Bird droppings are an unsanitary biohazard. Large populations of roosting birds may present the risk of disease to people exposed to the area. Disease organisms can grow in accumulations of bird poop, feathers, and nesting debris under a roost. External parasites are also a problem resulting from a bird infestation. The parasites can invade buildings and bite people.

One of the diseases associated with bird waste is histoplasmosis. Most infections are mild and produce either no symptoms or a minor illness similar to influenza. On occasion, the disease can cause high fever, blood abnormalities, pneumonia and even death.

Another disease associated with pigeon droppings is cryptococcosis, which is yet another lung infection. Pigeon droppings are a common source of the disease fungus Cryptococcus neoformans in the environment. The fungus is typically found in accumulations of droppings around roosting and nesting sites, for example, attics & ledges of buildings. Even when old and dry, bird droppings can be a significant source of infection. Persons with weakened immune systems, however, are more susceptible to infection. The disease is acquired by inhaling the yeast-like cells of the organism.

Bird roosts can harbor parasites that may invade buildings. The northern fowl mite and chicken mite are two primary parasites associated with birds. Other parasites that may cause problems inside buildings include the pigeon nest bug (related to the beg bug), soft ticks, biting lice and the pigeon fly.

People involved in environmental cleanup of bird droppings should follow precautions to minimize risk from disease organisms in the droppings. This includes procedures such as sealing heating and cooling air ducts, wearing respirators that can filter particles as small as 0.3 microns, wearing biohazard suits or disposable protective gloves, hat, coveralls and and shoe coverings, moistening the bird waste with a mist of water to keep spores from becoming airborne, and properly disposing of the waste material.

Rodent control is so important to our world, as many diseases are spread by rodents of all types.  According to the CDC, many diseases are spread by breathing in dust that is contaminated with rodent urine or droppings.  In fact, here in Arizona, Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome was discovered a number of years ago in the Four Corners region of our state.  We also have Plague, that can be associated with the bite from a flea that came in contact with infected rodents and animals. 

This could be a scary story if not for the fearless members of the pest control industry and their valiant efforts to control all forms of pests, but especially mice, rats and other rodents across the world.  As professionals in Phoenix pest control and even wildlife control, they understand the importance to SEAL UP the structures we live and work in to prevent access from invading pests. 

Pest control experts also know that effective means of rodent removal from those that have already entered your homes and business require hard work and the knowledge of the animals to gain control. 

To get started they TRAP UP unwanted rodents through the utilization of proper trapping methods, which is still a leading method of rodent control, at least for mice and rats. And most importantly, CLEAN UP afterwards is especially important. 

As we already read, and if you took a look at the CDC chart, you can see that coming in contact with rodents, their urine and droppings is a major contributor in how the Diseases associated with rodents are spread, so the clean up procedures are extremely important.

If you plan to perform clean up after a rodent infestation has been found and removed, it is so important to protect yourself.  Always wear an appropriate mask and gloves, make every attempt to not stir up to much dust into the air, and use a strong disinfectant spray prior to removing the droppings and urine stains.

One last consideration that often goes untold, and primarily for those who work and reside in more of a rural area,  if you have or had a large rodent population, you may also have a snake population as well due to the fact that rodents are a popular food source for snakes.  Keep this in mind in your Seal up, Trap Up and Clean Up process for rodent control and just be careful to watch and Listen Up for snakes.

Should you have any further questions or need help in sealing up, trapping up or cleaning up your property for rodents, the folks at Invader Pest Management are always prepared to help.  Call 623-435-0228 or check us out on line.

Few pests can cause the amount of fear that comes from finding that your home is infested with rats.  Rats have a terrible reputation and rightly so, as they invade your home they can bring disease into your home, as well as cause structural damage, due to the rats eating insulation, electrical wiring and more.  Any Phoenix exterminator will tell you that in the area it is common to find this invader, as they have settled in and are here to stay.  Roof rat control has become one of the more popular reasons that people call Phoenix exterminators, due to the prevalence of these rats, who love warm climates.

Roof rats can enter your home through an opening as small as a quarter.  They can live in your attic or other parts of your home, preferring high places.  They travel from building to building by climbing fences and utility lines and this high-life tendency is where the “roof rat” name came from.  These rats can reproduce fairly quickly, with a female rat having up to four litters a year, meaning that the problem can spread quite quickly.

No doubt the number one question that people have when discovering rats is “How do you get rid of rat in your home?” The answer is easier than you think. Finding a pest exterminator in Phoenix is your first step to dealing with your roof rat problem.  Although most pest control services companies will know how to deal with rats, you may want to call a few places to learn about what types of methods they use and choose what works best for you and your family.

For example, some Phoenix exterminators will utilize trapping methods to capture the rats and screening and sealing to keep them from re-entry into your structure.  Obviously baiting is an option, but most professional pest managers will not bait on the interior of structure and only leave that method to exterior treatment, which in most cases will alleviate any bad odors associated with rodents dying in between walls and up in the attics.

Whatever method is used, a good Phoenix pest exterminator will also know that they need to identify where the roof rats likely entered the home to prevent other rats from entering the home.  These holes can be easily sealed to prevent you from having to call pest control services again in just a short amount of time.

Every year, many people move to the Phoenix area for its warm climate, which makes it popular for retirees.  There are many great benefits to living in the Phoenix area, but this great living does not come without a price.  Phoenix pest control companies get plenty of work in the area due to the large variety of pests that thrive here.  While some of these pests are a mere nuisance, some of them can actually be deadly.

While you should contact a pest control expert in Phoenix for any pest issue that you have, you need to be especially quick to contact pest control services if you are dealing with scorpions.  Scorpions have a sting that can not only be very painful to the recipient, but can actually inject you with venom that can be lethal.  This is especially dangerous for the young, who can be killed by a smaller amount of venom. 

Scorpion stings can lead to heart palpitations, breathing difficulty and even muscle control issues.  Seeing a scorpion on your property should result in an immediate call to a pest exterminator in Phoenix.  Although it is possible that the kind of scorpion you are dealing with is not the lethal kind, this is not something that you want to take a chance on and the problem needs to be dealt with immediately.

A spider infestation is another reason to quickly call a Phoenix pest control company.  Like scorpions, while many spiders are not harmful, there are species of spiders in Phoenix that can cause severe medical problems and even death.  The black widow spider is extremely poisonous and can be very harmful to children.  You do not want to take chances that the invader that you have in your home are of this deadly variety.  While many people also fear the brown recluse, we don’t specifically have a brown recluse in Phoenix.  We do have a spider called the Arizona Brown, and it is in the recluse family of spiders, although not commonly found in the city limits and more a problem in the outskirts of the valley in the farming communities.

Other more common pests such as bees and ants are not likely to be deadly to most people, although those allergic to bees and ants could have a severe allergic reaction to a sting that could result in death due to swelling of the airway.  Some people can also have bad reactions to bites from other types of insects and unfortunately this will not be known until it is too late and the damage has been done.  Thus, even seemingly mild pest issues should be dealt with by calling a Phoenix pest exterminator at the earliest opportunity and establishing a reoccurring pest control service at least every other month.

Depending on the pest control services company that you contact, the methods for removing these potentially deadly insects from your property can vary widely.  Be sure to speak with the pest management professionals prior to hiring them and discuss the various options that you have available to you.  While your first instinct is to have the problem removed any way possible, you need to keep in mind that certain poisons or chemicals that can be used can be harmful to any children or elderly that you may have in your home. 

You do not want to create a new problem in attempting to solve an existing one.  Quite frankly, just keeping the webs wiped down will reduce the population and stop the reproduction in it’s tracks.

Birds are normally nice to look at, some people even going so far as to set up feeders in their yard just to look at birds. In Phoenix however, the pigeon population is much more of a nuisance than a joy to look at.  Without pigeon control, pigeons often roost on the roofs of buildings and homes, causing a variety of problems.  Probably the number one problem with pigeons is the waste that they leave behind, both by shedding feathers and in the form of droppings.  Besides being unsightly, it is very unsanitary and can make your home or business unsafe.

When you have a pigeon problem, contacting a Phoenix exterminator is the first step.  You need to have the situation evaluated by a professional so that you can determine the best methods to stopping the problem.  Unlike some pest control services, such as those dealing with bed bugs, Phoenix pest control companies dealing with pigeons do not kill or even harm the pigeon.  The best methods are simply to deter the pigeons from roosting at your home or business and depending on the Phoenix exterminator you hire, different methods can be used to solve the problem.

One of the most common methods of pigeon control that you will see in businesses is using wires and spikes.  This procedure places sharp objects on the edges of roofs where pigeons like to sit, making it an uncomfortable place to stay.  However, such an option can be a bit unsightly and many homeowners do not want such an eyesore on their homes.  The beauty of a Phoenix home design should not be tainted by spikes simply as the only method to prevent pigeons.  Each home or business can be inspected and a custom treatment can be planned to not only solve the pigeon problem but also look out for the aesthetics of the property.

The Phoenix pest control company, Invader Pest Management, has several methods that are better for homeowners, such as netting off the areas to be protected from the birds and trapping and removing them from the area.  Some other options such as noise making devices may be a better option for long-term control of certain situations.  Whatever the method chosen, you can rest assured that the pigeon problem will be solved.

As I was reading the news and notes from the industry and the insect world, I came across the Top 10 Worst Bed bug treatment methods.  And while some of these may be somewhat humorous, for many people, bed bugs are no laughing matter. 

10.  Rubbing Alcohol / Baking Soda – a combination of these two common substances applied to your mattress or sofa.

9. Shutting the heat off – trying to freeze bed bugs in winter.

8.  WD-40 – it’s a lubricant not a pesticide.  But there are those who use it for everything.

7.  Olive oil – trying to make your skin to slippery for the bed bug to climb.

6.  Do-it-Yourself pesticides – choosing an exterior pesticide, it’s not only dangerous, but ineffective against bed bugs.

5.  Night Light – trying to fool the bed bugs by leaving the lights on all night.

4.  Fire Extinguishers – leaves a real mess, but does not control bed bugs by freezing them.

3.  Bug Bombs – not effective for bed bugs, increased pressure can cause explosion.

2.  Sulfer – was used in the 18th century, however not suggested today, burning it can cause dangerous gases.

And the #1 worst treatment for bed bugs – Gasoline/kerosene.  Using these products on the bed is a smelly situation, never mind the fire hazard – maybe this is where the Fire extinguisher comes in handy!

This information was gathered from PCO’s across the country, by Protect-A-Bed, a leading bed bug mattress encasement manufacturer and published in PCT magazine, a pest control industry trade magazine.

The number one BEST treatment method for bed bug control is calling a professional Pest Management company who specializes in Bed Bug Treatment.  Of course I’m biased and I recommend Invader Pest Management in the Phoenix area. Invader can be reached at 623-435-0228 for all your bed bug questions and bed bug control procedures including bed bug heat treatments.

It is safe to say that most people do not like rats. They are unattractive and sneaky, and they can invade your house, making it a torture zone. No one wants to spend every waking hour in fear of a rat that may or may not streak across the floor. No one wants to double check their food time and time again for rat droppings. How do you get rid of rats? Don’t let them in! Follow these tips to keep rats where they belong—outside.


Check for entry points – Rats don’t just magically appear in your home. They come in through an entry point, usually a crack, gap or doorway. That’s right. Rats can walk right in through a door. Something as simple as an inexpensive door sweep could help keep you rat free. Check your foundation vents, attic vents, windows and doors. Rats are often found in the roof because of all the access they can get in the attic. For this reason, roof rat control often starts in the attic. Even if you haven’t had any problems with rats, it is a good idea to check to entry point to ensure a problem doesn’t arise.

Check for food sources - Most people know not to leave food out in the open, but there are other food sources that can attract rats. If you have a birdfeeder or pets, keep their food in an airtight container and do not leave it out for long periods of time. Birdfeeders in particular should be placed away from the house and on poles. Trash and compost piles are notorious for attracting rats. Be sure you trash can are sealed tight and have no holes, and make sure your compost piles contain no animals products. If you have children, be sure to check their rooms often. Food can easily turn up under a bed or in a corner or closet.

Stack firewood off the ground- If you have a lot of fire wood, do not keep it on the floor up against a wall. Place it on something sturdy that stands at least 18 inches off the ground and away from the wall.

Trim branches that hang over your roof- Hanging branches aren’t just a hazard during ice storms, they also make it easy for roof rats to get into your roof and into your house. If there are any branches hanging over your roof, trim them (if you are skilled enough to do so) or get them trimmed professionally.

Keep your drains cleans- Rats are sometimes found in toilets and sink because they live in sewer pipes and sometimes follow them up and into your kitchen or bathroom. If you use a garbage disposal, always disinfect it afterwards, and avoid big food items that are likely to attract rats.  At least once a month, rinse your drains with a disinfectant. Never pour grease down your drain and keep a stopper in place. When not in use, keep toilet lids closed and tub drains closed.

If you already have a rat infestation problem, call a trusted rodent exterminator in Phoenix, like Invader Pest Management. They have been in business for over 16 years and have glowing reviews of their services.

With incredible record January temperatures, everybody’s loving Phoenix this winter, with 80 degree temperatures in the first week of January, nobody is more happy than our native friend, the Bark Scorpion. The Bark Scorpion just loves the warm weather.

We have been inundated with Phoenix pest control calls the first week of January because people are seeing scorpions and other pests inside their homes and businesses.


We are not surprised by this, in fact, there are many factors on why that is. 

1. Many people decided that with the economic situation as it has been over the past year or so, to cut back on expenses and drop their pest control companies – while this sounded good at that time they are now regretting that decision and calling to resume their service because they are experiencing lots of bugs, and especially with the scorpions being the main invader. 
2. With this warm winter weather, the scorpions can remain active.  Scorpions require temperatures above 76 degrees to be active, and our temperatures this 2012 new year have been at least that warm during the day time. When it’s warm in the daytime the scorpions make a bee line to your house, where they can stay comfy, even at night time for the rest of our winter. 2011 was the highest record of scorpion stings, and that was due to cut backs in regular pest control service, more people are coming back to their trusted pest control expert because they finally realized they just can’t live without pest control in Phoenix, Arizona.

If you have scorpion concerns, now is the time to get your 2012 pest control services up and running.  Call 623-435-0228 now or schedule on-line, Don’t wait for the scorpions to move in, get comfortable and start having babies!  Did you know that Scorpions have up to 49 babies?   

Invader Pest Management has been taking care of scorpions as well as bed bugs, roof rats, pigeons and termites for over 17 years in Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler and all the surrounding cities.

You have washed your sheets, numerous times. You used bleach. You even bought some harsh-smelling spray from the store and sprayed it all over the affected area. You were determined to handle your bed bug problem without calling pest control services or a Phoenix bed bug exterminator. Why do they keep coming back, you ask yourself. I’m as clean as I could possibly be. What is the problem?

The problem is that you haven’t called Invader Pest Management to perform their bed bug heat treatment. Bed bugs are resilient, and they do not just inhabit beds. They can be found on clothes, furniture, carpet and other places as well.  If you are only treating your bed, there is a good chance that you may be missing out on tons of other bed bugs that aren’t on your bed. Even if you have treated every possible affect area, there is still a chance that your treatments have been unsuccessful because your product choice is not sufficient enough to kill all the bugs. As bad at that spray you used might have smelled, it probably couldn’t kill the bed bug eggs. They often survive common eradication attempts and go on to repopulate the areas you just cleaned.

We often find that many do it yourself bed bug treatments are actually done incorrectly and can often be dangerous.  Many people who try and do bed bug treatments themselves will sometimes choose an outdoor only chemical from an improvement store, and make a treatment inside their homes, bedrooms and even on the mattress they or their children will be sleeping on.  PLEASE DON’T DO THIS.  You could have a terrible reaction to pesticides if they are improperly applied, that is why we stress using a professional, not only are we good at what we do, but we also protect you by choosing and using the correct pest control products when spraying must be done.

 

Our combination bed bug heat treatments are so successful because they are highly effective at killing both adult bed bugs and their eggs, wiping out the chance of a re-infestation. Not only are heat treatments more effective, but they are also better on the environment and your lungs and overall health. Heat treatments consist of exposing the affected area to high levels of concentrated heat, not chemicals. There are no noxious fumes left in the air for you to breath. This also means you are able to go back to using your bed and furniture more quickly because there is no need to wait for follow up chemical services 7 to 14 days later.   

Until you are able to ensure that all the bed bugs and their eggs are gone, they will continue to come back and infest your home. Bed bugs feed on your blood, so you will often see little reddish brown stains on your bed (or other piece of furniture) and may see small bruises or bite marks on your body. It is a disgusting feeling to realize you were being fed on in your sleep. This does not have to continue. Call Invader Pest Management today.

Termites are small, but they can be a huge problem for you and your home. They can literally eat through the wooden walls of the house you love so dearly. There are many people who suffer from a Phoenix termite control problem. You may be one of them. If this is a problem you are currently experiencing, you already know how stressful and frustrating it is. There is good news, however. Invader Pest Management is a qualified and trusted company that can offer our pest control services and put an end to your termite blues.

There are many effective termite products on the market, like Termidor for example, but the most important component is the actual company that will be administering the product. A company that sloppily uses the products will not get optimal results. They may help some, but you will still be left with termites in the long run. That means you will have wasted your money and efforts. Invader Pest Management is a qualified company that works hard for our customers. We have built our reputation over the years and stand by the work we have done and the homes we have saved.

We know how badly you want your home to be termite free, so we take our time to ensure everything is done correctly and to the highest standard. We offer environmentally responsible, effective treatments. The treatments are carried out by our highly trained and licensed Phoenix termite exterminators. We are so confident in our services that we offer our guarantee on our treatments.

Don’t put off the work because you assume it is too expensive or because you think it your termite problem is not that bad. Termites have literally destroyed houses to the point of serious damage and collapse. Do not wait until it is too late. Schedule a site termite inspection and evaluation so we can send our kind and informed technicians out as soon as possible to offer a no-obligation quote.

See our website at http://www.invader.net for coupons for savings on your pest and termite control plan. Remember, the sooner you act, the less damage the termites can do and the less likely are to have to replace an entire side of your house.