What 7 Bugs to Expect With Springtime (part 2)

     In last weeks blog we covered 3 different pest; the scorpion, bees, and the black widow.  This week will have 4 more to cover.  This blog will cover Mosquitoes, Crane Flies, and American Roaches.  Again we will go over a quick description of each insect, and how to prevent them. So lets get started.

Mosquitoes

     When the temperatures rise  and the rain starts to fall, it suddenly becomes a prime time for mosquitoes to come out and BITE. Arizona has over 40 different species of mosquitoes, 2 of which really matter. These are the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes http://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/mosquito-borne/index.php#dengue-home .  These mosquitoes carry diseases like Dungue, Chikungunya, Zika and the West Nile Virus.  

     In order to successfully control mosquitoes both the homeowner and your pest professional need to work together to eliminate the adults and eliminate the breeding sites.  Breeding sites include bird baths, old tires, buckets, flower pots, children toys, unused pools and more. https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1221-2013.pdf  Contact Tucson Pest Control for help control ing Mosquitoes

Ants

     Arizona has its variety of ants. The most common we see are the red fire ants, rover ants, (mostly found in kitchen counter tops and bathroom sinks), and the small piss ants (argentine ants). However there are more than 300 different species of ants in Arizona. Some ants are known to fly and are commonly mistaken for termites. Most ants build a colony under ground and can grow anywhere from a couple hundred ants to hundreds of thousands of ants.

     To control ants, you first need to understand their biology. Ants are social creatures and travel by pheromone. Blocking any entry points into a home is a great way to keep them out. For small cracks caulking works wonders. Granulars and nest treatments will help eliminate the colony.

Crane Flies

     Crane flies are also one of those pest that come out  during warmer temperatures.  I get alot of customers whom mistake these for "giant mosquitoes".  I don't blame them for the description because it really does look like a giant mosquito, but the nice thing about them is that they do not bite and leave a red itchy mark on you.  When they start to emerge one can easily find 10-100 around the house. As adults they only live about 10-15 days.

     To control the crane fly its best to do when they are in the larvae stage. Spot treatments or broadcast sprays can be implemented to control the larvae.  The best way to control the adults will be to encourage natural predators.  Installing bird feeders will attract birds to your house and naturally they will feed on the adult crane flies. Pesticides aren't always the best answer.

American Roaches

     American roaches are our last insect of the 7 Springtime pest. The warm temps and moist air are ideal for these insects to become active. American roaches are also known as the sewer roach, or palmetto bug. They are anywhere from 1/2" long to 3" long. They fly, and are most active during the night time.  

     American roaches can be treated with an ongoing maintenance program. If a big infestation is discovered it might help if you contact the city and ask when the last time they treated the sewers. Also getting rid of any decaying matter that they might feed on is big when implementing eradication methods.

Give Tucson Pest Control a call if you are having an issue with any of these pest and would like a FREE analysis of your home.  We are professionals dedicated to find a solution to your pest problems. If you have any questions or would like to know more about one of these pest or want to know more about anything pest control related, just leave it in the comments and I'll be sure to address them.  Thanks for reading.

What 7 Bugs to Expect With Springtime (part 1)

     Spring is just around the corner, and just like the sudden burst of blooming flowers, so will the insect population bloom.  Most of the insects discussed in this blog can be very dangerous. We will discuss each insect and you will learn how to avoid contact with these particular pest.

SCORPIONS

      Arizona is known for its variety of scorpions, which if stung by one of these critters can be very painful or even deadly. These scorpions very in size, anywhere from a 1/4" to 5". I've personally seen one about 7" long. It came out of a tree stump I was sitting next to one afternoon. Death by a scorpion is very rare, the most venerable however are the very young (Infants), or elderly. 

     Your best bet to prevent scorpions from entering your home is to seal any openings they may use to get in. Scorpions can enter you home through any crack or crevice as thin as a credit card. Having a home inspection and sealed for such holes by a  pest professional can help reduce the entry points to your home. 

     The main food source for a  scorpion are crickets. Crickets love to get inside your walls to nest. If crickets are in your walls, the scorpions will follow soon after. Remove the crickets and send the scorpions hunting elsewhere for food.

BEES

     When you see bees in Arizona assume they are Africanized Killer Bees. For one to simply say, "I think those are honey bees" is a dangerous assumption. If you are not an expert in bees you will not be able to tell the difference until its too late. Honey bees and africanized bees are virtually the same thing. The only real difference is once provoked, the africanized bees are known to be very aggressive and will do anything to protect the queen bee. 

Bees usually will make a nest in anywhere they feel protected. Caves, attics, walls, eves, water meters, and abandon cars are just a few spots I've run across bee hives. Sometimes you will see a hive all balled up on a tree. Most of the time they are just resting from a long flight in search of a new home.

If you notice a hive near by your home don't get too close. Try not to make any loud nosies or vibrations as this will agitate them. Protect your home, kids, and pets by calling the professionals at Tucson Pest Control to remove the bees for you.

BLACK WIDOW

     The black widow is one of those pest that are actually active all year round. During the springtime however sightings of these spiders may be more common.  I have walked around homes that haven't had a pest service in a while and counted 20 plus black widows.

     The black widow bite is known to be the most venomous spider bite in all of North America according to National Geographic. The female is black with a red hour glass shape on her belly. She is about 3/4 bigger then the male. Once mating is complete the female will then kill the male and use his body to deposit her eggs into. And that how they get the name "Black Widow".

     Keeping crickets, roaches, and other spiders way from your home will help reduce the numbers of black widows around your home. Seal any gaps around your j-trim as this is the most common hiding spot for these deadly spiders. 

Follow us next week for the second part of this blog. find out what other pest to look out for as the springtime rolls around. Again most of these pest are dangerous to be in contact with. The ones listed in this weeks blog can leave a very painful bite/sting.  Next week we will discuss  some common pest that can transmit diseases, and one pest that is commonly confused with another but is harmless.

If you are interested in a certain pest, and would like to know some helpful tips on how to get rid of them, or if you enjoyed this blog please leave a comment.