It’s not always about the Bed Bugs, how about visiting Arizona? Caves

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I enjoy getting out and exploring, so please plan a visit to Arizona and see the beauty that is beneath your feet. All of these caves are unique in their own ways, dry, wet and breathtaking beauty but remember “Don’t Touch”, many of these formations take centuries to form.

Colossal Caves – outside of Tucson, my favorite cave in Arizona. I probably have been here at least 4 times. 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail Vail, AZ 85641 – 520.647.PARK (7275) I really love this cave, the tour takes about 45 minutes and the temperature is always about 70 degrees which is wonderful in the summer. You can actually witness bats and hear them making their little noise and cave formations like stalactites, flowstone, boxwork and helictites.

Kartchner Caverns State Park Kartchner Caverns SP Benson, AZ 85602 (520) 586-2283 This park has a recent history having been found in 1974 but kept as a secret until 1978/1984 and is considered a living cave.

Grand Canyon Caves – Mile 115 Route 66 63 Miles NE of Kingman AZ and 65 Miles West of Williams and the Grand Canyon Railroad

Photo from their site http://gccaverns.com/media/

This cave is unique in that they have a Sloth bear (Jesse), offer night stays and the only draw back is that it is way out there. But it still deserves a visit, its on my list of things to see in Arizona.

Have you read the news lately about bugs?

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I’m truly amazed when it comes to what kids do, I think the biggest thing I ever remember doing as a kid was to push my curfew. Of course I was a great kid, just saying! But have you read about kids crushing up Bed Bugs and smoking them – well its all a hoax – Snopes.com. My first thought when I did hear this story on the radio was where are they getting all these Bed Bugs from?

Origins: April 2014 saw the proliferation of Internet accounts, based on a purported local television news spot from Phoenix station KNXV, reporting the latest alleged shocking schoolyard trend: kids smoking or injecting crushed bedbugs to get a cheap high from a hallucinogenic substance (PH-417) supposedly contained within those critters:
Read more at http://www.snopes.com/horrors/parental/bedbugs.asp#H3eGijCxUuuLrwoB.99

The latest news story concerns “Beezin” teens supposedly slatering eyelids with Burt’s Bee lip balm to experience tingly high.”

Bed Bugs hiding under wallpaper

Origins: April 2014 saw the proliferation of Internet accounts, based on a purported local television news spot from Phoenix station KNXV, reporting the latest alleged shocking schoolyard trend: kids smoking or injecting crushed bedbugs to get a cheap high from a hallucinogenic substance (PH-417) supposedly contained within those critters:
Read more at http://www.snopes.com/horrors/parental/bedbugs.asp#H3eGijCxUuuLrwoB.99

Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program – Featured Member – ProBest

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The Spring 2014 PESPWire is here!

PESPWire is a quarterly electronic newsletter featuring news and information of interest to PestWise members, partners and pesticide community stakeholders. This PESPWire issue covers a variety of topics, from IPM for Pigeons to EPA Supports IPM in Arizona.

I would personally like to thank two of our clients – Precious Treasures Childcare and Liberty Wildlife for their contribution to this informative article concerning Integrated Pest Management or IPM. I would also like to thank the EPA for this article and their work with IPM.

Some flies have stripes, why do Zebra’s have stripes?

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Blending in, right?

Some flies have stripes, is it to blend in. I really thought that it was to blend in but I was wrong. Looks like the reason for their stripes has to do with warding off insects. “Why do Zebra’s have stripes? To keep the bugs off.”

flies PPMA

Have you seen those TV shows in the Arctic where the flying insects looked like there were zillions. The poor animals having to endure the biting and blood sucking pests. It is amazing to me to see that animals adapt to environments such as these. I have been camping many years ago and the mosquitoes would just drive you nuts, you couldn’t get away from them. I also remember canoeing down the Wekiva river and being attacked by deer flies and horseflies. Those bites really hurt. So it looks like all I had to do was paint myself black and white.

April is National Pest Management Month

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April

April is National Pest Management Month, an observance that has been taking place for more than 30 years!
Research shows spring and summer are when pest problems are of most concern to homeowners. Call us today for an inspection! 602-249-7378
Have you ever encountered #pests in the home?
Tip of the day: Pest-proof the home during your spring-cleaning routine.

Pest can cause serious issues for children and older folks, from asthma to dietary problems and possibly death. Keeping the pests out is the key to pest control, home sealing is a tool to help enforce no pests. Its all about the techniques that can be used to keep the bugs out and we have that knowledge and use it everyday – call ProBest Pest Management 602-249-7378

Folk art – complaints

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I’ve seen these before but never had one for the office.

Go ahead Push for Complaint! Go ahead I dare ya… Thanks to Janet H. for the device.

Emergency Bee Calls are up

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Emergency bee calls are up in the Valley, honeybees have no idea what is a good place and where is the bad place. This call was right about 2 electronic doors and every time the door opened some bees flew in. A unique situation because they had this super big lobby area and there were bees everywhere inside and they weren’t happy. Here are a few facts to remember about swarm bees:

Typically when they swarm they ingest lots of honey, usually they are more docile.
They are not defending an actual hive yet, so again a little more docile – doesn’t mean that they can’t get agitated.
Usually as warm lands and sends out scouts, once they find a suitable home they will usually leave.
Bees at a water fountain are just there for water, lone bees will not attack unless you mess with them.
If you are stung seek medical attention, especially if allergic. Call 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Use caution as you are dealing with possibly dangerous insects.

emergency

I’ve got zillions of these bugs, what are they?

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False Chinch Bugs

False Chinch bugs are in the Order Hemiptera also known as “true bugs”. False Chinch bugs prefer plants in the Mustard family and especially like London Rocket: a yellow flowered mustard that is very common in our area. Even though they may feed on some landscape plants, False Chinch bugs rarely cause significant damage. Usually the mass migration lasts only one week at most. Prevent entry into houses by making sure screens on windows and patio doors are intact and sealing up other entryways. Homeowners can apply a pesticide around the perimeter of the house to keep the bugs out, but the best approach is to seal them out.

University of AZ – grant for $250,000 – Part 4

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I want to thank the EPA, Arizona Pest Management Center, Maricopa Agricultural Center and Metro Tech High School for all the information and work they have done in Integrated Pest Management or IPM.

It just makes sense!

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University of AZ – grant for $250,000 – Part 2

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How to do IPM?

Identify pests: not all creatures are pests. Proper identification helps you decide what to do about them.
Keep records: records give information about past pest problems, so you know when and where to look for them and what to do.
Keep pest away: maintain cleanness and deny food, water and shelter.
Non-chemical methods: managed pests by setting barriers, trapping, physical removal (by hand, vacuuming) or changing physical conditions (e.g. moisture, aeration) to make an area unfavorable for pests.
Use pesticides as the last resort: use least hazardous pesticides or application methods (self-contained baits, gels used as crack-and-crevice treatments, and exempt from U.S. EPA registration-25B). Use only if pests continue to be present and other methods are insufficient to manage the infestation. Regularly scheduled pesticide sprays are usually not necessary.

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Blending in, right?