All posts in “rats”

Snakes

Snakes

Snakes

The snakes are out and now is the time to watch where you step or put your hands. We put out a lot of rodent stations, black in color and the snakes love the heat and protection. They also occasionally get a treat when a mouse or rat stumbles in. So lets imagine that you’ve seen some rat feces or maybe a rat. Why should you be concerned? Not only will they try to get into your home but they carry diseases and parasites like ticks. Most of us have pets, like cats and dogs and rats can cause real issues even biting our pets. So with rats comes snakes, when rats are plentiful in a neighborhood snakes are often found. The snake below was found at a customers home near the pool area, can you only imagine what might happen?

So be aware of your property, if you see rodents call ProBest. If your unsure about any holes or openings – call ProBest? Play it safe and call the Number 1 Pest Control Company in Gilbert, Arizona. We are here to help you design a safe and pest free home. Home sealing is another measure to ensure that rodents and pest don’t enter your home. We will come out and inspect your home and come up with a plan to seal it up, including all holes and entry points. Over the years molding and caulking fails and allows wildlife and pests attempt to enter. Sealing is a BIG help.

  1. Reduce Clutter
  2.  Pick up fruit that has fallen
  3.  Reduce or get rid of weeds
  4.  Check your property frequently look up and down
  5.  If you have a shed check it from time to time.
  6.  Fix leaks

Snakes & Rodents

Well it’s that time of the year for snakes to become a tad more adventuresome . They are looking for food and may be drawn into your property following their food. They like ground squirrels, rodents and smaller game. So, much like scorpions and their food, it is important to keep an eye out for rodent activity leading to snake activity.

Remember snakes are venomous versus poisonous, they bite and that is the difference. Anything that bites, injects is venomous while things like Poison Ivy is poisonous – if you eat it etc.

Snakes provide a real service by keeping the population of rodents in check. Many people would argue but even rattlesnakes have their place – as long as its not near or in your home. ProBest does have a service to remove those snakes from your property. The only thing I ask, please keep an eye out until we arrive so it doesn’t take us an hour to find it. Please call ProBest Pest Management today for any information 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176.

Screw me

Screw me, have you ever had a day when all goes against you? Even the rats are out to get me. It was a sign – have you ever had a rat bring you a present in the rodent station? OK I’m just kidding, I don’t think they are that smart or maybe they are? I’ve had rats that are trap shy so you have to be clever with them.

Ways to keep the rats out.

1. Check your home frequently for holes, rub marks (rats have oily fur).

2. Pick up fruit daily, see f you notice teeth marks.

3. Check areas of pool pumps and ac units for rat poop.

4. Pay attention to noises coming from attic or roof.

5. If your neighbors mention rodents, take care. They will not go away on their own, they require food and water and will stay in an area.

As always if you are unsure you call ProBest 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176.

Holes – Rodents – Those things that should live outside.

So what are all those holes around your home? No idea, could be rats, mice, spiders and/or snakes. Well it’s a good bet that you wil find out soon, either the temperature or the rain will probably draw them out. Or maybe you have seen something. Better call before they start scavenging for food especially if its rodents. They really like to gnaw on wires and pipes, that will cost more than the preventive treatment.

  • Check home for holes and entry points. Fix them
  • Check screens.
  • Check for fallen fruit.
  • Check garage door for entry points.
  • Call ProBest if you need an opinion 602-249-7378

Desert Holes

Desert holes can mean just about anything. I have seen mice to rats and even snakes emerge from various holes. With rodents such as mice and rats expect snakes to be right behind. That includes rattlers so use extreme caution while hiking or even around your home.

If you notice desert holes, check them out. One of the BIG things with me when I’m checking homes is to check pool pump and air conditioning units for signs of rodents. If you see poop, it is time for bait stations – these little pests gnaw pipe and wires. That bill alone will be several hundreds of dollars. Check your property monthly and avoid the headaches and call ProBest Pest management for all your pest needs 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176.

Foam Fail

Foam Fail

Foam Fail, foam is not suitable for sealing rodent holes. Rodents will gnaw right through this stuff, there is nothing in this stuff to prevent them. You need hardware cloth, cooper or steel wool. This will stop them from gaining access.

Now here is the problem, the foam expands and expand and well you got it expands. In some ways you can’t stop this foam from expanding. It also has a solvent in it and it is really messy. If you can control it, very minor squeeze of the handle to limit the flow helps.

Rodent entry points

Rodent entry points

Rodent entry points, or any method of which a rodent can enter a structure can cause great distress to your family. Rats = a quarter sized hole while mice = a dime sized hole.

I think this hole above is obvious, but think of all the places that might be smaller and easily accessible. Rodent entry points may include weep screen, pipes that go into wall, a/c penetrations, loose or no screens, under doors or garage doors. Sheds are also an easy target for all kinds or pests. That monthly inspection of your home is essential to a cozy living space with pests. Pick up fruit that has fallen, don’t clutter your yard or house. Don’t make it easy on those critters.

Attic infestation

Attic infestation

Attic infestation, can be caused by many critters including mice and rats. But they are not the only ones, have you considered wildlife like raccoons, birds and bats. Remember mice only need a hole the size of a dime and a rat a quarter. I think everyone should inspect their home twice a year, maybe the attic once a year maybe at Christmas. Attic infestation can occur from a few days to months. Take the packages into the garage and open them up. You don’t or need bugs or rats inside your home. That in itself could cause you hours or time you could be buying me a gift. This also goes for sheds, check that shed at least once during the summer and once during the winter. The National Pest Management Association constantly updates articles at their site, check it out for Fall and Winter pests. They also included a Bug Barometer for the seasons. Walk around the outside checking for honeybees and holes underneath. If you spot holes, or poop it’s time to call ProBest Pest Management 602-249-7378. Nobody likes surprises that cost money so on Attic infestations catch it early = no need to pay. Even if your looking for an opinion or need something identified, give us a call.

Signs:

  1. Open holes, check the louvered screens and weep holes.
  2. Look around insulation for tunnels.
  3. Look around for feces.
  4. Look around for dead bodies or scavenging.
  5. Look around for scratching.

Human Health

Human Health

Human health should concern us all, have you ever considered how far we have come? From throwing waste into the streets where everybody walks through it, to kids playing in the streets.

West Nile Virus can be deadly, Arizona has among the highest incidents of this mosquito-transmitted virus. In 2017, 109 confirmed cases resulted in 8 deaths. A University-County (Phoenix metro area) collaboration (supported by CDC) prompted control of 8 mosquito populations carry the virus, reducing disease risk. Published Arizona Pest Management Center.

Human Health

I consider myself at the front lines of Public Health and Human Health. I also work closely with Arizona Pest Management Center on IPM.

Entering bugs

Entering bugs like scorpions, roaches and whatever else can enter.

Entering termites, scorpions et all. Termites can make their way through the smallest of a crack or hole. Scorpions can enter under a door, or a  crack under a window or fireplace. Home-sealing is the absolute best method to keep them out, second to that is pest control and third is black lighting your property frequently.

One call to do it all, 602-249-7378 ProBest Pest Management. Sounds like ProBest could be in the wizardry world, nope nothing magical we just know our business. We train often, we read and attend seminars to be up to date on new products. What makes us different is our knowledge – 2 staffers who are A.C.E. Associate Certified Entomologists.

Entering

 

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