All posts in “ProBest Pest Management”

New feature – Tips & Info Dr. Bug

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New feature!

Introducing a new feature of ProBest Pest Management which started in 1981 and in 2005 changed ownership, we had the opportunity to partner with the US Post Office to become a Contract Postal Unit which helps us to interact with about 100 people a day who may never have know us. As we interacted we also noticed children, often times not happy with shopping with Mom or Dad. We then came up with the idea of showing a few bugs and reptiles – we currently exhibit 2 snakes, 1 tarantula and 1 Bearded dragon. The kids just LOVE the exhibits and this is how Dr. Bug was created. Dr. Bug shares the features of the Pest and Termite world by exploring the things people may not know about bugs that invade their homes. Dr. Bug also shares his experience to help families and business owner protect themselves from the dangers of pests. You may also send a picture or ask for advice on pesticides or bugs in general from Dr. Bug at [email protected] and as always please bee careful out there.

Feature Dr Bug

Feature Dr Bug

Check out our new FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/DrBugProBest/

What are the most dangerous pest in Arizona?

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Dangerous?

I know that the title can be subjective, what is and can be hazardous? I think something that can bite or sting is right up there. It could be a dog, snake or bug or someone who is driving recklessly. But in my day to day it’s the bugs that can be the most dangerous. Let’s say you’re cleaning the garage, you put your hand into a box handle and something bites you. That is bad news cause it could be a Black Widow spider. I personally would rather be stung by a scorpion than bitten by a Black or Brown Widow. So wear gloves (IPM) and always protect yourself when gardening or moving stuff. That storage shed that you haven’t been in for 1+ years might hold a few bugs or pests including honeybees.

Scorpion dangerous

Scorpion dangerous?

 

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj7lhB53Uh0[/embedyt]

Mosquito habitat in your yard?

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Is your yard the mosquito habitat and with all the debate going on about Zika virus,  maybe we need to figure out where they are breeding? I have seen beer bottles with an inch of water holding up to 25 wiggler mosquitoes, so anything with standing water tends to be the culprit. Check your property first, then start to spy other areas that me well be the cause. There are different species and they do different things. One mosquito will travel 1 mile for food, while another likes to stay close and feed. What time do they tend to bite, all these little things helps the Pest Management Professional to decide on the treatment protocol. Did you know that adult mosquitoes make up part of the diet of some insect-eating animals, such as birds, bats, adult dragonflies and spiders.

So first off walk around the house see if there is anything holding water – pour it out.

Check old tires, they are notorious for holding water.

Check drip or flood irrigation. I know we live in AZ but some areas are constantly wet, so check low lying areas.

Think about tree notches.

How about water meter boxes?

Don’t just look down, check gutters as well.

mosquito habitat

mosquito habitat

The Ghost of Scorpions Past!

1 Comment

Is it a Ghost or to much Diatomaceous Earth?

Ghost or an imprint of a scorpion on a couch at a new clients home? Do you how it happened, not exactly sure how this happened but here is my 2 cents. The scorpion was either in the attic or the ceiling and fell and then deposited dust onto the furniture. So how do you scorpions get into the attic?

These pests crawl in under the stucco where that jtrim attaches to the foundation, they then crawl up the wall into the attic and fall out in any opening that is available. That is how in my opinion how you find them in toilets, bathtubs and showers, because that material makes it impossible for them to climb on. So a home seal is the best protection to keeping them out of your house.

ghost scorpions

ghost scorpions

 

Dryer Lint

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Dryer lint may cause fires

Your West Valley newspaper recently did an article on a recent home fire resulting from a dryer lint and  dryer vent and the damage caused by it “Peoria Fire – Medical responds to dryer fire, reminds people to clean vents”.

 

More than 15,000 fires are caused by that buildup of lint in those vents yearly, and ProBest Pest management has a air system device to clean those vents. This procedure is simple, we insert a device into the hose area of the dryer vent and the air forces the lint back at us cleaning the hose system. We also recommend installing a metal hose versus the old plastic type you may have. A simple clean out can take care of years of lint and crud build-up. I cleaned mine, it hadn’t been cleaned since I bought the house in 2003 and probably not cleaned since it was built in 1987. It was time and I got almost a full 5 gallon bucket of lint from that build-up.

Dryer lint cleaning vents

Dryer lint cleaning vents

So call ProBest Pest Management today to get your dryer vent cleaned 602-249-7378

It’s bee season – are you prepared?

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Season, when are the honeybees active?

Spring Season, maybe the Summer. Honeybees here in Arizona can swarm year round. So no big surprise that the owner noticed a lot of honeybees flying in and out from his deck. It was a great idea to save some money, instead of laying concrete they built a deck with wood. The Honeybee’s also thought it was a great idea, so they decided to set up shop and build a nice fortress for their babies. It was all such a great idea until the dog got stung.

Honeybees don’t realize that they are building near or on a deck, they see a nice void and decide to make it home. I think they would rather be higher off the ground but we really don’t have predators like anteaters  or honey badgers in Arizona. The only thing that they wouldn’t like is us, a little noise or commotion and it might trigger them to attack, especially if they are Africanized, more prone to agitation.

Once a month or at the very least check your home and property for signs of a pest infestation – as always Bee Prepared!

IMG_5627

season

season IMG_5628

season

 

 

What are My TOP 10 Tips for keeping bugs out of your home?

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TOP 10 Tips

Watch the useful Tips video below to get useful, helpful techniques for preventing bugs from getting into your home or business. I have to think that most people dislike bugs getting into the home and frankly there is no reason to put up with them. Home-sealing is probably the most economical as it will help to lower electric bills both in Winter and Summer. Keeping the heat or cooling systems at peak efficiency and keeping $$$$ in your pocket.

Think outside your house, think about the roof and out buildings. You will have to think like that pests or at least think how they might enter the house or shed. While we might need a door, they can find access through a hole.

tips

tips

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suiWKtQ97zs[/embedyt]

Dangerous Wildlife?

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WARNING!

I saw this wildlife warning the other day at the Vet’s Office, they can indeed be on the lookout for food and your pets could be that meal. Other wildlife can carry disease and also attack, squirrels can be quite aggressive if they are hungry and of course Javelina’s  can also be temperamental when cornered or frightened. This is also the season in AZ for rattlesnakes and spiders so please guard your pets and children. Animals often look all crudely and those looks can be deceiving, they can turn on you in an instant. If that animals bites you and you can’t locate it, you may have to have those rabies shots and those are scary. They can also be dangerous for pets, coyotes can jump fences and birds of prey can swoop right on in and grab a small cat or dog.

wildlife

wildlife

 

Ideas on Home-sealing

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My Top 5 home-sealing tips – remember its the knowledge that counts…

Ideas – but first you have to know a few things….

  1. The inspection is crucial and you need to know what you are looking for,
  2. What tools do you need – flashlight, probing tool, step ladder and are you up for the check – maybe easier to call a Professional.
    ideas

    ideas

  1. Caulking the j-trim
  2. Filling in the holes where pipes and wires go into the home.
  3. Using hardware cloth on roof/ceiling weep vent holes.
  4. Don’t just think down but think up, check the roof and lines coming in.
  5. Check the garage door, both the bottom and the sides – use StormShield.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ovgr7Zrvu8&feature=youtu.be

Termite

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The Dreaded Termite – the House Eater

termite

Termite

5 billion in damages yearly throughout the U.S. with most of that damage occurring on the East Coast. The highest infestation of subterranean termites is really found in the Southeast, including Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. Therefore the highest levels of damage probably occur in those states. Since we build houses right on top of termite colonies, we afford them the options to go straight into our homes. Then to make matters worse we use wood to build those homes and businesses. So what can you do to prevent termites?

  • Don’t allow wood to ground.
  • Don’t overwater, and don’t allow wood to get wet.
  • Keep an eye on areas of penetration of concrete slab, such as bath-traps and plumbing.
  • If you see anything that appears to be dirt on wall in form of tubes call a Pest Management Professional, like ProBest Pest Management 602-249-7378.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrWvtlAxiE4[/embedyt]
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