest service can’t take care of. Since they are extremely tiny they can get into your homes by way of windows and doors and the really annoying thing is that they might get into your nose or mouth, yuuuuuck…

With the rains and great weather comes the bugs, so keep your mouth shut (so they don’t fly in) and call your friendly Pest Management Professional (which I hope is ProBest Pest Management).

Why don’t you “Do It Yourself” pest control?

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Why don’t you “Do It Yourself” pest control?

OK I’m going to tell you my secret to pest control, wait for it, wait – You have to know your bug! Anybody can spray, anybody can use a compressed sprayer and anybody can throw granules out and about. But that isn’t how it happens, the bugs just don’t walk about like you and I. They hide and frankly they are very good at it. I’ve used this analogy often – I take my fleet of trucks to BrakeMaster’s, the reason I do that is because I don’t think I’m good enough at changing my brakes and I want to stop at your home. Yes I could change my own oil but why, I could have done a termite job and had more fun. Some people are into cars or music, but I’m into bugs and I’m damn good at what I do! I love what I do and everyday is exciting and different. Whether I’m investigating where the Bed Bugs are hiding or how the Roof rats got into the house. There are people are there that have spent years in college and are good at their profession just like me – 20 years at interpreting clues and signs and that is the real reason you should call ProBest Pest Management. I’m different and there is no doubt about it, I have a Post office and Zoo at my place. I love to talk with groups like the classes I teach at Chandler Environmental Center at Veterans Oasis Park and frequently host Merit Badge classes.

Honestly isn’t that someone you would rather take care of those bug issues for you, maybe that honey do list will be done once or twice and then forgotten. Not with ProBest, we will put you on a revolving schedule – we won’t forget! Does your significant other really understand those bugs, Dr. Bug does and he love what he does.

So please just make that simple call to ProBest Pest Management at 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176. Do what you are good at and let ProBest handle those ugly littler bugs. It’s what we do every day. Bugs don’t like us but just check out our reviews on at Kudzu.com – 75+ people love us won’t you? By the way we do more than bugs – we do customer service and we love it.

By the way I’m Keith V. Birkemeyer and I approve this message…..

Friday 13th – Beware the bugs, really!

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Friday 13th – Beware the bugs, really!

 

Don’t panic bed bugs have nothing to do with Friday the 13th but it got me to thinking. So do work around furniture, clothing or anywhere where people meet. I’d probably say most of us fall into that category. But it got me to thinking about some things, the other day a few Fire Fighters came in and we got into discussing Bed Bugs. They told me that a fire station in Phoenix got them and that it freaked them out, so I thought I would put together a list of potential places where Bed Bugs might latch onto a unsuspecting host. Remember Bed Bugs are not like lice and that normally they don’t travel on people but consider that they are experts on hitchhiking.

  1. Garbage or refuse haulers, do you pick up garbage and transport it to another dump site?
  2. Self employed haulers.
  3. Not for profit agencies that pick up clothes, or those box collection sites.
  4. Moving van companies and employees.
  5. Fire Fighters, Police, Medical Personnel, EMT’s & Paramedic’s or people that come into contact with people each day.
  6. Clothing store employees.

So take care to do some random checking as you arrive back home or to your station. If you spot something crawling immediately go outside and get that thing off of you. Consider changing clothes in the garage and washing all clothes on hot and dry on hot for an hour – the book says 30-40 minutes but just a precaution, it takes 113° to kill adults and eggs. Don’t panic just use your common sense and you will be fine.

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