Scorpions naturally present several challenges to the pest control operator. One of the hardest difficulties to overcome is the scorpion’s cuticle (or skin) on their exoskeleton is more durable than most insects. This requires a higher dose of insecticide material to kill the scorpion.

A quality pest control service will address this issue and others by focusing on a variety of application techniques including wider chemical barriers, concentration on entry points, use of multiple chemical products, treatment of perceived harborage areas, reduction of food source (small insects) and a variety of other treatment methods. These techniques will reduce the likelihood of scorpions entering the home, however an occasional scorpion can still be found dead or dying in the home.

The reality is that the most effective scorpion control program is a partnership between the homeowner and the pest control applicator. There are two critical areas homeowner’s can work on to help eliminate scorpions. These two areas are smart landscaping and physical exclusion.

Smart landscaping reduces harborages that scorpions and their prey use for shelter. Reduce any clutter and never store belongings or wood against the house. Minimize landscape debris such as leaves or other organic materials. Scorpions have an amazing ability to climb, trim back any trees, bushes or vines that are contacting the structure. This also includes trimming or shaving palm frond stems a favorite harborage area of scorpions.

Physical exclusion is sealing or repairing potential entry points into the home. Doors are a very easy way for scorpions to gain access into the home. Check doors and make sure they are tight fitting. A simple rule is to shut the door during the day and see if any light is coming in around the door. If there is any light coming through, a scorpion can squeeze through. This also includes windows and vents. In addition, cracks, crevices, gaps, and voids must be sealed off with caulking and fine screening to limit any other potential areas of entry. This includes the gap next to the drip screed under the stucco (the gap between the stucco wall and the stem wall). Although sealing this area is a benefit, never plug the drainage holes because of purpose they serve. Also, vents such as the dryer vent should never be screened off.

Physical exclusion is extremely effective against scorpions but it usually requires attention to detail, a large amount of materials and several hours of labor to complete. For these reasons, Essential Pest Management does offer exclusion services. We can inspect the property, make recommendations, and provide service proposal. Let us utilize our experience and knowledge to eliminate scorpions from entering your home. Call our office at 886-3029 to set up a free inspection.

This resurgence has caught many Tucson pest professionals off guard and scrambling to find solutions to help the consumer. Pest control professionals have had to adapt to this pest resurgence by switching to more modern insecticide formulations and integrating new pest control tactics. These tactics include comprehensive inspections, physical vacuuming of bed bugs, steam treatments, alternative heat treatments, and new modern insecticidal formulations.

It is important to realize is that bed bugs are not associated with filth like cockroaches. Cockroaches typically feed on filth and debris, but bed bugs feed on our blood when we are asleep (yuck). Bed bug infestations are most common in hotels and multi-unit housing, but can easily spread to homes after travel or visiting friends. Bed bugs are highly transient hitching rides on luggage, furniture and personal belongings.

The end result is that if you are experiencing some unexplained bites or notice small blood spots on the sheet you should consult a local pest management professional. Inspections are free and detailed treatment plans are available. Below is a bed bug description and typical behavior to help you determine if you may have a bed bug problem.

Description:
Adults are 1/4” to 5/8” long and up to 1/8” wide. They are a reddish-brown mahogany color and their bodies are flattened and oval shaped. Although the bugs are covered with tiny hairs, they appear shiny when seen. Bed Bugs have piercing-sucking mouthparts to pierce our skin and feed upon people.

Behavior:
A host, harborage, and warmth are the bed bugs primary need. They prefer to feed in dark conditions, usually in the night time hours. Because of their flattened bodies, they are extremely good at hiding in small cracks and crevices. Common harborages include, but are not limited to folds and tufts of mattresses, coils of springs, posts of bedsteads, and upholstery of chairs and sofas. Harborage areas will expand with heavier infestations. Signs of infestations include their fecal matter, eggs, and skin castes. The Bed Bug’s bite is painless and can last up to 15 minutes. Skin irritations from bites are caused by a reaction to the Bed Bug saliva.

We deal with Subterranean Termites they are the most destructive insect in the world. In the United States they do billions of dollars in damage.

Termiticides do not last forever and depending on your slab type termites can come in through the stem wall, expansion joint, crack in the slab, or plumbing. Typical evidence of termite activity is identified by the mud shelter tubes that termites build. These tubes are used as roadways into the structure for termites to forage on the wood and return to the soil where they live. Shelter tubes typically can be found on the exterior stem wall, interior drywall, or drop down from the ceiling.

Recommendations

-       Do not leave wood piles against or close to home

-       Keep debris and paper away from home

-       Keep all plants 4-6 feet away from home

-       Do not let water drain next to home

-       Have a professional inspect your home once a year

If you find termites do not let them go untreated for long. Start the termite company selection process.  Research the companies in advance by looking at their websites, the Better Business Bureau Rating or ask a friend or family member for a recommendation. It is good to get three bids and I hope Essential would be one of them. After you receive the treatment proposals make sure you research the products and the proposed treatment. Price should not always be the determining factor it should be the quality of the company and treatment. If you have any questions regarding termite control please call us at 520-886-3029 our visit www.essentialpest.com.

Since we had such a wet winter it helped bring a flourishing spring and with blooming flowers brings happy active bees.

Bees are great in nature they pollinate plants and keep our flowers vibrant but that is in nature. When bees set up shop in the eaves of your home they become very territorial and defensive. A colony of bees can be between 40,000-60,000 and the average life span of a bee of a worker bee is 15-38 days but during the winter time they can live up to 140 days, they literally kill themselves working. Their main job is to build the colony, it is a numbers game and if they feel threatened they will sting. Once one bee stings it sends out a negative attack pheromone that summons other bees to come to its rescue. We recommend inspecting your home and property to make sure you are not inviting bees into your living space.

-          Use mesh screen to screen off all vents and gaps in eaves

-          Keep trash piles and empty items in trash can

-          Bag all trash  when you throw it away

-          Inspect for holes in your yard and fill in as needed

-          If you have water boxes that have a grip opening use mesh screen to cover hole

-          If you have a swarm in your tree refrain from using loud vibrating yard tools until swarm moves

In 2011 we killed at least 5 bee swarms/ hives every month and during the peak season we killed three times that much each day. This year we have already see an increase in bee removal calls  over last year.

Fun fact: A single bee can produce around 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in their lifetime.

Bee problems happen spontaneously. Bees often infest properties with these two things in common:

Excessive foliage: A high percentage of bee problems we address are back behind over grown trees, bushes, and cactus. Bees choose these areas because of the protection they offer. Trim back and groom any plant life around the house and yard.

Access to wall voids: A little bit of caulking and other materials can do wonders for bee prevention. Bees often seek out small cracks and crevices that lead to open spaces in walls and roofs. Seal any small crevices around the eaves and repair any ventilation holes with fine screen.

By doing these two things around the house, the likely hood of getting bees reduces significantly.

General preventive measures against household pests include keeping all food stored away in sealed containers, using garbage cans with a tight lid, frequent cleaning in the kitchen, and regular vacuuming. Any water leaks, such as dripping taps, should also be repaired.

If the infestation is out of control call a professional check out a pest control treatment for German Cockroaches at a Tucson based apartment.

Another pest that comes to mind is bees.  Spring is when our Africanized honey bees swarm the most.  A resting swarm looks like a big ball of bees.  The swarm of bees is looking for a new place to nest.  Swarms should be considered dangerous, call a professional bee removal service. We also see a lot of wasps in the spring.  The paper wasp will nest in almost any shady area such as bushes, overhangs, and roof vents.

One other springtime pest we see is ants.  With increased plant growth, ants begin foraging more.  Certain ant species begin swarming in the spring as well.  Ant swarming is when winged-reproductive’s fly in search of a mate.

This spring is looking to be very busy.  We have not experienced a hard frost this year and there were some good winter rains.  Please contact us with any bug questions you may have, thank you for using Essential Pest Management.