Congratulations – you have decided to make the long distance move to sunny Tucson, Arizona! If you have the chance to hire a long distance moving company in Tucson, they will be adequately trained and prepared for a seamless move into your beautiful new home. A local company will also know the local weather and terrain, as well as pests that you may be coming into contact with for the very first time. It is important to not only know how to identify pests that are indigenous to Arizona but also to know what to do if you encounter them.
The Good
Bees
When people think of bees, they tend to have this idea that a bee’s whole existent relies on stinging humans. Bees actually serve the purpose of pollinating plants, and as such, are a vital part of our ecological system. If you have a beehive located somewhere on your property, it is important that you contact professionals to move it, and not try to move it yourself or eliminate it completely.
Tarantulas
While Tarantulas may look menacing, they are actually quite docile. Tarantulas are also extremely helpful in getting rid of other pests, as they eat cockroaches, crickets, scorpions, mice, and other rodents. If you happen to find a Tarantula in your house, you should get a jar and then try to direct the Tarantula into the jar so that it can be safely moved to a different location. If you find an egg sac, there are several methods for removing them from your home, including spraying chemicals and then using a duster type object to clear out the webs and nest, and a spray a deterrent that will make dark spaces inhospitable for creating nests in the future.
The Bad
Termites
Some signs that you may have a termite infestation are that you are finding termite droppings, hollow timber or tunnels in wood, you may also physically see termites flying. For a termite infestation, it is best to contact professionals to help you deal with the issue. Typically, professionals will create a trench around the foundation or your house and spray termicide, which will not only stop a current infestation, but it will also prevent infestations in the future.
Ants
While ants may not be the most dangerous household pest, they certainly can be counted amongst the most annoying. The first sign of an ant problem is usually seeing a line of ants walking across your floor or counter. Some preventative measures that you can take are to make sure that you do not leave any food out, whether it be human food or even dog food, and be sure to clean up spills as they happen. Ants are tiny and can enter your home through gaps in windows or floors boards, and typically they do so not only to find food but also to escape the heat. There are several home remedies for ants, the most obvious being store-bought poison.
Cockroaches
The only thing more terrifying than seeing a cockroach run across your floor is seeing signs that there are cockroaches, but never actually seeing any live cockroaches themselves. A few signs to look out for are cockroach droppings, which look a bit like coffee grounds, dead cockroaches or a musky smell. While cockroaches are nocturnal, if you have a cockroach infestation you will see them out during the day due to the fact that the nest is so full, they are being pushed out into the open. To eliminate cockroaches, declutter your home and use granules and sprays around your home to deter cockroaches from entering your house to seek refuge from the heat.
The Ugly
Ticks
If you have brush around your home, or like many Arizonians, you like to hike and participate in outdoor activities, or if you have animals, you are likely to come into contact with ticks. Ticks carry Lyme disease so it is very important to stay vigilant when protecting yourself against these tiny bloodsuckers. Be sure to keep your skin covered when outdoors, and check yourself and your pets for ticks anytime you go into your house. Ticks like to attach themselves to sensitive parts of your body, such as behind the knees, in armpits, behind ears, your groin, belly button, etc, so be sure to have someone else check you for them. If you do happen to find one, you will want to use a pair of tweezers to twist and pull the head out of your skin. Once the tick has been removed you can either flush it down the toilet, or you can place it in the sink and use a lighter to kill it. If you begin to have flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, chills, nausea or rashes, you should contact your doctor immediately to get checked for Lyme disease.
Bed Bugs
We have all heard horror stories when it comes to bed bugs, and unfortunately, they seem to be everywhere! A lot of the signs of a bed bug infestation go unnoticed or we just pass over them thinking they are something else and are not overly concerned. However, when you start to get bites and are itching incessantly, you will generally start taking heed as to the other pieces of the puzzle. The first place you should look is your bed, as it may have blood stains on it from your bites, you may even see the bugs themselves. You may also find discarded egg shells, droppings or skin that they have shed. If you have a bed bug infestation you should contact a professional pest exterminator immediately. They will use chemical treatments throughout your home and will advise you on how to safely leave your home for treatment without risking spreading bed bugs anywhere else.
Scorpions
Scorpions often try to find cool and dark spots to hang out in, which, unfortunately, can include your house. If you happen to come across a scorpion in your home, find protective gloves (buy these the day you move to Tucson), and find something to stab the scorpion with, such as a knife or scissors. Do not try to squish the scorpion with your shoe, a book or any other item, as they have the ability to make their bodies completely flat. Once you have stabbed the scorpion, you should immediately dispose of it in either an outdoor garbage bin or by flushing it down the toilet. Bet you wish you had that tarantula in your house now!
