Yuma Pest Blog

It’s no fun living near pesky neighbors. But what if you’re living with pesky termites? Termites can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home. Learn how to determine if you have a termite problem, and what you can do to solve it. What Are Termites? Before contacting a pest control company, it is important to know what kind of pest issue you have. Termites can be identified by their straight antennae, four uniform wings and box-like waists. They are typically colorless and are about one centimeter in length. Termites are always in colonies, which may contain about 3 million termites. However, there have been colonies found containing over 70 million! Do You Have A Termite Problem? Termites are tiny and are often hard to notice. They are constantly working to create tunnels and nests. These pests can also consume a lot of wood at once - up to two...

Rats are more than just pests that you try to avoid at all costs. They are intelligent creatures that have a heightened olfactory sense with bodies who are able to fit into unimaginably small spaces. But are they cute and cuddly, or are they just a menace? These differences will show you if the rat you see is a friend or foe. Socialization Wild rats don’t like to make friends like the ones you see in a pet store. If you see any together, it is only for them to work together to steal your food or mate. Typically, wild rats will get aggressive if they are around other rats, whereas domestic rats are social with others. Commonly, domesticated rats are known to take care and bond together in groups. They have the same “pack” mentality as wolves do in large groups and are known to even have a lead “alpha”...

When it comes to outbreaks, none are quite as severe or as frustrating as bed bugs. These critters have been making their way across the US, infesting homes, businesses, and hotels all over the country. Naturally, people are really wary about an infestation taking over their homes. Once you get a batch of bed bugs, they are notoriously hard to get rid of, save for fumigating the whole property. But what if your neighbor has bed bugs? Should you be worried? We want to talk about how to avoid an infestation of these blood-sucking critters, especially if they are in the place next door. Just because your neighbor has to deal with them doesn’t mean you should. Step One: How Far Away are They? One of the nice things about bed bugs is that they don’t like to travel by themselves. Sure, they love to hitch a ride with people as...

Arizona’s unique climate makes it susceptible to a number of household pests that can become a serious problem. Some of these pests are overtly visible, but others are not. You may not be aware that you have an infestation until it is too late. A pest issue is nothing to be lax about, especially since the health of your family and the integrity of your home depend on it. Keep reading for the top three most common pests in Arizona. Termites Termites are a huge issue in Arizona. Since their colonies exist underground, it is common for them to cause major damage without the homeowner being aware of it. Termites eat unprotected wood and can destroy foundations, garages and floors without being outwardly seen. Arizona is a hotspot for termites because it is on top of a subterranean termite belt. Ants Ants are a common insect all across the US, but...

For many of us, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house. Whether you’re making dinner for the family, fixing a late-night snack, or standing in front of the fridge, trying to decide what to grab, the kitchen is a place that we spend a lot of our time. Unfortunately, pests feel the same way about it, too. Because the kitchen is where we prep and store food, it’s a haven for bugs and other critters that would love nothing more than to feast upon everything they could dig into. However, assuming that you’re not inviting them as guests into your home, you want to avoid having pests in your kitchen. So, with that in mind, here are some ways to keep your kitchen pest-free. Seal Any Cracks Pests come from the outside, which is why it’s imperative that you try to seal your kitchen off from...

After all of the preparation you have done, you might still discover a rodent or two in your home. While holes that you see in the walls and cracks around windows are evident locations for rodents to enter, there are a few other ways that they can get inside that you might not think about. Yuma Pest can use products that are safe for people and pets that will eliminate your rodent problem and keep them away from your home in the future as long as you practice proper maintenance. A corner post is often used to complete the corners of your home. These are also areas that might be hollow and that might not have as much support as the walls or the other connections of the home, making it easy for rodents to move the material to get inside the house. There are sometimes gaps between pieces of siding,...

Fleas can be a nuisance to any kind of pet. They can also be bothersome if they happen to get on your furniture, which is likely if your pets stay inside most of the time. Fortunately, there are a few ways that you can keep fleas off your pet without using invasive techniques that include monthly or quarterly vaccinations. The first thing that you should do to determine how many fleas might be on your pet is to comb the fur. Try to get as close to the skin as possible, rinsing the flea comb in hot soapy water after each pass. You can also add a small amount of flea and tick treatment to the water so that the fleas will die and so that at least a small amount is transferred to the pet. Flea The Scene A nice shampoo is usually relaxing for your pet and can also...

A hospital might seem impervious to vermin, but any structure is susceptible to insect and rodent infestations. Pests can interfere with medical operations, harm vulnerable patients, contaminate food and damage the building. A variety of creatures have successfully infiltrated hospitals. They include cockroaches, bed bugs, rodents, ants and flies. These pests may gain access to a medical facility by finding hidden entryways. They could also hitchhike on people or objects that enter the building. People Small insects might invade a hospital when patients, staff members or other visitors accidentally introduce them. A person's clothing can harbor parasites that range from bedbugs to ticks. Chairs in the waiting room could easily become infested. Visitors' belongings may transport pests as well. Bugs might attach eggs to these items when people stay at nearby motels that have infested furnishings. Short-term guests could introduce harmful insects if they bring gifts, such as flowers or books....

Staying at a hotel should be a relaxing experience. It can become downright chilling, however, if you pick up bed bugs while you’re there. You can inspect your hotel room using the flashlight on your phone. It’s a good idea to examine the room before you open your suitcase and remove your belongings. If you find bed bugs, you probably want to choose a different place to stay. The Initial Inspection When you get into your hotel room, place your luggage in the bathroom. Bed bugs are less likely to hang out there. Don’t leave your suitcase on the luggage rack, where bed bugs may have crawled off of someone else’s luggage and made their home. Remove the linens from the mattress and look at the cushion and box spring. Check the seams, corners and tufts. Bed bugs like to hide in cramped spaces. If you can’t see well into the...

While feeding pigeons at the park may be a relaxing way to spend a lazy weekend morning, the last thing that you want is for these winged pests to take up residence around your home. Not only do pigeon droppings cause an unsightly mess on anything and everything, but pigeons also pose a health hazard by carrying a host of diseases and parasites. Pigeons can also cause significant property damage if they are not dealt with quickly. Clogged Gutters: Gutters are prime locations for pigeons to build their nests. In gutters, these nests can cause the water to back up, which can damage your roof and allow water to seep into your home. The stagnant water is also a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which carry West Nile and other viruses. The weight of the nest and its occupants can also cause the guttering to sag and pull away from the roof....

Even though termites are small insects, they can be very destructive if you don't get the problem under control as soon as possible. Because of their size, termites can easily get into walls and other areas that are difficult for other types of pests to enter. If you notice any signs of weak wood or see any termites on the floor or any discarded wings, then it's a good idea to contact a pest control company like Yuma Pest to treat the home. Although wood is the first choice of food for termites, they do enjoy consuming other materials. Termites like certain kinds of plants and some fabrics. They can also eat through wallpaper and plastic if the materials stand between them and wood. The More You Know Wings on termites are only temporary. Once the pests fly from their nest, usually in the spring when they are mating, the wings...