All posts in “Phoenix”

Palo Verde Bugs and you

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Palo Verde Bugs

Palo Verde Bugs and I just had to post this short little video, this is a relatively BIG bug and they fly. I’m always a bit concerned at this time of monsoon time of year. Since they fly and could hit a motorcyclist and we have enough issues with people not seeing motorcycles.

They feed on the roots of trees especially Palo Verde trees. They then pupate into a beetle that can grow to about 4 inches and they have spines oh and they can bite (see my blood). That makes them one of the largest beetles in North America and can you imagine getting hit in the head with one of these. Ouuuuuch! Did I mention that cats love to play with these little monsters?

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ9gCoZXCC4[/embedyt]

palo verde bugs

Poop – What is it?

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Poop?????

Is it Poop? Not the best and most visible pictures, I need a new camera. Any ideas? I have been called a few times by people believing this to be from termites, not. I find this at the bottom of stucco and pretty readily found in Arizona.

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Ok so we know its not termites, well here it is drum roll please – cricket poo. Somehow the crickets get into the wall and their feces falls down the wall voids. This is also a big sign that you need pest control because the next problem will be scorpions. I’m only guessing here but I’ll bet that scorpions love to eat crickets.

PANIC

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Panic and bugs

Panic may be involved with bugs. There are a lot of bugs out there folks and we as humans have aversions to many of them. I met a lady awhile back that absolutely was terrified of crickets, mine is spiders. They just look creepy and with all those eyes staring right back at you, you see my point. The one we really should be scared to death is the mosquito, this little bug has killed more more humans than anything else.

What is your phobia?

Is it snakes, spiders or cockroaches? There can be other forms which may include the mere thought of the bug or animals. I’m sure I mentioned this before but just in case I haven’t – this guy had roaches in the toilet and I couldn’t spray so I just reached in and grabbed them – he went running. He was just freaked out but for me I was fine with that, but if that had been spiders – hell no! So don’t underestimate the fear, that is why Dr. Bug is here.

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Mice in Phoenix, AZ

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Mice in Phoenix, AZ?

Mice in general do their best to make it into our homes and businesses in Phoenix. What can be done to keep them out? I often read stories from the news sources on what people do to get pests out of their home. From the guy who torches his mattress, to the person using 25 aerosol bombs for bed bugs. And yet some people think having them in the house is cute. Remember these critters carry diseases and pathogens on their bodies. ProBest Pest Management often gets the call after the person has pretty much in their opinion done it all and can’t catch that one single mouse.

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They know more than you think?

The bad problem is that that mouse already is wiser to our tricks and since they are now smarter it often takes more time. Mice will generally range for about 30 feet while rats may travel over 100 feet and remember they urinate and spread feces as they run. Often times people don’t put out enough traps, or they think it’s only one and it turns out there are more. If you see one estimate a few and take charge or better yet call a Professional. So don’t think that we can get them out in 24 hours, we will bring our A game but we will get it done. Mice are curious and that is in our favor, we might need traps, glue boards or mechanical traps but we will succeed. So my advice, don’t wait call a Professional right away – we have the tools. 480-831-9328

A few facts:

  • Mice rely on whiskers to touch and their noses to smell.
  • Their eyesight is weak.
  • They prefer to stay near the wall using their whiskers to feel there way.
  • They are curious while rats are shy.
  • Mice may visit multiple sites feeding on many food areas nightly.

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]
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Photo by NPMA

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bed bug

Sons of the American Legion – Did you know?

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All male descendants, adopted sons and stepsons of members of The American Legion, and such male descendants of veterans who died in service during World I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf War and the War on Terrorism, during the delimiting periods set forth in Article IV, Section 1, of the National Constitution of The American Legion, or who died subsequent to their honorable discharge from such service, shall be eligible for membership in the Sons of The American Legion.

I’m a member at American Legion Squadron 107, 20001 n. Cave Creek Road Phoenix, Arizona 85024 and if you would like additional information please contact me at [email protected]

Why a little fungus can cause serious issues?

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Water will find the path of least resistance and often times can cause more and more issues with a home. Let’s imagine that a chimney at the roofline is not sealed correctly and water makes it way to the ground. This water goes through the termiticide and eventually the termiticide is completely gone. The termites gain access into your home and more damage continues. So I would say that this is something we all need to consider when doing a quarterly inspection of our homes.

If you spot a water issue, figure it out and repair it ASAP or if you don’t want to just keep my phone number handy for the termite work that may be coming your way – 480-831-9328.

A great explanation of IPM, what is IPM?

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“An ecological approach to pest management that effectively manages pests in a way that minimizes adverse effects on people and the environment. IPM (integrated pest management) emphasizes an understanding of pest biology and behavior, and employs a number of different strategies designed to reduce the things pests need to survive and reproduce, including food, water, living space, and a way into the building.”

Purdue University’s IPM Technical Resource Center

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

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Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, within the state of Arizona. With 1.5 million people, Phoenix is the most populous state capital in the United States, as well as the sixth most populous city nationwide.

Phoenix is surrounded by many smaller little cities and each has a unique and quaint feeling such as Gilbert where my office is located. There are numerous day trip ideas and many are just plain fun in the sun.

Did you know this about Phoenix?

  1. There are lots of golf courses if you’re into that.
  2. There are more boats in Arizona than any other state.
  3. We have a botanical garden, science center and Japanese Friendship garden, art museums and lots of hiking trails with and without mountains.

So how about a visit?

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