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Tubes and termites

Tubes, tunnels, termites and damage

Tubes and tunnels – We get calls all the time on these lovely little creatures, termites can cause a lot of concern. But in Arizona they are more of a nuisance than damage causing scourge. Probably the lack of water has the greatest influence on them.

What area do we cover in Arizona – ProBest services include phoenix home pest control and commercial pest control. We are in the Phoenix and surrounding cities. Gilbert. Mesa. Chandler. Queen Creek. Apache Junction. Gold Canyon. Johnson Ranch. Buckeye. Avondale. Surprise. Sun City. Glendale. Peoria. Deer Valley. Scottsdale. Tempe. Maricopa. Casa Grande. Goodyear. El Mirage. Litchfield Park. Tolleson. Laveen. Carefree. Cave Creek. Fountain Hills. Paradise Valley. Youngtown. New River. Sun Lakes.

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.

PANIC

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Panic and bugs

Panic may be involved with bugs. There are a lot of bugs out there folks and we as humans have aversions to many of them. I met a lady awhile back that absolutely was terrified of crickets, mine is spiders. They just look creepy and with all those eyes staring right back at you, you see my point. The one we really should be scared to death is the mosquito, this little bug has killed more more humans than anything else.

What is your phobia?

Is it snakes, spiders or cockroaches? There can be other forms which may include the mere thought of the bug or animals. I’m sure I mentioned this before but just in case I haven’t – this guy had roaches in the toilet and I couldn’t spray so I just reached in and grabbed them – he went running. He was just freaked out but for me I was fine with that, but if that had been spiders – hell no! So don’t underestimate the fear, that is why Dr. Bug is here.

Monsoon and Termites

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Monsoon brings out the bugs

Well the monsoon has arrived and with all that rain comes the bugs. I usually say the bugs come in for 2 reasons, #1 not enough rain or #2 too much rain. Just like us the bugs need water, food and shelter and guess what that may be our home of business. Termites become more active this time of year mainly due to the increase of water, on the East Coast water is more abundant and they just seem to be active all year long. Termites create a tube in which to enter a home but that tube can often be hidden and that is the main reason to hire a Pest Management Professional to do that yearly inspection. If you live in the South I recommend a yearly inspection especially for your peace of mind.

All that water.

So when the ground becomes saturated the other bugs make for dryer land and sometimes that just happens to be your home or business. This picture below was from last week and you can see our parking lot is flooded. If this was your home this might be right up against your foundation. The more water and over time this may diminish your active termiticide.

Termite tubes and tunnels

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Building termite tubes and tunnels is hard work, but the termites do it 24/7/365 and I’m pretty sure not going to give it up soon. It really doesn’t matter what type of wall you have concrete, block or stone. They will work their way around electrical pipes or plumbing entry ways. They will stop at nothing to achieve their goals of getting food.

termite tubes

How about some termite facts?

Oldest insects on Earth.
Scientists believe that for every human on Earth there are 1000 lbs of termites.
A queen termite may lay 2000 or more eggs per day, some African Termite Queens may lay 30,0000.
Some Termite Queens may live 15-25 years.
Termites are more closely related to cockroaches than ants.
Termites build the largest actual nest than any other insect.
Ants are the termites biggest foes.
They believe that termites cause $5 billion worth of damage in the U.S. each year.
Ants have a narrow waist, but the termite is a solid type.
Ants have elbowed antenna while termites is straight.
In Arizona we have about 17 species of termites, not all cause problems.
Did you know that termites swarm, they send reproductives out to start new colonies. In Florida, East Coast it occurs during the early Spring while in Arizona it happens just after Monsoon in September – October or so.

Trust a Pest Management Professional

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ProBest is a member of the NPMA – Trust a Professional

Trust A Professional:

Do you know what you get when you purchase a service from ProBest Pest Management? Not only do you get a Professional service but you get the knowledge of 75+ years of the staff at ProBest. Two members are Associate Certified Entomologist from the Entomological Society of America. We do a lot of little things to prove value for the price you pay, and hey we are not the cheapest but we do great work. Cheap is not always the best! I have a saying “buying the same hammer that a carpenter buys doesn’t make you a carpenter” or “Honesty shouldn’t be the best policy, it should be the only policy”.

Referrals are BIG at ProBest, and we pay out when you refer someone to us. That is the true test of a great company, how about reviews – we have some really great ones at are http://www.youtube.com/ProBestPest check them out along with some really cool videos. Thanks for those referrals and reviews.

professional

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_BmcJGS27Q[/embedyt]

PestBlots

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What do you see? Pestblots

PestBlots is a video from PestWorld.org. This site also serves as the official website of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). It is a non-profit group committed to the protection of public health, food and property. This site serves as a complete resource for consumers, media, educators and pest control pro’s. Furthermore common household pests to do-it-yourself pest control tips, PestWorld.org provides timely info and tools to better serve our visitors’ pest control needs.

Therefore, please utilize PestWorld.org as your main resource for info on bugs, rodents, pest control, and the growing pro’s pest management industry.

Pest control pro’s are invited to visit NPMAPestworld.org to access the NPMA’s member website. This site provides timely news, valuable information and access to all NPMA member benefits.

ProBest is a member of the NPMA. PestBlots

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsqNSkaJlcE[/embedyt]

Mission

Support

Provide Business, Education, and Resource Tools necessary for Success by Pest Control Pro’s

Protect

Ensure rule making and laws are Favorable to the Pest Control Industry

Grow

Offer Programs to Support Industry and Group Members’ Business Growth

Termite tube in my carpet?

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This picture is a termite tube coming up through the carpet, so termites work 24/7/365 and they won’t stop until they find food. Even if they find food, their search continues to the next food source. So occasionally they will enter through a crack in the concrete, so you need to look against the wall and inside the house. As always you can always call upon the best to look for these little girls. “Call A Pro… Call The Best. ProBest. 480-831-9328

By the way, now is a good time to look for termites in Arizona.

Look for tubes outside on the foundation.

Look for either drop tubes or tubes coming up from the soil or concrete carpet areas.

I see a lot of tubes in garages, so focus on garage along the outer walls.

Termite tube carpet

Termites build tubes.

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Termites build tubes

Termites tube on block wall.

Termites build these tubes for several reasons, to protect them from air and sunlight and to protect them predators. They go in search for wood and when they find it they let the others know where the food is. They work 24/7/365 and even in the case above they might think they are heading for wood, they won’t find any here so eventually they will give up and move along.

They are small about 1/4 inch but it’s their numbers that make the difference, here in Arizona probably between 100,000 and 250,000 all working towards the goal of feeding everyone.

So keep a look out and if you see anything like this please give ProBest Pest Management a call at 480-831-9328

Termites AZ?

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Consider checking for termites in obscure places?

Well it’s that time of year again, monsoon and we know what that brings? Yep, its the termites and the bugs and they’re back. This was found in a bath-trap area under a bathtub. You really have to think about and I often say you have to think like a termite. All they want is food, a good place to hang-out and water – hey that sounds like me. In this case we found them in a door frame and it didn’t look like they were coming in from the outside foundation. With just a little investigation we located them under the bath-tub in the bath-trap and as I mentioned you have to really think like them.

termites

Below, another tube coming from an interior door way – probably a crack under carpet.

Happy Labor Day