Monsoon season is upon us and all pests from scorpions to termites to mosquitoes are taking advantage of the moisture here in Chandler, Gilbert and the surrounding areas. If you have noticed an influx of bugs lately and want to protect yourself and your home from these unwanted pests, we have a few pointers.
Despite all your best efforts to keep pests away from your home and yard, unpredictable Arizona storms could very likely wash or blow away pest treatments, literally! Pest barriers that have been recently put down are ineffective when storms come through and cover everything with a film of dust and dirt. If it’s not the dust, then a downpouring of rain in the Valley may wash away or dilute previous treatments which will allow pests to come back. Whether you are more of the DIY kind of homeowner and handle your own pest maintenance or you prefer to have the professionals control pests, this time of year it is especially important to have a regular pest control program.
Staying aware and alert of any possible issues around your home, like suddenly finding scorpions in your garage, seeing small termite dirt tunnels around your foundation or feeling swarms of mosquitoes in the backyard, could help save you and your family from potentially harmful consequences.
Scorpions:
Heavy rains may flush out scorpions from their hiding places or they may take advantage of other insects being displaced by the wind and rain so scorpions may be more actively hunting after big storms. As mentioned in our scorpion prevention post, the biggest steps to keeping these critters out of your house will be to ensure your home is tightly sealed and to prevent piles of debris from accumulating inside and outside. Instead of using cardboard boxes for storage in your garage or shed, opt for plastic totes that are harder for scorpions to invade. To help prevent stings, always wear shoes inside and out. Also, when working outside (to clean up those piles) be sure to wear gloves. Because scorpion stings can be painful and may cause swelling or other issues, be sure to seek medical attention.
Termites:
Usually termite swarms can be seen right before a rainstorm because the newly hatched termites may disperse more easily with the wind and then quickly burrow in soil made damp and soft by the rains. Termites thrive when they have moisture so the monsoon rains help boost their activity. These prolific pests don’t pose a biting or stinging danger to humans but can be quite a threat to our homes, patios and sheds. Damage to these structures can be quite costly so if you see any signs of swarms or suspect any termite activity be sure to call your local pest control professional right away. There is a lot of misinformation out there about termites so it always pays to learn about the facts vs. myths of termites.
Mosquitoes:
Stagnant water left over from the monsoons acts as the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes since that is where they breed and lay their eggs. Besides having irritating and itchy bites, mosquitoes can unfortunately carry disease that could make humans and pets very sick and in some cases can even be fatal. To help protect your family and to enjoy your outdoor patio or yard make sure you remove any standing water. Mosquitoes will reproduce anywhere that water has pooled for three days or longer. There are some insect repellents or citronella candles that can help keep these pesky bugs away and if you can avoid being outside for prolonged periods at dusk and nighttime that may help you evade their bites.
Now that you’re ‘armed’ with this knowledge (and maybe some citronella) we hope it will help keep you and your family free of scorpions, termites and those pesky mosquitoes. If you ever find yourself in need of any type of pest control don’t hesitate to give us a call anytime.
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