All posts in “Scottsdale”

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

 

Whats eating you?

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Whose eating the fruit?

Somebody is eating the fruit. I think it’s rodents eating the grapefruit and pumpkin, when you make it easy for the animals/wildlife the next step is entry into your home. I tell everybody, it is extremely important to pick up the fruit that has fallen. No sense feeding any unwanted pest from the neighborhood. Unless of course that is your idea. I know birds will also eat the fruit but uninvited pests are sure to show up.

Oranges, lemons, limes and left over pumpkins are open season for any animal or wildlife. Rodents are prolific breeders and require a lot of food to raise their young. Essential to the control of rodents, eliminate harborage or shelter, reduce water and eliminate food sources. If you can control these factors the rodent population should be controlled.

eating

 

Raccoon – Tragedy on a Phoenix Street

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Raccoon plush toys – The things I see?

Stuffed toys raccoon etc. I’m on the road a lot and I encounter some really scary things, I was at a house one day when I heard a loud crash. I ran down the street and saw two young girls on the street involved in and accident. They attempted to cross the road and not at an intersection, I later heard that one of the young girls had died.

This is just a stuffed critter Raccoon that someone has discarded on the side of the street. I just don’t understand how people can just toss stuff from their cars. People have to clean this stuff up and guess who pays for this – you and me in taxes.

raccoon

Tubes, tubes more tubes

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Tubes, yes Termite activity.

Tubes – those amazing termites in Arizona can build some unique are artful looking down tubes. OK maybe not your cup of tea but isn’t artistic, that is without all the damage they do. I have seen them in a garage that was over 5 feet in length, been there for some time. These little gals work 24/7/365, looking for wood and ready to chomp through the house.

Look for these telltale clues, tunnels on the foundation slab, marks that look like dirt tubes on the wall and those that hang down from the ceiling. Don’t Panic and yes it is time to call a Pest Management Professional. Most houses will eventually get them and if you see drill mark or previous treatment signs it usually doesn’t means that it’s a bad thing. I personally think it’s a good thing, the  issue was found and handled. I would worry more about the house that was never treated and continued to be eaten away by termites.

By the way, in my opinion not a DIY (Do It Yourself) job. You need a true Professional, remember it’s not always about the equipment it’s about the KNOWLEDGE. You need an expert who has the knowledge, equipment and expertise to do a Professional job.

I suggest a monthly check of your home especially if you live in the southern U.S. Never hurts to check for termites, honeybees or anything that might later cause problems or issues.

tubes     tubes

Stain termite tube

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Stain from a termite tube

The stain stays after wiping it away, you must use soap and water and scrub. I often hear from customers that they found a small hole with what looks like dirt and that is exactly what a termite tube looks like. See the picture, there is a hole with a termite tube or old remnants. The tube was wiped away and all you have now is the stain. After treatment we usually remove the tube and any leftover marks if possible plus in this case the customer is going to paint. This is critical to the sale of a  home, if you don’t get rid of the evidence the next Termite Inspection will note this and require an additional treatment. I also suggest repainting the floor or the foundation to make the holes blend in better, not to hide but make it more pleasing to the sight.

Call ProBest Pest Management today 602-249-7378

stain

 

Mice in Phoenix, AZ

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Mice in Phoenix, AZ?

Mice in general do their best to make it into our homes and businesses in Phoenix. What can be done to keep them out? I often read stories from the news sources on what people do to get pests out of their home. From the guy who torches his mattress, to the person using 25 aerosol bombs for bed bugs. And yet some people think having them in the house is cute. Remember these critters carry diseases and pathogens on their bodies. ProBest Pest Management often gets the call after the person has pretty much in their opinion done it all and can’t catch that one single mouse.

mice Phoenix

They know more than you think?

The bad problem is that that mouse already is wiser to our tricks and since they are now smarter it often takes more time. Mice will generally range for about 30 feet while rats may travel over 100 feet and remember they urinate and spread feces as they run. Often times people don’t put out enough traps, or they think it’s only one and it turns out there are more. If you see one estimate a few and take charge or better yet call a Professional. So don’t think that we can get them out in 24 hours, we will bring our A game but we will get it done. Mice are curious and that is in our favor, we might need traps, glue boards or mechanical traps but we will succeed. So my advice, don’t wait call a Professional right away – we have the tools. 602-249-7378

A few facts:

  • Mice rely on whiskers to touch and their noses to smell.
  • Their eyesight is weak.
  • They prefer to stay near the wall using their whiskers to feel there way.
  • They are curious while rats are shy.
  • Mice may visit multiple sites feeding on many food areas nightly.

We never talk about the “Good Bugs, why is that?

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Most people don’t really care for bugs, but there are some good ones. What are they: Praying Mantis, Butterflies, Lady Bugs well you get the drift. On that note did you know there is a Butterfly Wonderland right here in Scottsdale just off the Hwy 101 in the east valley.

 

They also have exhibits on “Live Ant Colony and Honey Bee Extravaganza. Check them out and let’s be nice to the unsung hero’s of our gardens and flowers. Here is an interesting article “Learn to recognize the “good guys“.

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Photo by PPMA

BBB Celebrates 100 years of Trust!

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Better Business Bureau Celebrates 100 years of Trust!

1912 BBB is founded under the name of Minneapolis Ad Club’s Vigilance Committee

1916 The name Better Business Bureau adopted – thank goodness because that other name is to tough to say.

Spring is almost here!

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  Spring is almost here!

Spring is almost here, at least in Arizona and soon we will heading to those wonderful 120° temperatures. So the BIG question are you ready for Spring Cleaning? Here are a few tips on preparing for the summer heat ahead of us all.

  1. Check all out building for pests, like bees or termites.
  2. Check the eaves of your home for bees and cracks in which bugs hide.
  3. The Spring is a great time to caulk and seal your home against unwanted pests, it’s cooler and we all know we don’t want to do it in the Summer.
  4. Check for any nesting around the home, rodents and birds use nesting material and will often drag it in through opening in the walls and ceilings.
  5. Use a cobweb broom to knock down interior dust webs.
  6. Trim those trees from against the home.
  7. Never stack firewood or wood against the home.
  8. Clean your carpets.
  9. How about some plumbing spring cleaning – here are some tips from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

If you need any help feel free to call us at 602-249-7378 ProBest Pest Management

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