All posts in “ProBestPest”

Ahhhhhh the surprises ahead, at least for Momma Duck?

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Ahhhhhh the surprises ahead, at least for Momma Duck?

Thanks to Sharon for providing this picture, someone is in for a huge surprise. This is going to be one long sit for Momma Duck. How long do you think it will be before she realizes that are all going to hatch?

Update on our little ducklings – “ Hi Keith, I’m happy to report foster Mallard mom and babies are doing well! The babies all huddle under her wings…..I’m sure we’ll have pictures in the home seal this week….I’ll forward it to you.“ Sharon http://www.LibertyWildlife.org

Let’s talk about Honeybees!

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Let’s talk about Honeybees!

Let’s talk about the Africanized version of the Honeybee

Africanized bees swarm more often, up to 10x.
A swarm isn’t likely to be real aggressive – don’t take chances. The reason for this is that they are full of honey and they are not defending anything yet.
A swarm is looking for a home – they send out scouts looking for a home and they probably will move on.
It is possible to relocate them if they are in a tree or bush, not easy I said it was possible.

Notice the last picture, they have started to build honeycomb. This would make them more aggressive! Remember what I said previously in other home seals – It is impossible to set the bees make to zero or do over once they are mad….

OK so why tell you this, because there is no reason to panic. If you noticed a swarm, wait they may move on and this will save you money on hiring a Pest Management Professional. Now you notice I said hire a Pest Management Professional – that’s because we have bee suits and we understand bees.

I love this quote…

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Everything will be alright in the end, and if not – its not the end.

I’m telling you I absolutely love my job! Yes there are trials and tribulations as in any business but to me everyday is different from the one before. No boredom at all and everyday I get to meet new and exciting people.

Now I will admit my writing abilities are not the greatest, but the one thing I’m actually really great at is bugs. So for no other reason than that you should choose ProBest Pest Management to be your bug expert.

What is it?

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What is it?

You know how this works, someone sends you something to look at and identify and it is almost impossible to figure out what it might be? So take a look and help me identify what you think these are. Comment below and give me a hand, please!

The answer tomorrow….

What’s sleeping in your bed?

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What’s sleeping in your bed?

The more I watch TV the more it scares me, I hate those commercials that say “How old is your bed, if your bed is over 8 years it has 10 pounds of stuff in it”, just what I don’t want to hear. It’s bad enough thinking about dust mites or worse yet Bed Bugs but you spend a great deal of time in that bed.

When the Great Bed Bug scare came I decided we needed to invest in some mattress and box spring en-casements and let me tell you I can now sleep without the thought of those critters jumping around more than counting sheep. There are a few side benefits about these en-casements, here they are:

They keep things in and things out, now remember Bed Bugs just don’t live on beds.
They keep out urine, sweat and anything else you might spill on them. Accidents happen like babies sprouting a geyser or the accidental dog or cat issue.
Allergens especially within the bed can be kept to a minimal amount.
These en-casements are not like years of past, they are crinkly and make noise. They aren’t as hot either.

So think about an en-casement as a way to protect and maybe extend the life of that mattress and box spring.

When is that good deal not such a good deal?

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When is that good deal not such a good deal?

From time to time I hear about those great deals, which all of us probably run into. Last week I got another one of those flyers in the mail on carpet cleaning – “Any size room steam cleaned & deodorized $4.95” of course then the fine print – 2 room minimum, heavily soils carpet will require preconditioning. Oh and don’t forget travel charge applies to all areas.

Come on who are they kidding? By the time you add in all those hidden fees, it could (and probably is) the same as a reputable Better Business Bureau company. By the way I also decided to do as search for their company at the BBB and it appears that there is an Alert on this company.

Its the same with pest control companies, I’m often amazed at the discrepancy of pricing and I ran into one this weekend. 4000 – 5000 square foot home, 4 bedrooms with a living room with Bed Bugs. My price started at $1250 and the other quoted price was $550. Bed Bugs are a serious and time consuming treatment protocol and this job would take take us most of the day to complete. I can understand shopping for the best price but lets consider some other factors?

What are the protocols? We issue a prep sheet which must be followed.
What are they using? We use Steam, with a dust material put into crack & crevices and wall voids and Phantom liquid spray around baseboards.
How long will they be there, estimate? For this size home probably 6 – 8 hours.
How long has this business been in business? 30+ years
Do they have reviews by BBB, Kudzu, MerchantCircle or anyone else? No complaints and plenty of reviews.
Are they licensed and insured? Office of Pest Management #8411 and we carry General Liability, Auto and Workman’s Compensation
Are they member so of Crimshield? CrimeFreeCircle Yes, since 2008.

Liberty Wildlife Rehab Center Update

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Liberty Wildlife Rehab Center Update

Liberty Wildlife envisions a time when wildlife is recognized as an integral part of our natural world, and a precious natural resource, to be protected and preserved.

Liberty Wildlife envisions being a permanent community resource, a place to instill compassion and stewardship in young minds and a place to reconnect the public with the beauty and benefits of native wildlife and habitat.

Wildlife-Related Emergencies —-480-998-5550

Volunteer

At Liberty Wildlife volunteers are always needed, and a variety of volunteer opportunities are available. Time commitments vary, but usually involve three to four hours once a week. Training and support are provided. People who love wildlife and care about the environment find it a thrilling experience to work around these magnificent wild animals.

While Liberty Wildlife accepts mammals and reptiles, most of the work is avian rehabilitation. This includes birds of prey, water fowl, and songbirds native to Arizona.

People interested in volunteering must be 18 years of age or older. You must have reliable transportation and be able to commit to being on time for assignments. The feeding and cleaning, medical services, education, and facility maintenance positions are physically demanding.

ProBest has donated our services over the past year because it is just the right thing to do and we can help. Without proper pest protocols pest populations such as rodents and cockroaches can build up and possibly take over. So if you can help I think they would appreciate whatever you can do.

http://www.libertywildlife.org

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Joe (Liberty Wildlife volunteer), Aurora (Bald Eagle) and Dr. Bug

Why don’t you “Do It Yourself” pest control?

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Why don’t you “Do It Yourself” pest control?

OK I’m going to tell you my secret to pest control, wait for it, wait – You have to know your bug! Anybody can spray, anybody can use a compressed sprayer and anybody can throw granules out and about. But that isn’t how it happens, the bugs just don’t walk about like you and I. They hide and frankly they are very good at it. I’ve used this analogy often – I take my fleet of trucks to BrakeMaster’s, the reason I do that is because I don’t think I’m good enough at changing my brakes and I want to stop at your home. Yes I could change my own oil but why, I could have done a termite job and had more fun. Some people are into cars or music, but I’m into bugs and I’m damn good at what I do! I love what I do and everyday is exciting and different. Whether I’m investigating where the Bed Bugs are hiding or how the Roof rats got into the house. There are people are there that have spent years in college and are good at their profession just like me – 20 years at interpreting clues and signs and that is the real reason you should call ProBest Pest Management. I’m different and there is no doubt about it, I have a Post office and Zoo at my place. I love to talk with groups like the classes I teach at Chandler Environmental Center at Veterans Oasis Park and frequently host Merit Badge classes.

Honestly isn’t that someone you would rather take care of those bug issues for you, maybe that honey do list will be done once or twice and then forgotten. Not with ProBest, we will put you on a revolving schedule – we won’t forget! Does your significant other really understand those bugs, Dr. Bug does and he love what he does.

So please just make that simple call to ProBest Pest Management at 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176. Do what you are good at and let ProBest handle those ugly littler bugs. It’s what we do every day. Bugs don’t like us but just check out our reviews on at Kudzu.com – 75+ people love us won’t you? By the way we do more than bugs – we do customer service and we love it.

By the way I’m Keith V. Birkemeyer and I approve this message…..

When bee’s attack – true story…

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When bee’s attack – true story…

Africanized bee’s are not the friendliest and nicest of the bees we have in Arizona, but this story raised my antenna.

Read this story from the International Business Times Africanized Bees: Aggressive Insects Attack Beekeeper in Tennessee.

According to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, a horde of partially Africanized bees attacked one Tennessee beekeeper a few months ago. A cloud of about 100,000 streamed from a hive and surrounded the man, who ran and jumped into his car. It was five minutes before the swarm gave up its pursuit. The beekeeper, who was wearing protective gear, suffered about 30 stings.

This was an experienced veteran bee keeper, thank goodness he had a bee suit on, or he could have been a dead bee keeper. Bee work in Arizona is not – IS NOT a DIY or Do It Yourself job. Don’t kid yourself, because if you start a job and the bees become nasty there is no shut off switch. You cannot dial them back to nice, they may attack everything in the neighborhood including children, pets and anyone just out having a good time.

Unwelcome visitor in my driveway on Saturday .

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Unwelcome visitor in my driveway on Saturday.

I absolutely love when our customers take photo’s and send them our way. Always on guard in Arizona, when the temperatures get HOT out come some of our friends including rattlesnakes. The Fire Department responded on Saturday and gently removed the snake and relocated it to the wash area.

Not everything needs to be killed, the snake was just out wondering and looking for food.

Thanks AJ for the picture and we will start the use of Snake Away immediately!!

Here is another picture of what can hide and where?