Pest Control and Bug Exterminator Blog

If you have recently moved to Phoenix, Arizona, there are some notable insect, bug and pest control concerns, that are prominent in the region. These common pests include a variety of aggressive ants, as well as venomous spiders and scorpions. These dangerous pests, travel from the surrounding arid desert environment, to the shelter of lush gardens and plentiful food and water, that is common in populous Arizona cities; like Phoenix.

Below, is a list of the three Phoenix pest control problems, that I consider to be the most notable, dangerous and (at times) highly venomous:

Number 3: Not to be under-estimated, the Fire ants in Phoenix are highly aggressive, and (without hesitation) will attack anything that disrupts their nest. In fact, it is estimated that more than twenty million Americans are stung by Fire ants, every year. Furthermore, this dangerous pest will swiftly invade homes, yards and fields, consuming (almost) any plant or animal material; including other insects.

Black Widow Spider - Red Hour Glass

Number 2: Honorable mention and runner-up for most dangerous/most venomous pest problem in Phoenix, is the Black Widow spider. When disturbed, this spider will (most often) attempt to escape, rather than attack. Nevertheless, Phoenix pest control professionals strongly advise, that residents exercise extreme caution when confronted by an adult Black Widow spider; as they are highly venomous. How dangerous are Black Widow spiders? Well known prey of this pest include the other two members of this “Most Dangerous” list: Fire ants and scorpions!

Number 1: Likely the most feared of the local pests, is the Arizona Bark scorpion. Considered the most venomous of all scorpions in North America, the venom from a Bark scorpion can cause extreme and severe pain in adults, typically lasting between twenty-four and seventy-two hours. To the disappointment of local officials and residents, local studies are reporting that scorpion attacks are on the rise in Phoenix; and The Valley.

Just like much of the human population, common pests like Fire ants, Black Widow spiders and Arizona Bark scorpions, prefer the cooler temperatures of Phoenix properties, homes and businesses; over the blazing Sonoran Desert sun. As such, when the temperatures in Phoenix rise considerably, you can be certain that the number of calls for pest control will increase proportionately; as well.

Related articles

• How the Scropion Anti-venom, Anascorp, Saved a Young Boy’s Life (blogpestcontrol.com)
• Scorpion Anti Venom now approved by FDA – Prevent Scorpion Bites (pestcontrolseo.wordpress.com)
• Bulwark Exterminating Pest Control- Scorpion Control (pestcontroltulsaok.com)
• Scariest Spiders (pestcontrolseo.wordpress.com)

We all know that spiders are scary even when it’s not Halloween. So, what do the 5 Scariest Spiders dress up like on Halloween to give you a real fright? Well we took a peek at this year’s festive costumes of the Black Widow Spider, the Brown Recluse Spider, the Tarantula, the Camel Spider, and the Desert Hairy Scorpion. But who wore it best? Which spider/arachnid is taking home the scariest spider prize? Who needs spider control?

Check it out and vote below:

Black Widow cast herself as Lidsay Lohan (a repeat offender… referring to last year’s Halloween Treat) Sorry Scarlet Johansson but you won’t be playing the Black Widow tonight, but the shy Brown Recluse Spider may have found your cell phone. Sir Herman Cain gets props on his Godfather’s Pizza from the Tarantula. The military boys had enough influence on the Camel Spider that Ron Paul gets the Camel Spider vote. And well, the Desert Hairy Scorpion is feared enough so digging out a scary costume meant going for the gold in fear force names, Chuck Norris.

To Vote and Enter for our Halloween Treat

Two Options and 2 chances:

1- Login to Facebook and Vote on our Facebook Poll: http://facebook.com/bulwarkpestcontrol

2- Tweet your vote with a link to this post: “I vote _______ as the scariest spider: http://blwrk.us/ScarySpiders”

The Poll Closes on Halloween at Midnight. So vote by Oct. 31st.

Image via Wikipedia

These tiny ant pests are called “crazy,” because they scramble randomly, at speeds much greater than the average house ant. They are called “hairy,” because of the tiny fuzz that covers their body, making their abdomen look less glossy; than other ant species. Regardless, neither of the two designations (crazy or hairy), paint a comforting picture for residents at risk; of a Crazy Hairy ant invasion.

Already well-established and constantly on the move, these ant pests have disable huge industrial plants and invaded homes, urban centers and rural areas in Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana; and now North Carolina. Although the cost of Charlotte ant control treatments can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per year, damaged equipment and related costs associated with production loss; can quickly exceed those modest figures.

Making matters worse, if one Crazy Hairy ant gets electrocuted, its death releases a chemical, that summons other Crazy Hairy ants to attack the threat. In fact, one exterminator said “…  if a hundred-thousand are killed, millions more will follow.” Tom Rasberry, who found the first Texas specimens of the Crazy Hairy ant species (in the Houston area in 2002), conducted a remarkable test site with an experimental ant control product. In thirty days he observed and recorded two inches of dead ants, covering an entire half an acre. “It looked like the top of the dead ants was just total movement from all the live ants on top of the dead ants.”

As these ants travel from state to state in cargo containers, hay bales, potted plants, motorcycles and moving vans, officials are eager to discover new treatment solutions; to battle the “crazy” invaders. In Texas, state officials have temporarily approved two effective chemicals, to help control the ant invaders. Other states, like Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and North Carolina, are also actively searching for new pest control methods, to prevent the spread of the Crazy Hairy ant invaders.

Related articles

• Crazy, Hairy Ants Attack! (weeklyworldnews.com)
• Here Are the ‘Hairy Crazy Ants’ Invading the South [Video] (gawker.com)
• Hairy, crazy ants invade from Texas to Miss. (gunnyg.wordpress.com)
• Crazy Rasberry Ants now called Crazy Hairy Ants

Image via Wikipedia

The Bat is a Fellow Bug Exterminator

As a general rule, bats are not very popular with people, regardless of any benefits the pest management experts say they provide. Too often, bats are perceived by the general public, as dangerous, ugly and frightening. But, what most people are not aware of, is that those “hideous” bats prevent billions of dollars in damage to the U.S. agriculture industry, by consuming common insect pests that frequently eat and destroy important crops. In fact, it has been estimated that bats provide the American agriculture industry with free pest control services, that are valued at (upwards of) fifty three billion dollars a year! …Gives new meaning to bat pest control.

Some people would also be surprised to know, that bats do not just exterminate large amounts of common insect pests, across the United States. The bats’ free natural insect control contribution, reduces potential pesticide use by property owners and farmers, and helps to keep entire eco-systems; in delicate balance. As well, other important contributions made by bats, include: a vital role in pollinating many popular species of plants (like mangoes and bananas) and innovative medical applications; that suggest vampire bat saliva prevents strokes (Draculin). Nevertheless, people despise them, everywhere.

And the Vampire Bat?

Image via Wikipedia

Although movies and television have spent decades using bats to frighten audiences, people should re-think their negative feelings toward the bat population across America, and consider that of the 1200 recognized species of bats; only three actually feed on blood. And those three species, very rarely have an encounter with humans. Furthermore, any danger that is associated with a bat bite, is attributed to the potential for the transmission of disease; such as rabies. With that being said, the benefits that bats consistently offer to farmers and families across America, definitely overshadows any risk associated; with an unlikely bite or attack.

Related articles

• Iowa on watch for foreign insect invaders (thegazette.com)
• Unfair To Bats (naturalhistorywanderings.com)
• Mysterious Plague Killing Off Bats (abcnews.go.com)
• Vampire Bats Detect Blood With Their Noses (huffingtonpost.com)

And if you need Bat control, you can count on Vamoosevarmint

Got Scorpions in Your Neighborhood?

Find out if you have scorpions in your neighborhood at ScorpionReport.org Because what you don’t know can hurt you. And knowledge is power. -Bulwark Exterminating Scorpion Control

Image by ian boyd via Flickr

According to a new study, male Crickets have shown signs of chivalry to their female partners.  In a situation of danger, males will allow the female to enter the burrow first, even if there isn’t enough room for him.  Putting his life in danger for the female, often times allows him to mate with the female more and more often then he would have before.  Although crickets aren’t very intelligent, it is believed to be an instinctive trait among them.  What was long thought to be a human-only trait has now been found in field crickets.  Who knows, maybe other creatures and critters have this trait as well, we just haven’t found them yet.

Related articles

• Chivalry is not dead, at least among crickets (news.bioscholar.com)
• Cricket Chivalry: Ladies First, Please (abcnews.go.com)
• Male Crickets Risk Lives to Let Females Go First (neatorama.com)

His influence has touched so many industries, including our own pest control industry. His impact will be felt in future pest control companies as well.

Apple.com