pest control Archives - Arizona Pest Control - Pest Management Services

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Best Exterminator

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Best Exterminator

There are bunches of Pest Control operators throughout Arizona, and constantly they are vying for the title of Best. What determines the Best? We were included in a few of those local things, but some are made up and just want to sell plaques etc. This blog has won a few over the years and technically speaking we have been blogging since 2009, now we blog every Monday. So let me tell you what I think makes a Best Exterminator or great pest company.

They return phone calls promptly.
Did they provide an estimate before they started?
I think you should also check them via social media, but again don’t believe everything you read. If they have 10 bad things and you see a trend then consider that.
Do they explain to your satisfaction, what they are going to do?
Do they stand behind their work?
Is the work satisfactory to you and does it look good, did they clean up after themselves?
Are they rated with the BBB or Chamber?
And drum roll please, would you recommend them?

Arizona

I think we do a great job at all of the above, and yes we do make mistakes from time to time. But we correct, finish and stand behind the work we do. Check us out and give us a call 480-831-9328 or 623-414-0176

Qtr Pest Control

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Qtr Pest Control $45

Qtr Pest Control – I’ve noticed lately people are getting quite inventive on pest control selling. One item I noticed this week is that they tell you its only $25 monthly but then they say we are only going to show every 3 month – total = $300 so don’t get duped into signing up when ProBest service is $45 any way you want it. Quarterly or Qtr Pest Control with ProBest Pest Management is $180.

Some companies also upsell the Every other Month and Quarterly saying they take longer but you can only do so much. Scorpions require some extra work and Quarterly service based on how long the chemical last, how much sun it gets and if anything is digging up dirt may not work. Stay tuned for a product that may help with all this. I’ll post as soon as I can reference to this product.

Home sealing = IPM is a way of keeping out the bugs, seal up any holes and caulk under the stucco or better yet call ProBest Pest Management 623-414-0176 or 480-831-9328

ProBest is the leader in adapting new technology to bug control, everyday new and exciting stuff is happening. New pesticides and rodent stations appear frequently and some can be the right fix to stop those unwanted bug or vermin from gaining access into your home or business. ProBest also has 2 Associate Certified Entomologist on staff.

$1000 phone

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$1000 phone

RANT!

You know what gets my goat? The pricing ($1000 phone) of the newest technology and the pricing of termite work. People are willing to spend $1000 but are shocked by the cost of termite work. There was a report in Florida that compared pricing in 1937 compared to today. A treatment in 1930 cost something like $327 would compare to over $1500 today. Everyday I battle the low price companies, and you get what you pay for. I guess there are companies willing to do it cheap, but we do quality work and stand behind it. We have always tried to do the right thing, it helps me sleep at night.

So think about this when you compare 4-5 hours of work, usually 2 people trenching and applying termiticide. Are you willing to gamble your single biggest investment to a cheap price? Is it going to be done according to Label? What chemical and % is to be used. Are they doing a complete exterior? Is there a warranty and have you checked their reviews (don’t trust them all, but compare and see what they did to fix it)? $1000 phone or technology?

Pest Control Services

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Pest Control Services

Pest Control Services -One stop service for all your pest needs. ProBest Pest Management has been in the Valley since 1981

Our services include:

Residential and Commercial, Rodents, Scorpions, Cockroaches, Bed bugs, Termites, Termite Inspections and treatments, birds including pigeons, home-sealing including StormShield, One time and Monthly, Every other month and Quarterly services available. Everybody wants a clean and pest free home, and those bugs can slip right on in. Home-sealing is the best preventive measure that can be done to prevent them from getting in.

ProBest services include phoenix home pest control and commercial pest control. We are in the Phoenix and surrounding cities. Gilbert. Mesa. Chandler. Queen Creek. Apache Junction. Gold Canyon. Johnson Ranch. Buckeye. Avondale. Surprise. Sun City. Glendale. Peoria. Deer Valley. Scottsdale. Tempe. Maricopa. Casa Grande. Goodyear. El Mirage. Litchfield park. Tolleson. Laveen. Carefree. Cave Creek. Fountain Hills. Gila Bend. Paradise Valley. Youngtown. New River. Sun Lakes. We will also travel to Tucson and Prescott.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thk3ND217aQ[/embedyt]

Play – anywhere, anytime

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Play – Anywhere, anytime

Anywhere you might play, eat, sleep etc. Have you hear the sentence – “You Are Within 3-6 Feet of a Spider Right Now”? A 1995 popular article by famous arachnologist Norman Platnick begins, “Wherever you sit as you read these lines, a spider is probably no more than a few yards away.” From a 1999 Sierra Club book on spiders: “Wherever you are, there is a spider within a meter of you.” From a 2001 book on nature in the city: “Even in Manhattan, you are never more than three feet from a spider.” These are just some of the myths surrounding the sentence because it really depends on where you are. So what about bugs then, you probably have them all around you and you don’t realize it.

Maybe a silverfish in your attic, a cockroach under a kitchen cabinet, maybe an earwig off the back patio or your children are at play. The reason is that they outnumber us and by big numbers, its just that they are so small and often not visible to our naked eye.

Anywhere you play

You can always call A Pro…

So pest control often plays a part in the management of these pests, here in Arizona we have Bark Scorpions and they can sting and cause pain and fear. They normally don’t kill anyone but the sting is painful and can cause more serious trouble to younger children and older adults. Black ad Brown Widow spiders can cause significant more damage and I recommend wearing gloves while doing work outside or in the garage or attic. Cockroaches, flies and rodents can spread diseases and can seriously damage your intestinal tract. That is why I call myself a Public Health Professional and I’m here to stop those bugs and pests from getting to your family and friends. As always if you have questions, have a picture a picture or just need some advice give us a call 480-831-9328

Ants come a crawling…

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You know that old adage about the mechanic that never fixes his own car, cause he’s so busy or the pest control operator that never practices what he preaches – not me by the way. But by allowing that tree or bush to touch your home you may allow the ants to come into your home by the the millions.

ants trees

That colony could have lived in that tree for years, never attempting to go into your home but that new highway just afforded them that option. In their social hierarchy, some members forage for food and if they come across a new source like your kitchen it could all be over for your peaceful setting. They will take some food and make their way home leaving a pheromone trail for others to follow.

Did you know?

There could be 1 million in their colony, maybe more.
There are 1 million ants per person on Earth.
All those ants you see are female.
They have great eyesight but their antenna’s are the thing that really helps them in finding food.
They live about 45 – 60 days but probably have lived on Earth for over 1oo billion years. Queens may live 30 years.
If you weighed all the ants it would be more than all the humans. WOW, right?
The Maricopa Harvester ant is the most venomous insect on Earth and guess where it lives? Clue is Maricopa… and it’s sting is equal to 12 bee stings.
The Red Imported Fire Ant in Florida builds rafts to float during massive rain storms.
Their worst enemy is ProBest technicians, no just kidding but it’s other ants. Our technicians are good at what they do, but remember the ants are always on guard against intruders.
They can make their nest almost anywhere, don’t make it easy for them. Think about the types of landscape and decorations you place around your home.

Dogs cats pets ticks

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dogs cats pets ticks

Dogs cats pets versus ticks ohhhh my. So here in Arizona we are somewhat lucky not to be plagued by fleas very often. Our humidity isn’t favorable to their life-cycle. But don’t worry we have a host of other vicious little critters that enjoy bothering our pets and us. In general, ticks are to be found wherever their host species occur. Migrating birds carry ticks with them on their journeys; a study of migratory birds passing throughout the country. Ticks are widely distributed around the world, especially in warm, humid climates, yep that’s us.

That picture above is a fully engorged tick, after feeding on something she will be ready to lay her large mass of eggs -somewhere between 2,000 and 18,000. Ticks can fast for long periods but eventually die if unable to find a host. This behavior evolved approximately 120 million years ago through adaptation to blood-feeding and a female can increase her body size to 600%

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBtPTlrxDbs[/embedyt]

dogs cats pets ticks

Bed bug signs & control – Bed bug Awareness Week day2

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Bed Bug Signs & control

Well it’s that time of year, school is out and the traveling begins. Whether at home or traveling for summer vacation, bed bugs could be a key concern. Although named for their habit of feeding on human hosts in bed, they can be found in all types of locations and items. To promote public awareness and to help avoid infestations, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has declared June 4-10, 2017 as BedBug Awareness Week. ProBest Pest Management is joining NPMA in this important public education effort by sharing common signs of a bed bug infestation to keep an eye out for this summer.

“Just like people enjoy traveling in the summer months, so do bed bugs, and they love using personal belongings like suitcases, boxes and shoes as a hiding place, just to be near a food supply,” said Keith V. Birkemeyer aka Dr. Bug, at ProBest Pest Management in Gilbert, Arizona. “With these biting pests being easily transported, it’s important to know the top signs of an infestation, so proper precautions can be put in place and to know when it’s time to call a licensed pest control professional such as ProBest 480-831-9328 or call us at 623- 414-0176 to assess the situation.”

Concerns

Dr Bug shares the following noteworthy signs and symptoms of a possible bed bug infestation:

Small red to reddish brown fecal spots on mattresses, upholstery or walls
Molt bed bug skins, their white, sticky eggs or empty eggshells
Red, itchy bite marks, especially on the legs, arms and other body parts exposed while sleeping
Very heavily infested areas may have a characteristically sweet odor

“During the summer, travel increases and so does the likelihood of encountering bed bugs. We strongly encourage the public to take extra precautions to avoid encounters with these biting pests,” added Dr. Bug.”

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPdkNKRzajI[/embedyt] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg5JHS5tPm8[/embedyt]

Photo by NPMA

bed bug

Bedbug Awareness Week day1

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Well it’s that time of year, school is out and the traveling begins. Whether at home or traveling for summer vacation, bedbugs could be a key concern. Although named for their habit of feeding on human hosts in bed, they can be found in all types of locations and items. To promote public awareness and to help avoid infestations, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has declared June 4-10, 2017 as BedBug Awareness Week. ProBest Pest Management is joining NPMA in this important public education effort by sharing common signs of a bed bug infestation to keep an eye out for this summer.

Dr Bug shares the following noteworthy signs and symptoms of a possible bed bug infestation:

Small red to reddish brown fecal spots on mattresses, upholstery or walls
Molt bed bug skins, their white, sticky eggs or empty eggshells
Red, itchy bite marks, especially on the legs, arms and other body parts exposed while sleeping
Very heavily infested areas may have a characteristically sweet odor

Bedbug

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPBal3PdvgU[/embedyt]

Wood rot

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Wood rot and your home.

Wood rot = wood decaying fungus as a type of fungus that digests wet/moist wood causing it to rot. Often times the mere correction of the wood is enough to salvage the wood. Is the wood in contact with the dirt? Is there a water leak and the wood is getting wet or staying wet for extended periods of time? Obviously if you see a fungus growing in the wood, it would be a dead giveaway (in the picture above). If you’ve read any of my blogs you know that I highly recommend performing a monthly home inspection. What should the homeowner look for?

Any water leaks, no matter how insignificant should be investigated.
Lingering moisture around the foundation of your home, correct sprinklers and/or flood irrigation.
Some times bushes can hold the water close to the house, avoid vines.
Inspect window sills, door frames and underneath sinks.
Painting or resealing wood really helps to prevent the water from getting in.
Decks need to be checked often.
Roofs should be checked.
Caulking can also help, but make sure you’re not covering up a problem.

Problems and Issues

The key is to find the problems and issues before they become major catastrophes. An ounce of prevention may save you $1000s of dollars and a real headache. Homeowners can simply get screens fixed and may keep the bugs out and in the same way a simple fix of a gutter leak may save you hours of time to rebuild a section of your house. Did you know that its usually a moisture content of over 20% that causes the problem, and I know you’re thinking we don’t have that kind of moisture in Arizona. Remember that thing we call monsoon? That fungus really needs good temps, oxygen and a food source and that could be your home.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsSWmS-A1uY[/embedyt]