All posts in “stung”

Some fun at ProBest Pest Management!

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Some fun at ProBest Pest Management!

 

The staff and management at ProBest Pest Management tries real hard to honor and say thanks to all the staff as often as possible. Since we are not the largest company out there, we have to be somewhat imaginative I mean what would the point be to have an employee of the month when there are really only 10 of us.

Amount 8 months ago we did an EXTREME AFRICANIZED BEE JOB, they were some of the nastiest of the bees we ever have to deal with. Well one of the crew was stung 13 times and another 3 times. Well just a few days ago it happened again – 11 stings and that is with a bee suit on. I was going to show the picture of his face but he had to take the next day off cause it swelled up, WOW – got to watch out for stinging pests and that is why you should always call a Pest Management Professional… Even if we get stung – we get rid of the bees.

So to honor the dedication and professionalism we decided to start a little trophy system.

probestpestmanagementIMAG0774      probestpestmanagementIMAG0773

Just to gloat a little, after working for over 25 years in the pest control field – I have only been stung twice to my recollection.

Kudo’s to Phoenix Magazine

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Kudo’s to Phoenix Magazine

 

They recently ran a story on “Sticker Shock” December 2012 by Tom Marcinko in Phoenix Magazine on the new Scorpion anti-venom. We ran a home seal “Face the Facts” back in August 2011 on the new technology including the new anti-venom. So how about a few “Did you know that?”

  1. Scorpions typically eat insects, but their diet can be extremely variable—another key to their survival in where they live.If you can get rid of their harborage (where they hide, or where their food hides) it will help control them.
  2. The venom, a neuro-toxin, it is held in a gland at the tip of the tail and is injected through its stinger to kill prey by affecting the central nervous system. Sometimes they can sting us by accident, always wear gloves and never put your hands where you can’t see.
  3. Rain or the lack of rain, cold or the lack of cold can make the scorpions here in Arizona move and cause a few problems. I suggest homesealing your home.
  4. The time to know about scorpions is before you are stung, read the stories above and take care!

I suggest you wear your shoes!

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I suggest you wear your shoes!

 

It’s dark outside and you need to run to the garage, so you ask yourself “Should I put on my shoes?” – The answer is an unequivocal – YES. Bark Scorpions pack a sting that could send you to the hospital and this whopper – Desert Hairy Scorpion will sting you but generally is not as bad as the Bark Scorpion.

Harvester Ants…

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Harvester Ants…

    

Harvester Ants –  OK I’ve never been stung by this ant but they say this is the ant to avoid. People compare the sting of the Red Imported Fire Ant and still rank the Harvester as the nastiest little stinger of the pair. This ant is quite noticeable due to the large area of vegetation that is cleared away. They gather seeds and will eat other insects. There was a nest of this ant up north that whenever I visited I would bring sunflower seeds and one year the nest was gone. Probably moved on or got destroyed.

Bumpin Bees!

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Bumpin Bees!

 

OK so you think the writer has finally lost his marbles, but wrong you would bee. I was talking to a customer today in my office and he has worked around some bees at his home for years, they live in a block wall on his property. Every once in awhile one bee might actually sting someone but for the most part, he is OK with them and they must be OK with him. Africanized Bees will tolerate humans but you must respect them as well. Noise or vibration can and will trigger them to sting  and depending on their time at that location they have become accustomed to the noise around that home. I have heard of people hiking the desert and getting bumped by bees, it is a sign that you might be to close to their hive.

Aggressive behavior begins as bees pelting (physically bumping) a perceived threat (including humans) and may escalate to stinging should the perceived threat (including humans) persist. National Park Service Africanized Honeybee Fact Sheet

Don’t panic when you see bees, they may be catching a drink from a pond or gathering nectar. Just always be aware of your surroundings and be ready to react.

Let’s talk about Honeybees!

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Let’s talk about Honeybees!

Let’s talk about the Africanized version of the Honeybee

  • Africanized bees swarm more often, up to 10x.
  • A swarm isn’t likely to be real aggressive – don’t take chances. The reason for this is that they are full of honey and they are not defending anything yet.
  • A swarm is looking for a home – they send out scouts looking for a home and they probably will move on.
  • It is possible to relocate them if they are in  a tree or bush, not easy I said it was possible.

Notice the last picture, they have started to build honeycomb. This would make them more aggressive! Remember what I said previously in other home seals – It is impossible to set the bees make to zero or do over once they are mad….

OK so why tell you this, because there is no reason to panic. If you noticed a swarm, wait they may move on and this will save you money on hiring a Pest Management Professional. Now you notice I said hire a Pest Management Professional – that’s because we have bee suits and we understand bees.

 

When bee’s attack – true story…

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When bee’s attack – true story…

Africanized bee’s are not the friendliest and nicest of the bees we have in Arizona, but this story raised my antenna.

Read this story from the International Business Times Africanized Bees: Aggressive Insects Attack Beekeeper in Tennessee.

According to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, a horde of partially Africanized bees attacked one Tennessee beekeeper a few months ago. A cloud of about 100,000 streamed from a hive and surrounded the man, who ran and jumped into his car. It was five minutes before the swarm gave up its pursuit. The beekeeper, who was wearing protective gear, suffered about 30 stings.

This was an experienced veteran bee keeper, thank goodness he had a bee suit on, or he could have been a dead bee keeper. Bee work in Arizona is not – IS NOT a DIY or Do It Yourself job. Don’t kid yourself, because if you start a job and the bees become nasty there is no shut off switch. You cannot dial them back to nice, they may attack everything in the neighborhood including children, pets and anyone just out having a good time.

Well it finally happened – Bed Bugs are mating with Africanized Bee’s in Arizona..

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Well it finally happened – Bed Bugs are mating with Africanized Killer Bees in Arizona..

New research has found that “Killer Bee’s” has recently been observed mating with the Bed Bug. This research was done by the Ministry of Bugsearch at the University of South Mexico. If this new specimen is introduced into the United States it could have devastating consequences for all animals and humans. U.S. Border Agents  have stopped numerous pests this year at the borders and agricultural stations. Dr. Novell University of South Mexico was quite concerned and worried that this mutant bug could attack and suck the blood and sting cattle, horses and possibly humans.

April’s Fools day – did I get you?

Maybe it’s a great idea for a new movie – mutant Bed Bug Bee’s Attack!

The weather is swarmer and bringing out the swarmers…

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The weather is swarmer and bringing out the swarmers…  Africanized Bees that is!

Wow we have had at least 12 calls in the last few days on bees swarming, so I thought a little bee information should be spread.

  1. Africanized Honeybees (AHB) aka “Killer Bees” look just like European Honeybees (EHB).
  2. (AHB) swarm frequently up to 10 times more often than (EHB).
  3. (AHB) more aggressive, respond in greater numbers, will pursue for 1/4 mile and possibly wait for you if you jump into water.
  4. (AHB) are probably not mean per se, they are just more prone or sensitive  to noises or vibrations.
  5. (AHB) can remain agitated  for over a hour and may attack any curious bystander or pet.
  6. The American Medical Association (AMA) says that 7 stings per pound can be lethal, but remember 1 sting can kill you if you are allergic.
  7. If you are hiking, (AHB) will bump you sometimes to let you know you may be close to their hive/colony.
  8. Just like any unforeseen pest, anything can be dangerous and deadly but so far only 5 human deaths (AZ) can be connected to (AHB).
  9. Check your home monthly for sign of pests and if you see bees call a Pest Management Professional – this IS NOT a Do It Yourself option!
  10. If you decide to DIY – the number to call is 911 or  Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222

Rodney doing a little bee work…

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