Termagon Termite & Pest Control Blog

  Small but hungry, termites pack quite the punch when it comes to infesting your home or business.  Our expert pest control technicians here at Termagon Termite & Pest Control get quite a few calls about termite infestations. The questions often revolve around the types of termites to prevention tips. Today, let’s talk about the different types of termites that you may be unfortunate enough to encounter as a home or business owner.  What Are Termites? Often called the worst pests in the world, termites are very small insects that look similar to ants. They eat cellulose that comes from dead or rotting wood, including wood chips, firewood and more. They also love to go after the wood in your home or business.  What Are the Different Types of Termites? The United States has around 45 different species of termite. Arizona has at least 17 species of termite, including the three...

Keeping your home well maintained takes a lot of time, effort and money. The same is true of a business. If you are a homeowner and a business owner, then you know of the overwhelming sense of responsibility to keep things clean, safe and working properly. Part of keeping your space clean and safe is investing in pest control treatments. Keep reading for more information on the benefits of scheduling routine pest control for your home or business.  Prevent Future Infestations With a routine pest control inspection and treatment plan, you are proactively preventing pests from invading your home or business. Of course, instances of pests coming into your space can still occur. However, as the area is continually checked, there is a less likely chance of a major infestation that can cause a lot of damage to the building. Save Money Preventative treatments for pest control generally cost less than...

  In most cases, bees are not pests. They pollinate flowers, buzz around and generally do not bother humans unless they are provoked. Wasps, however, are often aggressive and generally lumped into the same category as bees. If you see a few bees around your home or business, it is not a cause for concern. Even the occasional wasp, while unnerving, should be fine. Unfortunately, sometimes bees and wasps decide to make their nests near, on or even in our homes and businesses. If that’s the case, particularly if you or someone who frequents the location is allergic, you’re going to want to remove them as soon as possible.  When To Worry As we mentioned, a few wasps or bees usually are not a problem. It is when there’s a nest, especially in a high traffic area, that you might need to worry about them. If you notice more wasps or...

Much like lice or ticks, bed bugs are parasites that feed on your blood while you sleep. Not only are they unsanitary and cause red, itchy bites, but they can be difficult to remove completely from your home. Instead of handling a bed bug infestation on your own, it is beneficial to hire a pest control professional. Keep reading on how you can benefit from calling a professional to get rid of bed bugs.  Preventing the Spread The longer that you wait to treat the issue, the more damage can occur. Bed bugs will continue to spread the longer that they are left untreated. There are options for treating bed bugs on your own, such as washing all bed sheets, comforters, blankets and clothing. Afterward, placing these items in the dryer on high heat is most effective in killing these pests. However, because they can get into your mattress, box spring,...

While they might not carry the “ew” factor of pests such as cockroaches or spiders, no homeowner wants to see ants inside their house. The presence of ants usually suggests food, dirt and other messes that have not been cleaned properly. If you notice only a couple of ants, there's a very good chance that there are hundreds more somewhere just out of sight. Getting rid of ants is a top priority, but it is hard to do if you do not know what type of ants you are dealing with. With over 700 species of ants active in North America, it is vital to know what kind of ants are infesting your home. Here are some of the more common types of ants you might find in your house: Pavement Ants If you see a line of ants in your house, there is a good chance they are pavement ants....

Lice infestation will cause an itchy scalp and various skin conditions, including eczema and allergies. You may also become allergic to soap and shampoo. For that reason, it is essential to know how to check and diagnose lice. What do Lice Look Like? Spotting a small, white louse in your loved one's hair will make you panic. But this is an essential step of identifying and preventing lice infestations. A lice is a parasite known for feeding on human blood. Understanding what it looks like can help control infestation before it spreads in your household. For people who were asking themselves what do lice look like, the information presented in this article will enlighten them about these pests. Lice Identification and Infestation The first thing you should do when identifying the infestation of lice is wetting your hair or that of your child. The process slows lice down while making it...

It can be somewhat difficult to realize that you have a termite infestation in your home if you do not know what signs to look for. Here at Termagon Termite and Pest Control we have experience identifying the signs of a termite problem. Here are some signs that you have a termite infestation.  Blisters in Wood Flooring Blisters in wood flooring could be an indication that termites are feeding below the surface. If you notice stains that look like water damage on your wood floors, those are most likely from termites, as well.  As termites begin to eat and destroy wood surfaces in your home, their teeth marks often look like water damage. If you see this happening to your wood floors, you should call an exterminator immediately.  Termite Droppings Termites nest inside of wood and then eat that wood to make a hollow space to live in. As a result, their excrement...

As a basic rule for thoughtful landlords, a high priority should be placed on pest control. The implied warranty of habitability guarantees that rental properties are to maintain a certain standard of cleanliness and safety. The unexpected presence of pests can certainly cause issues with upholding that promise and keeping tenants satisfied. But, there are more significant goals that can be achieved through pest control other than avoiding a time-consuming and costly pest infestation. Keep reading to learn why investing in pest control can be incredibly beneficial in maximizing the profitability of your rental properties. Getting Quality Tenants Attracting the right tenant is vital to your financial success as a landlord. A tenant act as a partner representing your brand. Poor behavior, cleanliness issues, and complaints from neighbors can tarnish your reputation and call for costly repairs. Tenants who pay on time and maintain their space properly add to the appeal...

A big nesting and breeding area for pests are kitchens. Kitchens have easy and quick access to food and water, which is essential for insects and rodents to survive. So, it is no surprise that the kitchen is a pest control warzone. Before your home becomes infested with pesky insects and rodents, check out these few ways of keeping pests out of your kitchen. Clean Your Sink Daily Sinks are the perfect breeding and feeding ground for pests. Many pests prefer standing water and can even swim. A full sink of water can create swarms of fruit flies, mosquitoes, and cockroaches overnight. You can avoid pest problems by cleaning your sink daily. Cleaning your sink involves washing all your dishes right away, draining any standing water, scrubbing the walls of the sink, and cleaning your disposal. By keeping your sink clean, you are preventing your home from becoming a pest paradise....

As a small business owner, you are dealing with far too many ‘what if’s’, and protecting your business from pests during lockdown should not leave you feeling uncertain. Surprisingly, you can protect your business from bugs and other pestilent threats with ease--and without spending more than a few dollars. Deep Clean Before closing your temporary doors, we suggest you deep clean your office or retail space thoroughly. Sweep and mop the floors, wipe down the counters and tables/display cases, and place ant/roach/rodent traps strategically throughout the space. Cleaning prior to adhering to lockdown procedures will offer you peace of mind while you’re worried about financial and long term goals for your shuttered business. No business owner wants to be greeted by colonies of pests when they’re eager to reopen. Remove All Food & Drink This might be a given but removing old or even recently purchased food or drink from the...

Springtime brings rain, warmer weather, and lots of sun, which can all lead to more pests. Here are the top pests that you can expect to see in the springtime. Ants Ants become very active after winter and once the weather becomes mild again. They begin to search for food, and they will build new anthills in the soft, warm ground. Extreme rain during springtime will typically push ants to look for shelter, which, unfortunately, could be your home. Ants can smell food from quite far away, and they will be attracted to your home if they smell any kind of food debris in your yard. If you grill and have BBQs outside, make sure to clean up after yourself, as this can be the first invitation for these pests. Once they are in your yard, they are more likely to try and venture into your home. Termites Spring is the...

Pests are bothersome creatures, whether they are in your home, yard or garden. Further, many pests can cause untold amounts of damage in and around your home. The best way to deal with unwanted pests is to control their presence and eliminate them from the area. Chemical-based pesticides are a popular method for controlling pests. But, they are not always the best choice, as they can be caustic and can also be harmful to you and your family. Here are a few natural pest repellents that can help you get rid of your pest problem without causing damage to your home, yard or family. Citronella Candles Citronella has been used to ward off mosquitoes in backyards for decades for good reason. They have an appealing scent for humans, but they effectively keep mosquitoes away. These candles are non-toxic and contain no chemicals, so they are safe to use around your family...

Pests are among homeowners’ worst nightmares, however, not many people would want to call pest control specialists over a single mouse or cockroach. Still, there comes a time when a pest infestation gets so out of hand that hiring a group of experts is the only feasible option. But how do you know when it’s the right time to get help? Here are some signs that your infestation requires the services of pest control professionals. If the Situation Puts You in Danger First, if there is a pest infestation in your house that puts you in immediate danger, do not deal with yourself. Contact pest control as soon as possible. An example of this would be a beehive hanging on a tree in your backyard. Trying to remove a beehive without the right training or equipment could result in serious injuries. Similarly, termites are a pest you should have exterminated at...

A bee infestation is a problem to be carefully considered and effectively treated. As pollinators, bees are a central part of our environment. However, an infestation in your home causes many health and structural risks that must be addressed. Read the steps below to educate yourself on the dangers of a bee infestation and the most productive way to remove them without harming the ecosystem through extermination. Understand the Danger If you see a huddle of bees on your house or tree, it is time to watch carefully. If the clump of bees are huddled together on an outer wall or tree trunk, you may simply have a swarm that will move on within a couple of days. Keep your distance, and you will be fine. If you see many bees moving about your home, especially around roof eaves or corners of siding, you have a threat on your hands that...

The thought of having bugs in the house is enough to make anyone’s skin crawl. Often the best way to get rid of a pest infestation is by calling in a professional extermination service to fumigate your home. If you need to have your house fumigated, follow these steps to get prepared for it. Find Temporary Housing You will not be able to be in your house during the fumigation process and for a few days afterward. So, make arrangements for everyone in the house to stay with a friend or family member for two or three days. If you do not have anyone who can put you up while your house is being fumigated, make reservations at a local hotel. Do not forget about your pets. All pets, including fish, will also need to be temporarily relocated. As a safeguard, remove all of your plants, too. Open Interior Doors Before...

Termites are tiny, ant-sized insects that survive on the cellulose they receive by eating wood. And they don’t care very much whether that wood comes from a fallen tree in a forest or the beams holding up your house. This is no small matter either, as the costs of termite damage in America amounts to around a million dollars per year. You might be thinking to yourself, “but my home has insulation, so that protects against termites, doesn’t it?” Not quite. Here are some things you should know about insulation’s effects on termites and what you can do to keep termites out of your house. Fiberglass Insulation First, let’s discuss fiberglass insulation. That’s the fuzzy pink stuff that comes in rolls and makes you itch if you’re not careful with it. If you’re wondering whether or not fiberglass insulation does anything to slow termites down, it doesn’t. Even though termites don’t...

Many people fail to realize how significant of a problem bed bugs can be. This is especially true for those who live in cooler areas of the country. However, for those of us living here in Arizona, there’s no such thing as too much precaution concerning these nasty critters. Once bed bugs make their way into a home, they can be nearly impossible to get rid of if you don’t know exactly what you're doing and what to look for. Bed bugs and attracted to both carbon dioxide in our breath and the heat generated from our body. This is why we are such easy prey while sleeping. When bed bugs are being exterminated from a home, more often than not, the residents need to leave overnight. While this happens more often than people realize, it's not exactly something you’d want to shout from the rooftops. Many people stay with a...

Fire ants can be fearsome foes. These insects can swarm at a moment’s notice, and their bite carries a sting that is hard to forget. For those who are allergic to their venom, fire ant bites can even be deadly. This is why it’s important to know all you can about this ferocious bug -- and why it’s important to get rid of fire ants whenever you find them on your property. But how can you do that? About the Red Fire Ant Fire ants are called that due both their their fiery red color as the pain and heat a bite inflicts. They can be found pretty much all over the South - from coast to coast -- and once they find an area to live in, they go about taking that area methodically and quickly. It doesn’t take more than a few hours for a new colony to form,...

Termite damage can appear in many forms. It can look like buckling ceilings and walls, or like mazes in wooden beams. Termites can create mud tunnels on the foundation of your home. They can also leave destruction that looks like water damage in their wake. No matter what it looks like, damage created by termites needs to be addressed immediately. Termites weaken the structures they infest, which makes those structures unsafe. Fortunately, recovery from such an infestation is possible. Here’s what to do. Addressing Minimal Damage Surface-level termite damage is considered to be fairly minor. If the termites have not reached the core of the infested material, the integrity of the structure may still be safe. That means this type of damage is pretty simple to take care of, and usually doesn’t require professional help. To fix this damage, you’ll set out to harden the wood, which makes it termite-resistant. You...

Most of us have seen fruit flies in our lives. These pesky bugs seem to appear when we want them around the least. But they don’t just appear out of thin air. Read on to find out what brings them into your home and what to do about them. Fruit Flies Love Fermentation Adult fruit flies are small, only about an eighth of an inch long. This means they can easily penetrate even the smallest gaps in your windows and doors. But what brings them inside? In a word: fermentation. Fruit flies seek out moisture and organic materials. This combination can create fermentation, which thereby creates an environment suitable for fruit fly eggs. Fruit flies can lay up to a whopping 500 eggs at one time, with the egg to adult cycle taking only about a week. Larvae feed on any fermenting mass, which allows them to grow to a reproductive...