pest control Archives - Page 8 of 22 - Arizona Pest Control - Pest Management Services

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Spiders and fear, what is it all about?

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You know that I’m not a big fan of spiders, maybe the reason I got into the pest control or bug business. Some researchers in the UK explained why we might be hard wired to fear them. “Why do spiders scare us so much? Just for the record he states in his article that “a few spiders in the UK are poisonous” while in fact he should have said venomous.

The real point is how the toxin is delivered. Venom must be delivered through a bite, sting or puncture while a poison could be the entire body or parts of the body.

So don’t just pick up a bug if you don’t know what it is. Several bugs look nice but may contain some sneaky parts or secretions that might you sick.

So lets have a little test here – Paper wasp – Poisonous or Venomous?

It’s not always about the Scorpions, how about visiting Arizona? Cave Creek

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I love this little place Cave Creek, its mainly one road but it is action packed with some unique places. From the Horny Toad to the Buffalo Chip Saloon and many places with shopping for one and all. There are so many places to see it would take all day, so plan a day trip and enjoy the

Try the fried chicken at the Horny Toad oh and by the way check out the El Encanto Mexican Restaurant (they have a pond in the middle of the place with ducks and turtles) – these are the few I’ve tried so far but all have been right up there with some great food and drink.

Why is it important to keep out the bugs and rats?

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From almost the dawn of man, rodents and bugs have been trying to stay close to us. Why you ask, I think the main reason is that we tend to want to stay dry and we collect things like food. Animals, bugs and us want the same things:

Food
Water
Shelter

So when we moved into caves, they followed. When we moved into houses, they followed. So as we became smarter so did they. Bed Bugs probably were Bat Bugs to begin with, they moved into caves because we did. When we moved into houses they followed.

With that movement came pest control, OK a version of it somewhat. When early man found Bat Bugs they might have thought of moving or washing the antelope skin they were sleeping on. Da da pest control, we might never really know who was the first to step on a bug but Pest Control it is!

Photo by PPMA

The Plague rears its ugly head in Flagstaff area.

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From time to time the Plague comes to the front of the news, we occasionally have the Plague at the 4 corners area of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado. Recent testing in Coconino County in Northern Arizona, tested positive on prairie dogs in the Doney Park area.

“Fleas in Flagstaff test positive for plague”

We generally don’t have fleas in Phoenix, I think mainly due to lack of humidity. Flagstaff is at a higher altitude and has greater humidity levels.

Hey somebody finally gets it, pesticides and the need to use them

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“EPA pesticide bans threaten you and the economy” by Alan Caruba.

Not killing pests, insects and rodents, is a great way to put everyone’s health in jeopardy. New York City announced a new war in May against rats and will spend $600,000 to hire new inspectors to deal with an increased population. Lyme disease and West Nile Fever are just two of the diseases that require serious insect pest control. A wide variety of insects spread many diseases from Salmonella to Hantavirus. Termites do billions in property damage every year.

I’m a big believer in IPM or Integrated Pest Management – the use of all things in your toolbox before you get or have to use pesticide. There are many things out there that can kill you and all I’m saying is that we have to use common sense in our actions. Everyone touts these GREEN oils and products and if they all worked as well as pesticides I would think we as an industry would use them more and more. But the facts are not conclusive yet that they hold up as long or kill as efficiently as pesticides do. We are using more and more inside versus pesticide because we promote outside first and inside only as the last option.

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

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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.

Photo by PPMA

My tribute to those fallen – 9/11

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fallen

13 years have gone by since that fateful day September 11, 2001. I have had the privilege of visiting Ground Zero and the Pentagon and have been in awe of our resolute to carry on. Not only in our remembrance but in our commitment to persevere. Where were you? What was your first reaction?

Here are a few pictures I took while visiting Washington D.C. this last February for National Pest Management Legislative Days.

It’s not always about the Scorpions, how about visiting Arizona? Tombstone

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I love history and all that is related to it, so a ride into the heart of the Wild West is worth it for me. Tombstone is nicknamed “The Town to tough to die” can you imagine walking down the street where those famous Law Men and the Gun Slingers walked. Make sure you visit the Tombstone Cemetery and maybe have lunch at Big Nose Kate’s saloon. Normally I wouldn’t include a commercial but it had all the facts, great day trip for all.

What is the #1 insect related cause of work place deaths in the U.S.

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4383 fatal work injuries in 2012 actually down from 2011 which had 4693- topping the list and transportation incidents led the way.

Bees are number one on the list U.S. Labor Department reports. “Bee stings are behind most insect -related deaths for workers.”

Work related

So a word or two of caution to all of you who trim trees, work in fields or right-of-ways – always know your surroundings. Be diligent and check out what is around or near you, check out the rocks or culverts just as if it were electric lines etc.

Bee Safe!

Did you know they have bugs in the Antarctic?

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“Ohio State scientists say tiny Antarctic insect has smallest genome of insects so far.” I have a friend that owns a pest control company in Alaska and does his fair share of pest control – by plane of course. That is to say that they often have to travel by plane just to reach the facility or what have you to service.

I have seen midges especially in the summer just attacking anything that has warm blood. But these little midges spends 2 years in its larval stage frozen in the ice and amazingly can turn off 25% of its genes when it hibernates. WOW, is about all I can say.