If you’ve been in Southern Arizona for any amount of time, you’re already well aware Tucson is home to many unique critters and pests. The desert landscape and dry climate can leave pesky insects, reptiles, and rodents looking for shelter inside your home to escape the heat or the downpour of a monsoon.
Not only are Tucson homes susceptible to pests the rest of the country is familiar with, such as termites, cockroaches, ants, bed bugs, and spiders, but we have a whole slew of potential pests exclusive to our desert conditions and landscape. Snakes, pack rats, scorpions, Africanized bees, and tarantulas, amongst many others, can create distinct challenges.
Some pest problems are more difficult to control than others. Not to mention, some pests can do significant damage while others are just a nuisance. But there’s great news, if you instill a few daily habits around your home, you can limit or even eliminate most pest issues. Here are the top five habits you can start today to help prevent pests from invading your home:
1. Keep a Clean Kitchen
Having a daily regimen of tidying up the kitchen can prevent many pest and insect problems. Beyond keeping the counters clear of food and the floors crumb-free, store food in sealable containers, run your garbage disposal regularly, and remember to inspect and clean fruits and vegetables before storing, especially if you are bringing product home from some of the great farmer’s markets in town.
Also, pets can be a helpful deterrent to many types of domestic pests. Unfortunately, they aren’t very good at picking up after themselves, so be sure to clean up the area around where your pet eats and drinks, as dog and cat food can be very enticing to pests looking for a free meal.
2. Heed to the Challenges of an Arizona Yard
In Tucson, our yards create some unique challenges when it comes to keeping them pest-free. Many domestic landscapes feature large rocks making great homes for desert pests and desert-cuisine consisting of delicious fruit hanging from the cacti.
Don’t do tarantulas, scorpions, and black widows any favors by offering enticing homes. Make your yard less inviting by limiting the amount of debris in your front and backyard, rotating large flower pots and lawn décor, and picking up lawn tools and toys.
Finally, have your yard sprayed with environmentally safe pesticide. You can do-it-yourself, but we recommend hiring a professional knowledgeable about local pests and has an understanding of the most effective techniques and products. Hiring a local pest management service to spray your yard on a consistent basis is more affordable than people realize and can be done at set intervals without you even needing to be home. It’s important to be aware of the vulnerabilities in your yard and take the measures necessary to prevent it from becoming a pest-haven.
3. Seal the Entry Points
Eliminate entry points into your home by identifying places pests could potentially gain access. Inside your home, this means checking the seals of doors and windows and having a tube on calking on hand to seal any cracks or holes in the drywall, tile, or molding.
For the outside perimeter of the home, inspect early and often. Monsoon season can really do a number on a home’s foundation. The flowing water can lead to erosion and create pest access points in the just about any material including brick, stucco, and wood. Even if things looked great a couple months ago, go give your perimeter another inspection to make sure there isn’t a new open opening available to the local pests.
4. Eliminate Standing Water
This isn’t something you would think we encounter too often in Tucson, but if standing water is neglected, it can be the beginning of major issues in the Pest Management department. Even though we stay dry for most of the year, monsoon season can tend to linger leaving puddles and standing water in its wake. This creates a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which attract a myriad of other pests and rodents.
Additionally, check your sprinkler system as well. Without realizing it, your sprinklers can leave pools of water, especially in the shade. Make the appropriate adjustments to your irrigation settings to limit excess water.
5. Bring in the Professionals
Very often, pest problems go unseen and aren’t discovered until it’s too late. The damage is already done, and people are left with no other option but to call a pest management professional to eradicate the issue. In truth, the problems can be prevented altogether by seeking a consultation from a reputable pest management service provider BEFORE problems arise.
Here at DSR Pest Management, we use eco-friendly products with integrated pest management solutions and service residential, commercial, and industrial clients. We’ve been doing business for nearly 20 years and we are intimately familiar with the challenges Southern Arizonans face when it comes to pests. It’s no wonder we are amongst the best pest management service providers in Tucson!
