cats Archives - Arizona Pest Control - Pest Management Services

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Rats & Cats

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Rats & Cats, doesn’t seem right does it?

From everything I have read cats are supposed to hunt mice and rodents, maybe they didn’t read the same book I did. This is the absolute reason why pest control by a Professional is important. I’ve posted before that if you have rodents in your neighborhood, they will not go away on their own. Someone in your community probably doesn’t pick up their fruit or leaves the dog food out. So take a proactive stance and check your property and if you see something suspicious inform your neighbors. Don’t accuse just point out you saw something and maybe they will become proactive as well.

My House:

My house and subdivision have been around for over 30 years, but the pest situation is in check. A year or so ago I noticed some rodent activity plus my neighbor said her cat returned with a dead rat. I installed a few rodent stations and the problem is taken care of. I’ve have not noticed any activity in the last few months but the stations remain to take care of any new rats moving into the community.

Outdoor cats and dogs:

I will also comment to say that outdoor cats wreak havoc on the environment, often killing native birds and critters. Feral cats also cause issues, like meowing at night, creating cat litter boxes everywhere to general public. They are also carriers of parasites and just like feral dogs can attack and cause harm. Keeping pets should be an indoor situation and better for them and the public. Rats & Cats, shouldn’t be spending quality time together. Feeding the neighborhood cats and/or dogs just brings continued issues to your surrounding neighborhood. Just my opinion on nature and how I think it works. Cats should be spayed/or neutered and the population reduced and this works better than just removing the excess cats. This opens up outside cats from other territories, from moving in.

Cat versus Dragon

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Cat versus Dragon, every once in awhile you have that moment to take a picture that just has to be taken. This cat and probably very nervous Bearded Dragon, were just hanging out. The owner said they do it daily and have been doing it for a long time – unlikely friends, right?

What does this have to do with pest control? Many people ask if we can kill or get rid of lizards. We can’t and don’t, lizards eat bugs and are a natural way to get rid of pests, especially crickets. Just like bats they eat a lot of bugs on a weekly basis. I’ve also seen cats play with scorpions, never reacting to stings if stung. But still no reason to have bugs in your house.

Ticks

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Ticks can be a real problem with your pets, birds may fly into your backyards or even visit your local park. Without your knowledge your pet picks them up and return to your nice sweet home. Now you have ticks.

Ticks are one of the only bugs that we use our power sprayer in the backyards. Because they tend to climb to the tops of grasses and weeds and wait for their prey. You have to be vigilant because they will come inside and set up home. I’ve seen them in a sofa and that took awhile to figure it out.

Scorps how do they get in?

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How do the scorps get in?

Scorps in the Phoenix Valley. Is this is typical for construction here in Arizona? Not only do you have to check outside but you must also check inside your family home?

So this little Scorpion (let’s call him Fred) one night was out lurking about for food. He came down the block wall where he was living because he had learned about this nice cool spot. He had heard about the crickets singing and chirping all night long.

Fred crossed the endless chasm of rocks and finally made it to the house. He started up the foundation where he found a crack. Now he was inside the wall, he started climbing the 2×4 wall studs, making his way to the attic of the house. Fred made his way under the insulation, he couldn’t really see anything. It was dark under all that insulation and it seemed to be everywhere. All of a sudden he fell, he had made it to a light. There was plenty of room around that light because no one had sealed it properly. Now he was in even bigger trouble, he had fallen into the bathtub and he couldn’t get out since it was very slippery porcelain.

The little child Kylea was running around the house and saw something in the bathtub, she leaned over to touch it and Fred stung her. Fred was just doing what he was born to do, survive an attack by something bigger.

Is it to late?

Well it’s to late for Fred the scorpion, the owners didn’t put up with him and gave him a sea burial. Better yet, they called ProBest Pest Management 602-249-7378 who did a home seal, specialized foam treatment and continuous monthly pest control. They also taught their child to learn the different bad bugs in the Valley.

The moral of the story, hire a pest professional to combat the bugs. Don’t wait until you, your family or pet is stung.

Scorps

Dogs cats pets ticks

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dogs cats pets ticks

Dogs cats pets versus ticks ohhhh my. So here in Arizona we are somewhat lucky not to be plagued by fleas very often. Our humidity isn’t favorable to their life-cycle. But don’t worry we have a host of other vicious little critters that enjoy bothering our pets and us. In general, ticks are to be found wherever their host species occur. Migrating birds carry ticks with them on their journeys; a study of migratory birds passing throughout the country. Ticks are widely distributed around the world, especially in warm, humid climates, yep that’s us.

That picture above is a fully engorged tick, after feeding on something she will be ready to lay her large mass of eggs -somewhere between 2,000 and 18,000. Ticks can fast for long periods but eventually die if unable to find a host. This behavior evolved approximately 120 million years ago through adaptation to blood-feeding and a female can increase her body size to 600%

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

dogs cats pets ticks

Spring Is here and the bugs may be at your door

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Spring is here

So Spring has finally arrived ohhhh and we finally see that April the Giraffe had her baby boy. It’s a Facebook thing and this Giraffe has been expecting for well over a month and I all think we wish it would arrive and that includes April. This season is a time of rebirth, the trees and bushes start the process of new leaves and the animals including starting the process of new babies. As Spring goes into Summer the temperatures will push the bugs into cooler climates such as your home or business. So please keep an eye on eaves, roof-lines and sheds where we see more activity from honeybees etc.

I was sitting in my car on the overpass at the US 60 and Gilbert Road last week and a swarm flew right into and over us, glad my windows were rolled up. Watch the video on Honeybees . Take some time to smell the flowers life is to short to miss the fun stuff – relax take some time.

Spring blooming cactus

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQi9pZ8jE9M[/embedyt]

Leptospirosis Pets and Familiy

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Leptospirosis, bacterial disease

A recent outbreak of Leptospirosis was recently confirmed in Maricopa County. Over 60 dogs tested positive, so I prepared video to help identify what you can do to protect your dog, cats, pets and family. Leptospirosis, is a bacterial disease that can affect people and animals, has been on the rise in Maricopa County dogs since February, 2016. The bacteria that causes this disease is spread in the urine of infected animals, including rodents, wildlife, pets, and livestock. If you suspect your pet may have this bacteria virus please consult your Veterinarian.

First of all, I stopped taking Gracie my dog (I think she is a beagle coker spaniel mix) to parks. I’m concerned with her picking up ticks and now this nasty disease. If you take precautions, we should be able to stop this but consult your Veterinarian. I use Lookout Mountain on Cave Creek Road and highly recommend them. They have taken care of both my dogs and are personable and know their pets.

Gracie negative Leptospirosis

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLarEiVFdH8[/embedyt]

Do you own a reptile?

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I enjoy a few different hobby type things, like our little Bug Zoo at our office. Did you know this about reptiles and amphibians?

Are there any restrictions about owning amphibians or reptiles?

Since 1975, it has been illegal in the United States to sell or distribute turtles with shells that measure less than 4 inches in length. This size was chosen because small children are more likely to treat smaller turtles as toys and put them in their mouths. This ban prohibiting the sale of small turtles likely remains the most effective public health action to prevent turtle-associated salmonellosis.

Despite this ban, such turtles are still found in some pet stores, flea markets, with street vendors, or sold over the Internet. In addition, children still catch wild turtles and lizards and bring them home to keep as pets. Whether purchased or caught in a backyard, a reptile or amphibian can carry Salmonella and might not be the best choice of a pet for your family, especially if there are young children or persons with weakened immune systems in the household.

Just thought I would share this information because many of my friends have snakes or reptiles as pets. So please take care and follow the guidelines from the CDC.

Resources for IPM

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I talk a lot about IPM because it just makes sense, you know the stories and how people just want the old way of pest control. Just like any business you have to change and adapt to those changes or you ultimately die from lack of business. I will admit it isn’t easy to walk away from money but Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is here to stay) and the the betterment of all of us.

Which makes more sense:

Pest Company A shows up at your home, power sprays (soaks everything with pesticide), then comes inside your home and using a compressed sprayer sprays all the baseboards within the home.
Pest Company B asks questions about activity, does a walk around the property and then begins a treatment program. They use a webber broom to knock down webs and locates wasps nest. They might use bait for ants outside and/or using a backpack treat specific locations for scorpions and crickets, they might use a bellows hand duster to put pesticide dust into cracks and crevices to treat the insects (food insects or actual pests) that might be hiding in those areas. If there is a problem within that structure they might use baits or products that pose less risks to the family and pets.

School & Home Integrated Pest Management July 2014 Newsletter – Thanks to the University of Arizona (College of Agriculture & Life Sciences.

Tick, tock is it time for ticks?

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As our weather becomes hotter and hotter, ticks become more active and need food. Guess what, that is an animal maybe your dog or cat or maybe you. I had a question today and wasn’t sure how to answer it – customer asked about ticks in her pine tree? Ticks when born seek a meal and will climb to a height on average with an animal. So maybe 4-6 foot at the most and they do not drop from trees when they see an animal, I don’t think their eyesight is that good.

Here are a few tips for you and your pet.

When hiking keep an eye out for pests, when you arrive home check yourself and your pet.
Know what to look for and the difference between ticks and Bed Bugs.
If you decide to use a Pesticide on your pet, bring that to the attention of your Pest Management Professional. For example if you decide to use a product with Fipronil and then the Pest Operator uses that product in the yard there could be some concerns.
Check out this website – very informative. www.peteducation.com and specifically this page “Ingredients in Flea and Tick Control Products“