home Archives - Page 14 of 17 - Arizona Pest Control - Pest Management Services

All posts in “home”

Sometimes those termites drive you daffy…

Comments Off

Sometimes those termites drive you daffy…

Every once in awhile you get that termite job that is either unique or somehow just different. No matter what you do, the termites continue to do some damage in a home.

Scenario

House is about 20 years old, no record exists for a pretreatment with the state – in Arizona (Office of Pest Management)we are required by law to report all termites treatments. I actually wrote a home seal “Termite Sleuth on the Job” same house – continued issue but in a different area.

Treated entire house with Termidor, down drilled all attached slabs and garage and have drilled various areas within the home on the wooden floors. I’m almost convinced that no pretreatment was ever done. No further issues along the exterior of the home, only on the interior and once we drill the area we notice activity later. Now I did mention Termidor, but if it isn’t where they are moving through it – it won’t work. So without taking the floor up I decided to use some bait stations – FirstLine™ by FMC. I used another product in Florida and have learned a few things on bait systems after some time in Arizona. I place the units in areas where there is some shade or something with a bigger footprint to help hold cooler temperatures and maybe water.

probestpestmanagementIMAG0771 probestpestmanagementIMAG0770

FREE Termite Inspection

Comments Off

[aio_button align=”center” animation=”flash” color=”orange” size=”medium” icon=”thumbs-up” text=”FREE Termite Inspection” url=”https://callprobest.com/free-termite-inspection”]

Click the button above to go directly to the contact form.

Just after monsoon rains is when we encounter more termite activity and that time frame is July – December, depending on frequency of rains. I recommend an inspection yearly, ProBest Pest Management offers a free service! If you are familar with termite tunnels or tubes you can make a cursory check yourself and if you spot something you can always give us a call at 602-249-7378.

Here a few pictures to remind you of what you are looking for.

Ouch it’s a cactus…

Comments Off

probestpestmanagementIMG_20121213_111655 This photo is a cholla that somehow made its way into a taller tree, no idea how it did that. But it’s interesting to note that these things will jump (OK not really jump but attach to) almost anything.

The cholla (pronounced choy-a) is perhaps the most feared and hated cacti in the southwest desert. I have seen all kinds of trouble with this cactus. If you brush up against one, you will immediately wished you had paid attention. The spines will stick to anything and they will stick, stick and stick some more….

The plant has pads that separate easily from the main stem. The spines easily attach to your clothing, your skin and your shoes. Since the plant is covered with spines, it’s difficult to grab and dislodge the pad that has found a new home with you. Often re-sticking it’s way deeper and more often. I often wonder how animals might adapt, can you imagine getting this caught in a tail or fur? Got to hurt!

Why are they so difficult to remove? Unlike other varieties of cacti with solid spines, cholla’s actually have hollow spines. Because they are hollow they can easily attach to whatever they touch with their needle like sharpness. If there is moisture, such as with skin, the tips actually curve once they have made contact, locking their spines in place just underneath the skins top layer.

There are several types of Jumping Cholla cacti in the desert southwest, but all of them are called the “jumping” cacti in past days because they seemed to jump when a boot or shoe would walk on or get near them.

How could a plant so nasty be so beautiful? Good question and one more mystery of the desert. The plant (especially the Teddy Bear Cholla with its golden spines) is quite beautiful at sunrise and sunset. As the sun catches the tips of the spines, the plants radiate a cast of yellow, and look quite soft sometimes with an appearance of velvet. Add to this the pink flower it produces and the plant is delightful to look at … but not touch. Because some of the Jumping Cholla cacti can grow to heights of 8 feet tall, they look like strange, distorted trees, each with its own personality.

Believe it or not, the cactus wren builds nests on the Jumping Cholla. The nests are quite secure amongst all the spines and the bird knows how to avoid the spines of the Jumping Cholla.

This plant propagates and spreads throughout the desert by its own defense mechanisms: Its spines attach to anything that can carry it around, animals, people, the wind. When a Jumping Cholla finds a new home, with a little time, and contact with the soil, it begins to root and grow.

One of my favorite places in Arizona is the Desert Sonoran Museum there are almost 2 miles of paths traversing 21 acres of beautiful desert, including many cacti.

So just how many babies can mice have?

9 Comments

So just how many babies can mice have?

Mice are capable of producing six to eight babies in each litter, sometimes as many as ten.

The biggest problem with mice is that they have multiple litters each year. One male and female mouse can produce up to 40 babies in one year. Multiply that by the fact that each litter will start producing babies as well within the year and you can see how quickly a couple of mice can get out of control. In just that first year those original mice can product up to 139. In one year, a pair of little house mice could produce thousands and thousands of offspring. This could happen if every baby survived and carried on the family system of multiplication. So it is very important to seal your home.

So here is a quiz:

Mice are famous for their ability to multiply at breakneck speeds. The type of mouse we have here gives birth once a month, birthing 12 babies each time. Baby mice mature and can give birth two months after they are born.You picked up one of these cute baby mice at the pet shop and brought it home the day after it was born. In 10 months from now, how many mice will you have? Don’t peek, have a guess – see below

Answer

One, the mouse cannot have any babies by itself.

It’s winter – who’s knockin on your door?

Comments Off

It’s winter – who’s knockin on your door?

Even in Arizona it gets cold or at the very least cooler, so making sure your home is bundled up tight to prevent pests from getting in is important. So what have you done? One of the biggest costs associated with a home is the loss of heat or cool air depending on the time of season. It is also a entry point for pests like ladybugs that try to overwinter in homes and sheds. Installing new windows, sealing and crack and crevices or installing door sweeps are excellents ways of saving money and keeping those pests out.

When was the last time you checked to make sure mice or rats weren’t getting in, they don’t like cold weather just as much as we don’t. So checking your home for holes or opening that rodents and birds can get into. There are many new devices available to seal holes and even garage door thresholds.

Storm shield is designed to keep out rain and bugs and is more durable than door-mounted weather-stripping, our floor mounted, and precision-engineered vinyl threshold provides a tight fitting, long lasting barrier between your garage door bottom and the floor. The weight of the door presses down on it to keep out most rain, rodents, leaves and insects.

It really works, we have tested it…

Pets and Ticks

Comments Off

National Instiute Allergy and Infectious Disease – Tickborne Diseases, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease and Plague

We do need termites!

Comments Off

We do need termites!

probestpestmanagementIMAG0601 probestpestmanagementIMAG0598

Termites break down wood debris in nature, you can find them in logs and here in Arizona cactus and even grass. Termites are always looking for food 24/7/365 and they will do whatever they have to to find it.

RISE —- Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment ®

Comments Off

RISE —- Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment ®

is a national not-for-profit trade association representing producers and suppliers of various types of pesticides – including insecticides and herbicides – and fertilizers used in residential areas. RISE provides pesticide information as a resource and advocate to the media, policy makers and others who may use or advise on the use of pesticide and fertilizer products.

RISE strongly encourages consumers to read and follow label directions on all household products, including pesticides, to ensure safe pesticide use. Controlling pests to protect your home and family http://www.debugthemyths.com/

“We know you can handle the truth – pesticides help keep our families healthy and our homes happy. But don’t take our word for it. Take a closer look at the research, pesticide regulation, and personal experiences that demonstrate the value these products offer.”

Rodents and fire.

2 Comments

Rodents and fire.

Rodents cause approximately 20 percent of undetermined fires in the United States each year according to fire experts. Rodents include mice, rats, squirrels and they chew constantly because their teeth are always growing. They have incisor teeth that butt up against each other. They will chew through soft concrete, aluminum, wall boards, and pvc and lead pipes. Mice move inside in the winter months and prefer to live near the warmth of electrical components. We receive more calls as the weather becomes cooler as mice and rodents attempt to move into homes and businesses. The photo above is a good indication of how fires are started and this rodent was electrocued.

Rodents and your home, what do you need to know?

Comments Off

Rodents and your home, what do you need to know?

You must know your enemy! An inspection of your home or business is the first part of your investigation. Most people don’t really care to think about these little furry invaders of our home, but think you must. These creatures carry diseases and can pass along other not so fun stuff, like parasites and other pests. So what should you look for:

Any opening which could allow rodents to slip into your home.
Check high and low, check the ceiling, attic and crawlspace areas thoroughly.
Check the garbage areas, it can often be about food sources.
Have you seen signs of activity, feces or strange smells.
Check the attic, also look for chewed wires.
Trees should not touch the structure, this is like a super highway into the home or business.
Check screens or windows, check that they are in place and not damaged.
Check to see that doors are equipped with door sweeps.
Check where wires come into the building for signs of rub marks.
Don’t leave pet food laying around indoors or outdoors.
Check out buildings for nesting of birds or rodents, check under buildings if they are raised. Checks decks and other types of structures – like gazebos, swings or play areas.
Check garage door seals.

If you decide to attack the issues yourself, use care and caution. If you need some expert advice see out a Pest Management Professional and THINK like a mouse…