Arizona’s hot summer weather means there is often a huge amount of pest activity inside and outside of houses and commercial buildings. The monsoon season makes pests an even bigger problem, since heavy rains can drive some of them out of their underground nests and into buildings. Rain also provides insects and other pests with the water they need to survive and reproduce. Discover the most common types of pest infestations in Phoenix and Tucson and find out how to prevent and overcome them.
Ants
When spring arrives in Arizona, the common ant species become more active, because of the emergence of new queens who are ready to establish their own nests. They are even more active throughout the monsoon season. Some ant species are merely a nuisance, but species like carpenter ants and fire ants can be a much bigger problem.
Carpenter ants are attracted to wood since they make their nests by boring through the wood and using all the pieces as nesting materials. Like termites, carpenter ants have the potential to do major damage to buildings, since they often end up nesting and boring tons of holes in wooden joists and studs.
While the primary habitat of the two most prevalent fire ant species in Arizona is the outdoors, there are instances where they can be found in places like sheds and detached garages. The main issue with a fire ant infestation is that they are extremely aggressive and prone to biting to defend themselves. Their bites are also excruciating and can even potentially result in death if the ants swarm or the person is allergic, with elderly people and infants being at the highest risk.
Forelius ants and sugar or pavement ants are two of the species most likely to infest homes since they often come inside in search of food. These species won’t cause damage, but they are still unsanitary and something you want to get taken care of.
The best way to prevent ant infestations inside a building is to make sure you keep everything clean and don’t leave any food sitting out. Using lids on your trash cans also helps to prevent the ants from having access to a food source. Keeping the outside of the building clean and making sure there are no sources of wood near the building helps to avoid issues with carpenter ants. When dealing with any type of ant infestation, you normally won’t be able to get rid of the infestation yourself.
The infestation will often worsen over time as well, which is why it’s you should contact a professional pest control company at the first sign of an infestation. It’s also important to seal up any potential access points in the exterior structure of your building to stop ants and other pests from getting inside.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are one of the most common pest problems in Arizona. As with ants, they are attracted to dirty environments and any sources of food. Some species will just occasionally get inside but prefer living outside, while others prefer to nest and live inside buildings where they have steady access to food and water. If you see a few cockroaches inside, many others are likely present as well. If you don’t hire a pest control company to deal with the problem and eliminate entry points, you’ll almost certainly end up with more and more of them inside as they can reproduce quickly.
Termites
Termites are one of the worst pests because of the extensive structural damage they can cause. Avoiding wood and vegetation near the building deters pests. Once they get inside, the only way to get rid of them is with professional termite control. If you suspect your building has termites, it’s important to act fast to limit the amount of damage they can cause. If you want to detect a termite infestation, keep an eye out for signs such as holes present in wood, window and door frames, sheetrock, or even windows and doors that are difficult to open. Additionally, the presence of insect wings can also be an indication of a termite problem. Another sure sign of a termite issue is if you see mud tubes in the ground near the building since these tubes lead to subterranean termite nests.
Scorpions
It is common to find scorpions under potted plants, woodpiles, and other places where they have shelter. The reason that they’re often attracted to buildings is because of potential sources of water. Keeping the area around the building clean and eliminating sources of water and shelter can help to keep scorpions away. If you already have them nesting around your building or you see multiple scorpions inside, it’s time for professional pest control. That’s because the only way you can usually get rid of them is by using insecticide. Another issue is that the reason scorpions may live inside your building is that of other types of pests that the scorpions are feeding on. If you consistently observe scorpions indoors, it implies the potential existence of multiple infestation types.
Mosquitoes
Mosquito eggs and larvae can only survive in water. That’s why it’s important to check around your property regularly, ensuring there is no standing water inside buckets, birdbaths, or anywhere else. Adult mosquitoes seek shelter in tall grass and weeds, which is why you need to keep your lawn trimmed short and your property free of weeds. Unfortunately, there’s often nothing you can ever do on your own to keep mosquitoes away from your property. If you have a constant influx of them swarming around outside or getting inside, the best and only effective solution is with a mosquito lawn treatment. This type of treatment will eliminate any mosquitoes and keep them returning for up to a month.
Bees and Other Stinging Insects
Bees, wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets often make their nests on buildings or inside attics or voids in walls if they can find a way in. Having any type of stinging insects nesting on your property is never something you want. Trying to spray and kill them yourself also creates a high risk of getting stung. That’s why the best option is to have a pest control company exterminate the nests. If you have any flying insects nesting inside, you also need to determine where they’re getting in through and seal the access point up.
Phoenix Metro and Tucson Pest Control and HVAC Experts
With over 15 years of experience, Bucksworth Services is the top choice for residential and commercial pest control in Phoenix, Tucson, and the East Valley area. We take a comprehensive approach to pest control and always take the time to identify the reason for the infestation and what steps are necessary to overcome it. As the area’s leading pest control company, we will provide expert help and advice no matter what type of pests you’re dealing with.
We provide free estimates and our 24-hour promise means that we’ll be there within a day of when you call. Our Pest-Free Guarantee ensures that we’ll do whatever it takes to eliminate your pest problem. At Bucksworth Services we not only offer pest control but also are a full service HVAC company offering AC, Furnace, and indoor air quality services.
Don’t wait any longer. Get in touch with us today to schedule a pest control consultation and inspection.
