All posts in “Chandler”

Termite sign

Termite sign

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Termite sign – Look no tubes at the bottom, but they are on the top of the shelving. This is a post tension home, so how did they do that? A little investigative work and what did I spy. No tubes outside, but there is a set of pipes at the washer/dryer. So it must be that, this one was a little easier than some.

You have to think about it, and make the best educated guess as to how they are getting in. Not always easy but the work must be done to stop them from getting in. Termites cause approximately $5 – 8 billion in damage each year so doing a monthly check for termite sign is important in keeping your home in tip top shape.

Meeses in the house

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Meeses in the house

Meeses, OK I know the plural of mouse is mice, not meese but just had to mess with things. Plus coming up with keywords is difficult as there are only so many to choose from. Have you ever checked your attic for signs of rodent infestation or signs of other pests. You need to check screening or weep holes, the vents in each end of attic. Check your home for pipe entry points and seal the area around and protrusion. Check door sweeps and maintain window screens. Don’t just check the tops, if you see evidence dig deeper.

Meeses

Spend It in Gilbert

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Spend It in Gilbert

Spend it in Gilbert – When you buy local you help another family within the Gilbert area. When you buy from someone out of state much of that money goes away from our community.

“It’s your money. When you spend it in Gilbert at a local business, what you are really doing is voting for the success of that business, the success of your community, and ultimately the quality of life that you experience every day.“ Support your local economy. It’s Your Money – Spend It In Gilbert!

Shopping local affords a more personal interaction, you may get to know the owner or their technicians. Local also allows a quicker response time to seek out and determine the pest infestation.  Home town pride – invest in Arizona’s economy. For every $100 you spend locally, $43 dollars stay within that community and if your spend $100 non-local only $13 remains in that community.

Spend It In Gilbert

Invest locally.

I also ran across an article from the “Institute for Local Self Reliance” on Why support locally owned businesses. They give 10 reasons:

  1. Local Character and Prosperity
  2. Community Well-being
  3. Local decision making
  4. Keeping dollars in the local economy
  5. Jobs and wages
  6. Entrepreneurship
  7. Public benefits and costs
  8. Environmental sustainability
  9. Competition
  10. Product diversity

Ants

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Ants inside or outside

Ants can be a real pain in the tush, they seem to show up at the weirdest or most wacky of times. Most of the time when inside, they can be eliminated by using a bait such as TerroPco. Did you know that the Maricopa Havester ant sting is considered the most venomous of all insects. I think they don’t get a lot of publicity because they seldom sting. You may notice them by their large area that is void of debris or vegetation.

The key to keeping them out of your house is cleanliness.  If  they come inside use a bait to get to the Queen ant.

ants

Tubes, tubes more tubes

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Tubes, yes Termite activity.

Tubes – those amazing termites in Arizona can build some unique are artful looking down tubes. OK maybe not your cup of tea but isn’t artistic, that is without all the damage they do. I have seen them in a garage that was over 5 feet in length, been there for some time. These little gals work 24/7/365, looking for wood and ready to chomp through the house.

Look for these telltale clues, tunnels on the foundation slab, marks that look like dirt tubes on the wall and those that hang down from the ceiling. Don’t Panic and yes it is time to call a Pest Management Professional. Most houses will eventually get them and if you see drill mark or previous treatment signs it usually doesn’t means that it’s a bad thing. I personally think it’s a good thing, the  issue was found and handled. I would worry more about the house that was never treated and continued to be eaten away by termites.

By the way, in my opinion not a DIY (Do It Yourself) job. You need a true Professional, remember it’s not always about the equipment it’s about the KNOWLEDGE. You need an expert who has the knowledge, equipment and expertise to do a Professional job.

I suggest a monthly check of your home especially if you live in the southern U.S. Never hurts to check for termites, honeybees or anything that might later cause problems or issues.

tubes     tubes

Stain termite tube

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Stain from a termite tube

The stain stays after wiping it away, you must use soap and water and scrub. I often hear from customers that they found a small hole with what looks like dirt and that is exactly what a termite tube looks like. See the picture, there is a hole with a termite tube or old remnants. The tube was wiped away and all you have now is the stain. After treatment we usually remove the tube and any leftover marks if possible plus in this case the customer is going to paint. This is critical to the sale of a  home, if you don’t get rid of the evidence the next Termite Inspection will note this and require an additional treatment. I also suggest repainting the floor or the foundation to make the holes blend in better, not to hide but make it more pleasing to the sight.

Call ProBest Pest Management today 480-831-9328

stain

 

Mice in Phoenix, AZ

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Mice in Phoenix, AZ?

Mice in general do their best to make it into our homes and businesses in Phoenix. What can be done to keep them out? I often read stories from the news sources on what people do to get pests out of their home. From the guy who torches his mattress, to the person using 25 aerosol bombs for bed bugs. And yet some people think having them in the house is cute. Remember these critters carry diseases and pathogens on their bodies. ProBest Pest Management often gets the call after the person has pretty much in their opinion done it all and can’t catch that one single mouse.

mice Phoenix

They know more than you think?

The bad problem is that that mouse already is wiser to our tricks and since they are now smarter it often takes more time. Mice will generally range for about 30 feet while rats may travel over 100 feet and remember they urinate and spread feces as they run. Often times people don’t put out enough traps, or they think it’s only one and it turns out there are more. If you see one estimate a few and take charge or better yet call a Professional. So don’t think that we can get them out in 24 hours, we will bring our A game but we will get it done. Mice are curious and that is in our favor, we might need traps, glue boards or mechanical traps but we will succeed. So my advice, don’t wait call a Professional right away – we have the tools. 480-831-9328

A few facts:

  • Mice rely on whiskers to touch and their noses to smell.
  • Their eyesight is weak.
  • They prefer to stay near the wall using their whiskers to feel there way.
  • They are curious while rats are shy.
  • Mice may visit multiple sites feeding on many food areas nightly.

The love of adventure – the quest for knowledge!

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The quest for knowledge continues at our Bug Zoo at the Chandler Environmental Education Center. I really enjoy teaching the kids about the bugs and wildlife. It is gratifying to learn that one little one learned about Bark Scorpions and got Mom or Dad to catch the little interloper inside the home and dispatch it to to scorpion heaven.

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Check the schedule on the side panel calendar and stop by for our Bug Zoo at Chandler Environmental Education Center.

What do you know about the Gila Monster?

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What do you know about the Gila Monster?

Gila monsters are found in the SouthWestern United States. The states include Arizona, California, New Mexico, Utah and Nevada. There are several deserts that span this region and these include the Mojave and Sonora. Gila monsters are lizards and are often called beaded lizards that prefer rocky areas & tend to avoid large, open areas. In these rocky areas they will find burrows & spend large amounts of their life in them. Living in a burrow helps them avoid the extreme heat during the daytime & the cold night. They will eat whatever they can when they can in an effort to store up fat for when it is harder to get food. These lizards just like snakes need to be left alone and relocated if possible.

This little piece of artwork is on exhibit at the Chandler Environmental Education Center. Check the schedule calendar on the left side of home seal for dates for the Bug Zoo – 3 – 6 year olds.

Effective Leadership – What Scouting Taught Me!

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  Effective Leadership – What Scouting Taught Me!

I think leadership is something you are born with and is also something that you can cultivate and make better. As an Eagle Scout, former Woodbadge Scouter’s Key trained 15 year Scoutmaster I spent many a day planning, organizing and setting into motion events and training programs. Each and every day at ProBest Pest Management those same thoughts help me to plan and organize my day, month and year. I carry everyday my “Marketing and Planning book” because as the saying goes “He who fails to plan, plans to fail“. So what is my plan:

  1. I have a 1 year plan and 5 year plan!
  2. Marketing, advertising and planning are a day to day process.
  3. Try something and if it works continue, if it doesn’t try something else. With that being said you must track the marketing.
  4. To succeed everyone must understand the plan and be on-board to make it happen.
  5. Training is essential, there are 2 things that I never care about; #1 taking my employees to events with other pest industry technicians – some leaders worry that their technicians will be stolen by other companies. If they leave they weren’t that loyal to you anyway. weren’t that loyal to you anyway. #2 I require certain amounts of continuing education and encourage my employees to learn and yes even to the point of getting them certified as Qualifying Operators which means that they could leave and start their own business. Anything is a risk but if you treat your employees well, hopefully that will come back around (Karma).
  6. I encourage my employees to speak their minds but ultimately it still is my ship to steer.
  7. No one is perfect and the way you learn is by making mistakes.

Scouting builds character!

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