All posts in “termites”

Pesticides

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Pesticides

Pesticides are a tool of the IPM or Integrated Pest Management. It is important to understand and implement the correct usage of any chemical used. I recently attended a workshop where this subject was addressed especially with the idea of IPM or Integrated Pest Management. Always a great idea to rehash the options you have when using them. I have always believed that IPM works and should be the basis of any pest treatment. I also wish to address the belief of some that IPM means no pesticides, that is incorrect it simply means that you use the other tools first and if you must use them you do so in a manner that is minimally evasive to the structure.

Pesticides     Pesticides

Thank you to Dr. Michael R. Wierda for supplying this information, info to talk with him included with the sheets.

 

Termite video

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Termite video

Termites are small and white, and are termed social insects like ants. Colonies have males and females in the colony at all times. In Africa and Australia mounds are often built and can be 20 or more feet high. In nature termite take wood, break it down and redistribute back into the ground. Termites look for wood/food 24/7/365, constantly looking for a food source. Here is the Southwest or Arizona a termite infestation is not a cause for immediate panic. The infestation needs attention, but due I think to the lack of water the damage isn’t going to happen overnight. So you have some time, contact a Pest Management Professional like ProBest Pest Management 480-831-9328 to discuss options. So as I said it takes time, compare options – use Termidor and look at the reputation and reviews of the company.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tymdqc5XBBE[/embedyt]

Termite video

Clutter

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Clutter in and around your home

Clutter in and around your home is an open ended invitation to come hang out if your a pests. Don’t allow cluttered areas because they are ideal in hiding pests including, scorpions, rodents and cockroaches. The ideal yard is free from trash, trees and bushes are away from structure and block walls and water is only on plants and not excessive. Wood is OK as long as it is on some type of raised platform and I would prefer it to not be against a block wall. The wood needs to breath and not hold moisture.

If your not using the wood its better to throw it out. Throw away trash, my theory is if you haven’t touched it in a year throw is out. Watch for cockroaches under garbage cans and don’t allow water to accumulate in containers which might promote mosquitoes. Mow the grass and keep the weeds down – We do weed treatments. 480-831-9328.

Clutter

Rock walls

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Rock walls

Rock walls and foundations. 24/7/365 that’s how termites work, always in search of food for the colony. They never sleep and if your home is in their path, that will = food time for termites. I suggest an annual inspection by a Qualified Pest Professional and if you are purchasing a home the same applies. Don’t just have a Home Inspector or a Realtor take a guess. You have a right to a professional opinion especially when making  purchase of that magnitude. Termite inspections are worth every penny you pay and I even had one by another company when I purchased my home.

Rock walls

What do you look for?

  1. Tubes and stains.
  2. Paint that looks like it is cracking.
  3. Wood with dirt in it.
  4. Down tubes in ceiling.

Call

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Who you Gonna Call? ProBest Pest Management 480-831-9328

Need a Professional opinion? Client of yours has a pest issue?  A true story from this last week I had a realtor ring me at home at 8:20 am, she had a concern about a relative in a group home and bedbugs. Now here is the best part, I don’t care what you call me as long as you call me. A year or two back I had a Property Manager call on a Sunday. She had tried to reach her pest company and no one would call her back. She called me I answered and took care of the bees that same day a Sunday.

If you know me I don’t mind those concerns as long as they are legit and you’re not trying to sell me something. If you have my card my cell number is on it. Some people say OMG really, yep Really. If you need me I’m available, again legit only and not after 9pm or before 8am unless the rat has you cornered or the honeybees are at your front door trying to get in.

Call someone who cares – ProBest Pest Management 480-831-9328

How many Pest companies in town have their cell numbers available like this, not to many if any? If you need help do you want to spend an hour looking up companies or just have my card, stop by and pick one up or call my office they will send you one 480-831-9328

Again I would ask please only emergencies – rodent in a clients house, honeybees (remember swarms will move on 24-48 hours unless they are posing a Clear and Present Danger) I always wanted to say that. You get the drift, use Common Sense.

 

Call

Facts just the facts

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Facts: remember the show – “Just the Facts please just the facts.

A few Facts.

  1. All scorpions are venomous but only about 25 species are known to have venom capable of killing a human being. We only have one in Arizona that is a concern however there have been no deaths attributable is some time.
  2. Termites were once classified in a separate order from cockroaches, but recent phylogenetic studies indicate that they evolved from close ancestors of cockroaches during the Jurassic or Triassic.
  3. New reproductive termites are winged, and able to fly. This is the time when most people think they are ants, but unlike ants they have straight antenna and no pinched waist.
  4. Scorpions are known to be one of the oldest animals on earth, 430 million years ago and emerged from the Oceans.
  5. Arachnophobia is the fear of Spiders. It is one of the most common fears in the world. It probably affects about 10% of men and 50% of women.
  6. Houseflies existed 65 million years ago! I hate flies!
  7. In Arizona we have wind scorpions or the Arizona sun spider, these eight-legged creatures aren’t technically spiders at all.
  8. Boxelder bugs can congregate on buildings and home, they are a real threat except to some plants and the best measure to keeping them out is home seal and vacuum when they do get inside.
  9. Did you know that the Arizona State Bug is the Two-tailed Swallowtail Butterfly?

Facts

Termite signs

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Termite signs

What are the Termites signs? Have you ever seen paint that looks like it’s peeling and then you investigate and there is dirt within. Yep, termites. This is what I look for at baseboard levels and or the ceiling area. The paint looks like it is warping and then you pick and it gets worse.

The key factor in determining termites is the presence of dirt within the wood, lack of dirt may be Drywood Termites or even fungus growth. I suggest calling a termite inspector and have them give you an expert opinion. That is why they are paid to do what they do, training and knowledge. They also carry some tools that may help with the inspection, they can also get into attics or crawlspaces that may be difficult for you.

Termite signs

Windows to termites

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Windows to termites, what up with this?

Windows aren’t usually an issue for termites.  Termites can show up in some strange places, this is a bathroom window. Obviously they are coming down above the window or maybe they just wanted a better view. But we know we definitely know we have termites. So now what to do and where are they coming from, floating slab – probably, we did check outside but no evidence. Showers can be extremely tricky especially drilling close to pipes and ceramic floors.

Window

Thank you

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Thank you to all our customers!

Thanks, gracias, merci, much obliged and danke. Sometimes I think we as just human beings forget the most important part of interacting. Just the simple Thank You. We are all busy, ProBest taking care of the bugs and you either working or keeping the house.

We do all kinds of work, from ants to weeds. So if you have a pocket gopher issue or you have a swarm of honeybees we are just one phone call away 480-831-9328

Here a bug joke for you today.

What’s more amazing than a talking dog? A spelling Bee.

Thank you

Corner checks for termites

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Foundation corner may contain surprises

Corner and indents may hide termite activity and the jtrim may also have huge openings. It is important to check your slab and house at least monthly for unwanted pests activity. This may help to avert any potential long lasting problems. If you don’t check often you might allow a bee colony to take over. That can bee a sticky problem down the road.

I find that most people stack stuff against garage walls and this allows a termite issue to go on a very long time. For some reason I think the garage is the most overlooked and usually the last to be treated by termite companies. Don’t place wood or cellulose items on the garage expansion joint. I’ve found books, posters and antiques full of termite activity and ruined forever.

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