trees Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Arizona Pest Control - Pest Management Services

All posts in “trees”

Hey baby I smell good – would you follow me?

Comments Off

For many years researchers have used pheromones to lure insects into glue boards or catch devices. They are really isolating these chemicals that are found in the specific insects used for mating purposes. What the guys don’t know is that its a trap. “Female Asian Longhorned Beetles pheromone may be key to pest management” Caution sex pictures when you click that link… made you look.

The researchers found that when the proper ratio and amount of pheromone is produced by females and deposited on the surface where they walk, signaling that they are fertile, males come.

So some type of fungus, trap or glue-board could be used to kill males or females and this could possibly help to control certain beetles which damage trees. Science is producing some great and innovative ways to combat certain pests.

Hantavirus is serious, what precautions can you take?

Comments Off

Alert: New Mexico Health Department confirms fatality in NorthWest New Mexico.

Hantavirus is a deadly disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings or saliva. People can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus.

CDC Hantavirus site

Tips:

Seal the home or cabin.
Trap or use outside rodent bait/trap stations to reduce numbers, I also suggest TickBoxes.
Reduce food sources, don’t leave out dog/cat food.
Don’t allow clutter to get the best of your home.
Trim trees and bushes.
When cleaning cabins or homes, use a dust mask and follow the CDC guidelines on cleaning.
Rodents cause other issues, be safe and follow CDC guidelines.

Tips for preventing pests at Christmas time.

Comments Off

I’m not talking about uninvited people showing up at Christmas time and/or those over staying their welcome. Let’s talk about bringing in Christmas trees and the creatures we may be bringing in as well.

Always check your Christmas tree for things like squirrels, remember the “Christmas Vacation” movie (I really love that movie) hilarious.
Use caution when bringing things down from the attic, go through and make sure there are no rodents, bats or wildlife living in the boxes.
While you are in the attic, do a little inspection – check for termites (mud or dirt and damaged wood), do you see feces from rodents or bird nests.
Use caution when putting up Christmas decorations outside, you might disturb wildlife and you may accidentally fall.
Use caution putting decorations into trees or bushes, critters may live there.

Yikes, how did that get in there?

Comments Off

Rats and mice nomally can squeeze through small opening (mice – dime and rats – quarter), I think this guy just had a bad day. I suppose it ate some bait or got bit by something, cause it looks like it has some room to wiggle. Just a caution on mice/rats, rodents in general they have teeth and aren’t afraid to use them. They will gnaw on electrical wiring around pool pumps, car engines and equipment of all sorts. By the way this also goes for rabbits, they will also go after wiring. So what precautions can you take:

Check you home monthly for signs of pests, I know I say it often but eventually you might listen to my advice.
Check for holes or loose screening, including those weep holes at the roofline.
If you see bees flying in and out, check it out but use caution.
Don’t stack firewood against the house.
Don’t let trees or bushes touch the house, super highway for rodents and ants.
Have a Professional Termite company do an inspection for termites.

Bubonic Plague right on our doorstep in New Mexico

Comments Off

“New Mexico reports second human case of Plague of 2013 in Torrence County Girl” Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis. It is found in animals throughout the world, most commonly rats but other rodents like ground squirrels, prairie dogs, chipmunks, rabbits and voles. Fleas typically serve as the vector of plague. Human cases have been linked to the domestic cats and dogs that brought infected fleas into the house.

“Squirrel with bubonic plague closes campgrounds in Angeles National Forest – July 2013‘

So did you think that Bubonic Plague was a long forgotten disease, or how about Hanta Virus, Lyme disease or Rabies? Every once in awhile these little diseases pop up around the U.S. and we all need to remind ourselves of their potential to kill.

Rub marks where rats are getting into the structure.

ProBest Pest Management delivers on new service – document disposal

Comments Off

Did you Know…

The average American uses seven trees a year in paper, wood, and other products made from trees. This amounts to about 2,000,000,000 trees per year!
Approximately 1 billion trees worth of paper are thrown away each year in the U.S.
Recycling creates 1.1 million U.S. jobs, $236 billion in gross annual sales and $37 billion in annual payrolls.
Thousands of U.S. companies have saved millions of dollars through their voluntary recycling programs. They wouldn’t recycle if it didn’t make economic sense.
Recycling creates four jobs for every one job created in the waste management and disposal industries.

ProBest Pest Management and our U.S. Contract Postal Unit will now have on hand – secure drop off bins for easy destruction of personal papers and documents. We have teamed up with TNT Shredding – you drop off your papers and documents to a secure bin and they pick up and shred.

Citations:

NAID

is the international trade association for companies providing information destruction services. The NAID Certification Program establishes standards for safety, security, and privacy needed to be maintained by certified companies.

BBB (Better Business Bureau)

A BBB Accredited Business since 12/15/2009. BBB has determined that TNT Shredding, LLC meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints.

CrimShield

NAID is the international trade association for companies providing information destruction services. The NAID Certification Program establishes standards for safety, security, and privacy needed to be maintained by certified companies.

InfoSafe

InfoSafe is the industry leading information security and privacy compliance certification program. InfoSafe forces companies to have the necessary administrative, physical, and technical required by all major federal, state and industry regulations.

It’s not always about the Scorpions, how about visiting Arizona? Petrified Forest National Park

Comments Off

Petrified Forest National Park

Just for the record the trees are not standing up, they are petrified (you know who you are). Petrified Forest National Park is the only national park unit to protect a section of Historic Route 66! Animal life at Petrified Forest includes amphibians, birds, insects, spiders, mammals, and reptiles. Over sixteen varieties of lizards and snakes make Petrified Forest their home.

What are some ways to discourage insects trying to enter your home?

Comments Off

What are some ways to discourage insects trying to enter your home?

One of the things that Pest Management Professionals try to utilize are IPM or Integrated Pest Management techniques. These basic ideas include using non-chemical methods to reduce the bug population around your home.

This can be as simple as removing firewood from close to your home to maybe next to a block wall and making sure its not directly on the ground.
Trimming trees to prevent ants and other crawling pests from just walking right on it.
Using yellow lighting or sodium vapor lights on structures or businesses will help to reduce flying insects.
Keeping stone or dirt away from the stucco of your home so you can clearly see the foundation.
Sealing up any cracks and crevices where bugs love to hide, this may include those block wall bump-outs.
Keep trash cans away from doors where people come and go often.
Check your property often and stay ahead of the insects.

If you store lots of firewood a device like this can keep it off the ground and you can always cover it with a tarp.

Damage from Pocket Gophers

Comments Off

Damage from Pocket Gophers

Pocket gophers, are burrowing rodents that get their name from the fur-lined, external cheek pouches, or pockets, they use for carrying food and nesting materials. Pocket gophers are well equipped for a digging, tunneling lifestyle with their powerfully built forequarters; large-clawed front paws; fine, short fur that doesn’t cake in wet soils; small eyes and ears; and highly sensitive facial whiskers that assist with moving about in the dark. In Arizona significant damage can be done to soccer fields and other areas we play, Pocket Gophers create holes where children can fall into and break ankle or wrist. A gopher’s lips also are unusually adapted for their lifestyle; they can close them behind their four large incisor teeth to keep dirt out of their mouths when using their teeth for digging.

Some tricks for keeping out Pocket Gophers….

Comments Off

Some tricks for keeping out Pocket Gophers….

So you have these mounds in your yard, what could they be and why be concerned? Pocket gophers feed on plants in three ways: 1) they feed on roots that they encounter when digging; 2) they may go to the surface, venturing only a body length or so from their tunnel opening to feed on above ground vegetation; and 3) they pull vegetation into their tunnel from below. Pocket gophers eat grasses, shrubs, and trees. They are strict herbivores, and any animal material in their diet appears to result from incidental ingestion. So that means that any bush, tree or even grass is on their menu and who likes replacing and spending money to do it.

If you see one mound go after it immediately – it will generally only get worse.
Some exclusion is possible, make sure it is deep enough.
Some plants may discourage resistance.
Some repellents are available.
If you can’t handle the problem, call a Pest Management Professional.
We use a special tool device, see a recent home seal on this tool.