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You Wouldn’t Believe How People Fought Scorpion Invasions Before The Emergence Of The Commercial Pest Control Industry

Scorpions are one of the most deadly arachnid groups that exist, as many species produce venom that can kill an adult human after making him/her extremely ill. Scorpion stings are notable for causing a wide range of highly unpleasant physical symptoms ranging from cardiac issues to bizarre neurological conditions. It is not unheard of for people to fall into comas in response to scorpion envenomation. Although venom antidotes have been developed to treat stings from some of the most dangerous scorpion species, many antivenoms have yet to be developed for addressing stings inflicted by other potentially deadly scorpion species. It is estimated that 2.5 billion people around the world are vulnerable to scorpion stings. Therefore, it is not surprising to learn that more than 1.2 million scorpion envenomations occur every year, 3,500 of which turn out to be fatal. The country with the greatest number of human deaths caused by scorpion stings is Brazil. For the past few years, deadly yellow scorpions have been moving into urban areas of Brazil for the first time in history, and this migration has caused a rash of deaths within the last year. In order to prevent yellow scorpions stings in urban areas of the country, many people have been putting chickens in backyards and around apartment buildings, as chickens are natural scorpion predators. Although this method of scorpion control may sound strange, such unorthodox control measures are not new to Brazilians.

During the early 1950s, the Brazilian city of Ribeirão Preto, which contained 80,000 residents, was invaded by deadly scorpions, resulting in widespread panic and numerous deaths. Between 1949 and 1951, over 10,000 scorpions were captured within the kitchens, bathrooms and backyards of people’s homes. In order to reduce the rate of scorpion sting fatalities in the city, a massive media campaign was launched to educate the public concerning the nature of scorpions and how to protect homes from being invaded by the arachnids. School students were subjected to daily lectures concerning the scorpion threat, and the city’s mayor enacted a program that entailed the capturing of scorpions by students. Numerous collection points were located all over the city and the mayor offered a prize to the student who succeeded in capturing the greatest number of scorpion specimens. Ironically, this particular public health campaign to protect residents from scorpion stings by reducing their numbers in the city only increased the risk of falling victim to potentially deadly stings.

Have you ever sustained a bite from any type of arachnid?

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A Phoenix Man Pleads Guilty To Child Abuse After Leaving His Infant Alone In Cockroach Infested Conditions

A Phoenix Man Pleads Guilty To Child Abuse After Leaving His Infant Alone In Cockroach Infested Conditions

The world is full of less than stellar parents who pay little heed to their role as child-care providers. Child abuse comes in many forms, such as neglect, physical abuse and verbal abuse. As it happens, neglect can be one of the most egregious of all parenting transgressions, especially when the child being neglected is a two year old. A recent case of extreme and criminal neglect of a two year old occurred in Phoenix last week. This case saw a father leave his two year old son alone for a long period of time within their cockroach infested home. Once police arrived at the home, they could not believe the filthy and altogether inhumane conditions that the child had been exposed to, alone, no less.

A north Phoenix man, Jesus Andres Garcia, has been put on probation after he pleaded guilty to child abuse charges. To make this man’s act of child negligence seem all the more nefarious, it must be mentioned that the two year old was found covered in feces while being surrounded by massive amounts of roaches. Considering that roaches gravitate toward feces, the helpless and fecal-contaminated child was probably harassed or even bitten by numerous roaches regularly within his home.

Since cockroaches are not shy about jumping right into feces, the insects can spread disease-causing bacteria from feces to humans. While it is not common for people to fall ill from disease due to acquiring cockroach pathogens, the two year old boy’s situation is unique, as he shared a close and unsanitary indoor environment with massive amounts of roaches. The particularly cluttered and unsanitary conditions that the child had been found in helped to facilitate the spread of dangerous pathogens around an inclosed indoor area. In addition to being heavily contaminated with fecal matter, the home’s air conditioning had been turned off, but the air conditioning worked fine when police turned it on. The resulting high heat and high humidity within the trash and dung-infested home made the home’s indoor environment ideal for cockroaches. Luckily, the boy is being taken care of at the moment, and he will likely not develop any serious long-term medical consequences, despite his prolonged mistreatment.

Have you ever found a cockroach in another person’s home?

 

 

 

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What Factors Determine How Abundant Scorpions Will Become During The Summer In Arizona?

What Factors Determine How Abundant Scorpions Will Become During The Summer In Arizona?

Many people would agree that the creepiest arthropods in the United States can all be found within Arizona. While the state’s native tarantula species may be frightening to look at, they are largely harmless; instead, it is the scorpions you have to watch out for. The most venomous scorpion species that exists in the US, the bark scorpion, dwells within Arizona. When it comes to arachnids, the bark scorpion is the most significant threat to public health in the state. According to officials with Banner Medical Center in Arizona, scorpion-related medical issues are far more common than any other type of animal-related medical issue in the state. In other words, scorpions are more dangerous than coyotes, javelinas, and even mosquitoes.

Scorpion abundance within the state varies from year to year. Several climatic factors contribute to this annual fluctuation in scorpion population size. The early spring of 2016 saw a particularly large scorpion population emerge within Arizona, especially within the city of Phoenix. 2016 saw numerous residents sustain scorpion stings before the summer season arrived, and the amount of reported stings during this year has not yet been surpassed. Before March 5th of 2016, 588 scorpion stings were addressed at the Banner Medical Center, which marked a 46 percent increase over the previous year’s numbers.

When scorpions emerge unusually early in the year, as they did in 2016, then scorpion populations will become unusually large during the summer. Two factors made 2016 unusual in terms of scorpion abundance. The first factor was the remarkably wet January, and the second was the strangely hot February. When a new year in Arizona is met with such odd climatic conditions, then you can expect a scorpion-rich spring and summer. You can count of scorpions being abundant within Arizona no matter the year or climatic conditions. Once the weather becomes consistently warm within the state, then you should start to be mindful of scorpions in both outdoor and indoor environments.

Have you ever seen a massive group of scorpions attached to the interior or exterior walls of a house?

 

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Are There Termites In Arizona That Infest Residential Trees Before Moving Into Homes?

Termites of the “subterranean” variety are easily the most economically significant wood-eating insects in the world. In America alone it is estimated that subterranean termites are responsible for inflicting around 80 percent of all insect-induced damages to wood-framed structures. In many northern states, the eastern subterranean termite is the only termite species that residents need to worry about. But in hotter southern states, the termite population is more diverse, making drywood and dampwood termite species a threat to many homes in the region.

In Arizona, subterranean termites are considered the most problematic, but many residents do not realize that two species of drywood termite also inflict significant structural damages within the state. These two species are commonly known as the dark western drywood termite and the light western drywood termite, and unfortunately, these termites often infest residential trees before accessing structural timber within homes and buildings.

The dark western drywood (DWD) termite species is the most economically costly drywood termite species in the western US, and they are particularly abundant in the Sonoran Desert region of Arizona. The DWD termite is well known for infesting homes, but these termites also infest a number of trees that are common in residential areas of southern Arizona. The trees most commonly attacked by this species include, Arizona cypress, sycamore, adler, cottonwood, willow, ash, walnut, poplar, eucalyptus and a variety of fruit trees.

All the way back in 1916, a researcher found that around 70 percent of black ash trees in Sabino Canyon had become riddled with both DWD termite damage and LWD termite damage. In addition to damaging the sapwood of these trees, these two drywood species even infested the heartwood, which is unusual for most termite species that are native to the US.

While both of these drywood termite species swarm between May and September all over Arizona state, the DWD species is generally found at higher elevations than the LWD termite species. Considering the frequency with which drywood termites infest residential trees before moving into homes, it is important for all Arizona homeowners to have the trees in their lawn inspected for a termite presence at least once a year.

Have you ever found a termite infested tree?

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Termite Warning Signs | Phoenix Termite Control

Termite Warning Signs | Phoenix Termite Control

Magic Pest offers the following signs that termites may be present in a home:

  1. Mud tubes (used by termites to reach a food source) on the exterior of the home.
  2. Soft wood in the home that sounds hollow when tapped.
  3. Darkening or blistering of wood structures.
  4. Cracked or bubbling paint.
  5. Small piles of feces that resemble sawdust near a termite nest.
  6. Discarded wings near doors or on windowsills, indicating swarmers have entered the home or swarmers themselves, which are often mistaken for flying ants.

Phoenix Termite Control Experts. Call Today For A Free Inspection!

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Why Is Phoenix Considered The Most Bug Infested City In The US?

Why Is Phoenix Considered The Most Bug Infested City In The US?

There are several pest control companies and websites that release annual reports concerning which cities in the United States contain the largest population of a particular insect pest species. Some of these reports list cities that are the most roach infested, bed bug infested or spider infested. Back in January of 2016, Thumbtack.com released a list of the “buggiest” cities in America, and Phoenix was listed at number one. However, this purported claim did not sit well with some residents who had never considered the city that they live in to be particularly “buggy”. But the not so scientific study may have been onto something, as representatives for the website found that Phoenix had the most pest control requests when compared to all other US cities.

After Phoenix was proclaimed the most bug-filled city in America by the website, even the “researchers” who had compiled the data for the list were surprised that Phoenix turned out to be number one. So what makes Phoenix a haven for bugs? One reason may be due to the fact that Arizona is home to high populations of certain insect and spider species that either don’t exist, or are not abundant within other states. For example, although California, New Mexico and Texas all contain many of the same scorpion species that exist in Arizona, the population of California and Texas is much higher than Arizona’s population, making pest control calls more common when taking each state’s population size into account. Arizona also sees swarms of Africanized bees, AKA killer bees, which attack residents on an annual basis. Africanized bees can be found all over the state of Arizona, but only a small portion of neighboring states see Africanized bee swarms. Many people living outside of Arizona assume that the air is too dry for mosquitoes, but the disease-spreading bloodsuckers are a serious public health threat in the state, and several pest controllers are called to homes in Phoenix to address mosquito issues. According to the website, cockroaches were the most common insect pests reported to pest controllers in the city, followed by spiders, ants and termites.

Have you ever needed to contact a pest control professional about a spider infestation within your home?

 

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The Largest Scorpions In The World Can Be Found In Arizona

The Largest Scorpions In The World Can Be Found In Arizona

It goes without saying that Arizona is known for its numerous arachnids, most notably scorpions and tarantulas. Any good real-estate professional in Arizona is sure to warn potential home-buyers in the state about the many local wildlife hazards that can pose a threat to residents, and arachnids are certainly one of these wildlife hazards. Although they may be a nightmarish sight and venomous, the tarantula species that are native to Arizona are next to harmless, and will not inflict bites that are any more painful than bee stings. This is not the case for another group of arachnids within the state–scorpions.

The Arizona bark scorpion is easily the most venomous scorpion species in Arizona, and while their venom is potentially deadly, very few people in the state have succumbed to bark scorpion stings since the introduction of an effective antivenom. A far less venomous, but much scarier looking scorpion species in Arizona would be desert hairy scorpions. There are numerous hairy scorpion species residing in Arizona, and hairy scorpions represent the largest family of scorpions in all of North America. These wicked looking creatures can grow to be around seven inches in length. Unfortunately, these massive scorpions are sometimes found in residential areas, and even within homes, as this scorpion group gravitates toward watered lawns and ornamental plants in order to capture and feed on their beetle prey that are also attracted to these common features of suburbia. Interestingly, desert hairy scorpions have the longest lifespan of all scorpion species worldwide. The oldest hairy scorpions die at around 25 years of age, while most specimens live for 10 to 15 years in the wild, and for 15 to 20 years in captivity. Although not territorial, desert hairy scorpions will not hesitate to attack when provoked. When properly motivated, a hairy scorpion will intimidate prey and humans by raising their legs in the air while vertically situating themselves with the assistance of their strong tail.

Have you ever found a scorpion specimen in the wild that you believe exceeded 7 inches in body length?

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One Of The Most Difficult Insect Pests To Eradicate From A Home Are Abundant Within Arizona

It is not uncommon for pest control professionals in Arizona to receive calls from concerned residents about small black bugs with orange spots infesting various areas of a home. These creatures are commonly known as carpet beetles, and they are notorious for being one of the most difficult insect pests to control within homes and buildings. Unfortunately, there exists three carpet beetle species in Arizona. These species are commonly known as the varied carpet beetle, the black carpet beetle and the furniture carpet beetle.

Most of the carpet beetle specimens that are brought into the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension offices by residents hoping to have the insects identified originated either from inhabited homes or from storage areas where keratin-rich materials, like feathers and certain textiles, are abundant. When carpet beetles invade homes they plant their eggs on any sort of material containing keratin. Keratin is a fibrous structural protein found in hair, skin, animal furs, clothing textiles, dried plant matter, rugs, carpeting and a variety of other materials. These materials are targeted by adult carpet beetles looking to plant their eggs within a keratin-rich environment that will supply their developing larvae with an abundance of food after they emerge from their eggs.

Carpet beetles inflict damage to clothing that is similar in appearance to the damage that some moth species inflict on clothing. But carpet beetle damage is usually clustered in one area of clothing or carpet, while moth damage is more sporadic. Unlike moth pests, carpet beetles shed their exoskeletons when they molt. These brown-colored and shell-like exoskeleton castings are usually visible within an area where the larvae had caused damage. The presence of these castings allow residents and pest control experts to discern carpet beetle damage from other forms of insect damage.

Carpet beetles are difficult to control, as these insects can find food in a variety of different locations, and they disperse rapidly throughout a structure. The most effective way to prevent carpet beetle infestations is to reduce the amount of lint, hair, dead plant matter, dead insect matter and any other forms of matter within a home that carpet beetles feed upon. It is particularly important to eliminate all spider and cobwebs from within a home, as these webs provide carpet beetles with a substantial amount of sustenance. Regular dusting and vacuuming can greatly reduce a homeowner’s chances of falling victim to a carpet beetle infestation.

Have you ever found a large amount of insects within your home that you could not identify?

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Why The Arachnid Population Explosion During Arizona’s Monsoon Season Attracts Thousands Of People To The State Every Year

Why The Arachnid Population Explosion During Arizona’s Monsoon Season Attracts Thousands Of People To The State Every Year

Arachnids, like spiders and scorpions, are hard to come by in the concrete jungles of Arizona’s most urbanized locations. In fact, the downtown centers in cities like Phoenix and Tucson make even local residents forget that they are living within a desert that contains some of the world’s best known creepy-crawlies. It can be shocking to consider the millions of arachnids that are active just outside of these urban centers, but suburbanites in the state encounter these critters regularly. It is not uncommon for Arizona residents to hunt scorpions at night with the assistance of a black light that makes the creatures glow. However, during monsoon season, and for a few weeks afterward, tarantulas are sometimes spotted crawling into urban landscapes. They are spotted more frequently in suburban homes during this time of year as well. This is due to the arachnid population explosion that occurs during monsoon season, as the heavy rains and lingering moisture allow for vegetation and arthropod life in the Sonoran Desert region to thrive. Due to the seemingly sudden abundance of arachnid life that emerges in the Arizona desert during monsoon season, people from all over the world travel to the state in order to capture a few of their own specimens. The arachnids are captured for a variety of reasons, mostly for profit and research.

According to the Arizona Office of Tourism, monsoon season brings tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world to the state each year. Certain tarantula and scorpion species are the most common arthropods to be snatched up. These creatures are taken for research purposes, or to be placed within zoos. But the largest group of visitors may be the profiteers looking to sell tarantulas and other arthropods to pet stores located all over the world. During the annual “Invertebrates in Education and Conservation Conference” in Arizona, vendors can be seen selling a variety of arthropods to eager tourists. The most popular arthropods sold during the conference are tarantulas, black widows, scorpions, ant queens and vinegaroons. Every year, researchers discover at least one new arthropod species in the region, such as the recently described northern giant flag moth. Of course, not even these species are immune to the demand of the arthropod marketplace. For example, this recently discovered moth is now sold for around 700 dollars, and they can be even more expensive if a female specimen is included along with her eggs.

Would you enjoy searching the desert landscape for interesting or particular arthropods?

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Video Showing Bed Bugs Infesting Multiple Motorized Shopping Scooters In A Phoenix Walmart Has Gone Viral

Video Showing Bed Bugs Infesting Multiple Motorized Shopping Scooters In A Phoenix Walmart Has Gone Viral

Walmart stores see a great deal of human traffic, and they are not known for being immaculate and well kept, but most people would not consider themselves vulnerable to bed bugs simply by walking into a Walmart location. However, considering that Walmart is the most profitable retail store chain in the world that attracts people of all types, it should not be surprising to learn that bed bugs have been found in Walmart stores in the past. Just like airplanes, airports, public libraries and movie theaters, Walmart stores see a massive amount of people coming in and out on a daily basis. And since many Walmart stores are open for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the risk of a person transporting bed bugs into a Walmart store is particularly high. However, unlike other locations that see a high amount of human traffic, Walmart customers do not share seats with other people, therefore, the risk of spreading bed bugs from customer to customer should be pretty low, right? Well, there are always motorized scooters available to people who have difficulty walking, and as it happens, this is exactly where bed bugs were found three years ago in a Phoenix Walmart store. After one couple noticed the bloodscuking insects infesting the fabric cushion of a motorized scooter, they found bed bugs on yet another scooter. Upon arriving home, the couple posted video footage of the bed bug infested scooters to social media sites, and not long afterward, the video went viral. Needles to say, this viral footage has not helped the chain store’s already compromised reputation.

The footage shows bed bugs crawling all over scooters in a Phoenix Walmart located on 35th Avenue and Bethany Home Road. Walmart officials have not said much about the infested scooters, but they did respond to reporters via email saying that the compromised scooters have been removed from the store. Unfortunately, the man sustained several bites before he realized the scooter was infested. Upon finding another scooter, he noticed that it too was infested with bed bugs. Of course, the couple notified the manager, but he claimed to not see any bed bugs on the scooters. The couple filled out a complaint form, but they were not issued a copy, even after asking for one. Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites exploded with negative feedback from thousands of Americans who responded to the situation with disgust.

Do you worry about acquiring bed bugs when sitting in crowded places?