All posts in “shelter”

Rat holes

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Does your yard have rat holes, do you know what is happening in your yards or your neighbors? Rats or rodents in general can do a lot of damage to wiring and irrigation pipes. Their teeth continue to grow and they need to gnaw them down and they do it by using wiring and other harder items.

Now if that wasn’t bad enough consider for a moment that they might get into your home? They are not very clean and can distribute urine and feces everywhere. They can carry in parasites like ticks and mites. They can also damage any plastic in the home. The other issue in Arizona is the more rats you have the greater possibility of snakes. The snakes looking for food, often will trail them right into your yard or area and set up shop.

Now most snakes are probably OK but you don’t want those venomous ones like the West Rattlesnakes etc. If you don’t know what they look like don’t take a chance. Always, always use gloves and pay attention to your surroundings. Don’t just throw bait in the rat holes, they can and will kick it out. Poison Control is 1-800-222-2222 and as always call 911 immediately. We can help with snake removal so call ProBest once you are safe 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176. Always take care, we live in a desert – caution.

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

Why am I seeing mosquitoes in Arizona?

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I have noticed lately especially after the rains that we have had numerous calls about flying biting mosquitoes. With all the monsoon rains, a lot of the things that hold water have had the chance to really set things in motion for the issues with biting pests.

Water can accumulate in any container that can hold water, fountains that aren’t working and any indention in the ground. So again I will mention surveying your property monthly or at the very least when the rains occur.

Remember the 3 things that most living things need:

  • Food
  • Shelter
  • Water

Some mosquitoes are well suited for inhabiting local areas but some can travel up to mile just to feed. So tip over those devices that can hold water, don’t forget saucers for planters.

41_Mosquito

Photo by PPMA

What can be done with scorpions?

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Does it seem like those darn scorpions just won’t die? No matter what you do they continue to be on your property. The problem is that here in Arizona if the weather doesn’t get real cold everything just makes it through the winter.

probestIMAG0317

 

 

 

 

 

So home seal your home, reduce the numbers by black lighting and reduce the food by performing monthly pest control.

Do you have Solar on your roof?

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birdbarriersolar1

Those pesky pigeons just won’t quit will they? You decided to upgrade and put Solar on the home and know they have taken up under the Solar panels. This is the fix to getting those birds off your roof. Once pigeons have decided to make your roof their home they won’t ever give up unless you make them move.

Why won’t pigeons leave?

  1. They are generational – if born on your roof they will continue to think of your home as their home.
  2. They want and need the same things you and I want – food, water and shelter.
  3. They prefer to have their backs against a wall, gives them an advantage over birds of prey.

Thanks to Bird Barrier for this photo, call ProBest Pest Management to help solve those bird issues 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176.

The pest scurge of homes – German Cockroaches!

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The pest scourge of homes – German Cockroaches!

If I asked people in general to name the one one pest that afflicts their home, I think it would be roaches. So what is it about roaches that makes them a up close pest within our homes? Basically these roaches have adapted well to humans and they will eat anything we eat. Cockroaches are among the hardiest insects on the planet.

Cockroaches typically become established in homes after being introduced in grocery bags, with laundry or, in some cases, wandering in from outdoors. Once cockroaches become established they are prolific breeders capable of producing several thousand offspring in a year.

 

Cockroaches prefer to live where there is food, warmth & moisture. Since cockroaches flourish where food and moisture are readily available, sanitation is an important step in prevention and control. Empty soft drink bottles, cardboard boxes and paper bags should not be allowed to accumulate. Food containers should be sealed and any crumbs or spillage cleaned up, along with any grease that accumulates around the stove area.  I also suggest that you pull out the stove and refrigerator yearly and clean the area, including the fan motor. If you are going to store food items, I prefer to freeze them and then seal them in food containers.

If you notice one roach react quickly because they are breeding machines. Don’t just let it go because one roach may become several roaches quite quickly. The German cockroach produces more eggs and has more generations per year (three to four) than other roaches.

Pigeons and their mess…

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Pigeons and their mess…

Pigeons can cause quite a mess and yet some people love and feed these pests! I have written post here before and a few people have given me their opinion and frankly I like birds. I would prefer that they do their nature thing but man has created the opportunity for many animals and pests to adapt to us. It’s really not the fault of the animal it’s just doing what it does, it needs food, shelter and water just like us. But what do you really know about them? Here are a few tidbits of information.

  • Pigeons are generational – that means that when born on your roof they will continue to come back there forever, unless permanently moved.
  • In nature they eat seeds, but will adapt to whatever we feed them.
  • Some people raise pigeons like Mike Tyson and HRH Queen Elizabeth.
  • They have a significant place in history, including Noah’s Ark, air mail service and as Passenger Pigeons.
  • There are a number of diseases associated with pigeon droppings including  Histoplasmosis, Cryptococcosis, and Psittacosis.
  • Birds foul many buildings, statues and homes with their feces.

About the only way to remove them from your home is to exclude them, use hardware cloth and I would suggest not feeding them. Let them find food on their own and maybe they might move on.

piegons

 

 

 

 

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