Having lived in Florida and Arizona I know how easy it is for bugs to get into your home. Many things can be done to keep bugs out including having your home sealed, that J-trim often pulls away from the home and allows crickets and scorpions a path right into your home. Replacing door sweeps or installing garage thresholds can be another great add-on to stop those pests from getting into your home.
recently did an article on “What you should know about Arizona’s Kissing Bug“.
These bugs are a major pain in the — to many who thought it wouldn’t happen to them. Calls have increased due to summer travel, so please beware and take precautions. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has a lot of good information, so please take a moment of your time to read and understand.
Now on to a touchier situation, don’t believe everything you read about Bed Bugs but rather visit those sites that have good information. People still tend to I read this or that and I try my best to set the record straight, but the NPMA really is the authority on bugs. They set the standard with QualityPro and a staff Entomologist. The more you know = KNOWLEDGE and we all know that Knowledge is Power.
I probably have said this a few times but a really great reason to read my home seal – I stay ahead of the curve on new species, updates on issues around the US and World and primarily issues with vector borne diseases.
“3 confirmed cases of Chikungunya virus in NC” A few of these diseases include symptoms that some of us could account for daily such as joint pain, headaches and rashes.
Stay well my friends…
Photo by PPMA
One of my favorite places to visit is just a little over an hour north of Phoenix and that is Sedona and just outside of Sedona is Oak Creek Canyon. An eclectic and unique hideaway from the heat and pace of Phoenix. (Just for the record I’m the one on the left in the picture above). My personal recommendation for lunch or dinner is the Taos Cantina and the greatest waiter is Manny. Tell him I sent you…
It is just fun to walk around and enjoy yourself. No comments on those white legs.
I have to tell you, sometimes I worry about people. Why you ask? Because of stories like this “Feeding Alligators: dangerous unlawful.” I guess it doesn’t really surprise me, that is why those shows on TV are so riveting. You know someone is going to walk up to that Buffalo like he knows what he is doing and then POW…. I guess that is why all those warning labels are on things, to stop that one person who was thinking – should I really do that or not. Selection of the fitness!
So what kind of tips can I give if you own a house and want to keep those critters out:
As our weather becomes hotter and hotter, ticks become more active and need food. Guess what, that is an animal maybe your dog or cat or maybe you. I had a question today and wasn’t sure how to answer it – customer asked about ticks in her pine tree? Ticks when born seek a meal and will climb to a height on average with an animal. So maybe 4-6 foot at the most and they do not drop from trees when they see an animal, I don’t think their eyesight is that good.
Here are a few tips for you and your pet.
Termites gain access into your home from the ground through penetrations of your slab or from the outside of your slab. So seeing the slab is extremely important to keeping them out. River rock or rock against your home also makes a great home for bark scorpions or other bugs.
The secret to success for scorpion control is the determination and fortitude to persevere. Here in Arizona bark scorpions can pack a good little sting, so its important to endeavor to control. What are the keys:
Well first off bugs, spiders and other critters with probably the exception of cockroaches don’t come up drains. Most critters don’t care to get wet I think, so it is my opinion that they come in from the attic. That S or P trap is designed to have water in it, if water is in the trap this will stop sewer gases and roaches from coming up. If you have a shower or bathtub that you don’t use often just remember to fill it with water occasionally. I also have recommended the use of 1 tablespoon of mineral oil almost as a cap to reduce evaporation of water in those traps.
So my recommendation is home-sealing, caulk and seal anything that goes through the ceiling drywall or wall and this will alleviate anything trying to get in.
