All posts in “rats”

Take a guess as to what it is and why I’m showing it?

What is your guess?

Your guess is what? OK this is a cap for a beer keg, it is being gnawed by rodents. I don’t blame them I would do whatever it took to get to the beer as well. So what signs do you look for in an infestation?

  1. Teeth marks (as above).
  2. Holes on outside or inside of buildings.
  3. Trees touching the house.
  4. Feces or a smell of urine.
  5. Rub marks (the have an oily coat so that may transfer to paint or wood).
  6. Damaged goods, especially food products.

Oh and by the way Happy Leap Year….

guess 2015-12-30 14.20.34

beer cap

 

Sneaky Pests?

Sneaky pests

Sneaky and surprised to see this fellow out and about during the day, but surprise was right! I guess when pushed they will do what they have to do.

Rodents can be difficult to keep out of structures. Mice can squeeze through spaces as small as a dime and rats can fit through holes the size of a quarter. For proper rodent pest control, seal any cracks and voids. Ensure there is proper drainage at the foundation and always install gutters or diverts which will channel water away from the building.

If you do find signs of a rodent infestation, contact a pest professional promptly. They will be able to inspect your home, confirm the species and recommend a course of rodent control treatment. Recommendations from the National Pest Management Association and ProBest Pest Management, 602-249-7378.

sneaky IMG_0831

sneaky

Top pests for ProBest Pest Management in 2015?

Top Pests

Throughout the day in sunny and hot Arizona we run across a plethora of pests and I thought we would share with you are Top 5.  I had really thought that Bed Bugs would be in the list but alas No. So the Top Pests for 2015 and ProBest starting with

# 5 on our countdown – mice/rodents

# 4 on our countdown – crickets

# 3 on our countdown – ants

# 2 on our countdown – termites

 

and the Winner topping our most frequent calls are scorpions.   top pests PART_1437183821806_20150717_183915

  https://callprobest.com/

Check out of our great information on home sealing and see why its important and how you can save money.

Who is eating my fruit?

Don’t leave fruit on the ground

Well its that time of year when the critters might be trying to get in to stay warm. With the rains, the termites might be active as well. Are birds or rodents eating the fruit that has fallen from the trees. So keep an eye out for signs of activity, what do you need to look for:

  1. Any new holes or scratching of any previous holes or opening in previously damaged wood or screens.
  2. Remove any old firewood and only bring in what you expect to use immediately.
  3. Pick up any fallen fruit and keep a watch for activity within the tree area.

Is this Orange being eaten by birds or rodents? Looks like teeth marks to me but its a tough decision…

fruit 20151218_105412

Rats, they will do whatever to get in…

Any hole may be BIG enough to let them in

Probably no single pest creates fear as much as rats or rodents, so why the fear? My first thought is due to the fact they live in some nasty places, like sewers. They also have been named the culprit in the Plague which killed 2/3 of Europe back in 1358 or so. I have people say “I can live with with a mouse in my house”. They can and do spread disease, so I recommend keeping them out of your home. So what can you do?

  1. Seal  any holes in your home.
  2. Check weep screens and those louvers in the attic.
  3. Keep the clutter down in your yard.
  4. Keep the grass mowed and keep the weeds from taking over the yard.
  5. Don’t allow trees to touch the house.

Here are a few facts about rodents:

  1. Mice don’t drink, they get all the moisture from their food.
  2. Consume or contaminate about 20% of the world’s food supply.
  3. They actually gnaw wires and are known to cause fires.
  4. Rats are omnivorous, they feed on grains, seeds meats and just about anything they can get to.

 

As always if you have any concerns give ProBest Pest Management a call 602-249-7378

rats

Weather cooler, watch out for rodents

Weather may bring in the rodents mice and rats and other critters may be trying to gain access into your home. Just like any warm blooded animal, rodents want to be snug as a bug in a warm environment and that could be your home or attic. So I suggest that you take a look at the areas around your home that may be inviting to a critter, that doesn’t have to be a rodent exclusively. Pigeons, bats and even cats may try to get into your attics or crawlspaces and set up a home, so what can you do?

  1. Check your home quarterly inside and out and repair:
    1. Check weep screens.
    2. Check those louvers that allow your attic or crawlspace to breath.
    3. Caulk all holes or cracks that may allow access – remember mice can enter holes that are about the size of a dime and rats the size of a quarter.
    4. Here’s a biggie – think like a rat, how would you get in? I had a family of rats once that were coming in on telephone wires.
  2. When you bring down that stuff in the attic, open boxes either outside or in the garage oh and wear gloves as well. You don’t want any surprises jumping out of the box inside your home.
  3. Trim trees of your home, don’t allow vines to grow and attach.
    1. I suggest not planting plants to close to the house.
    2. If the trees did touch, make sure you repair and check the tiles.
  4. Read up on the enemy and become familiar with their habits. Always better to know more than you need to know, especially if you own a home.
    1. http://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/rodents/
    2. Remember ProBest Pest Management is just a phone call away, 602-249-7378 check out our home seal page and specialized foam treatments..
weather

weather scorpion

Why should you home-seal your home?

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At the bottom of your stucco, there is a device called the jtrim – it actually holds the stucco up when wet but more importunately it allows your home to breath. The problem comes later after the house has some time to settle and this piece pulls away from the foundation. See that little space, that is where the scorpions can enter your home. Use caulking and seal it or contact ProBest Pest Management to do it for you.

Clip the coupon for a money saving promotion going on right now – save $2 per lineal foot. 602-249-7378

Lyme Disease – the debate

Lyme Disease


Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease Great article on debate whether it is a chronic disease. Study may suggest some correlation to Global Warming – OK I said it. The disease also imitates other nefarious like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and mulitple sclerosis.

When walking pets keep an eye out for ticks in high grass, when arriving home checks pets and yourself for parasites etc. Birds can introduce ticks into back yards and dog parks, so be careful even at your own home. Also be sure to check out NPMA or National Pest Management Association for updates on tick activity across the USA.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/05/06/lyme-disease-debate-can-condition-be-chronic/?intcmp=ob_homepage_dont_miss&intcmp=obnetwork

Do all rats scavenge for food, are they opportunistic?

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I have a friend that had a detached garage, he was doing some work and noticed that the dog food bag had a hole. He did some investigating and found that he had some rodents doing some hoarding. They were hoarding under cabinets and the stand for the hot water tank. They are crafty and will hide food for times of famine. What can you do?

  1. Store food in metal containers
  2. Check garage for entry points
  3. Check garage doors for tight seals

If you notice activity take measures immediately to limit their availability of food and shelter.

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