Well’s its hard to make claims on who the best Phoenix pest control company is. I know that I have my favorite, but I am probably just a little biased. But, you can’t argue with who has the most google reviews for pest control in Phoenix. Over 200 total reviews on Google covering the Phoenix valley!
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As a fan of technology and something of a nerd, I have always enjoyed Iron Man comics. Here’s a hero who defeats the bad guys using not his brawn, but rather his incredible intellect. His only ‘super-power’ is his resourcefulness and his technological brilliance, and through that he has been able to throw down with the likes of Thor and the Hulk. Add in the cool playboy lifestyle of alter-ego Tony Stark and the story of Iron Man becomes pretty much every tech-geek’s fantasy.
This is why I will often ask myself ‘what would Iron Man do?’ when I’m faced with a challenge – even when the situation doesn’t obviously lend itself to such a solution… Here’s how that logic saved me when I was dealing with a wasp infestation.
It all started one night a few years ago when I was living with my best mate in a small bedroom flat. He had gone to bed early with his girlfriend ready for work, and I had shut myself in my room to chill out. After reading a good magazine, I got up to go and lock up outside and make myself a cup of tea –only to find when I opened my door that the hallway was literally swarming with wasps. I quickly remembered that we had a wasp’s nest outside the kitchen window and one of us had left that window open with the kitchen light on before heading to bed. In the space of a few hours a good forty or fifty wasps must have flown in and set up camp in that small confined space.
I shut myself back in my room with my heart racing. The situation was not only frightening, but also revolting – seeing them crawl up the windows was like something out of a zombie movie. But what was I to do? I couldn’t just go back to bed, as that would mean my housemate would be attacked by them in the morning. If I went out there though, I’d surely be stung to death by those things.
So I asked myself: what would Tony Stark do? And the answer was obviously to build himself a speciality suit of armour to deal with the situation. A high tech body-suit that would protect him while at the same time giving him an arsenal of weapons to draw on.
And so I went about creating one using what I had in my room: I put on a thick leather jacket and tucked it into my trousers, I put on glasses and wrapped a towel around the rest of my face, and I put on two sets of gloves. By the end there wasn’t a centimetre of skin showing. I then grabbed a newspaper and some bleach I had in my room from cleaning earlier and I went out there…
And in the space of twenty minutes I had laid waste to those wasps. Inspired by my high tech hero I killed over forty wasps and save my friend and his girlfriend. The exterminators came the next day and the rest was history.
But the moral of the story is that no matter how bleak things may seem, there’s always a solution if you use your brain. Also: wasps are horrible.
Today’s guest author, Mark Ross, is a technician at IcePest, a pest control service that provides services for Raccoon removal, in Toronto. He is a nature lover and an environmentalist. He is motivated to make this a greener planet and works towards it zealously in his spare time.
Summer brings lots of fun in the sun, but it also brings heaps of insects/vermin ready to invade your home. These pests can appear just about anywhere. The bathroom, kitchen and even your bedroom aren’t off limits from creepy crawlers. Some people go to great lengths to ensure their home is free of these troublemakers. This includes hiring specialists, buying indoor and outdoor bug spray, placing traps and repellants. That is what the average consumer does. Many still harp on the age old myths that their home is safe from bugs simply because their home is scrubbed clean. People need to remind themselves that just because a place appears to be sparkly clean does not mean it does not have a pest control problem. Even five star restaurants and hotels get bugs too. This article is going to pinpoint various myths that society has about pest control and debunk them.
Do you really think your cat wants to be an exterminator? A house infested with mice or rats aren’t going to be scared off by a single cat. Just because you think “Bandit” can track the mouse that’s been keeping you up all night, does not mean your cat is feeling up to the task. In fact, mice may be attracted to your pets food or droppings. Mice are small and can reach areas in your home that might be out of the line of sight of your cat. There are many variables involved. Do not rely on your cat to take care of a pest problem.
Unfortunately, this long standing myth stems from several cartoons and spread by word of mouth. Just like humans, mice adore sugar. Foods such as bits of cereal, cookies, bread, peanut butter and anything laced with sugar appeal to rodents more than a piece of cheese.
With that attitude, it won’t be long before a real problem occurs. Proper inspection of a home is a must. Termites or carpenter ants can wreak havoc upon the structure of a home before any signs of a pest problem occur. Bed bugs alone can cause serious respiratory problems, allergic reactions, infection from bites and anemia. Why take the chance? At the end of the day, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Professional pest control companies use products that are thoroughly tested and are not dangerous to humans or pets. If that were indeed true, people would never consider letting a pest control technician into their home because fear of obnoxious fumes.
Myth #5: A house built on concrete or brick is safe from termites.This is completely false. It does not matter what a house is made of on the outside. A termite can easily travel into cracks or foundation of a home and damage the wood inside the home.
Many myths out there that has yet to be debunked. These are just a handful that society continues to cling to. Hopefully this article shed some light about pest control and managed to separate fact from myth. Bug problems begone!
About the author: Chris is a blogger for a union pest control company.
Extreme, summer heat is nothing new to those of us that live in Arizona. As this time of year passes through, we all find a way to deal with rising temperatures. Unfortunately, if unprepared, the heat can put us in real danger. This past weekend in Arizona was a rude awakening of how extreme and dangerous the heat can be. Several hikers needed medical rescue, and one person even fell victim to the severe heat.
Several of us here at Bulwark practically live outdoors when we’re not slaving away at the world’s worst bug problems, so as a company of employees, we have a vested interested in outdoor safety. In light of the this past weekend’s brutal heat spell, we wanted to shed light on a few important points when it comes to saying safe in the Arizona heat.
We wholeheartedly agree with everything the nightly newscasts suggest: drink water, don’t leave children or pets in the car, all that good stuff. Here are a few things extra to consider.
Electrolytes. The heat gets so intense in Arizona, that it’s perfectly normal to start sweating on the walk from your car to the entrance of Costco. Then again on your way out. Then again as you unload all those groceries from your car into your house. Aside from losing water when you sweat, you are also losing bodily salts and other essential minerals. Addling electrolytes to your fluid intake will help combat that loss. Sport drinks are an easy purchase to make and we’d recommend having a cold supply available in your fridge. If you’re concerned with the extra calories that sport drinks bring, you can opt for low-calories versions, Gatorade’s G2 or Powerade’s ZERO options. Alternative drinks include Smartwater, Vitaminwater or any of these same or similar products that come packaged as single servings. Mio even sells a fluid additive that comes packed with necessary electrolytes.
Another alternative to keeping your electrolytes levels topped off is to carry sport products. Think the kinds of products you would take with you if you were to go hiking. Clif Bar Bloks are a great electrolytic source. My personal favorite are Jelly Belly’s Sport Beans. Not too far off from the original Jelly Belly themselves, Sport Beans come in a variety of flavors.
Carry it with you, keep it cool. Most of us tend to drink fluids throughout the day when we are stuck in one place. It’s easy to keep drinking when you’re at your desk or at home. Instead, try taking your drink with you. Grab a bottle of water on your way out the door. Better yet, put it in a small cooler with an ice pack and it’ll stay cool for at least the next hour while you’re out around town doing errands.
Cover your melon. If you are spending a significant amount of time outdoors this summer the main component of controlling your body heat is regulating the heat through your head. Keeping a cool head is a major factor in maintaining your core temperature at a safe level. First off, cover your head with a hat. If you’re on the golf course or taking a hike in the hills, don’t go without a hat. It’ll do wonders for you. It’s even a good idea to douse your head every so often with water, just for good measure. Personally, I ride my bike about 150 miles a week and sometimes I’ll stop at a gas station to refill my bottles with ice and water. Half of one of those bottles is dedicated to simply squirting through the top of my helmet to cool off my head. A little bit goes a long way.
Fill it with ice. Here’s a pro tip. If you’re out riding bikes, on the links or hiking Camelback, fill your bottle with as much ice as possible. Then fill the rest of it with your water or sport drinks. The ice will take a while to completely melt, keeping your fluid cold during your activity.
There’s a saying that goes like this: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” The first step to beating the heat in Arizona is to plan your activity. Ensuring you have enough to eat and drink while in the sun is the most important part. If you’re unsure on how much food or drink you will need, always error on the side of caution. I almost always carry an extra energy bar with me on my bike rides. I don’t have plans on eating it, but its there if I, or someone else, needs it.
Stay active, but stay safe!
A bed bug nymph feeding on host (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Residents of Arizona who plan on travelling to California for summer vacation… Watch out for bedbugs. We’ve all heard horrifying tales of bed bugs – one of the earliest rhymes most children learn is “goodnight, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite”. But did you know that these nasty pests don’t necessarily just reside in your bed?
That’s right – bed bugs can also lurk in carpet, furniture, along floorboards, and any other place where they have access to warm bodies. Bed bugs survive off of one thing and one thing alone – blood. So anywhere they have access to a meal, bed bugs can dwell.
A Starbucks in Northern California recently discovered this the hard way. Bed bugs were found lurking in the dark crevices between the sofa cushions at the Starbucks located at 1686 S. Bascome Avenue in Campbell, California. Even worse yet, according to a recent news report of bed bugs, the manager of the coffee shop was aware of the problem and stated that he’d known of it for at least two months. That means that for two months patrons were being susceptible to being bitten by bed bugs – and possibly even taking the pests home with them.
The Starbucks in Campbell isn’t the only location in Northern California to make the news for their bed bug outbreak, however. A low-income senior housing facility in Stockton was recently discovered to be overrun with bedbugs. Apparently it’s not the first time the complex has been infected with bed bugs – some residents say that this has been an ongoing problem for years.
Adult bed bug, Cimex lectularius (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Although housing authorities claim that they have been spraying the complex repeatedly over the course of several months, they believe that the bed bugs are constantly being brought in by tenants who let prostitutes and homeless people stay in their apartment units. These types of individuals can carry bed bugs on them, according to the housing authority officials.
However, bed bugs aren’t necessarily a sign of uncleanliness. Bed bugs can be found in the cleanest of places; it’s often clutter that makes them hard to get rid of.
Regardless of how these bed bugs are spreading, it sounds like Starbucks and the senior housing project could both definitely benefit from investing in some bed bug pest control to help get these nasty critters under control.
The next time you go out to enjoy a cup of coffee, you might want to think twice before making yourself comfy on the sofa or chairs. You never know what may be lurking beneath the cushions.
About the author: Chris is a blogger for a New Jersey pest control company.
The Neon Splash Dash 5K was held last weekend at Talking Stick Resort and Casino in Scottsdale, AZ. Some 6,000 runners took part in the event and also got the opportunity to see some glow in the dark neon scorpions. Bulwark Exterminating was on hand to race as team scorpion, and to also answer questions regarding our Phoenix scorpion pests. It was a night to remember.
The weather was perfect as the sun set over Scottsdale’s Talking Stick Resort. Over 6,000 runners and spectators, dressed in white and neon clothing, eagerly awaited the start of the Neon Slash Dash 5K run. Before and after the race, participants got an up close look at some of Arizona’s native scorpions. Black lights lit up Arizona Bark scorpions and Desert Hairy scorpions so they eerily glowed, just like many of the neon clad runners.
Runners and spectators shared horror stories of their own about times they had been stung by a scorpion. Each took turns shining black lights on the scorpions and gasped as they would glow a bright green.
The scorpion professionals of Bulwark Pest Control were also on hand, with a couple of impressive scorpion trucks, to answer any questions about the stinging scorpions. One fortunate winner also received a free initial scorpion service by winning a raffle drawing.
Bulwark exterminating also fielded a team of runners for the Neon Splash dash; adequately named Team Scorpion. Everyone in attendance had a great time during the event, and Bulwark Exterminating will definitely be back next year.
The Neon Splash Dash In PhoenixThe brightest and wildest running event to ever hit the Phoenix, AZ area is the Neon Splash Dash. Runners get squirted by super intense ultraviolet glow water as they sprint, jog, walk, and even dance through music enhanced glow zones. Jammin’ music keeps you pumped to ensure you cross the finish line… Cross the finish line completely covered in neon glow water.
After the race, the party goes on with a massive dance party as a DJ continues to pump out the hit music during the Neon Splash Dash’s after glow party. Neon clad racers visit also visit vendors, and get their pictures taken under the ominous black lights. It’s an event like none other.
Learn more about the Neon Splash Dash by clicking here.
Runners and spectators of the Neon Slash Dash had the opportunity to get educated by Bulwark Exterminating as to the importance of professional scorpion control in Phoenix. Scorpion control can be the difference between getting stung by a scorpion, and resting easy at night knowing your home is protected.
If you live in the valley of the sun, and want to live scorpion free, get Phoenix scorpion control.
Bulwark Exterminating
Culex mosquitos (Culex quinquefasciatus shown) are biological vectors that transmit West Nile Virus. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In Arizona, the deadly West Nile Virus has already been confirmed for 2013, by Maricopa County officials. Maricopa County’s Environmental Protective Services got an early start this year, setting mosquito traps, and testing the trapped mosquitoes for West Nile.
During this trapping, officials confirmed the presence of West Nile, as mosquitoes tested positive for the virus. This discovery marks the earliest West Nile season has begun in Arizona in quite some time. This is because of the especially wet winter, with above average temperatures this spring.
The wet winter and warm spring mean, in all likelihood, an increase of mosquito activity throughout Maricopa County this summer. East Valley cities, like Queen Creek, Gilbert, Chandler, and Mesa should continue to be a hot zone for both mosquito and West Nile activity this upcoming year.
In 2012, Maricopa County reported 168 positive mosquito samples and 76 lab-confirmed human cases with two reported deaths.
West Nile Virus is spread to both humans and animals by mosquitoes, more specifically mosquito bites. Only a very small percentage of mosquitoes carry the virus.
Birds commonly carry West Nile Virus, and that’s how the virus is spread. A mosquito bites an infected bird, and then bites a human.
Once a person is infected with West Nile Virus, the chance of feeling any symptoms or getting sick is quite low. In fact, most will not feel any symptoms at all… maybe a mild fever.
Less than one out of 150 people who become infected with West Nile will develop a more serious form of the infection, such as meningitis or encephalitis. These infections can require hospitalization, treatment, and supportive care. As of today, there is no human vaccine for the virus.
Mosquito larvæ of the genus Culex. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
If you are seeing a lot of mosquitoes around your property, take the above mentioned steps to ensure you do not contract the West Nile Virus. Take extra precautions with professional pest control.
So far, 2013 has proven to be a year for scorpions. Phoenix, AZ residents have been seeing an increase of these stinging pests; as they creep around homes and properties this spring. This increase in scorpion activity is due to the hotter than usual spring temps, combined with a very wet winter. This combination provides ideal condition for scorpion breeding, which in turn, means more scorpion sighting.
Residents of the Phoenix Valley have desperately needed some answers regarding the increase of scorpions this spring. CBS 5 News (KPHO) in Phoenix was one of the first outlets to jump on the scorpion story… And when they needed answers, they turned to the scorpion experts at Bulwark Exterminating!
CBS 5 reporter Colton Shone came along as Bulwark technician, Devin Conner, made a house call to treat a scorpion infested home in the valley.
Darren Desylvia and his family have been having problems with scorpions.
“As long as the sheets are off of the floor, the scorpions won’t be able to climb up.” He found these the other day… “One was along the house outside and the other was right along the sliding glass door.”
Darren believes that Bulwark’s scorpion control efforts will pay off huge this year, and that he and his family will no longer have to live in fear of the malevolent pests.
Bulwark was more than happy to help out.
Scorpions come in all sizes, shapes, and colors; but the most common of the Arizona scorpions is the Arizona Bark Scorpion. Not only are these scorpions the most common, they are the most dangerous.
Arizona Bark Scorpions are a yellowish tan in color, and are about two inches in length. These scorpions are most active at night, feeding on crickets and cockroaches. They come into homes looking for water. They are difficult to spot, since they blend in so well with the terrain. The best way to spot a scorpion in your yard or in your home is with a black light. Chemicals in the scorpion’s exoskeleton cause them to glow brightly.
When CBS News was in need of some expert advice and help dealing with scorpions, they called the best, and so should you. For professional scorpion control, call Bulwark Pest Control today!
Bulwark ExterminatingTo read the transcript of the CBS News broadcast in its entirety, click the link below:
Scorpions Popping Up in Phoenix-Area Homes Earlier.
Photo by Rich Ayrey
A variety of different species of scorpions, some 50 overall, call Arizona home. Remarkably, scorpion species are still being discovered.
There have been six different mountain scorpions discovered recently, including two this year alone. These discoveries were made in the Santa Catalina Mountains near metropolitan Tucson, AZ.
Imagine camping in the Tucson mountains. You’re doing a little exploring, turning over rocks and such. You turn over a piece of bark, and see something you’ve never seen before. A unique scorpion!
That’s exactly what happened to a Dr. Rich Ayrey, and his wife, last month. The new scorpion species was discovered in the Santa Catalina Mountains, and when they saw it, they knew they had found something special.
The new discovery of the Vaejovis deboerae came just a short time after Ayrey found a separate and new species of scorpion named Vaejovis brysoni in the same mountains. Pictures of this scorpion, pictured above, went viral because of the white colored babies the scorpion was carrying on her back.
As a scorpion enthusiast, and an avid outdoorsman, Dr. Ayrey has assisted in discovering, cataloging, and naming five different species of scorpions. Ayrey, and other entomologists were surprised that the two different species of mountain scorpions were found so close together. Typically, scorpions are territorial. They don’t like sharing their range.
The entomologists were also surprised that the new scorpions went undiscovered for so long, since they were so close to metro Tucson. Most new species discoveries come from areas untouched by man, like the rainforest. It’s just more proof of how little we really know about the creatures living in our own backyards.
Mountain scorpions, like the two new discovered scorpions, are dark brown in color. They range in size, but full grown they are about two inches in length. These scorpions live in elevations around 6,000 feet. They are also shaped differently then other scorpions, with different proportions and claws.
Like all other scorpions, these newly discovered species birth live baby scorpions, in which the mother will carry on her back. The new scorpion species venom is expected to be less toxic, just like other mountain scorpions, then that of a bark scorpion. A sting by a mountain scorpion fells much like that of a bee sting.
These newly discovered scorpions have left Arizonians thinking, “Just what we need, another type of scorpion.” This is because of the reputation of the Arizona Bark Scorpion.
These newly discovered scorpions have stings equivalent to that of a bee sting. Unfortunately, the most common scorpion in Arizona, the Arizona Bark Scorpion, has a sting that’s much more malicious. Bark scorpion stings are very painful, and very common. You don’t want these scorpions anywhere near you or your family. Get Phoenix Scorpion Control.
Termites (Photo credit: Gnilenkov Aleksey)
Termites have been to blame for billions of dollars of damages to homes in the US each and every year. Chemical treatments have long been the option used to fight infestations. However, many of the agents previously used have been banned due to their effect on other parts of our ecosystem, namely the way(s) their toxicity affected humans. We have since studied these critters and learned about them, their environments, their reproduction, and their habits. As a result, today we have more reliable and safer methods of termite extermination.
Aerosols are a big hit because of their ease of use. You simply spray any cracks found along the walls and floors. Be sure to spray any tubes and mounds you find as well. They’re also popular because they leave no odor or stain.
Termiticide is a pesticide used to kill… you guessed it, termites! Concentrates are made of termiticides by the elimination of its base (often water or oil). Usually, those mixed with water are deemed less toxic.
Termicide can also come in just a liquid form and is then often used as a spray. Sprays are effective against killing the termites that you see. The only residual outcome they produce is that some work as a repellant. Understand that as a repellent, this does not mean that such a spray would cause an evacuation of termites that are in a home. A spray as a repellant will simply keep them away from the area that is sprayed
Termite stakes are used as baits. Staking your home offers to these wood-eaters what they want (wood) plus a little something extra (poison). This is a slow-acting poison though, allowing the forging termites enough time to get back to their colony and infect the other members. Baits and stakes are a more complete option and are recommended for infestations for just about any type of pest.
With any termite control products, remember you are using chemicals and some are toxic to humans and pets. Be sure to use caution and read all labels for safety and direction. You should only use chemicals for their recommended use as expressed on packaging. Once you have completed your termite extermination, you’ll want to keep your home safe from these termites. Be sure that your termite plan involves a maintenance plan. This will save you time, money, and effort in the future.
This article was written by Crystal Pontington. Crystal is a member of the National Home Builders Association and frequently publishes articles that relate to home maintenance, including termite treatments and other pest control issues.
Imagine being fast asleep in a hospital room guest chair when you are suddenly awakened by tiny, horrific bites. That’s exactly what happened to a Valley couple last week.
According to a AZCentral report, a valley woman was waiting for her husband to recover from a surgery at Mountain Vista Medical Center in Mesa, AZ.
Kathy Troutt claims to be bitten by tiny bloodsucking bedbugs that she found in inside the arms of a hospital guest chair. After the incident, the woman snapped a quick picture of the tiny culprit, and informed the hospital staff.
The couple was relocated to a different hospital room, and the room with the alleged bedbug infestation was quarantined for bedbugs.
Troutt is adamant that she didn’t bring the bedbugs into the hospital herself. When asked, she responded, “I’m certain that these did not come from me.”
While no direct public comment has been made about the incident, the Mountain Vista CEO did release the following statement:
“Our hospital follows rigorous protocols regarding pest control. If an issue is brought to our attention, it is dealt with promptly and effectively.”
Arlin Troutt, the husband to the woman who was reportedly attacked by the bedbugs, made a post on Mountain Vista Medical Center’s Yelp page suggesting that there was more to the story. Read for yourself:
http://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=A39b_3uuC9mnj-TpW2levw
Bed Bug (Photo credit: agrilifetoday)
The above story illustrates that bedbug infestations are not limited to dilapidated apartment units or trailer parks. Bedbug infestations can even occur in the cleanest and most sterile of places… A hospital!
Bedbugs do not discriminate. They affect both the rich and poor alike. In fact, even celebrities battle bedbug infestations. These bloodsucking pests hitchhike on clothing and luggage looking for their next meal. Once transported, they will hide out in the furniture, mattresses, bedding, and along the floorboards of your home; awaiting their next blood meal. Bedbugs are a dark brown/red color. They are flat and oblong shaped.
Having bedbugs is nothing to be ashamed of– It does require a professional pest control strategy. If you suspect you have bedbugs in your home, get pest control today!
Arizona Heat Pest Services
