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.
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]
Why I’m glad you asked. Yes they do, there was a recent article in Arizona Highways magazine on nature factoid about Western Banded Geckos. I can’t seem to link to the article that Kristin Kraklio wrote on “Western banded Geckos”.
One of the highlights of my day is spotting a lizard and hoping that they won’t have an upset stomach from eating any bugs I may hit with a little pesticide. They help me by keeping pests infestations down by making dinner of crickets and the like. We have some pretty big ones, not in comparison to Komoto Dragons of course but hey big is big – depending on who is saying what. I know some people don’t like lizards but I think they are helpful in keeping down insects that might make it into your homes. So please don’t harm them, they are trying to help.
Dr Bug wants to thank Ms. Kelli and Mr. Mike and all the young adults for a great session at the Chandler Environmental Education Center. They came from the Extended Family Disability Services, LLC in Chandler, AZ and supplied me some pictures of our time together. I wanted to share these pictures, I had such a great time. Not everyone enjoyed the snakes but hopefully they learned something about the bugs and reptiles.
I made some new friends today and I hope we can get together again for some Bug Zoo type activities.
Everyone is welcome to stop by the office, we have all kinds of critters and from time to time we change things around. Typically snakes, bearded dragon and a spider but we change it up.
ProBest Pest Management 425 W. Guadalupe Road #110, Gilbert, Arizona 85233 602-249-7378
Dr Bug
Cockroaches, spiders, snakes – yep I’ve seen all of the stuff listed.
Does your pest control operator/technician treat your meter boxes, they should. I frequently see all kinds of bugs in these boxes and it may be just a matter of time before someone sticks their hand into the box and gets a nasty bite or sting. Special note – I sometimes will find honeybees deciding to make that box a h0me. Maybe big enough now but they will eventaully move but not before stinging or hurting someone. Bee Careful…
South Mountain, Phoenix, AZ
At more than 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park/Preserve is the largest municipal park in the country, according to the Trust for Public Land. It boasts 51 miles of primary trails for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking for all ability levels. The history of South Mountain Park/Preserve as a city park dates back to 1924. Prominent local citizens, with the help of Sen. Carl Hayden, bought 13,000 acres from the federal government for $17,000. In 1935 the National Park Service developed a master plan for the park with riding and hiking trails, picnic areas and overlooks, all in rustic regional character. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built many of the facilities in the park, based on this master plan.
One of my favorite things to do when I have guests coming into town is to pick them up from Sky Harbor airport and have lunch at the top of South Mountain. Lizards a plenty and sometimes tarantula’s and if your really lucky maybe some wildlife including ground squirrels.
Many types of plants, including fruit and vegetable crops, depend on animals for pollination. Although honey bees are often first thought of as pollinators, many other types of animals pollinate crops and wildflowers, including wild bees, ants, beetles, wasps, lizards, birds, and bats. The EPA is concerned about declines in pollinator health, and is working to protect bees and other pollinators from pesticide risks through regulatory actions, voluntary changes to pesticide use by registrants and research programs aimed at increasing the understanding of factors associated with declining pollinator health.
ProBest Pest Management and the National Pest Management Association are continuing to watch as this story developes.
Petrified Forest National Park
Just for the record the trees are not standing up, they are petrified (you know who you are). Petrified Forest National Park is the only national park unit to protect a section of Historic Route 66! Animal life at Petrified Forest includes amphibians, birds, insects, spiders, mammals, and reptiles. Over sixteen varieties of lizards and snakes make Petrified Forest their home.
