Termagon Termite & Pest Control Blog

In the United States, bed bugs have staged quite a comeback in recent years. Their return is blamed on a rise in international travel, but you don't need to be a globetrotter to experience an infestation. The pest control experts at Termagon in Tucson, AZ, explain the many ways in which bed bugs gain entry into your home. How Did I Get Bed Bugs? Even if you don't consider yourself an international traveler, your household is vulnerable to the threat of bed bugs. These sneaky insects can invade your home in some pretty surprising ways. These include picking them up from someone else's home -- most likely an unknowing victim -- as well as from work, travel or an item brought into your house. In many of these situations, you or a family member innocently placed a belonging on an infested item. Bed bugs often hide out undetected on furniture, then...

Termites are destructive in every sense of the word, and their appalling reputation speaks for itself. Each year, property owners are forced to spend past their budgets to pay for the costly repairs that accompany termite damage. If you don't want these critters to wreak havoc on your home, it may be in your best interest to turn to a pest exterminator. Letting a professional inspect your property will be beneficial in more ways than you think. Regain Your Peace of Mind If you're like most homeowners, coming across mud tubes and droppings is going to leave you feeling a bit uneasy. Thankfully, a thorough inspection will go a long way toward eliminating your worries. Pest exterminators are experts at identifying the different termite species. While the infestation is being assessed, you can rest assured that your property will be treated with care and respect. The goal of every inspection is...

Termites are more than just a nuisance; they damage your home by feeding on the wood. This impairs the structure of the building. Termites can make their way through plaster and metal siding and feast on the wooden items within a building too. Even if your home is not made primarily of wood, you could be at risk of having termite problems. These pests often go unnoticed until considerable damage has occurred. Therefore, it’s important to know how to spot the signs of termites. Warped, Sagging Or Peeling Surfaces Drywood termites live inside of the wood in your home. They can create hollow tunnels within the wood long before they’re detected from the outside. Some signs of termite infestations mimic water damage. Floors may buckle or sag, the paint around windows may peel and ceilings can droop. As termites remove the material within floorboards, you may begin to notice that certain...

In the U.S., there are three primary types of termites and a total of 45 different species that are divided among each type. The three primary types of termites include subterranean, drywood and dampwood termites. The different types of termites have their own unique biology, which affects the areas of the U.S. in which they live and the damage that they cause. Subterranean Termites A member of the family Rhinotermitidae, subterranean termites live under the ground. These insects build the biggest nests out of any other type of insect in the U.S. Subterranean termites build mud tubes that connect from their nests to their sources of food, including the timbers of your home. These termites live in all U.S. states except Alaska. Subterranean termites cause the most damage to homes in the U.S. In Arizona, arid-land subterranean and desert subterranean termite species may both be found. Drywood Termites Drywood termites live...

Ants and termites – two similar pests with very similar characteristics. These crawling insects prefer to live outdoors but oftentimes find their way indoors to search for food and shelter. Though they're similar in size and anatomy, they differ with their dietary habits. Ants like sweets, and termites enjoy wood. The Main Difference Between Ants and Termites Some ant species, such as carpenter ants, are most like termites as they build their nests in wood. The key difference is that carpenter ants don't consume the wood as they chew and build tunnels. They only want to burrow deep into the wood so that they can have a secure place in which to raise their young. Termites also build their nests in wood. However, they devour the wood as they expand into the structure. Whereas carpenter ants only leave behind small holes and tunnels, termites leave nothing behind. They feed on the...

Wasps and bees have similar characteristics, so there is often significant confusion about the differences between these insects. Both wasps and bees build large dwellings to protect their queens, and they both rely on a network of honeycombs to protect young larvae. Wasps and bees are also both winged insects with stingers that people know instinctively to avoid. Understanding the differences between wasps and bees is important since different pest control methods should be used depending on which type of winged insects you need to eliminate. Differences Between Wasps and Bees Biologists classify both wasps and bees as members of the Hymenoptera order, but there are significant dissimilarities between their physical characteristics. Wasps have smooth skin while bees have distinctive fur on their abdomens. Bees form hives while wasps form nests. Bees tend to form large hives of about 75,000 insects while wasp nests often contain less than 100 insects. Bees...

If you have pests inside your home, you should take immediate action to prevent them from finding sources of food. Pests that find food can lay eggs, and then you could face the nightmare of having a full infestation inside your home. Pantries are one of the main areas inside a home where pests look for food, so you should take steps to prevent pests from getting into your food supply. By taking the right steps to keep pests away from your food, you can keep your family safe and avoid attracting pests to your home in the future. 1. Cover Food Items Pests often enter a home when they can smell the scent of food. You should keep your food sealed with plastic bags and airtight containers that will eliminate smells that can attract pests. If food does not come with resealable packaging, avoid using rubber bands or bag clips...

Every year, at least 82 percent of American homes have a problem with pests of one kind or another. While ants aren't the most dangerous pests in the world, they're certainly the most common. Here are a few tips to keep ants at bay this spring. Clean Your Home's Interior Often It goes without saying that ants are attracted to the food crumbs you'll find in pretty much any kitchen in the country. Vacuuming carpets and sweeping floors on a regular basis will go a long way towards reducing the likelihood of an infestation. Install Plants That Ants Can't Stand With a little creative landscaping, you can transform your yard into a formidable barrier that discourages ant colony proliferation. Chrysanthemums, spearmint and citronella grass are all proven ant repellents. If you like to grow produce, garlic is another plant species that ants can't seem to stand. Fumigate All Residential Spaces When...

The state of Arizona is situated on top of one of the largest and most active termite belts in the United States, making it a prime location for the development of infestations with these destructive pests. Both homeowners and business owners need to be aware of a few simple facts that can help them recognize and handle a termite infestation promptly before further destruction occurs. Consider the following three facts about termite control to protect yourself and your business in the future. 3 Things Arizona Businesses Need to Know About Termites 1. Know the Signs of an Infestation The most common sign of an active termite infestation is the presence of a recent swarm. A swarm describes a particular activity that termites engage in as they leave their nest to mate. During a swarm, a large group of termites will fly together to a specific point before they discard their shed...

If you or someone you know has noticed the signs of a bedbug infestation, you will want to solve the problem as soon as you can so that the pests won’t have enough time to spread. Before you get started, put in the effort to uncover common myths if you want to choose the right path.  Bedbugs Always Leave Bite Marks A common bedbug myth is that the pests always leave red marks on the skin after they feed, but that is not the case. While you will likely notice small bite marks when you have bedbugs, some people are immune to the symptoms. Those who don’t experience skin irritation could have bedbugs for months and not know about the problem.  Also, it's easy to confuse bedbug bites with the bite marks of other insects. Look for the other signs of a bedbug infestation if you suspect that the parasites have...

Although they might not appear to have any kind of positive value for the home or for the exterior of the home, there are a few types of spiders that are good to have around. On the other hand, there are spiders that you want to remove from the home as soon as you see them as they can bite and make you very ill. When you're looking at whether a spider is good or bad, you should pay attention to where the spiders are located and what they tend to eat because these elements can sometimes give an indication as to whether they are good or bad.A daddy longlegs is a type of spider that usually won't bother to hurt you even if you pick him up in your hand. He's there to seek out something to drink and to get rid of the other insects in the home. A...

Thanksgiving Day is a time to give thanks for everything that you hold dear, such as your friends, family and home. When termites invade your property, they threaten your happy home. These small insects do a lot of damage in a short time and can cost you thousands of dollars in repairs. Termagon is here to help you understand these insects and to deal with them in the most effective way. What Do Termites Look Like? People often mistake termites for ants because they both look so similar. Upon closer inspection, one notices termites have bigger heads and rounder abdomens. Though both species live in colonies, a termite colony is much larger and can be found in old logs and within a wooden structure such as a building. Why Do Termites Cause Problems? Termites cause problems because they devour wood, which puts your home and any wooden objects on your property...

The honeybees with which Americans are most familiar are European honeybees that began arriving in the New World with the Spanish explorers. In the centuries since, honeybees from the Old World have comprised virtually all of the bees kept for pollination and honey production. In the 1950s, a research scientist in Brazil imported some bees from Africa to breed with European honeybees. African bees displayed greater resistance to disease and produced more honey than their European cousins. The researcher's goal was to create a cross-bred bee that would be productive under tropical conditions. However, 26 swarms, including queens, were accidentally released into the wild. The bees began breeding with native honeybees, and their descendants quickly expanded northward. Africanized bees were first discovered in California in 1985, in Texas in 1990 and in Arizona in 1993. A study of trapped bees conducted in the Tucson area in 1994 found that 15 percent...

Termites and carpenter ants share a love of wood that can result in extensive damage to a structure. Both are adept at concealing their presence, so they sometimes have years to work undisturbed before they are detected. Furthermore, since termites and carpenter ants appear quite similar to the untrained eye, many people frequently mistake one for the other. However, there are some differences in behavior and appearance that can make it easier to determine whether the invading pests are termites or carpenter ants. Differences in Behavior Termites can digest cellulose, so they actually eat wood. Carpenter ants do not eat wood; they remove it to create a hollow area for a nest or gallery. Although both species may establish a gallery inside the walls of a structure, some termites prefer mud mounds for shelter; these mounds can be below or above the ground. Of the two pests, only termites build mud...

At Termagon, one of the pests we encounter most are bedbugs. These brown, oval-shaped parasites have been making a comeback since the 1990s, so it wouldn't be surprising if your suspicions turned out to be right and you actually found them in your home. How Bedbugs Get In Despite the stigma that attaches to a property with bedbugs, these pests don't discriminate between low-class and high-class establishments. No matter how clean or well-maintained a home is, bedbugs will get in as long as the home provides food and warm shelter. They can squeeze through almost any crack in the exterior. More often, though, they dwell in hotels and motels and latch onto occupants' clothing and luggage, especially warm electrical devices like laptops; in this way, they infiltrate homes without any effort whatsoever. Once they're inside, they migrate to tight spaces like cracks in the walls and baseboards and to cluttered areas...

Since 1995, Termagon Inc. has proudly served customers throughout Maricopa, Pima, Pinal and Santa Cruz counties with all of their pest control needs. A family owned and operated business, we are dedicated to prioritizing customer service and are rated as number one in customer satisfaction. We offer both commercial and residential services to meet your needs, and we are fully licensed and insured. Our expert technicians work closely with our customers to develop plans of action that will help to rid their homes and businesses of pests while also preventing their return. All of our staff and managers are up-to-date on the latest advancements in pest control technologies. We ensure that they complete all of the required state education courses for pest control and prevention. We use a combination of chemical and nonchemical approaches to help to eliminate pests and to prevent recurrences of the problem. We help homeowners with controlling...

For most people, the differences between a wasp and a honey bee are not as important as escaping them whenever they fly too near. However, while they are both stinging insects, their differences are important when it comes to receiving proper pest control. This post will help you determine whether you are seeing wasps or honey bees and the proper steps to take for pest control. Body Type The easiest way to tell which insect you're dealing with is to look at the shape of its body. Luckily, honey bees and wasps look different enough that you should be able to tell which one you're looking at without getting too close. Honey bees have furry, rounded, fat bodies and fuzzy, flat legs. Wasps, on the other hand, have sleek, thin bodies and slender, hairless legs. Wasps also have a telltale curve to their torso, which makes them a bit easier to...

Nobody likes an uninvited party guest, especially when it has six legs. Ants are notorious for appearing where they're least welcome, and picnics with lots of people and enticing food are especially vulnerable to pest invasion. This year, don't let your Memorial Day festivities be interrupted by pests; with a little prevention, you can keep ants away from your food and guests. Why Do Ants Love Picnics? Ants are social insects, and they are constantly on the search for high-energy foods to take back to the colony and feed their queen. Since many favorite summertime foods are loaded with sugar and fat, ants are eager to get a piece of the meal for themselves. Unfortunately, they can ruin your meal in the process. No one wants to find ants in the lemonade or deal with the itchy after-effects of ant bites. Worst of all, ants leave behind pheromone trails that will...

Termite damage costs homeowners across the U.S. over $5 billion each year, and business owners are by no means immune. When trying to identify termites on your business property, the first thing to know is that there are two types to watch out for: subterranean and drywood. Let's look at the differences between them. Drywood Termites Drywood termites can be split up into three groups: workers, soldiers, and swarmers. The average drywood termite grows to about 1/2 inch in length and vary in color from red (swarmers) to creamy white (most workers and soldiers). Each boasts two sets of wings, and they fly from here to there in search of dry wood to feed on as well as nest in. For this reason, they often migrate to the attic and infest walls, picture frames, and furniture. In case you find damaged wood, you should know that these termites eat both along...

Termites are some of the most resilient insects in the world, so these past can present a serious challenge to homeowners. When the right protections are not in place, termites can find their way into a home and begin reproducing at a rapid rate. As a termite population continues to increase exponentially, the damage done to a home can be catastrophic. Taking care of termite infestations, therefore, should be perceived as an urgent priority for homeowners experiencing problems with these pests. 1. Termites Are Good at Hiding When termites first enter a home, it is rare for people to be aware of their presence before severe damage has been done. Termites prefer to stay out of sight in dark areas, such as behind walls and inside floorboards, where they are safe from humans and there is plenty of wood to eat. Most homeowners become aware of a termite infestation after seeing...