All posts in “ProBest”

Scary things living in your attic?

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A bump in the night in your attic!

It might sound strange, but if you hear noises at night in the attic it may not be your imagination. Maybe those bumps in the night might be coming from inside your attic. Even the smallest of holes allow mice and insects such as honeybees access into your home. I always suggest that you do periodic checks of your home especially the attic to basically keep an eye out for trouble makers. Birds and even larger animals can gain access into crawlspaces & attics. As a result this can cause concern and sometimes it is a real pain to get rid of them. Honeybee are always on the search here in Arizona for a new place to live. Honeybees often swarm in Spring and Fall since we have a somewhat higher temperature throughout the year. If you notice bees going into your home use extreme caution as they may be very dangerous. Once you have made them MAD, you can’t take it back. They can stay agitated for 8+ hours, they can sting dogs, neighbors and children.

https://www.facebook.com/rjoplin/videos/10208607135351946/

 

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVWUhkPuU4Q[/embedyt]

 

Feedspot – Top 100 Blogs & Website award

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Blogs – Top 100

One of the highest praises a company can get is to be included in a Top 100 list of blogs & bloggers in the world. http://blog.feedspot.com/pest_control_blogs/  Also the nice thing about it, is that ProBest is included with some really successful bloggers including pestcemetery.com and www.invader.net

 

These blogs are ranked based on following criteria

  • Google reputation and Google search ranking
  • Influence and popularity on Facebook, twitter and other social media sites
  • Quality and consistency of posts.
  • Feedspot’s editorial team and expert review

blogs

There are probably about 15,000 pest management companies across the U.S. so I’m humbled by being nominated to this blog list and appreciate the award. Blogging is a passion of mine and gives me a chance to spread the word of pest management and IPM. The new persona of ProBest is Dr. Bug – see below:

QualityPro company and have been since 2005.

Keith Birkemeyer Avatar

The Bio of Dr. Bug, Owner of ProBest Pest Management

If you have a bug problem and you are looking for someone who can solve it, please read on…

Keith Birkemeyer aka Dr. Bug has been in the business of pest management for over 20 years. His interest in bugs began at an early age when he delighted(?) his parents with an infestation of Praying Mantis.  He had brought some egg cases in from the cold one winter in Ohio.  When they hatched there were baby Praying Mantis everywhere.  Keith grew up in Scouting and is an Eagle Scout.

Keith’s formal training began in Florida. A state well known for a hearty bug population, especially termites.   He continued his career with a chemical manufacturing company as a Technical Specialist.

Keith has traveled the world speaking to various groups about bugs, termites and pest control.  He is an Associate Certified Entomologist.  Keith enjoys sharing his Arizona pest control stories and facts.  He is the owner of ProBest.  ProBest has been named a Quality Pro company.  And is awarded the “Mark of Excellence in Pest Management” by the National Pest Management Association.  Keith may be a grown kid at heart and his company allows him to pursue his passion.

No one knows bugs like Keith does.  That is the number one reason to call ProBest Pest Management for all your insect prevention needs.

Spring Is here and the bugs may be at your door

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Spring is here

So Spring has finally arrived ohhhh and we finally see that April the Giraffe had her baby boy. It’s a Facebook thing and this Giraffe has been expecting for well over a month and I all think we wish it would arrive and that includes April. This season is a time of rebirth, the trees and bushes start the process of new leaves and the animals including  starting the process of new babies. As Spring goes into Summer the temperatures will push the bugs into cooler climates such as your home or business. So please keep an eye on eaves, roof-lines and sheds where we see more activity from honeybees etc.

I was sitting in my car on the overpass at the US 60 and Gilbert Road last week and a swarm flew right into and over us, glad my windows were rolled up. Watch the video on Honeybees . Take some time to smell the flowers life is to short to miss the fun stuff – relax take some time.

Spring blooming cactus

Spring blooming cactus

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQi9pZ8jE9M[/embedyt]

Clothes Dryer Vent Cleaning

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Clothes Dryer Vent fires

Did you know:  You probably have heard it a million times but 15,000 home clothes dryer vent fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss. The leading cause of home clothes dryer fires is failure to clean dryer vents. Lint is flammable; filtering it before it leaves the dryer is generally easier than cleaning out the exhaust vents every few cycles (instead of once or twice a year), but the lint’s no less flammable inside the dryer than outside, so failing to clean the lint filter can cause a dryer fire.

Here are a few tips:

  1. The longer the dryer hose the more lint builds up.
  2. The more bends the more dryer lint buildup.
  3. Use only a metal hose.
  4. Clean the lint filter each time you use the dryer.
  5. Clean the entire hose system yearly.
Clothes Dryer Vent

Clothes Dryer Vent

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL-yLLb0DfE[/embedyt]

Pesticide and safety

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Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program – Gold Member of the EPA

ProBest Pest Management is a Gold member since 2010. A pesticide can be and should be considered dangerous and should be handled accordingly, they can also be useful.

  • Performance.
  • Participation.
  • Responsibility.
  • Education.

pesticide

Established in 1994, the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) is an EPA partnership program. It works with the nation’s pesticide-user community to promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. PESP is guided by the principle that partnership programs complement the standards and decisions established by regulatory and registration actions. The informed actions of chemical users can further reduce the risks from pests and pesticides. By playing a major role in ensuring human health and environmental safety.

PESP members are also encouraged to get involved in PESP goals, which currently include:

  • IPM in Schools Program – aims to reduce the risk that chemical exposure poses to children and school employees by promoting sensible applications of pesticides around schools.
  • Landscaping Initiative – seeks to enhance the environmental, human health, and economic benefits associated with landscapes while reducing the need for pesticides, fertilizers, irrigation, and energy inputs by working in concert with nature.
  • Tick IPM – seek to identify the most cost effective approaches to reduce tick encounters and incidence of tick borne diseases by collaborating with partners (federal, state, local government, NGOs, growers) that actively share experiences on pest prevention strategies.
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-KMRyaSEbw[/embedyt]

Hoarding, garbage, stuff & junk with pest control

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Are you hoarding?

As we live in our homes we tend to collect stuff.  Hoarding this stuff often winds up taking up way more space then it should. I recently tried getting rid of office stuff and that was hard because you never now when you might need something. So I went through and said if I didn’t touch it for a year, I was throwing it out. Guess what, that’s what I did. Never easy but its got to be done – business or home, take a chance and clean the clutter. It is well worth the time and your home will be safer for all.

Just a reminder the more clutter and hoarding the more chance for pests including roaches and rodents making their home inside your home. I don’t care what anyone says just one mouse is a an issue for your safety and that of your family. So please give us a call if you see a mouse 602-249-7378 or cockroaches.

hoarding

hoarding

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UMO2DczEBw[/embedyt]

Marketing Facebook Twitter and Social Media ProBest Pest Management

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Marketing and Advertising

is something to really consider, money is the biggest factor in what you pay for is what you get, right? So it pays if you know something about social media aspects or you have to learn as you go. There is a difference between social media 1. marketing – communication between your company and the target audience 2. advertising is that form of marketing used my you to promote your service. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram are the modes of how to get that message to your audience. A good slogan helps “Call A Pro… Call The Best. ProBest!

Remember a few of the good ones over the years: One of my favorites was that Norelco Christmas spot 1970 with Santa riding the shaver on snow, Coke and its “I’d like to buy the world a Coke”, the Milk commercial with milk on your upper lip. Can you name any of your favorites? Comment below!

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVIgJa-PG7U[/embedyt]

 

 

Rodent Design Service – Arizona

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Is a rodent eating the fruit

Probably the most difficult thing to control is a mouse or rodent within your home or business. I hate the fact that a mouse urinates as it walks or runs, disgusting. It is really important to home-seal, to prevent them from getting into your home or business. Along with the fact of the mouse and their presence, don’t forget that they carry diseases and parasites like fleas or ticks. OK just a few facts on reproduction:

Mice – reproduce up to 8 times in their lifetime with 4-7 pups = 56 babies per year.

Rats – reproduce 4-7 litters per year with 5-12 pups per year = 84 babies.

rodent

rodent

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDmDSdvgxX4[/embedyt]

Cat ad 4 best pest company – ProBest Pest Management

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Cat ad delivers message to viewers

You know I’m really not a cat person, I like dogs. Yes I know more people these days own cats than dogs but hey what can I say. There is this World renown Entomologist in Florida that despises cats and he frequently makes fun of all types. He even includes jabs at training events and a magazine his University publishes. To me they are finicky while dogs will generally play and come to you no matter what. Cats are just cats, no more no less. Did you know that all dogs come from wolves, I mean there are all kinds small and large, tall and short, ugly and cute (all in the eye of the beholder) well you get the drift. I guess they have been around a long time, I guess their good mousers (well most of them). But at least the one below knows something good.[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v37FuUFfF0[/embedyt]

cat

cat

Leptospirosis Pets and Familiy

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Leptospirosis, bacterial disease

A recent outbreak of Leptospirosis was recently confirmed in Maricopa County. Over 60 dogs tested positive, so I prepared video to help identify what you can do to protect your dog, cats, pets and family. Leptospirosis, is a bacterial disease that can affect people and animals, has been on the rise in Maricopa County dogs since February, 2016. The bacteria that causes this disease is spread in the urine of infected animals, including rodents, wildlife, pets, and livestock. If you suspect your pet may have this bacteria virus please consult your Veterinarian.

First of all, I stopped taking Gracie my dog (I think she is a beagle coker spaniel mix) to parks.  I’m concerned with her picking up ticks and now this nasty disease. If you take precautions, we should be able to stop this but consult your Veterinarian. I use Lookout Mountain on Cave Creek Road and highly recommend them. They have taken care of both my dogs and are personable and know their pets.

 

Gracie negative Leptospirosis

Gracie negative Leptospirosis

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLarEiVFdH8[/embedyt]
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