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Rodenticides

Rodenticides

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Rodenticides

 

Rodenticide – EPA files notice – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering several changes to its regulation of rodenticides
that will jeopardize access to this critical rodent control tool.

WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED?
To make ALL bulk rodenticides RESTRICTED USE PRODUCTS (RUP)

ProBest Pest Management decided years ago to not use anti-coagulates. (The poison interferes with the blood’s ability to clot.) This may cause damage to secondary predators such as owls, eagles, hawks, cats etc. We use either Terad3 (calcium mobilizer) or RatX (sodium chloride -salt. Rats and mice cant throw up or vomit, while the predators can and will. We also offer ContraPest ( birth control).

See the attached picture on our offer, a little more expensive but better for secondary animals.

I personally have seen some bad things, bait packs throw into garages. I’ve seen certain open boxes of bait in front yards available to kids etc. Safety is the paramount concern when handling rodenticides or pesticides. How many people read the label before using a product? I would venture to say, not many. Or they might skim and do what they think is correct or right. Are you using the product consistent to the label and labeling? Have you thought about who might come in contact with the product or the remaining dead animal? Just my thoughts on rodenticides.

Use a Professional, we have the tools, the knowledge and experience to handle all kinds of situations. We are also licensed and undergo training and retraining annually.

Cooler weather might bring in the rodents.

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Well the heat is finally going away and the cooler weather is right around the corner. Thank goodness – I’m not sure it was the heat or that humidity but whatever I’m thankful it is getting cooler.

Termites continue to pop up around the valley and if the weather doesn’t get real cold the pests will continue. So now would be a great time to tackle those little chores around the house to prevent pests from getting in. What can you do?

  1. Home seal.
  2. Check sheds or other structures.
  3. Repair window screens or door screens.
  4. Install door thresholds or sweeps.
  5. Install garage door seals.
  6. Trim trees away from home.
  7. Repair drip or flood irrigation systems.

garagedoorthreshold

mud dauber wasp not termites

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Mud dauber waspmud dauber wasp

 

 

Mud dauber wasp – Every once in a while we get a call from someone thinking they have termites. The picture is a mud dauber wasp, the female constructs this nest out of dirt. Shen then paralyzes a few spiders and deposits an egg within – providing lunch for her offspring.  Mud daubers don’t generally sting or defend their nest but that isn’t a reason to harass them because they can sting if provoked. You might find them collecting water to help build their nest.

 

Just wait for the baby wasp to hatch out or use a shovel to dislodge the mud nest.

Grasshoppers

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probestpestmanagementNCM_0160

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We don’t often talk about grasshoppers or locust but I would say that they would be considered occasional pests. Those pests that accidentally get into homes or businesses. Technically a locust is a grasshopper but not all grasshoppers are locusts. Locusts were once known as the Plague of the West and will eat almost anything in its path.

Keeping windows and doors shut will keep them out along with repairing window screens.

Another tick disease discovered

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ticks

 

Two different farmers in Missouri have been diagnosed with Heartland virus with symptoms that include fever, fatigue and nausea. Back in 2013 we reported on CDC reported cases and we just want people to take precautions before hiking or going off into the woods. Lyme Disease in Arizona, Yes was another article we did on protecting yourself against ticks and fleas.  Take care hiking!

Mud daubers are not Termites!

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Mud daubers are not Termites!

 

I sometimes get called to homes to find that they see a Mud dauber nest and not a termite mud tunnel.

muddauber1     probestpestmanagementIMAG0743     termitetube

 

Picture #1 is a Mud dauber wasp nest and there are a variety of shapes and styles but basically a glob of dirt molded by the female wasp to hide/protect her eggs. She will lay an egg and usually provide it with paralyzed spiders.

Picture #2 and #3 are Subterranean termite mud shelter tubes, typically much more slender in size.

http://en.wikipedia.org

http://en.wikipedia.org

The good news – if it is a Mud dauber – just scrape the mud off the house – that’s it. The bad news if it’s termites – I think you should call ProBest Pest Management!

 

Successful strategies to prepare your home for winter:

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Successful strategies to prepare your home for winter:

 

The key in my book is to keep an eye out throughout the year. If Africanized Honeybee’s have taken up residence and you didn’t notice it for a year you will have more problems because of the time involved to build more colony and honey storage. So here is my list:

  1. Check your home outside for any holes that may have developed over the past year – seal them, I suggest copper wool (won’t rust) or steel wool. Check for signs of termites, such as termite tubes or tunnels or damage. This can also be damage from water as well.
  2. Check inside your home, look for baseboard or paint that seems to be cracked or crinkled which might suggest termite activity.
  3. Only bring in enough firewood that you will use immediately, firewood can bring in pests like spiders, beetles or termites.
  4. Repair any screens that have been damaged.
  5. The winter is also a great time to check your attic, it’s cooler. Check for animal signs like feces or nesting materials. Check the roof for signs of water staining or damage, if capable check the roof from the outside – check shingles or tiles for any damage.
  6. If this is a cabin, drain the water lines and clean up. This will allow you to notice things on your return visit, remember HantaVirus and the clean up procedures.
  7. Now is also a good time to call your local Pest Management Professional for an inspection, especially here in Arizona because of the monsoon and the rains which make termites more active.

Flying insects abound with rain and great weather…

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Flying insects abound with rain and great weather…

 

           Thanks to Scorpion Techs for the pictures. www.ScorpionTechAZ.com

 

So yesterday we had a rash of calls concerning little tiny crawling and flying bugs. These above came from Scorpion Techs and they were curious what they were, after a little book research I think we have Chinch bugs. The other ones earlier in the day almost look like a Pirate Bug which sucks  juice from plants such as Aphids do. Nothing a little general pest service can’t take care of. Since they are extremely tiny they can get into your homes by way of windows and doors and the really annoying thing is that they might get into your nose or mouth, yuuuuuck…

With the rains and great weather comes the bugs, so keep your mouth shut (so they don’t fly in) and call your friendly Pest Management Professional (which I hope is ProBest Pest Management).

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