Dutch Bros -the popular coffee and caffeinated drive-thru drink giants, who have grown tremendously in the last two years is having plenty of success. According to fast-food trade magazine QSR, Dutch Brothers opened 133 stores last year with a total of 671 locations in 14 states.
And the bees have taken notice.
locations in Arizona have noticed bees swarming around Dutch Bros drive-thru lanes across the Phoenix metro area. The major attraction for the bees - Coffee syrup.
These Dutch Bros caffeinated liquid delights rely on the sweet, artificially flavored corn syrup. The open windows of drive-thru coffee hutches give bees easy access, and what follows sounds a lot like insect mayhem.
A freelance beekeeper was hired to remove hives from the source of temptation, until Dutch Bros canceled its contract. Their response, “Dutch Bros uses a professional service to identify and address hives within a several-mile radius of our shops. We do our best to be responsive to issues surrounding bees and ensure we’re meeting the needs of our customers and crews. Thanks.”
It is possible that there are bee problems in other states as well.
If you are aware of any potentially dangerous areas involving bees, give Essential a call 520-886-3029. We provide bee control for both commercial and residential locations.
You Might See These Pests This Summer
The official start of summer is just a couple weeks away. Along with the summer heat, Tucson and surrounding areas will be inundated with pests.
Here are some of the top bugs to look out for now that the temperatures are rising.
1. Africanized bees
Out of all of Arizona's venomous creatures, Africanized bees are responsible for the most deaths, experts state.
If you happen to come across bees or the hive, leave the area immediately. At the moment you think that they might be a danger to people or animals, call 911 or get in touch with your pest control provider. If you disrupt a hive, cover your head and run straight to shelter. Do NOT stop running until you've found safe shelter.
2. Scorpions
A common scorpion found in the area is the Bark Scorpion. It also has the most painful sting. Usually, people experience a sharp pain with numbness, tingling and possible vomiting. Their light brown/tannish color makes them hard to spot during the day. A black light can help you spot them at night. They can crawl up walls and scale furniture with ease and are more common in the rural areas.
3. Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are the number one transmitter of West Nile disease which kills roughly 800 Americans every year. Getting rid of any standing water and unwanted vegetation will help reduce the amount of mosquito reproduction around your home.
4. Ticks
Ticks can also transmit harmful diseases. After camping or hiking, inspect for ticks on you and your pets. Pets may show signs of tick paralysis if they've been bitten, and the tick hasn't been removed.
5. Spiders
Spiders will often be attracted to wherever many bugs live. Houses that have a lot of light may see an increase in spiders in their home and area. A bite from some of these arachnids like the Desert Recluse and the Black Widow can cause serious illness and skin damage. In extreme cases Results from these types of bites have been much worse. The best advice is if you come across any of these creatures is to call an exterminator as soon as possible to avoid stings or bites. If you find yourself in a situation where you are in need of pest control services, Essential Pest Control is here for you. Call 520-886-3029 today!
Entertaining Outdoors - What to Look Out For
The weather has become warm and maybe it's time to start entertaining outdoors. Before you welcome guests, you need to get your backyard ready - Clean the patio furniture, Prep the grill, on and on. So what’s your plan for dealing with uninvited guests? No, not that crazy cousin who shows up just as you’re starting to make the plates. I’m talking about annoying pests such as mosquitoes, wasps, yellow jackets and flies. How do you keep them from crashing the party? Here is a list of potential pests and how to help keep them away.
Flies:
They love organic matter and are attracted to the odor. For buffet dinners, keep dishes covered, and only fill glasses halfway. Consider plating up indoors, then carrying your meal outside. It is also a good idea to keep trashcan lids are closed tightly.
Mosquitoes:
Areas of standing water will attract mosquitos — ponds, birdbaths, kiddie pools, flower pots, tire swings, gutter downspouts and poor ground drainage are areas mosquitos find ideal for reproduction. Getting rid of any standing water or dumping and refilling every 3 days are some options in combatting the potential mosquito bite.
Ants:
These pests are tough to deal with. There are so many different types of ants that behave differently. Some of the smaller ants like like sugars and other foods. others like leaves and seeds like the harvester ant. both can be a problem outdoors. There are a few over the counter products but in some cases it might be best to call a professional, like Essential Pest Control
Bees and wasps:
If you get the to do it yourself, removing stinging insects like bees and wasps is not a DIY job. Attempting to remove these flying insects without protective equipment and training could land you in some real trouble. It is recommended to call in a professional.
Just remember, Essential is here for all your pest control needs. Give us a call-820-886-3029.
Dangers of a beehive in your backyard
Bees at the beehive
Bees are a common insect found throughout the Tucson area, often creating beehives in and around human structures. Although bees play an important role in the ecosystem, the presence of a hive near your home is cause for concern. If you discover a beehive in your backyard, contact a pest control professional immediately to handle the situation properly.
Stings
The most obvious danger of a beehive in your backyard is the potential for stings. While most bees are not aggressive by nature, all bees are more likely to sting when they feel threatened. The closer a beehive is to the areas where you, your family, or your pets are normally active, the greater the risk for stings, as bees are also more likely to sting if they feel their home is under attack. If you or a family member is allergic to bee stings, such stings carry an additional potential risk that should be eliminated with the help of a pest control professional as quickly as possible.
Second Hive
Even if you don’t feel threatened by a beehive in your yard, allowing the hive to remain can put your home at risk. Bee colonies will occasionally split, allowing a smaller swarm to move off in search of a new home. If that swarm finds refuge in your house, you could soon have a beehive inside your home, rather than outside it. A beehive in your home presents an even greater risk of stings, as well as posing a fire hazard if the hive is located near a heat source, such as HVAC equipment or a chimney. Once you have a beehive in your home, bee removal will also be more complicated and potentially more costly as well.
Essential Pest Control can help you handle a beehive on your property with prompt and professional bee control services in Tucson. You can find out more about our residential pest control solutions on the web, or by calling (520) 886-3029 for a free consultation.
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Bees, Wasps & Hornets - How to Tell Them Apart
It is prime season for bees, wasps and hornets to peruse flowers and backyard barbecues, making making it highly likely to encounter one of the three.
Despite the fact that they are all capable of stinging you, the three are actually pretty different.
Honey Bee
Honey bees are likely the most common type of bee you’ll come into contact with. They have hairs covering their body to help them collect pollen. Bees usually range in size from a quarter of an inch to up to an inch long.
Wasp
Most wasps have a narrow or pinched waist and are black or have various markings of white, orange, or yellow. (Yellow jackets usually have yellow and black markings.) Unlike bees, they don’t have much hair. Wasps also tend to range in size from a half inch to an inch long.
Hornet
European hornets are large and reddish-brown with yellow stripes on their abdomen. Bald-faced hornets, on the other hand, are mostly black with a white pattern on their face, giving them a “bald” look.
If you are any problems with bees, wasps or hornets, don't hesitate to call Essential Pest Control. 520-886-3029
bee control | wasp control | pest control Tucson
Bees - Bee Careful around Them
Africanized Honey Bees - they can surround you in large numbers - hundreds, maybe thousands of them, swooping and stinging and injecting venom into your skin.
They have no problem going for your eyes. Or bees can fill up your mouth, nostrils and ears. The air fills with the pheromone that tells the bees to protect their colony. It doesn't take much at all for bees to be disturbed and for their natural alarm systems to be activated.
Venom of the Africanized honey bees is no more toxic than that of their European cousins. What makes them so dangerous is the sheer number which will attack. They are more aggressive and more easily agitated than other bees. Bees sting defensively but whereas only 10% of a group of European honey bees might defend their hive, the entire Africanized honey bee colony might participate in the attack.
Experts suggest running as fast as you can for up to or mare than 200 yards. If you can find indoor shelter, do so making sure all doors and windows are shut. If you notice a hive around your property, call a professional like Essential Pest Control to help with the bee removal 520-886-3029.
Remember...bee careful!
How Can Bees Effect Your Business?
As a business owner in the current economy, you already have plenty of things to worry about. From managing employees to finding new ways to attract customers, you’ve got a lot on your plate. The last thing you need is an infestation of bees stinging your customers and employees. If you’ve noticed lots of bees flying around your building, or if you’ve spotted a hive hanging from the eaves, you should call a pest control company right away.
Understanding the Risks of Bee Infestations
There are multiple ways in which a bee infestation can prove costly for business owners. For starters, having dozens of buzzing bees flying around your commercial building can convince customers to take their business elsewhere. Unless the problem is taken care of quickly, your business’ reputation may suffer. Bee infestations can also become a liability issue. If you have employees who have allergies to bee stings, an infested workplace can be dangerous. Likewise, it’s impossible to tell which of your customers or clients might have allergies to bees. A pest control company like Essential pest can help protect your business from legal liability.
Calling for Professional Help
Do not try to remove a beehive by yourself. Instead, call a professional pest control company to deal with it for you. A technician can remove the hive safely, without posing undue risk to your workers or customers. Professional pest control services might even be covered under the terms of your company’s insurance policy.
Reducing Your Risk of Recurrent Infestations
After a pest control technician removes the beehive from your commercial building, there are a few things you can do to reduce the chances of a recurrent infestation. If you own a restaurant, you should make sure all the tables are cleared promptly after the guests leave. Leftover food and beverages can attract pests. Make sure all the garbage cans have lids that fit tightly. You should also get potential entry points sealed off so the bees cannot build nests in wall voids.
The elimination of bees and other flying insects is just part of what we do here at Essential Pest Control. Our highly trained and experienced pest control technicians provide complete pest management services for your home or business. Call (520) 886-3029 to request an appointment in Tucson, Oro Valley, or the surrounding areas.
Identifying Bees On Your Property
Without bees, it would be tough to grow enough food to feed humanity. They are nature’s essential pollinators. But they can also become problematic, particularly if large numbers of bees move onto your property. If you identify a nest of bees, it may be time to call a pest control company, especially if someone in your family is allergic to bee stings. This is also important for business owners, as having someone get stung on your property may become a liability issue.
Comparing Bees and Wasps
There are many different species of bees and wasps, but there are a few defining characteristics that you can look for. Wasps tend to have a narrow waist and bright colors, along with four wings. In contrast, bees have a rounder, more uniform body. They’re also hairy and tend to feature brown or black coloration.
Identifying Honeybees
Honeybees are agriculture’s best friend. While they aren’t as aggressive as wasps, a honeybee can still sting if it feels that its hive is threatened. Honeybees are about half an inch long. All honeybees have stingers. Along their bodies, most honeybees have black stripes that alternate with amber or yellowish stripes.
Identifying Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees are among the most common types found in the U.S. They can be anywhere from half an inch to an inch long. These bees tend to hibernate during the winter. They’re more visible during the spring when they mate. The female of the species does not sting humans very often, and the male lacks a stinger entirely.
Identifying Bumblebees
Bumblebees are among the largest of bees. While they can be about as long as a carpenter bee, they typically look much plumper. Bumblebees have very fuzzy bodies.
Checking Common Nesting Areas
The different species of bees like to nest in various places. Honeybees often like to build their hives in trees. Carpenter bees can also build in trees, but they especially like to infest buildings. They drill into wood in order to build a safe place to raise their young. This is why you’ll often see carpenter bees flying around the eaves of buildings. Bumblebees usually have relatively small colonies. They are opportunists who will build in abandoned rodent homes, wood piles, or gaps in the siding on buildings.
Beehives may threaten the safety of your family or customers, and they may even grow heavy enough to damage the building. Let the experts at Essential Pest Control handle any problem with bees on your property for you. You can reach us at (520) 886-3029 to request the removal of a beehive in Marana, Tucson, or the surrounding areas.
Honeycomb Removal
With years of experience and training, Essential’s licensed technicians can handle any Bee problem. Our focus is providing a quick response combined with professional service. Essential is there to educate clients and prevent any future Bee problems from occurring.
Honeycomb Removal
In our region, the Bee that causes the most concern is an Africanized Honey Bee. However, these Bees are not native to Arizona. Africanized Honey Bees migrated through South and Central America into the Tucson region in 1991. Characteristics of this species include assertive mating habits, producing more honey, frequent swarming, and most importantly an aggressive defense of their colony. These characteristics have resulted in Africanized Honey Bees becoming the most dominate species of Bees in this region. Southern Arizona’s climate and landscape closely resembles Africa making Tucson a permanent home for Africanized Honey Bees.
Africanized Honey Bees could be referred to as “super Bees”. They can produce honey very quickly and in high temperatures. Colonies can break off and swarm several times in one year. These Bees often nest in areas close to the ground. They are considered to be very dangerous and there are several deaths each year associated with them. Once you are stung by an Africanized Bee, it put out an attack pheromone to the rest of the colony. Almost immediately the other Bees of this colony will attack in great numbers and not stop.
To eliminate an infestation of Bees, you should contact a local pest control professional as soon as possible. Treating a Bee problem without the proper equipment can result in serious injury or even cause fatality.
Bee Removal Tucson
It can be extremely unsettling to have a swarm of bees show up on your property, or worse, build a nest in the structure of your home. Africanized Honey Bees and other stinging insects can present sting dangers as well as property infestation and damage. If your property has been infested with bees, it is best to call Essential Pest Control for professional Bee Removal.
Africanized Honey Bees
Africanized Honey Bees are by far the largest threat to humans and pets. Killer bees were relocated from Africa to South and Central America where they have migrated northward, reaching the Tucson area in 1991. Africanized Honey Bees are desirable for breeders due to positive characteristics that include assertive mating habits, higher honey production, more frequent swarming and the aggressive defense of their colonies.
However, the aggressive nature of the species has led to them be overwhelming and dominate any Honey Bee or other native species. The aggressiveness of Africanized Honey Bees has also resulted in them being labeled as “Killer Bees” due to their ferocious assault on anyone or anything that threatens their hive. Cases have occurred where hundreds and thousands of bees have ascended on people and animals that died as a result of their stings.
Africanized Bees seek to establish their hives in large void areas that are protected. Small gaps in building construction allow access to wall and ceiling voids that are ideal nesting places for Africanized Honey Bees. Due to the aggressive nature of Africanized Bees, it is important that you have a specialist such as Essential Pest Control provide your bee control.
Other Stinging Insects Associated with Africanized Honey Bees
Honeycomb and Bee Removal
Carpenter Bees Another type of bee that can cause considerable damage to Arizona homes are Carpenter Bees. These insects, although not aggressive, weaken exposed wood structures in which they bore holes and tunnels to lay eggs. If left untreated, Carpenter Bees can erode the integrity of the wood, leading to expensive repairs down the road.
Paper Wasps This particular species of Wasps tend to feed on nectar, small insects, and are often found around pool water. Paper Wasps can be very aggressive and it is for that reason that you should have a pest control professional perform a wasp removal. Wasps are able to sting multiple times and cause allergic reactions.
Rely on Professional Bee Removal Tucson
When bees are living in close proximity to humans, situations can arise that cause them to attack. This presents serious health concerns and liability for property owners. Attempting to handle bee removal by yourself can be fatal. Such services should be performed by a professional that has the proper knowledge and equipment to safely and efficiently perform a Bee removal service.
Residential Bee Removal Tucson
Essential Offers Bee Removal in Tucson
Fast Response and Reasonable Rates Bee Removal & Elimination Property Surveys Elimination of Wasps & Other Stinging Insects
Honeycomb Removal Pheromone Bee Trapping 24 hr. Emergency Service
The Essential Difference
With years of experience and training, the licensed technicians of Essential Pest Control can handle any bee problem. Our focus is on providing rapid response combined with professional service for bee removal in Tucson. We also take the time to educate our clients so that future bee issues can be avoided.
Fast Response and Reasonable Rates
