All posts in “scorpions”

What brings those scorpions to your doorsteps?

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Scorpions – Knock, Knock?

Could it be scorpions? Another question of the week, this one is easy in my books. It’s either too much rain or the lack thereof. For some reason this year 2015, it seems to be ants and earwigs. I remember last year it was cockroaches and guess what they are all looking for? Food, water and harborage. The tighter the house the better for us to live in right. Some would argue that the house needs to breath, I’m all for that the only in te way that the jtrim with its holes allow the house to breath. I’m all for lowing my electric bill and keeping those pesky bugs out.

That’s right, just like you and me they need the 3 essentials. The scorpion below is looking for something, is it food, water or somewhere to hide?

Thanks to Dr. Dawn Gouge for this interesting photo.

scorpions entering a building under a door

Does black-lighting or exclusion work to control pests?

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So what in my opinion really works the best to control pests from getting into homes, without a doubt home sealing or exclusion. Here are my Top 3 ways to control scorpions and those other bugs that may want to make your home theirs.

  1.    Home seal or exclusion.
  2.    Black-lighting to reduce the population.
  3.    Consistent monthly pest control.

You hear me talk about IPM all the time and I’m telling you it works. Rather than spraying pesticides all the time, you can reduce the risk by helping your Pest Management Professional by doing a few things to improve the situation at your home. By black lighting you reduce the numbers and by doing so you reduce the numbers that might make it to your home. By sealing your home you again reduce the numbers that make it to your home and reduce the numbers that could make it in. The next way is to reduce the numbers of the food (crickets, roaches) and ultimately the scorpions themselves.

Now with all that said, I do believe in pest control but as I stated above it needs to be done in a consistent manner. If you have scorpions I think especially in Arizona it needs to be done monthly. I also believe that outside service is the most efficient along with home sealing and black-lighting. There are some in my professional that still don’t get it, they are the ones that still treat inside each month or power spray each month. Now don’t get me wrong I still occasionally do the inside ie: German Cockroaches or ants and if you have ticks I may decide to power spray. There are always exceptions to the rules. But soon the lack of water or water quality issues are going to trump the constant overkill of those outdated and impractical pest control techniques. (my opinion)  PART_1437183843093_20150717_184143

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

How can you keep the scorpions out of your home?

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Home sealing is the way to go, hands down and here is the way to handle the scorpions.

  1. Inspect the outside of your home, high and low. Look for honeybees or wasp nest. Are the weep hole screens in place?
  2. Check for entry spots where scorpions or bugs can get into your home.
    1. Use a mirror and check the jtrim (that’s the thing that holds the bottom of stucco up). Ideally it should be flush against the foundation, the holes are OK and are there to allow the wall to breath and allow moisture to escape.
    2. Make sure you check corners, use some type of foam (use rigid not expanding foam) and secure in place with caulking.
    3. Repair leaky pipes, check flood irrigation and drip irrigation.
  3. Check window and/or door screens.
  4. Install garage door sweeps, call ProBest or check out our webpage https://callprobest.com/home-seal
  5. Remember scorpions need water, food and shelter just like you and me. Get rid of their food source, crickets and other small bugs. Consider calling a pest professional like ProBest Pest Management? Setting a schedule is essential, we won’t forget and we will call you in advance.

Oh oh, Houston we have a problem

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“Scorpion sting woman on plane”

A flight out of LA had a bit of an issue with a feisty scorpion. Scorpions can hitch a ride but accidently getting into boxes and or other objects. It doesn’t happen often but bugs and other type of wildlife will take advantage of opportunities, maybe there was water or food present or maybe it was for warmth. If you are moving boxes from an attic or shed always wear gloves and take care.

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Do I really need pest control?

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Each of us have to ask that question and maybe even answer it differently depending on circumstances. What are the question?

  1. How often do I see pests?
  2. What are the pests?
  3. Termites are a different type of treatment, requires a strategy?
  4. Is it a time time event, like bedbugs?
  5. Do you see scorpions or venomous spiders?
  6. Can I keep pest out by doing IPM techniques?

If you live in an area where the pests are dangerous then I suggest contacting a local company and getting their opinion. We have scorpions in Arizona and it is tough to keep them from getting into your home. If I lived in an area where Brown Recluse were active I would have service monthly. Answer those questions above and check out the National Pest Management Association website for details on where to locate a reputable pest control company.

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Freaky little bug?

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Freaky Creepy bugs, what nightmares are made of:

Freaky is the word. Tailless Whip Scorpion They are nocturnal arachnids found here in Arizona. Most people who do see them are generally freaked out because they look so strange. They look like a flattened spider. They commonly use their long, delicate, whip-like, antenniform front legs as sensory organs to search for prey in the dark. I have seen some with large grasping hook like legs while other appeared to just have grasping legs without the spines. They don’t have stingers and technically they really aren’t spiders but they are in the same Class Arachnida. They have no venom. They do look rather odd but they eat cockroaches and other small insects. Have you seen any at your home?

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Freaky Thanks to Andon for the photo

ProBest Pest Management is on the job!

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Its a plane, its a bird no its the ProBest Pest Management technician ready to stop those pests at your home.

Problems with bees, cockroaches, ants, bedbugs, earwigs, wasps, scorpions, stored product pests, termites, flies, spiders, crickets, springtails and wildlife.

Have you ever black lighted for Scorpions?

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Light up those Scorpions!

 

What are some ways to stop those scorpions from getting into your home?

Home – Seal = IPM

Hunt for them at night, reduces population.

Reduce food and harborage areas.

Don’t store things against your home, keep a space which you can get to.

Always check firewood before you bring it into the home.

Use a Pest Management Professional – we know where they live and all their tricks.

Prescott, Arizona

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This is one of my absolute favorites places in Arizona. Prescott (natives say Prescitt) served as the first territorial capital in 1863 and the courthouse  is worth a tour. Across the street is the historic section (Whiskey Row) including a saloon with gun-slingers present from time to time and occasionally there are events surrounding the area of the courthouse. They host wine tasting events and art fairs with some rather different and interesting art collections. Check out the Palace Restaurant & Saloon and Prescott  Brewery Company for some great food and extras.

Having been around the world, a desert is often thought of as just a dead heatwave of a place. Our Spring is certainly different but the flowers and cactus all take a spot at blooming. Many birds, bugs and honeybees pollinate the flowers and the Native Americans use the flower as a jam, jelly or even using the plant itself in specialty food products. Cactus and many species of trees have adapted at having spiny or really thin leaves to reduce water loss, so be careful of those spines.

Prescott Arizona cactus

Prescott Arizona cactus

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