wood Archives - Arizona Pest Control - Pest Management Services

All posts in “wood”

Wood beetles

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Wood beetles

Somewhere along the line, some wood beetles laid some eggs in this tree and the larva did some burrowing. In most cases only cosmetic damage is seen and there is no risk of secondary infestation within the home. I have seen some homes where it is a pleasing sight to have this in the wood, while others may not like the look. Ambrosia beetles create a staining within the wood and can look quite nice. Powderpost beetles are often associated with a re-infestation, I have seen art work brought back into the US with these potential issues. In one case we froze the Giraffe for approximately 2 weeks and that took care of the problem. This is a part of IPM or Integrated Pest Management.

What do you look for?

Before bringing back any wood into the US please check for issues. Most lumber is treated or inspected.
Damage to the wood.
Sometimes these bugs expel wood pellets similar to Drywood termites.
Any change to the appearance of the wood.
Any winged insects within the home, can be identified by a Pest Professional. Call ProBest Pest management 480-831-9328 or 623-414-0176

Termite Pressure

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Termite Pressure

Termite pressure around the Valley is a speculative issue, some areas are of course worse than others. This map was done by FMC some 20 years ago and I wonder how close it remains to being accurate to today. I would say it still applies, once termites are in an area I’m sure they won’t leave and probably continue to be a pain to homeowners.

What to do?

Monitor your home, walk around look up and down.
Hire a Pest Professional to take a look, not a Home Inspector but a real life Termite Expert.
Check out buildings, garages, sheds inside and out.
Take pics and send them to my office if unsure 480-577-2003.
I’ll tell you now, ProBest isn’t the cheapest but you can count on Quality of Service. Call us today 480-831-9328
We have a lot of species of termites, some cause problems. Let us tell you about them.
We don’t look for just termites, our eyes are on the look out for anything that can cause problems. We will even tell you about leaks and weird stuff going on at your place.

Maybe we should do an update to our map, if you have had any issues in the low zones let us know? Thanks

Hidden Tubes

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Hidden Tubes

Hidden tubes from termites are a major concern and what you can’t see can hurt you. Termites build tubes up from the ground and they often can be hidden away from eyes. Termites like hidden dark areas, it keeps away the heat and predators. They find their way in via holes, cracks etc in the foundation slab. The picture is the result of a pipe coming up through the slab. When the house is built these penetrations are cleared off and the termiticide is often removed as well. In Arizona look for these signs of termites:

Unusual marking on the wall, appears to be mud/soil tubes.
Down tubes from the ceiling.
Baseboards look damaged, termites eat from inside out – paint buckles.
Outside mud tubes at foundation slabs.
Bathtraps allow termites access into the home, always check areas of plumbing penetrations.
Areas inside garages are susceptible to infestations.

When in doubt call a Professional, ProBest Pest Management is here to serve. Thanks

Scorpion Pest Management

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Scorpion Pest Management

Scorpion Pest Management is a BIG deal here in Arizona. Some areas are worse than others, especially those that border hills and mountains.I’m sure you have seen the new treatment called scorpionrepel.

What can you do to avoid the STING?

Clean up the yard, no hiding places.
Don’t allow trees to touch the house.
Don’t stack firewood against the house, also don’t stack shingles either.
Continue with pest control, less food = less predators.

Termite season

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Termite season

Its termite season, as soon as monsoon hits and rain begins to fall. Those mud tubes seen in the picture are a sure sign. Now if they are inside and more noticeable its time to call ProBest Pest Management. If your home was built before they started raising the stucco, it is good to have an inspection yearly but at least every other year. Termite are crafty and often not visible, so a termite inspection by a Pro is often the best medicine again these little girls. 24/7/365 they are lurking for a way into your home and all they want is food = your home.

So what do you look for?

Those telltale tubes up the outside wall.
Those same type mud tubes inside, either at baseboard or the ceiling, these can be drop tubes or damage on walls. Subterranean termites always go with with the grain of the wood and always have dirt with those galleries.
Any damage that you are concerned about.
Any painting that is damage from behind.
Anything that you are concerned with call our office or send us a picture [email protected]
Termite Season is here, are you prepared – call ProBest today 480-831-9328 or 623-414-9176

Termites can cause significant problems, so watching you single biggest investment is worth it. If you watch a home for someone else it is equally important. Along with a 401K, it is an asset to you or a loved one. Pest control is also handy to have, as the technician is there on a consistent basis and can catch many issues.

Termites tunneling

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Termites tunneling in the soil around your home is inevitable. Stopping them before they get into your home must be absolute. Termiticides have come a long way since the 1950’s – some good and some maybe not so good. But all in all this all depends on how you stand on repellent, non-repellent and baiting?

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

In the 50’s Chlordanes usage was curtailed and replaced with shorter life termiticides. Chlordane lasted or had half life of approximately 50 years. OK I know some will argue but in plain language, EPA didn’t want it to last that long in the soil. Soon came shorter life in soil termiticides and newer type classes like Premise which is a non-repellent. Then came Termidor oh and I forgot some new baits like active ingredients Hexaflumuron and noviflumuron. These are baits that are placed into the soil and eaten by termites which then affects molting. My personal opinion especially in Arizona is that it is extremely hot and this in turn heats up the bait station. So I think putting a pesticide in place permanently is the way to prevent Termites tunneling. Termidor stays where you put while Premise can move up and down depending on water activity. We also perform WDIIR or Wood Destroying Infestation Inspection Reports. No matter where you live in the South termite are active usually year round. Depending on your location some moderate to heavy infestations can occur. Florida for instance is greater than Arizona due to moisture. Where you have more water and building codes that lean towards conducive conditions you will find termites.

Drywood Termites

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Drywood Termites are not a real BIG problems here in Arizona because Drywoods get all their water from the wood. The most obvious sign of termites are the pellets they leave behind. Subterranean Termites use their fecal material with their waste to build tunnels and tubes. The fecal pellets from these termites are rounded with concave grooves, primarily from their anal glands reducing the amount of water escaping.

Subs:

Subterranean termites eat with the grain of the wood, while Drywood Termites eat across the grain. You can always tell subs versus drywoods – dirt or soil is always included with damage of subs. I remember a building Daytona Beach, Florida – huge building with multiple floors and upstairs wood floor with piles of Drywood pellets. They were obvious little pyramids all over the floors. In this case the only (only method to absolutely get rid of them is fumigation. You tent the entire building and put gas inside. Here is Arizona you can get lucky from time to time and find the termites.

Drywoods:

On occasion I have found them in windows and or walls. Either take out the wood or use a product that can seep into the wood. This can only occur if the wood has never been painted or varnished. You can spray, paint or foam the unsealed wood, just follow label instructions. As you can imagine these Drywood Termites are quite common in areas with water like Florida and California. However, you won’t find them in colder climates and the actual size of the colony is limited to about 3000. Subterranean termites can usually have over 1 million, while Formosan termites (another type of Subterranean) can have 16 million or more.

Remember that the bugs will inherit the earth, one way or another they will be here forever. So call ProBest for all your bug needs 480-831-9328 or 623-414-0176

Termite Awareness Month

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Termite Awareness Month, ok you’re going to mention that he dates are wrong. Well you’re right, but NPMA is looking at the East Coast where most of the action occurs with termites. Here in Arizona we wait for the monsoon, yea if it ever happens. When it rains, it takes about a month to get the termites going and then we see activity. On the East Coast they are more active beginning in February and then depending on rain and time of day they swarm. Here is AZ really have I seen a swarm, I was sitting on I-17 waiting for an accident to be cleared when a swarm happened and I could see them landing on the car. Termite Awareness Month in my book is whenever you have termites.

So watch for signs:

Termite mud tunnels on foundation
Down tubes or dirt on ceiling
Baseboards crumbled inside to outside

Woodpecker

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Woodpecker damage can be quite the issue with homes in Arizona. Most of the time the woodpecker stays with natural habitat like cactus and other tree nesting sites. For me its the drumming or the sound of the woodpecker in trying to get into a hole or make a new one. Sometimes they get it all wrong and drum the band around a chimney and it sounds terrible.

Now for the bad news, it is a bear to get them to stop. Sometimes the flashy things work and sometimes not. One of the newest is a rotating device mentioned in previous blogs. Again they are for the birds that swoop into your rook lines. Call ProBest for all your pest needs at 480-831-9328 or 623-414-1076.

Amera Pest Control Former Customers

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ProBest Pest Management #8411 will provide 1-year FREE Termite Treatment Warranty. *25 a year thereafter for remainder of Amera’s warranty*

*Applies only to warranties invalidated due to sale of Amera.

Call 623-414-0176 or 480-831-9328