All posts in “rattlesnakes”

Drainage Block

Drainage Block

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Drainage Block

Drainage BlockDrainage Block

What do we do?

We will cover with hardware cloth 2 areas from the inside, securing it in place with hammer gun device – this limits the pest from coming in. This exclusion stops snakes, rodents and other small types of critters. Now remember snakes and rodents do climb but this should limit anything from coming in via ground level. Notice: occasionally you will need to clean this area – if a lot of water passes through – it will pick up leaves, twigs etc.

SPECIAL: 2 area cover exclusion,  now only $95 limited time…………….. Special note – if you get three (3) neighbors to do it on the same day – ProBest will do all 3 at the price of $65 each address.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pest Control Maricopa

Pest Control Maricopa

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Pest Control Maricopa and a few extra area, including Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, Gila Bend, Florence and Coolidge. We cover the entire Valley and sometimes depending on the issues the outskirts. The great thing about us, is that we handle downtown to rural. From Bees to Termites and of course everything in between like snakes and wildlife.

We just don’t kill things, we can often times figure out how they are getting in. The key to pest control is IPM and you hear me saying that daily. If you fix the problem outside before they enter the home, this often times cleans up the problem. Caulking and home sealing is essential in keeping out rodents and pests. Pest Control Maricopa County and all the towns, cities, villages and non-incorporated areas, are covered by our pest and termite services. Since 1981 we have worked hard to be the Professional you need to care for your home and family.

Maricopa County is the largest country in Arizona founded in 1918 and recently celebrated our 100th in 2018. Interesting to note there are approximately 4.5 million people as of 2019. So from 2000 there were 3,072,149 people, 2010 there were 3,817,117 people. That is over 1.4 million in 20 years, some pretty good growth and lots of opportunities in new endeavors and work. We do occasionally have issues with wildlife, moving into areas that previously they were not in. But as we do more construction we move them around.

So if you’re in need of any type of pest control service please check us out at 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176 ProBest Pest Management www.callprobest.com – Pest, Termite, Rodents and Weeds

 

Jumping cholla cactus

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Jumping Cholla cactus

Jumping Cholla – If you live anywhere in the desert you know about these cactus. They will attack if you get close. OK they won’t attack but it seems like it. Its like they are magnetic. But a question was asked recently why don’t rodents or coyote’s ever have them attached? Or better yet why not Pack Rats? It’s called behavior modification, they learn and they learn quickly. It’s amazing cause almost every time I’m in the desert I get a few. I kneel to check a rodent station and get one in my knee or there might be bits and parts inside the bait station. Sometimes I even get them in my shoes, right through the soles and you think its a rock but surprise a needle shooting pain.

The dangers of the desert

So a word of caution, there are many things in the desert that can do you harm, rattlesnakes, Africanized Honeybees, rocks and cacti – so use extreme care.  I seem to find almost all of these dangers as I’m doing my work. Stay tuned for a resent find in a rodent bait station.

I have seen Pack rat middens or dens full of this stuff, how do they do it – I have no idea. I was training a technician once and mentioned to be careful, I had no sooner turned around and he had them from toe to waist on his right leg pants. Painful and barbed, did I say ouuuuuch? But yet the animals seem to be impervious or maybe it’s just that they are smarter. You decide!

jumping chollajumping cholla

 

It’s not always about the Scorpions, how about visiting Arizona? Organ Pipe and Ft Huachuca

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Organ Pipe National Park and Ft Huachuca

OrganPipeCactus

First off these places are a distance to get to especially from Phoenix, so plan on spending some time out. Just a guess but it also is over a hundred miles apart.

To the local Native Americans, the land of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument was an important cultural center. Hohokam trade routes bisect what is now the monument, and allowed for ease of movement through the Sonoran Desert as people looked to acquire resources and trade with neighboring cultures. To the O’Odham people, the fruits of saguaro and organ pipe cactus provided food during the hot Sonoran summer.

Here is a  list of animals you might be lucky enough to see includes:

  • Mountain Lion,
  • Mule Deer,
  • White-tailed Deer,
  • Desert Bighorn,
  • Sonoran Pronghorn,
  • Javelina,
  • Lesser Long Nosed Bat,
  • Coyote,
  • Jackrabbit,
  • Kangaroo Rat,
  • Packrat,
  • Quitobaquito pupfish,
  • more bird species than can be listed and
  • several species of reptiles, including Rattlesnakes.

Fort Huachuca, constructed in 1877, was one of a chain of forts established to guard southern Arizona against the Chiricahua Apaches, led by Geronimo.

It’s not always about the Scorpions, how about visiting Arizona? Tortilla Flat, AZ

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Tortilla Flat, AZ

 

DSC09970

 

Tortillo Flat is a unique experience and a must see on your tour of Arizona. Sit at the bar inside the restaurant, the bar seats are actually saddles.

Tortilla Flat is an authentic remnant of an old west town, nestled in the midst of the Tonto National Forest, in the Superstition Mountain Range. Tortilla Flat started out as a stagecoach stop in 1904 and neither fire nor flood has been able to take away this historic stop along the Historic Apache Trail. I came out to Arizona with my Grandmother, Aunt and Uncle way back in 1966 or so and will never forget the Apache Trail, who knew many years later I would live here.

If your lucky enough to witness a little rain, check out the flow just down the road and remember we have a “Stupid Motorist Law” here in Arizona. Animals are abundant and can be seen if you look hard enough, lizards, birds and insects – just be careful. Oh and by the way the Superstition Mountains are where all that gold is, so if you find any – I get half. Good Luck.

New data suggest that insect sting allergy is increasing.

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So you’ve been lucky, never been attacked or stung by an insect. Is it luck or are you one of those who may die if stung and you just don’t know it yet? “The rise of deadly insect sing allergies: Is there a cure?” published by Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology article by Medical press.

“Insect sting allergy is increasing, affecting five percent of the population. But what much of the population may not understand is that there is something that can be done about it.”

I’m extremely fortunate that I’m not allergic, especially since I’m in the biz?  So here are a few tips:

  1. Just because you see a honeybee doesn’t mean its going to attack. They are out looking for food and probably could care less about you. Unless, unless yes I said that twice you encounter an Africanized Honeybee colony?
  2. Wear light colored clothes while hiking, honeybees are less likely to become aggressive.
  3. Always wear shoes outside, don’t set them by the backdoor. Scorpions and Black widow spiders may make it their new home.
  4. If you are stung, watch the symptoms – if you feel weird in any way call 911 right away.
  5. You can also check in with Poison Control 1-800-222-1222, this is also a number that should be taught to children
  6. Arizona has some special creepy little things like rattlesnakes, Gila monsters, Africanized Honeybees, tarantulas (usually harmless unless you provoke them), spiders and my favorite Assassin Bug.

Warning signs someone’s been stung by a scorpion MyFox News video and story.

ProBestPestManagementImageFile021      PoisonControl

 

stinger of bark scorpion magnified

It’s not always about the Scorpions, how about visiting Arizona? Montezuma’s Castle

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It’s not always about the Scorpions, how about visiting Arizona?

 Montezuma’s Castle

Montesuma Castle 05 Page 00On the last day of each month we will run a series on visiting Arizona and what cool stuff we have here including wildlife. 12 of my favorite places.

This picture is Montezuma’s Castle –  located near Camp Verde, Arizona, in the Southwestern United States, features well-preserved cliff-dwellings. They were the Sinaquas. Ancient Indian Tribe who built the cliff dwellings called Montezuma Castle about 700 years ago in the early 1300s. The Sinaqua abandoned their habitat in this Verde Valley Arizona area in the 1400s.A few desert animals are primarily active during the day, or “diurnal”. These include rock squirrels, chipmunks, lizards, snakes, hawks, and eagles.

 

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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…

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Stay away from snakes, incidents on the rise in Arizona.

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Stay away from snakes, incidents on the rise in Arizona.

 

“Reports on the rattlesnake bites in Arizona on the rise” By Associated Press Originally published: Aug 21, 2012 – 3:39 pm reported by the The Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center 1-800-222-1222 Prevention Tips

Tips for staying safe from snakes…

 

  1. All snakes are not bad! Many snakes eat rodents and help to keep down populations.
  2. Wear gloves while out gardening.
  3. If your hiking pay attention to your surroundings. Wear long pants and boots, if your in an area known for being infested knee length boots are probably the good call. Also you can carry a hiking stick. If you hear a rattle stop and listen, determine the location and back away if possible. You can encounter all kinds of wildlife while hiking as well as Africanized Bees.
  4. If the snake is on your property call a Pest Management Professional to remove it, it is not necessary to kill it.
  5. If bitten call 911 immediately – remain calm, don’t panic. Get to a hospital or get treatment ASAP.

Here is a great site for sounds and pictures California Herps and Southwest

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