Yuma Pest Blog

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...

If you’ve ever encountered a scorpion, you’ll know better than anyone that they will leave a lasting impression in more ways than one. Scorpions are classified as arachnids, the same category as spiders, mites, and ticks. They’ve got eight legs, no backbone and are busiest during the night-time hours. Scorpions are venomous and easily spotted due to their distinct scissor looking-tail and front crab-like claws. Since they can be incredibly harmful to anyone or anything they come into contact with, here are a few fun facts from the professionals at Team Yuma Pest to help you better understand the potential dangers that result from scorpions.  Where Do Scorpions Live Scorpions can be found anywhere, but they are commonly associated with desert-like climates and areas within the southwestern states of the US. Scorpions like warm, dry climates and like to hide from the sun during the daylight hours. Scorpions can be found...

Pest control is important for everyone, but some people have a lot more responsibility on their shoulders and need to take extra precautions. These people are business owners. When somebody’s business is taken over by pests, it can take a serious toll on their company’s reputation, and all-around efficiency. The best way for you, as a business owner, to stay on top of this is to have yearly pest control. It may seem extreme, but here are ten reasons why it’s indispensable for your business. It’s a Matter of Safety Pests carry all sorts of diseases that could spread to you, your employees and your customers if you allow them to linger in your store. Getting pests removed helps you and the general public as well. You’ll Have Peace of Mind For someone with a lot of responsibility, anything that reduces stress is a must. Yearly pest control will give you...

House ants can make it into your property through tiny entry points that can be difficult to spot. Killing one ant isn’t usually enough, as there will typically be a colony nearby. The following is what to do if you find ants in your home. Find the Entry Point Tiny cracks and crevices throughout your home serve as entry points for ants. Identify where they’re coming from and seal it up. This will ensure that no more ants are coming in, and it will make it much easier to deal with the ants that are inside. Destroy the Nest Try to find where the ant nest is located outdoors and use a non-repellent insecticide to destroy it. Using a repellent will cause the ants to disperse and start a new colony elsewhere. A non-repellent insecticide will kill the ants without them realizing they’re poisoned, which will deal with the problem long-term....

Having pest control during construction helps you to address important issues ahead of time, and to stay safe from pests. Setting The Foundation Pest control prior to building helps to prevent you from needing pest control in the future. If you prepare before constructing, it can help save the building in the long run. For example, termite treatment before the building goes up will mean that it won't have to get treated in the future. It provides a chemical barrier from pests in the future. Building Pest Control Even in a fresh construction site, there are bugs. There is no such thing as empty land. Before a building, the grass and dirt will have ants, roaches, termites, and more. A pest elimination program prior to breaking ground may be just what your project needs. The professional will look at and address potential sources for pest problems in the future, including water...

As the mercury plunges, you may be seeing more spiders than usual in your home. Many can be found near sources of water, such as the shower or sink, but they can be anywhere else in the home. Why are there more spiders during the winter? They are hunting for food, and the pests that live in your home are a food source for them. You may love your warm and cozy house, but so do bugs in your house! Warmer Temperatures Invertebrates, including spiders, are cold blooded. This means that as the air and soil temperatures drop, so does their metabolism. Freezing temperatures can cause their blood to form ice crystals and kill the spiders. Some survive by hiding under the snow cover. This keeps the wind chill off of them. So why all of the spiders during the winter? Truthfully, they were probably there all along. House spiders are common. They...

In Arizona, the weather triggers outdoor creatures to actively seek out food, water and shelter. That's why you can't overlook all bugs and rodents. Your home and place of business will always be at risk of developing an infestation problem, but you can minimize the threat by putting these tried-and-true tips to good use: Stay on Top of Your Cleaning Duties Most pests don't care about clutter or filth. They will invade a spick-and-span building if given a chance. However, if you tidy up the indoor environment and take good care of the yard that surrounds your home, you'll reduce the possibility of a terrible infestation. This is the case because your actions will help to eliminate pheromones, common attractants and potential nesting sites. Therefore, you should take the time to clean up several times per week. Focus your attention on the pantry, the basement and the garage because these three...

Tree pests may not seem like too big of a deal. Sure, they can destroy your beloved oak, but if a tree in your yard is infested with termites? They can’t move from your tree to your house, right? Actually, if you’re not careful, they can. Here are some ways to know if your tree has pests inside of it, and how to have your tree safely removed without pests moving into your home. Is Your Tree Infested? It can be tricky to tell if you have termites in your tree, and they’ll never announce their presence to you. If you want to find out, you can take a shovel and dig around the base of your tree near its roots, as this is where they most often gather. Though they mostly prowl underground, you still may be able to see some climbing up the side of the bark, and perhaps...

Fall in Arizona is unique in the sense that temperatures do not drop as drastically as other parts of the United States. Places like Florida and Texas may remain hot, but compared to the midwest and pacific northwest, Arizona is still pretty warm come October. However, just like any other part of the country, pests will still react and adapt to any kind of seasonal change. Even the most subtle temperature drop will change how pests behave for a given period. Let’s take a look at how these critters react once the blazing hot summer months are over and the leaves start to turn color. Fall Termites One of the most common pests in Arizona, if not the most common, are termites. Both drywood termites and subterranean termites can be found in abundance during the early portions of the autumn months. The hot and dry summer months are over while the...

You’ve most likely heard the saying, “Don’t let the bed bugs bite” after being tucked into bed as a child. Maybe you thought nothing of it at the time, thinking that it was just something that your parents made up. However, if you’ve ever experienced bed bug bites at all in your life, then you know that it’s no joke! Bed bugs not only cause physical distress, but they can cause havoc in your home due to the fact that they can hide virtually anywhere. Keep reading for more information on bed bugs and how to handle an infestation. What Are Bed Bugs? These pests are tiny, brown in color and have a flat appearance. They feed mostly on human blood as their host sleeps, which is why they are usually found in your mattress. However, they have also been known to feed on your pets as well. Unfortunately, bed bugs...

Your pets are important to you, and so is their health. However, while you try to make sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise and your cat is stimulated with toys, one thing you should always worry about is the spread of fleas or ticks. Unfortunately, due to our changing climate, tick-borne diseases have doubled in the last 13 years, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). While these numbers are for humans, an increase in ticks can be just as bad news for pets as well. So, with that in mind, we want to cover the best ways to ensure that your pets are safe from fleas and ticks. Talk With Your Vet Fortunately, there are plenty of prevention methods out there to keep these critters from camping out on your pet’s fur. While you can find some over-the-counter options, it’s always best to consult your veterinarian instead....

If you’re like most people, your home can likely use some cleaning. For everyone, it’s far too easy to accumulate clutter, and that can be a problem for a few reasons. First, depending on the severity of the situation, it can be almost impossible to find anything you need. Second, it can be a breeding ground for household pests. Today we want to share the potential dangers of clutter and what you can do about it. No one wants to share a living space with pests, so be sure to take care of the problem as soon as possible. Why Pests Love Clutter Having stuff all over the place can be an annoyance for us, but it’s a haven for small bugs and critters. Wherever there is clutter, there is a potential home for some unwanted guests. Typically speaking, clutter is desirable for pests because it provides shelter. In some cases,...

For homeowners, there might be no insect more feared than the termite. This little bug (along with thousands and thousands of his friends) has the ability to take just about any structure and reduce it to piles of sawdust if not found and treated in time. This is why it’s so important to know everything you can about these tiny, destructive critters. When Are Termites Active? Most species of termites are more active in warmer months and warmer climates. If you live in Yuma, AZ, though, this can be a problem, as Yuma is pretty warm for most of the year! This doesn’t mean that changes in climate don’t affect them. Once the temperature starts to warm up around March, you can expect to see more termite activity that will last through November. Yuma is pretty dry, but we do have a rainy season. On average, more rain falls in August...

If you enjoy DIY projects, then you might be considering handling your own pest control. First, consider these five reasons why you should hire a professional instead of handling it yourself. Safety First Pests bring with them a variety of risks and dangers. If you try to handle stinging insects on your own, you may discover too late that you are allergic to insect bites. Many bugs such as roaches and mites create allergens simply by living and reproducing in your home. If not handled properly, those allergens could make your entire family sick. Consider the dangers of climbing trees or ladders to get to the source of the problem. Using store-bought pesticides can endanger the health of children and pets. Professionals have multiple solutions available to them, and pesticide is often the last resort. Knowledge is Power You can surf the internet and learn a lot about the pest you...

Have you seen a few bugs crawling around in your home lately? Maybe you’ve been ignoring them and hoping they would go away. Unfortunately, if you’ve seen one bug there are definitely more, and they multiply fast. Before you know it, they’ve decided your home is a comfortable place to take up residence. What Are Household Pet When you think about “household pests,” most likely you imagine ants, cockroaches, termites and sometimes stinging insects, such as wasps. But other pests, like moths, spiders, bed bugs or fleas, may have invaded your home. Rodents and small wildlife can also be considered pests. Understandably, living with bugs in your home is not something you want to do. Aside from the nuisance factor, it can also be quite unhealthy and unsanitary. Where Do I Start? Pest control is the best and most efficient way to keep those bugs at bay. First of all, having...

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”...