All posts in “grass”

Weeds galore

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OK so Weeds galore can be a real problem especially with HOA communities. Grasses can be an extra challenge as they will grow anywhere and are persistent in growth. There are two basic types of weeds grasses and broadleaf plants.

Now killing them or preventing them, which do you choose? Depends on how much work you want to put into it. Just a few weeds and you can use a hoe, shovel or you can just pull them. If you have a lot then you need some extra help, give ProBest Pest Management a call at 602-249-7378. The cure to lots of weeds is to have a Professional licensed company. Make sure they use a Post Emergent = kills the weeds present and a Pre-emergent = kills the seeds before they germinate. Now the only issue is large rocks – the pre-emergent needs to get to the soil. So you must water it in, it helps a lot.

Remember if you do it yourself. Always read and follow label directions exactly! Wear Personal Protective Equipment, better to Be Prepared than not!

Grass Eaters

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Grass Eaters termites are a little different in that they prefer desery landscapes versus eating your home. Gnathamitermes – tube building desert termites because they attack dead grass, weeds, and the outer portion of cactus and trees. Again remember they only eat dead cellulose or wood.

Often times we are consulted to termites on trees etc, generally you can leave them alone as they typically don’t damage the tree. On the other note, more termiticide on a property may prove valuable. Grass eaters can get inside and damage books and paintings but generally don’t do structural damage. So from a termite point of view its good to take action and get them away from your property and stuff.

Tree termites

Tree termites

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Tree termites or the grass eaters are prevalent in Arizona and can be seen in dry dying grass or on trees. They really are just eating the dead damaged wood not the interior good wood. They are natures cleaner uppers, they redistribute the nutrients back into the soil. Things grow and things die, just like leaves and then back into the soil to help another tree live on.

What we don’t realize is that we build right on top of their homes. We expect them to leave us allow and they are just doing what they were born to do. They work 24/7/365 and it doesn’t matter if its your house or not. If it isn’t protected then it’s your turn. No if but when they decide it’s time. So keep a watch and call ProBest Pest Management if you see dirt tubes or tunnels 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176

Sub Termites

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Sub Termites

Sub Termites – They are creepy and they are always trying to find wood = your home or business. 24/7/365 ALWAYS LOOKING. Look for signs and don’t encourage them to come to your dinner plate. Stop them by eliminating what they want.

  1. Check your home monthly for sign of bugs/pests.
  2. Don’t over water.
  3. Reduce plants,  bushes and trees under the eave of the house.
  4. Don’t plant vines.
  5. Maintain a few inches of space between stucco and ground or rock.
  6. Look for tubes, grass eating termites and castles. Don’t put items over the expansion joint in garage, make it visible.
  7. Once every few years have a Pest Management Professional do an inspection. Pay them its worth it.
  8. Don’t cheap out – your home is an investment. Make it last.

Sub Termites    Sub Termites     Sub Termites

Grass eating termites

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Grass and termites

Grass, termites and what they may eat. Here is Arizona we have a grass eating termite. Typically they eat desert cellulose cleaning up the desert. In the picture they are just eating the old dead tree bark. Sometimes you will see them building little castles in the yard. They usually don’t do any harm but it does freak out some people and from time to time we can treat around trees to stop them from doing any perceived damage.

You will occasionally see them in areas that are dry and they will build little tunnels over the lawn. This buildup looks like little castles and often look kind of unique in the yard or litter areas. They will buildup over leaves, small pieces of wood or twigs, manure, cactus and plant structures. They also are known as agricultural termites.

Grass

Vines and the world of pests

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Vines and the pests they may bring in

The art of pest management is what can be seen but also knowing what isn’t there, when looking at potential issues. Hiring a professional isn’t just about spraying, it is the knowledge that the Pro has to offer. Book knowledge is great but actually having real world experience is even better. In a perfect world everyone would ask my opinion before planting or just in general building a house. Opening can be a real problem but vines can cause further damage to pre-existing holes or openings. Damage can occur from trees pushing up on roofs just like you can see damage from tree roots pushing concrete sidewalks up.

Vines allow pests to hide and prevent you from noticing damage or possible entry points. Box Elder bugs can squeeze through very small opening, rodents can also get in and damage pipes and wires. Wildlife like rabbits and birds may nest in these areas. Knowing your property is a great plus in keeping damage and issues to zero.

vines

Grass eating termites

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termites222     Termites eat dead wood and often they can find it on live trees. They can eat the bark or sometimes a tree limb will die and they can eat that.

 

Here is Arizona they consume dead grass, dead cactus and anything that contains cellulose.

 

Don’t panic, they are just doing what they are supposed to do – consume dead wood.

 

I often recommend just keeping any eye out for the termites, it isn’t always necessary to treat especially since they are just eating the dead wood.

What do you want to know by ProBest Pest Management!

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DrBugKVBdidyouknow1

Skunks

 

  1. Skunks generally forage at night and are considered omnivores (they will eat anything) eat plants, berries, grass, bugs, worms, eggs, reptiles & rodents.
  2. Skunks don’t have the best eyesight but have excellent hearing.
  3. Ther prefer to live in burrows.
  4. Skunks actually sneeze to clear out their noses so they can better smell plant food or animal prey.
  5. If you get sprayed, only time will help to fade the smell, tomato juice and/or vingear will help to mask the smell – by the way scientists believe its the oil that makes it last.
  6. Stay back if you spot a skunk, it can shoot up to 10 feet and less accurate to 16 feet.

I’ve got zillions of these bugs, what are they?

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False Chinch Bugs

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False Chinch bugs are in the Order Hemiptera also known as “true bugs”. False Chinch bugs prefer plants in the Mustard family and especially like London Rocket: a yellow flowered mustard that is very common in our area. Even though they may feed on some landscape plants, False Chinch bugs rarely cause significant damage. Usually the mass migration lasts only one week at most. Prevent entry into houses by making sure screens on windows and patio doors are intact and sealing up other entryways. Homeowners can apply a pesticide around the perimeter of the house to keep the bugs out, but the best approach is to seal them out.

Reader photo’s – termites in Arizona

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Gnathamitermes perplexus, these are crust-building subterranean desert termites, they feed on grass,  dried plant parts and weathered outer surfaces of woody tissues of all kinds. They may also feed on old fences and occasionally drywall paper.

Usually not to worry about any effects to any trees or bushes, termites eat dead wood. So not to worry!

Thanks to Maura for taking the pictures.

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