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How about those stores that sell exotic pets?

Have you ever considered those weird pets that they sell at those pet stores around the US. Even weirder are the food for some of those pets, like Lobster Roaches, Dubia Roaches or Madagascar Roaches. The other day I was teaching at the Chandler Environmental Center and some one asked me that question – What if one of those things get loose? Well that’s exactly how pests like that get into areas where they have never been before. It is obvious in areas like Florida, where Boa Constrictors and Iguanas are now a normal occurrence seen by many on a daily basis.

Come by our little store and Post Office to see “Godzilla” our Leopard Gecko and other little friends

Station 10 – New Fire Station in Gilbert, Arizona

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Station 10 – New Fire Station in Gilbert, Arizona

Congratulations to the City of Gilbert, Arizona on their new GOLD Fire Station #10 building. It is considered as a Gold energy building and has solar installed. ProBest Pest Management has the honor of keeping the fire fighters safe from bugs, so we attended the ribbon cutting on Saturday September 15th, 2012. I was greatly impressed with the time and effort that went into the design and work of this Gold standard building. I was also impressed with the young fire fighters that were all dressed up to honor their hero’s.

Termites can pop up in the weirdest places.

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Termites can pop up in the weirdest places.

With termites you never know where they will show up, I have seen them in bathrooms and garages. Really almost anywhere in the home, they are not real peculiar in where they show up.

Any crack or intrusion within that concrete slab allows them access. Given that crack – they will find it.

Technology continues to advance with new and unique termiticides, Termidor, Transport and Altriset.

“Call a Pro… Call the Best. ProBest!”

Ethics are Excellent Standards for Life…

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I was talking talking recently to a Mother of a soon to be Eagle Scout and we got into the discussion just how much parents play a part in this achievement. I can assure you that I don’t think I ever would have made it without my Mom’s helping, (THANKS MOM) whether driving me to a meeting or camping trips. Parents often play a major role in sports, school and other events so it’s no wonder that they also play a vital role in Scouting.

So Thanks to all the volunteers, Mom’s and Dad’s, Uncles and Aunts and to all those you get involved in the daily lives of young men and women. Through your support Scouting works!

By the way ProBest Pest Management has two Eagle Scouts – Lead Technician Seth Dodge and the Owner – Keith V. Birkemeyer.

Termite Super Highway’s…

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Termite Super Highway’s…

Termites build these tunnels or tubes as a highway into our homes. In nature they would eat and consume fallen trees and convert them back into fertilizer for future trees and bushes. Then we decide to build homes right on top of them and then they decide to eat our homes, what a vicious cycle! Termites build these tunnels for protection against ants and other enemies along with humidity control.

So now is the time to look for these little highways into your home, call ProBest if you see anything like this! 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176

Artsy – fartsy…. or so they say…

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Artsy – fartsy…. or so they say…

I don’t exactly know who is in charge here, but somebody is having a BAD day at finding wood. Termites search for wood all the time and sometimes they plain and simply come up the wrong place. This wrong place is the center of the garage and at least 10 feet from any wood. What I really think is cool is notice the termites even attempting to build the tubes up….

Termites here in Arizona are not as voracious eaters of wood as they are on the East Coast of the US but they can and do cause damage if not taken care of. Please call ProBest Pest Management for all your pest/termite issues at 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176 – we offer free estimates and inspections (except for WDIIR – Wood Destroying Insect Infestation Reports often required for the selling of your home).

Transport Termiticide

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Transport Termiticide and how does it work, really. Taking termite control to the next level.

With its unique non-repellent formulation, Transport^® termiticide by FMC quickly controls termite infestations that are causing costly structural and cosmetic damage to your customers’ homes while also providing long term protection from future termite invasions.

Transport termiticide is extremely effective at controlling all three genera of termites, including Reticulitermes, Heterotermes and Coptotermes. With its improved speed of knockdown, lasting residual and good resistance management properties, Transport has shown incredible performance even in seriously infested structures. Efficacy data shows that in 94% of treatments, Transport termiticide stopped termite activity within 30 days of treatment.

An application with Transport (label) (msds)actually creates two active treatment zones within the soil. The outer zone provides quick results against termites active inside and outside of the structure, while the inner zone provides a long-lasting barrier of protection to prevent future invasions.

I mentioned yesterday that the only issue I had with Termidor was that it might allow termites an opportunity to rebuild a tube or tunnel and create a callback – this product effectively eliminates that worry.

24/7/365 Termites on the Move!

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24/7/365 Termites on the Move!

Termites work everyday and they are only interested in finding wood (your home) sometimes they make mistakes and come up in the wrong place. The thing they have – is that they don’t ever give up. A few tips:

Don’t plant tress or bushes near the foundation of your home, don’t put mulch up near the foundation and don”t pile stone or rock up to the stucco.
The same applies to planters, putting a planter up next to the home will only encourage moist and pests.
Reduce water next to the foundation. Check your drip irrigation, if sprinklers are involved direct them away from the home.
Watch out for pests like rodents (ground squirrels, rats and pocket gophers) digging near the foundation.
If you add a concrete slab to your home – pretreat it.
If you must dig around the foundation notify your Pest Control company.
Store firewood away from the structure.
Inspections are good, very good.

Successful strategies to prepare your home for winter:

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Successful strategies to prepare your home for winter:

The key in my book is to keep an eye out throughout the year. If Africanized Honeybee’s have taken up residence and you didn’t notice it for a year you will have more problems because of the time involved to build more colony and honey storage. So here is my list:

Check your home outside for any holes that may have developed over the past year – seal them, I suggest copper wool (won’t rust) or steel wool. Check for signs of termites, such as termite tubes or tunnels or damage. This can also be damage from water as well.
Check inside your home, look for baseboard or paint that seems to be cracked or crinkled which might suggest termite activity.
Only bring in enough firewood that you will use immediately, firewood can bring in pests like spiders, beetles or termites.
Repair any screens that have been damaged.
The winter is also a great time to check your attic, it’s cooler. Check for animal signs like feces or nesting materials. Check the roof for signs of water staining or damage, if capable check the roof from the outside – check shingles or tiles for any damage.
If this is a cabin, drain the water lines and clean up. This will allow you to notice things on your return visit, remember HantaVirus and the clean up procedures.
Now is also a good time to call your local Pest Management Professional for an inspection, especially here in Arizona because of the monsoon and the rains which make termites more active.

Rattlesnakes and pest control

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Rattlesnakes and pest control

Rattlesnakes just come with the territory out here in the Wild, Wild West and we do occasionally run across one or two or more a year. I try my hardest to relocate them, it’s not their fault that they get into our yards. They are usually just looking for food (rodents, ground squirrels etc) and they get trapped into enclosures or pool areas. We have them in electrical or water meter boxes, pool or drop down embankments and sometimes even in garages. A word of caution – don’t try this on your own! This takes skills and equipment and a very steady hand.

So let’s talk about two of the most dangerous – rattlesnakes…

Mojave rattlesnake – probably the most dangerous rattlesnake, it’s venom is neurotoxic. Generally found in the southeast of Arizona and with the expansion of its territories we could encounter them more often.
Western Diamondback rattlesnake – one of the largest venomous snakes in the U.S. and rivals its cousin the eastern Diamondback rattlesnake. It tends to be very aggressive and is one of the most common snakes in the Southwest.

There is an excellent book by Carl Ernst “Venomous Reptiles of North America” which I suggest you read if interested in snakes. I keep this book handy to identify any snake I think are dangerous or venomous.