All posts in “water”

Termites and their sneaky way into our homes

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Those termites will find any way into the house, sometimes it just works out that it is a pipe. Originally a pretreat was done and this should work for many years, if the pretreat was done correctly. So as you are doing your monthly inspection, it would be wise to check any pipe penetrations through your foundation slab.  I actually found one swarmer (reproductive) or alate termite walking around inside the shower.

It’s monsoon season here in Arizona so termites are usually a little more active, so please check your home or give us a call at 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176.

Fungus among us

 

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fungus

 

 

 

 

 

Fungus – Not always something you see in Arizona, fungus growing on the side of a foundation slab of a house. If weather conditions exist then it is possible for fungi to grow and it only matters on location and the amount of water present.

So keep an eye on your property and if these conditions are present it is time to evaluate and access the how and the why?

Boy o boy when it rains in Arizona, it really rains.

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This was just a shot of a parking lot of a church which couldn’t handle all that rain. All this rains triggers the subterranean termites to become a little more active, so what signs should you be looking for?

  1. Mud tube or tunnels on the foundation stem wall of your home.
  2. Small pin sized holes with dirt/mud around the opening and maybe the presence of little white or maybe black swarmers.
  3. Mud tube or tunnel inside the home.
  4. Sometimes and not very often in Arizona, swarmers.

Did you know they have bugs in the Antarctic?

 

Ohio State scientists say tiny Antarctic insect has smallest genome of insects so far.” I have a friend that owns a pest control company in Alaska and does his fair share of pest control – by plane of course. That is to say that they often have to travel by plane just to reach the facility or what have you to service.

 

I have seen  midges especially in the summer just attacking anything that has warm blood. But these little midges spends 2 years in its larval stage frozen in the ice and amazingly can turn off 25% of its genes when it hibernates. WOW, is about all I can say.

Building termite mounds for a Zoo.

 

 

I found this article interesting, but I have noticed over the years that many critters use termite mounds for observation. “Monarto termite mound is a high point for long time zoo volunteer Brian Tinning.” This zoo is in Adelaide Australia and this gentleman has been a volunteer there for over 40 years. Our hats off to him for his work and his dedication to wildlife.

 

Formosan termite photo by PPMA

Formosan termite photo by PPMA

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many places around the world that have bigger issues with termites than Arizona. Certainly the East Coast of the US especially the southern states have more problems mainly due to more water and warmer temperatures.

Honeybees in your pool?

Do you have a pool? Just like us, insects and critters need 3 things – water, food and shelter. The problem is that they don’t know the difference between a natural source of water or a swimming hole or fountain.

Here in Arizona there are many crevices from rock or cactus which may allow a swarm to take up residence close to your home. The water of your pool or fountain just becomes handy for them and they will come to your water source. So lets assume you live beside a mountain and there are bees coming there everyday, what do you do? So this becomes a bigger issue because you don’t have any idea where they are and you don’t have permission to deal with them, unless they are on your property.

I have seen people create a separate water device away from the pool, like a fountain or just a container that you replenish daily. This may be enough to pull them away from that water source to that dish or container. But to my knowledge there isn’t much I can do to keep them away from the water.

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pool Photo by PPMA

What are the common pest issues in restaurants?

 

There are always issues with occasional invaders within building but lets just focus on the Top 2 – Flies and Cockroaches

 

Flies – the first and foremost most important is the inspection, after you decide on which species it then can treated. Each pest we deal with has unique and often times complex life cycles which must be addressed. House flies are common in building but are usually an issue with door being left open, while Fruit flies are a result of ripening fruits or decaying organic matter. So lets look at a few:

House flies – is there animal waste or garbage outside which could bring this pest to your door? If this is a home its easy to reduce house flies by just removing or cleaning up animal waste. If this is a restaurant, just how close is the garbage or dumpster? Is the lid closed, this in itself could reduce flies and scavenging birds and animals.

Fruit flies – Drains are the biggest culprit, they need to be clean and screens should be in place. Just pouring bleach into a drain will never work, the scum collects on the sidewalls and just pouring bleach will only maybe touch the surface of the scum. Phorid flies prefer areas like cracks and crevices and are similar to Fruit flies in liking decaying organic matter. The product of choice should be a scum eater, like a bio agent. I love those products because they eat grease which often builds up in somewhat hidden areas. Don’t forget areas like mops or kitchen equipment.

Bottle or Flesh flies, if you encounter these it is often associated with dead rodents or decaying matter.

Cockroaches – both German and American can create some issues within restaurants. American or lots of people call them Sewer Roaches, usually associated with drains and grease traps. So keeping the place clean is essential. German Roaches are probably those ones that cause the most sleepness nights to owners, they can be brought in via boxes or materials and can quickly set up shop. Cleaniness is important but these roaches are experts at muliplying and taking advantage of every single opportunity. If you see one there are probably hundreds, just take my advice and call a Pro right away. You need the right tools and the knowledge and you need to get a handle on this ASAP.

Don’t forget it is about the inspection, followed up by detection and then treatment and prevention. (BASF flies Smartsolutions guide)

 

Photo by PPMA

Photo by PPMA

 

 

WOW, what’s up with all the rain?

 

 

I visit a website http://www.rainlog.org and it is amazing at what you can find. Notice this little rainfall day we had in Arizona on November 22, 2013 – notice 2.70 inches at the 101 and Thunderbird Road area. Click on the map and see if you can find this area.

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Termites and bugs in general all need water, but termites in Arizona become active after rainfall activity. The other reason for sharing this information is that this website is good for every area in the U.S. Another reason to use this site, is after a treatment for scorpions and you can judge effectiveness of the pesticide you are using.

Do you have Solar on your roof?

 

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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.

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