All posts in “home”

How much termite pressure is on your home?

Comments Off on How much termite pressure is on your home?
FMC002

Photo by FMC

So just how much pressure is on your home, that question is important and many factors play into this equation.

  1. If you live on the East Coast or Gulf of Mexico the pressure will be greater than if you lived up North. Yes you do have termites in the North but because of he extreme cold the pressure will be reduced.
  2. Water plays a big part of the pressure round your home. When people started to settle in Arizona they brought in non-native plants which required more watering. Flood and drip irrigation = humidity level goes up.
  3. We sometimes play right into the termites hand by building structures right where they live in the ground. We also allow wood to touch the ground, this really makes it easier on the termites.
  4. If you add onto your home insist on a pretreat, even if your build a shed pretreat the soil before the concrete slab goes into place.

Termites – ProBest Pest Pest Management

Comments Off on Termites – ProBest Pest Pest Management

Sometimes when addressing a termite issue in a home, it really pays to know your stuff. I look at distance from the outside of the home, I look for cracks and often times I have an idea of where they are getting access. I usually write notes to the technician to give my opinion because the adage is generally correct – 2 minds are better than one.

I have mentioned before if you are replacing carpet or tile and you find cracks in the slab – it is better to be proactive dealing with termites. Always better to drill before the new floor goes down. I really hate messing up a newly installed floor – call and ask for our opinion. ProBest Pest Pest Management 602-249-7378

probestDSC02096 DSC02098

 

 

 

 

 

It’s termite season in Arizona.

Comments Off on It’s termite season in Arizona.

 

They are munching at wood 24/7/365 and frankly speaking you know it’s just a matter of time before they get to your home. Termites consume wood or cellulose and convert it into energy to live. So what should you look for:

  1. Mud tubes on your foundation.
  2. Mud tubes or small little holes in your

probestpestmanagementDSC03312

Why is sanitation important to controlling pest and rodents?

Comments Off on Why is sanitation important to controlling pest and rodents?

You’ve seen those hoarder shows and you know the reason why your home or business shouldn’t be cluttered. But why do people collect or let their homes become a cluttered mess? There are many factors in that equation but let’s just talk about those conducive conditions that let pest occupy or inhabit our homes or lives.

  • Holes or opening in walls – patch those holes
  • Picking up fruit from ground or better yet donate it a charity
  • Eliminate water sources
  • Don’t allow dog or pet food to set around
  • Clean trash can or dumpsters
  • Trim weeds
  • Don’t allow trees or bushes to touch the home or business
  • Install or make sure screens are in place
Photo by PPMA

Photo by PPMA

Do you know of any others?

 

What is the BIG question for this time of year?

Comments Off on What is the BIG question for this time of year?

I think the question I get asked the most at this time of year is “Why am I seeing more bugs in my house than any other time of year”?

 

So lets imagine that you are a bug and all of sudden it rains and I mean it rains hard. Your home becomes wet or flooded, you react by trying to go higher and that might be your home. You see the bug doesn’t know your house from a tree or a rock.

OR

It doesn’t rain and the bugs that you feed upon aren’t coming by your place, so you have to go out looking for food. That bug comes to your home and climbs and climbs just looking for food.

 

So if we can think like a bug, attack you where you live or hangout – then we stop you. If I was a bug this is where I would hangout and this is one area we treat.

probestpest20140920_161134_resized

Sometimes I can’t believe everything I read, what do you think?

Comments Off on Sometimes I can’t believe everything I read, what do you think?

Rant and rave post:

 

First off this story is out of Canada but could be taken right out of the news here in the US. “Homeowner wants city to cover the cost of termite inspections” and ultimately corrective procedure measures and the cost.

Here is my opinion: you own the house it is your responsibility – where and when did it become part of the Governments responsibility? Just this last week my truck windshield was hit by 2 rocks or stones in one day. I think the Government should reimburse me for the cost of replacing my windshield. It is their highway and they put the rocks on the side of the road. See the difference, oh wait there isn’t a difference – sh– happens folks and it is the cost of driving or owning a house.

Now with that said, I can see maybe the local extension office getting involved with opinions and advice but this clearly is the role of a homeowner. Come on people, the Government is too BIG as it is – where does it stop. Comments please.

Drywood termite - Photo by PPMA

Photo by PPMA

 

 

All the talk about Ebola, what are the most dangerous viruses?

Comments Off on All the talk about Ebola, what are the most dangerous viruses?

 

With all the talk about Ebola this last month DW author (Helena Schwar)website wrote a very interesting article “Top 10 most dangerous viruses in the world“.

#3 Hantavirus – rodents

#5 Lassa virus – rodents

#7 Crimea-Congo fever – ticks

#8 Machupo virus – may be transmitted by rodents

#9 Kyasanur Fiorest virus – ticks

#10 – Dengue fever – mosquitoes

 

So do you see a pattern here, I do and its related to my job – Public Health Professional. We are very fortunate here in the U.S., we don’t have as many issues with these pests as some countries do. So stop and think about what we could do to protect ourselves even further against these deadly viruses.

probestpestmanagementImageFile087

My favorite bug in the news – “Kissing Bug”

Comments Off on My favorite bug in the news – “Kissing Bug”

 

“Kissing Bug” aka Triatoma, Assassin Bug, Cone-nose, Wheel Bug, or Ambush bug and sometimes called the Masked Bedbug Hunter “Arkansans spot the dangerous “kissing bug“. This bug is considered a predatory insect, it generally goes after other bugs and suck their fluids right out of their bodies. It gets that Kissing Bug name from the way they attack humans at night if they get into your home – they go to the area of our bodies that allow easier penetrations, like our mouth.

There are a variety of species (7000) and most look cool with their coloration but watch out for their piercing sucking rostrum. They live in the Southern States and Mexico. They transmit Chagas Disease with that painful bite wound where people accidentally scratch and introduce the organism into their bodies .

Best way to keep them out of your home:

  • Make sure screens are in place.
  • Don’t leave doors open.
  • Use door sweeps or correct low thresholds.
  • Home-seal and prevent them from sneaking in.
Contact Us