There are more than 45 species of scorpions found in Arizona. Most common in the Scottsdale area is the Bark Scorpion which also happens to be the most venomous and only lethal scorpion in Arizona. The sting of the Bark Scorpion is can be fatal to young children, the elderly and those who are allergic to the venom.

Scorpions are often found in the desert, although there are many urban habitats that are attractive to the scorpion. Scorpions are often found near mountains, buttes and the outskirts where there has been little urbanization. New construction can cause scorpions to move from there habitat this explains why homes adjacent to new construction often find themselves infested. A water source such as a lake or canal will attract prey for scorpions.

If you notice scorpions around your Scottsdale home, Bug Guardian Pest Prevention will find the cause or causes of your scorpion infestation and work with you to solve your problem. Instead of spraying with toxic chemicals we offer Organic, Natural, Pesticide Free Scorpion Pest Control for the safety of you and your family. Call Bug Guardian Pest Control today if you notice a scorpion problem in your home.

The most effective way to deal with a bed bug infestation is to hire a Pest Management Professional (PMP), frequently known as an “Exterminator”. If you try to control bed bugs on your own you are likely to fail. When looking for a PMP take the time to do some research and find a good company. The cheapest may not be the best option.

Questions to Ask the Pest Management Professional

When looking for a PMP to help you, we recommend that you ask the following questions:

• Are they licensed? Ask to see the issued license before work commences.
• Does your company carry liability insurance?
• Is the company affiliated with the National Pest Management Association? (The NPMA has drafted best management practices for their members to follow).
• Check with the Better Business Bureau to learn if the company has a complaint history.
• How much experience does the company and applicator have inspecting and treating for bed bugs? What kind of training do employees receive, and how often?
• What is the company’s standard procedure for dealing with bed bug infestations?
• What is the length of the treatment?
• What are your (as the customer) responsibilities in helping control the infestation?
• Ask the PMP if follow up visits, after the initial treatment, are part of the management plan?
• If a heat treatment is planned, does the company also use a supplemental insecticide?
• What safety precautions need to be taken during a bed bug treatment?

Additional Information

• Effective insecticide treatments may require three types: residual chemicals that have a specific duration, immediate acting (chemicals that come in contact with bed bugs), and dust (applied to hiding areas of bed bugs away from human activity).

Reviewing the Contract

When you have selected the pest control company that you would like to hire, carefully review the contract for:

• Company name, address, contact information
• Details on work to be completed
• Insecticides or treatment methods to be applied
• Any pre-treatment instructions you will need to follow
• Start/end date and dates for follow up visits (if necessary)
• License and insurance coverage offered by the company
• Any possible exclusions, cancellation policy, and arbitration clause to settle disputes
• Guarantee
• Price

If insecticide products are to be applied, you can request a copy of the product label and copies of the material safety data sheet (MSDS). Reputable pest control companies will provide these documents and review them with their clients as part of their service contract.

Preparation for Treatment

Prior to the treatment date follow any instructions supplied by the PMP. Following these instructions is critical for successfully controlling bed bugs and may include:

• Laundering your clothing and bedding
• Reducing clutter, picking up all objects from the floor
• Making physical repairs to your home
• Moving furniture and items so perimeter of room is accessible
• Emptying closets, bedside tables and dressers
• Encasing mattresses and box springs

After the Pest Management Professional has completed treatment, contact the company if you have concerns or questions.

At Bug Guardian we wanted to take the time to answer some of the questions you have about Arizona pests. It is our hope that with this knowledge you will be able to better understand the pests that live around us and if the need arise contact us with all your pest control needs.

What makes homes attractive to pests?
Pests are attracted to food, water and shelter. Exclusion techniques and removing food and water sources will help deter pests. Simple measures such as keeping food in sealed containers and cleaning up after each meal to avoid leaving crumbs can help. Fix leaky pipes and drains to ensure that if pests do get in, they won’t have ideal conditions in which they can thrive.
How do pests get into homes?
Pests enter structures through cracks and crevices around windows, doors, along foundations, ripped screens, uncapped chimneys, and also through holes where utilities enter a structure. Firewood, groceries, and other deliveries can carry pests in, too. Seal any openings with silicone caulk or steel wool, and to avoid hitchhiking pests, examine packages thoroughly before bringing them inside.
Where are pests most likely to settle in?
Pests have direct access to basements and attics through roofs and foundations, so they should be kept well ventilated, dry, and clutter-free. Also, because of the concentration of food and water, kitchens and bathrooms are other common areas.

At Bug Guardian we wanted to take the time to answer some of the questions you have about Arizona pests. It is our hope that with this knowledge you will be able to better understand the pests that live around us and if the need arise contact us with all your pest control needs.

What makes homes attractive to pests?

Pests are attracted to food, water and shelter. Exclusion techniques and removing food and water sources will help deter pests. Simple measures such as keeping food in sealed containers and cleaning up after each meal to avoid leaving crumbs can help. Fix leaky pipes and drains to ensure that if pests do get in, they won’t have ideal conditions in which they can thrive.

How do pests get into homes?

Pests enter structures through cracks and crevices around windows, doors, along foundations, ripped screens, uncapped chimneys, and also through holes where utilities enter a structure. Firewood, groceries, and other deliveries can carry pests in, too. Seal any openings with silicone caulk or steel wool, and to avoid hitchhiking pests, examine packages thoroughly before bringing them inside.

Where are pests most likely to settle in?

Pests have direct access to basements and attics through roofs and foundations, so they should be kept well ventilated, dry, and clutter-free. Also, because of the concentration of food and water, kitchens and bathrooms are other common areas.

Kitchens have always been a gathering place in the home; however, there are some unwelcome visitors homeowners would rather not gather in the place where we store, cook and eat our food – pests! Cockroaches, rodents, fruit flies and pantry pests can all easily find their way into kitchens contaminating foods, spreading bacteria and ruining a “sacred” space in the home. At Bug Guardian we have a list of way on how to keep your Arizona home kitchen pest free!

• Keep counters, floors, pantry shelves, cabinets and sinks clean, as crumbs and spills are obvious pest attractants.
• Only purchase food in sealed packages that show no sign of damage.
• Once packages are opened, move ingredients into sealed glass or Tupperware-type containers with secure lids before storing them in the pantry or cabinet.
• Check expiration dates on baking ingredients before use and visually inspect previously opened items before adding them to a recipe.
• Dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles.
• Seal cracks or holes around the stovepipes and water pipes.
• Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains.
• Consult a licensed pest professional if an infestation has already taken root.

Signs of Fleas in Anthem Arizona

Many signs can indicate flea activity.  A common indication would be pets that repeatedly scratch and groom themselves. This is caused by the discomfort of the flea activity as the adult fleas feed on the pet’s blood. People also may experience bites which leave behind itchy bite marks (a medical doctor can be consulted, since there are other sources of skin irritation beside fleas). Flea dirt, the adult flea feces, also can indicate activity. Flea dirt looks similar to coarse ground black pepper and may be seen in pet beds, carpets, rugs and other areas where the animal host rests.

Fleas In Anthem Homes

Fleas depend on a blood meal from a host to survive, so most fleas are introduced into the home via pets or other mammal hosts. On some occasions, fleas may become an inside problem when the host they previously fed on is no longer around. Then fleas focus their feeding activity on other hosts that reside inside the home. An example of such a situation is when a mouse inside the home is trapped and removed, the fleas that previously fed on the mouse are then forced to feed on pets or people.

Get Rid of Fleas: Flea Control

Flea infestations require multifaceted treatment plans. Addressing only a pet’s infestation or individual flea bites will not prove effective for ridding your home of fleas. Effective flea control should encompass both chemical and physical methods and should be conducted on your pet as well as inside and outside of your home. Contact a Bug Guardian Pest Prevention today.