Yuma Pest Blog

In addition to being a huge nuisance, having mice in your home can pose a health risk for you and your loved ones. These little rodents are adept at hiding from people, and they’re very difficult to find until the infestation gets much worse.  But over the years that Yuma Pest Control has been operating, we’ve noticed a few of the common spots that you may find these pests lurking.  Voids in Walls. You can usually find a mouse or two in these voids. They’ll squeeze themselves in a crevice or crack to gain entry, and then you may be able to hear them crawling around inside. That’s a big problem for insulation and drywall, and the scratching and scurrying noises can be frustrating to listen to. Attics. Mice love to hang out in the attic. There are almost never any people, and they can have instant access to many spots...

A common response to dealing with bed bugs is to take matters into your own hands. Often, homeowners will attempt to handle the problem themselves to try to get instant results.  There are several ways to do this, and homeowners have tried virtually every solution to get rid of bed bugs in their home.  But do these home remedies actually work? How can homeowners tell if these methods are effective?  If you are trying to figure out how to handle your bed bug problem, Yuma Pest is here to help. Keep reading to learn about some of the most common types of DIY bed bug solutions and how effective they actually are.  Baking Soda Have you ever heard of sprinkling baking soda over a bed bug infested area?  As it turns out, this is not a successful solution to getting rid of bed bugs. Baking soda disintegrates when it comes into...

While it would be nice to say that rodents are more active in one part of the year than another, it would be more appropriate to say that you will probably see more rodents in the colder months versus the warmer. Rodents are like many other mammals that seek warmth from the frigid outdoors. Unlike most mammals, rodents don’t hibernate. So, if you let them, they will instantly make themselves at home where they shouldn’t.  Rodent Season Rodent season refers to the time of year when vermin seek shelter to survive until the following spring. They usually sniff out ways to enter your home through small gaps in your foundation, windows or doorways. Because rodents are small animals, they don’t need too much space to set up camp. As soon as the ice thaws and temperatures begin to increase, you can be sure that all vermin will return to their burrows...

Pigeons may seem harmless, but it’s important to remember that these birds are scavengers and can grow to be a huge nuisance. To some, pigeons may even seem cute - but these birds can infest your property rapidly. Besides their overwhelming numbers, pigeons can cause a variety of different problems. If you are beginning to encounter pigeon infestations, you need to know the risks that these birds carry with them and how they may impact your property. Below, you will find several different reasons why you might need to consider pigeon control as soon as possible. The best way to protect your property is to be informed and take preventative action against potential infestations. Pigeons Can Damage Your Property Pigeons leave huge messes behind them, as they travel and commune in large groups. Their droppings have acidic properties that can destroy the paint or finish of buildings and cars. In addition,...

5 Pests Likely To Cause An Allergic Reaction A home infested with pests is cause enough for alarm, but there are a lot of side effects that go along with it. Not only do pests create their own filth inside your home, but they can also carry diseases. There is also a third effect that few homeowners recognize that can be just as problematic as the first two: pests can cause allergic reactions by their very presence. Which pests are the top allergy offenders? Here’s our list of the top five pests most likely to cause an allergic reaction. Cockroaches Potentially the most common pest in the United States, cockroaches are found in every climate because they can survive almost anywhere. Approximately sixty percent of homes in the U.S. contain allergens created by cockroaches per the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. These allergens are comprised of excrement, saliva and...

In Southeast Arizona, the last thing you want at your construction site is your house or office to be infested with termites. We can't get rid of termites without also having to worry about ants, spiders and other types of pests.  However, it’s important to get termite treatment ahead of time, in case of an outbreak. Here at Team Yuma Pest, we know exactly why your construction site should get termite treatment ahead of time. Let’s take a look at why treating the construction site is a great idea.  Always Get Termite Treatment at Your Construction Site There are a few reasons why:  Termites can move from an area without termite treatments, which is why you want to make sure that they don’t move into your construction site. It’s important to avoid these problems if you have them because you don’t want the termites to move into your house or into...

Despite how hard you might try to keep them away, cockroaches are a very common household pest. Cockroaches hide in wall crevices and under furniture and appear when you least expect it, especially if you live in a warm climate. There are several reasons why cockroaches are attracted to your apartment and keep on coming back. Let’s take a look.  Moisture  Cockroaches are very attracted to moisture, so even if your apartment is sparkling clean you may continue to find cockroaches simply because of the moisture in your home.  Unfortunately, the moisture in your home might be out of your control depending on where you live. Some buildings are older and cannot withstand water as they used to, and some apartment complex maintenance teams are lacking.  If your apartment complex has constant cockroach problems, it might be time to move. Food Along with moisture, cockroaches are very attracted to food. If...

The spring and summer months bring warm, sunny days filled with beautiful blooms, wonderful smells and new beginnings. It means being able to go outside and enjoy gardening, walking, hiking, reading outside and so many other outdoor leisure activities. Unfortunately, it also means that pests are awakening from their hibernation. Wasps are just one of the many pests that may invade your home this spring. Keep reading to find out how wasps enter homes and how you can prevent them from ending up in yours.  Windows and Doors Leaving your windows and doors opened is one of the easiest ways for wasps to invade your space. During the spring and summer, wasps tend to build their nests by a front door. Each time you go in or out of your home, you risk letting them inside—even if you have screens in place. Rips, tears or holes in your screendoor provide the...

Tick season is upon us. They're out in force, searching for the blood of mammals, birds and humans.  Most of the time they find deer and rodents. Unfortunately, ticks aren’t picky eaters. They will bite whatever they can find, and if they get a taste for human blood, they'll come back for more.  Here at Yuma Pest and Termite Systems, we often field lots of questions about tick bites. Here's how to prevent getting a tick bite. What is a Tick? A tick is a tiny insect that feeds on the blood of other animals. Ticks are found all across the world, but they are most common in wet, temperate regions. They are also carriers of Lyme disease and other viruses. Ticks are capable of surviving for several years on the bodies of domestic animals like dogs and cats. How to Prevent a Tick Bite If you are out in an...

Termite infestations can ruin your home’s value. By eating anything and everything plant-based, termites can ravage nearly every kind of home. Infestations often go unnoticed until they have already caused massive amounts of property damage. No one is immune to termite damage. Every year, termites affect nearly 600 thousand homes and cause $5 billion in damages throughout the United States. This high rate of occurrence means you might be a victim of a termite infestation too. Fortunately, you can take a proactive approach to protect your home from termites.  How To Prevent Infestations The different varieties of termites find their way into your home’s wooden structures in several ways. Some can fly while others inhabit the soil, making them difficult to keep out.  Starting at the beginning of any home’s construction, installing a barrier or termite mesh underneath the foundation of the house will keep them out. Concrete foundations at least...

Spring awakens the rodents, scorpions and all manner of creepy-crawly bugs here in Arizona. Do not let them ruin the beauty of the season for you. Start taking preventative measures now with these tips before spring is in full swing. 1. Seal Entries to Your House Pest prevention begins with making it as difficult as possible for them to enter your home. Block off every entry point to your house, and greatly reduce the chances of infestations. This list denotes various actions to block off common places that creatures like spiders and scorpions may use to gain access. Add weather stripping to doorways (the whole doorway, not just the bottom). Check screens for windows and doors for holes. Use caulking to seal up cracks and seams. Use caulking to seal up holes for pipes. Check the roof and the eaves to block access points to the attic. Add screens to the...

While pests cause serious damage and are nuisances to your home, there are even more dangers lurking your way. Did you know that many types of pests can impact not only your house but your family’s health as well? And, families in Arizona are no exception. To help you understand, we made a list of the top pests in this area and how it can impact your family. Scorpions These nocturnal creatures thrive in the Arizona climate. They especially love hiding in dark places like shoes and under furniture, waiting to attack. As most people know, scorpions have dangerous tails that can hurt you and your family. While some of these stings do not need medical attention, many children or older adults may need immediate help.  Some of the common symptoms after getting stung is intense pain, numbness, swelling, difficulty breathing, muscle twitching, vomiting and more. If you get stung and...

Bed bugs are an undesirable pest that can affect any home, hotel room, shelter, student residence or other space inhabited by people. The spread of this parasitic insect occurs due to the increase in intercontinental travel vessels that transport infected material from one part of the world to another. Bed Bugs can Infect Everything People frequently relate the infestation of houses by bed bugs with the level of organization or cleanliness of the house, or with the hygienic habits of its residents. In truth, bed bugs can infest any area where we live and spend the night, as they have an amazing capacity for reproduction and adaptation.  These insects feed on our blood, and to do so, they enter your house in different ways including sticking onto clothing or shoes, hiding inside bags, boxes, suitcases, furniture or second-hand clothing or being transported through electrical conduits from your neighbor's infested home. From...

Ticks are some of the most commonly encountered pests across the United States. Although many tick bites are harmless, these nuisances are known for causing allergic reactions and spreading illnesses, particularly Lyme disease.  With some being as small as a pinhead, ticks are both hard to spot and quick to attach themselves to unwitting passersby. If you have been hiking, trudging through tall grass or just enjoying the back yard, knowing how to check for ticks is critical for their safe and timely removal. Check for Ticks on Your Body Ticks are quick to migrate to hidden parts of the body and given their small size, a full body check is necessary to make sure you are tick-free. Go to the bathroom and take off all of your clothes, isolating them to the side to check later. Visual checks are limited in their ability to pinpoint ticks so feeling all over...

A bee sting is just a nuisance for most people. After a bee sting, you may experience redness, swelling, itching, and sharp pain in the affected area- but nothing serious. However, for people who are allergic to bees, multiple stings can cause problematic health complications. Sometimes they can turn out to be life-threatening. When a bee stings you, it releases its stinger into your skin, which ultimately kills it. It also leaves some venomous toxin, which causes pain and other symptoms. Home remedies for bee stings While some people don't know what to do for a bee sting, most bee stings can be treated at home. However, if you experience severe allergic signs, see a healthcare provider. If a bee stings you, the first thing should be to remove the stinger using your fingernails' edge. This will help you reduce the toxins being released into your skin. Wash the affected area...

While small rodents look harmless, they can actually cause more damage than you can fathom. Between property damages, foul smells and diseases, you do not want any mice or rats to seek shelter in your home.  If you have these pests or are trying to prevent them from coming inside, you need to learn more information about rats and mice. In this practical guide, you will learn everything you need to know about rodent control. Rodent Signs Besides seeing these pests, you must know the ways to determine whether or not you have rodents. These unwanted guests like to shred papers, towels and trash. If you notice tiny piles of torn items, that’s the first sign of rodents.  Mice and rats also give off a foul odor. Many people claim that rodents smell like ammonia or urine. If you notice shredded objects as well as a horrible stench, then you most...

There’s no insect that strikes fear into the heart of homeowners quite like the humble termite. As small as they may be, these insects have the potential to cause massive amounts of damage and cost thousands of dollars if not found and treated right away. Because of this excessive cost, many homeowners consider tackling termite treatments on their own. The problem with this approach, though, is that the average layman simply doesn’t have the tools or knowledge necessary to effectively treat a termite infestation. What’s the difference? Here’s how a professional handles termites. Prevent Professionals have a number of tools at their disposal to prevent termite instances from ever occurring. These preventative measures are often foams and sprays that can make your home seem unattractive to the average termites, causing them to steer clear of the house entirely. Should the termites still make it into the house, however, preventative measures end,...

Cockroaches are one of the biggest pest offenders this time of year. Not only can they survive just about anything, but it seems like they can make it through even the smallest of cracks. With that, once they get into your house, it seems like they can be impossible to get rid of. Here are a few of our top tips for keeping cockroaches out of your home. Clean-up Moisture Cockroaches love moisture and warm, damp places. Make sure that you clean up any water or spills around your house to cut off the water supply for cockroaches. Be sure to clean up beneath your sinks, in your bathroom and in the cabinets of your kitchen just to be sure. Keep Your Food Sealed Cockroaches have heightened senses for finding food in your home. Even if you have a slight opening in a cereal box or bag of chips, cockroaches will...

If you live in Southwest Arizona, you’ve probably experienced an issue with pests in your home or garden. Determining the best way to get rid of these unwanted invaders can be a difficult task. Many products available on the market are harmful to the environment, people, and pets. Fortunately, there are alternative methods that can help you solve your pest problem in a safe way. Read about these eco-friendly pest control options and their benefits. Natural Repellents When it comes to gardening, one of the simplest ways to keep pests away is to surround your plants with insect-repelling herbs and flowers. There are many varieties of plants that can help your garden naturally flourish. Marigolds are known to turn away mosquitoes, lice, and rabbits. Ants hate to be around lavender. Basil repels house flies and can be a yummy fresh-picked addition to your meals. These are just a few examples of...

As a new homeowner, you have a lot of new responsibilities to take on. Whether you have been a homeowner in the past or were renting before, you are in the process of moving into an entirely new home. That means getting used to the home, the property, the process of taking care of it, and unfortunately, the pests as well. The last thing that any new homeowner wants to deal with when they move in is a pest infestation. To help prevent a pest problem from happening in the future or to get your current pest situation under control, here are some pest control tips for new homeowners. Deep Cleaning Make sure that you keep your house as clean as possible, and deep clean your house before you move in, if you can. Before you even start moving into your home, if you can, make sure that you do a...