All posts in “ProBest”

IPM?

The success is IPM – Integrated Pest Management

We have often talked about IPM, and just to be clear it is Pest Control. Using all the tools at hand before you have to use pesticides. Technicians don’t prohibit the use, we just leave it for the end if the other techniques don’t work.

Here is an example – you have ants in the kitchen, you have sealed and caulked every possible opening along the entire wall and somehow they continue to get in. Furthermore you tried a pesticide outside (I suggest Termidor outside only) and that didn’t work either (you must understand the bug). So now the only option is to bait within the house, hide it in an area they frequent and bingo they are now gone. Use the tools and success, with minimal intrusion and pesticides. As a result most pesticides are useful, use them with caution and use as directed. Always play it safe read and understand the label.

Home-seal and prevention.
  • Do a monthly check of your property.
  • Seal any cracks or holes on the home, use caulking or steel wool if rodents are involved. Remember mice need a hole the size of a dime. Rats require something in the area of a quarter to gain entry. Seal it with steel or copper wool and calking or cement.
  • Remove, replace any wood rot and seal it if possible.
  • Keep trash receptacle closed and clean and away from house.
  • Keep bushes, trees and vines away from the house.
  • Keep wood trim painted or sealed to keep away pests.
  • Keep water usage to a minimum, make sure you’re not collecting water in certain areas.
  • If you have a crawlspace keep it clean and dry, always good to keep it ventilated as well.
  • Once a year have a termite inspection done, they can also perform a pest inspection.
  • When in doubt, or maybe you don’t understand the pest – time to hire a Professional.
IPM

IPM

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJENY7zpsGc[/embedyt]

Rodents, who will win?

Have you seen any rodents?

Rodents including rats and mice and it seems like every once in awhile we get them in the Valley, back in 2011 and this last year 2016-2017. Roof rats mainly and they can be a real pain if you live in areas where they have become quite the nuisance. Sometimes we even get Pack Rats, I still have no idea how they survive the Jumping Cholla cactus. They will use that cactus to build their middens (their home) and no idea why they don’t get barbs everywhere. If you live in Arizona you know to stay way clear of this cactus, they don’t jump but they somehow manage to get to you and they hurt.

Also we should be concerned about cabins or sweeping up remains of the rats/mice etc, Histoplasmosis  is a major concern.

rodents

rodents bait station

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6YlSxaeJq0[/embedyt]

Happy Halloween! Boo!

Halloween and the scary pests!

Halloween probably began as a Pagan celebration and originated from Celtic harvest festivals. Over the years, more and more people have added touches of the things that scare them, like cockroaches, roaches, bats and rats, snakes etc. I’ve seen candies that are shaped like all kinds of bugs to spiders. Which scare me to death, the spiders of course. So think about the costumes, parades and the tons of candy which the little Goblins are really looking.

The one thing I’m not real crazy about is those clowns. I’m not frightened by them they just creep me out, but no more than spiders freak me out. Tough exterminator putting on the front of a Professional, right?

Halloween

Halloween

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZJwmik7Oog[/embedyt]

Home-seal 10 tips

Home-seal Top 10 Tips video

Home-seal is the best method to keep out the bugs, nothing works better. It seems that almost anything you do and the scorpions still get inside.  But I consider it whatever you can do to reduce the numbers. Sealing is  #1, then pest control to reduce population of feeder bugs.  Black-lighting to reduce population on your property. Then finally patching any holes, including weatherstripping on doors and windows. Often times we unknowingly do things that help the pests, planting trees and bushes to close to the home, over watering to close to the foundation and not repairing or replacing screens. Home repairs and upkeep is important to keeping the bugs out.

Home-Seal Storm Shield

Home-Seal Storm Shield

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

Mosquito question?

20160831_140910

So when is the best time to kill a mosquito, is it when they are an egg, larva, pupa or adult? Well the clue is right above, the best time is when they are in the water as larva or pupa. The worst time is when they are when the adults are flying all over the place, then you have to track them down when they are in mode of biting. While they are in the water they are virtually captive within that body of water, we are talking about free standing no movement water. If the water is moving such as a fountain or stream, then the larva or pupa can’t breath – the constant wave action hinders their breathing tubes from functioning.

I prefer the mosquito dunks, bacillus thuringiensis. Can be placed in stagnate or non-moving water with ho harm to other animals. Can be used in known water areas and begin to work when water accumulates. Can be used in flower pots, tree holes, bird baths, roof gutters, rain barrels and many other spots that may hold water.

Now don’t be confused when you see those giant mosquito looking things, those are really Crane Flies. Crane Flies are found throughout the world and the adults have a lifespan of 10-15 days. So just as you are about to call they will be gone.

Mosquito versus Crane Fly

Mosquito versus Crane Fly

Halloween Bugs

Halloween bugs – are you scared when this holiday rolls around? Some people don’t like frightful things like ghosts, scary outfits and bugs. Bugs and animals related to the holiday may include bats, rats, wolves, cockroaches and spiders. Cockroaches are a scary thing to most homeowners, no one likes bugs in their kitchens. Cockroaches carry all sorts of diseases like salmonella and can spread bacteria. They can cause internal issues with us, causing food poisoning and can cause asthma and allergies.

Did you know?

  • Cockroaches can hold their breath for 40 minutes. I wonder who took the time to measure that?
  • Cockroaches who lose their heads die from starvation.
  • What is a group of cockroaches called? An intrusion, yep that’s what I would call it.
  • Cockroaches molt their skin.
  • I heard that a small group of Hissing cockroaches can eat a large carrot in a day, wow!
  • Cockroaches are pretty much everywhere.
  • Cockroaches have adapted to humans, and will eat just about anything.

 

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZJwmik7Oog[/embedyt]

 

Halloween bugs

Halloween bugs

Are those Subterranean termites at it again?

Subterranean termites

Subterranean termites

Well it’s another sign of Subterranean termites in your home. Did you know? Termites are social insects. Termite colonies can have up to 2 million but in Arizona it’s probably closer to 100,000 I think it’s due to the lack of water. They eat all kinds of wood and anything that contains wood cellulose. Subterranean termites work 24/7/365 and if your house is on the menu they will do everything they can to get in. The picture above is a termite tube coming from the attic above, we found the termites gaining entry outside between the brick and treated them with Termidor HE and no more termites inside. The key to a successful termite treatment is finding them and treating the soil. Some companies foam or use a dry product, now don’t get me wrong sometimes you have to do what you have to do but protecting and treating the soil is always the right move. In my opinion treating the soil is always the best move and treating with a superior product like Termidor is also a plus. Protect your home with the best – Termidor.

A few tips to keep them away:

  1. Keep stone or soil away from stucco on house.
  2. Make sure water including drip and flood irrigation drains away from the home.
  3. Stack wood away from house.
  4. Keep bushes trimmed and away from hose.
  5. Check you home monthly for new critters.
Subterranean termites Termidor

Subterranean termites Termidor

Termite tube in my carpet?

This picture is a termite tube coming up through the carpet, so termites work 24/7/365 and they won’t stop until they find food. Even if they find food, their search continues to the next food source. So occasionally they will enter through a crack in the concrete, so you need to look against the wall and inside the house. As always you can always call upon the best to look for these little girls. “Call A Pro… Call The Best. ProBest. 602-249-7378

By the way, now is a good time to look for termites in Arizona.

Look for tubes outside on the foundation.

Look for either drop tubes or tubes coming up from the soil or concrete carpet areas.

I see a lot of tubes in garages, so focus on garage along the outer walls.

Termite tube carpet

Termite tube carpet

 

Termites build tubes.

Termites build tubes

Termites tube on block wall.

Termites tube on block wall.

Termites build these tubes for several reasons, to protect them from air and sunlight and to protect them predators. They go in search for wood and when they find it they let the others know where the food is. They work 24/7/365 and even in the case above they might think they are heading for wood, they won’t find any here so eventually they will give up and move along.

They are small about 1/4 inch but it’s their numbers that make the difference, here in Arizona probably between 100,000 and 250,000 all working towards the goal of feeding everyone.

So keep a look out and if you see anything like this please give ProBest Pest Management a call at 602-249-7378

The problem didn’t occur in a day, the solution can’t happen in 1 day either?

I know, I know you hate rodents or bugs and you want them out of your home or business today. The problem is, it isn’t going to happen! Those bugs or rodents had some time to reproduce and gain numbers. In the same way the Pest Management Professional is going to need some time to eradicate the problem. So let’s look at a few issues:

German Cockroaches – You bring in one box from a grocery store and one lone female sneaks into your kitchen. Oh and guess what? She is pregnant and in just a few days she releases an egg case, 30 little baby cockroaches and all ready to make babies in 100 days. A German Cockroach and her babies can produce 300,000+ roaches in a year.

Mice – a pair of mice can produce more than 300 offspring.

Rats – a pair of rats may produce 1,500 to 2,000 babies.

 

If the pest infestation goes unchecked, you might be dealing with 1000’s and no matter what it is going to take some time, period. I truly understand the concern and we will work as hard as ever to get that population down quickly, but don’t expect it tomorrow.

Problem or solution

Problem or solution

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