Ahh, the sun is out and shining bright in sunny Phoenix! The days are long, hot, and filled with fun summertime activities.
Unfortunately for many Phoenix locals, these lovely summer days also come with an unwelcome visitor – pesky pests!
From termites to cockroaches to the dreaded Arizona bark scorpion, something is lurking on every corner of the Valley, just waiting to make your life difficult.
But don't worry – we've decided to take a closer look at some of the worst offenders so you can know how best to protect your family from them this season.
So please read on as we bust through each of our top 5 worst pests found in Phoenix!
Scorpions are one of the most feared pests in Phoenix. They can be found in attics and walls, under rocks and wood, or even nestled in your shoes. These venomous arachnids are nocturnal.
They can deliver a painful sting if you're not careful, so it's best to be extra cautious around them and make sure they don't enter your home.
These scorpions prefer to hide in dark and dry places, so it's essential to seal up all cracks and crevices around your home as best you can. The deadly sting of any scorpion may be fatal.
The resulting inflammation and swelling kill thousands of people annually. There are around 1.2 million scorpion-stung victims annually.
An estimated 3,000 people annually are killed by scorpion stings each year. It makes them the second leading cause of mortality by a dangerous animal after snake bites.
This is why it's important to know where scorpions are found and how to protect yourself. The following are the most common scorpions found in Phoenix:
When you think of Phoenix pests, cockroaches are probably one of the first things that come to mind. These bothersome insects can survive in warm and cool environments, making them a common sight in many homes.
They are annoying, but the real concern is that they carry a wide range of diseases, such as salmonella and dysentery. Regarding pests that plague city dwellers, cockroaches are high on the list.
Microbes studies of cockroaches conducted in the past have uncovered a wide variety of pathogens. For example, the Hepatitis virus, other exotic bacteria and parasites (29 in total), and fungi (seven species).
According to the 2019 American Housing Survey, almost 2.9 million people reported seeing cockroaches in their houses (AHS).
Approximately 32 percent of homes in Miami, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Raleigh, North Carolina are cockroach-infested.
To protect your family, inspect your home for any signs of cockroaches and seal off any possible entry points. For example, you can:
Tarantulas are common inhabitants of deserts, but most people don't expect to find them lurking around their homes in Phoenix.
Although they generally avoid humans, they can cause a bit of a fright if you stumble upon one in your backyard.
Though tarantulas have venom, most tarantula-related harm is caused by the irritant hairs they have. If agitated, the tarantula will rub its abdomen and release these barbed hairs, which can cause an allergic reaction in people.
Tarantulas range from approximately the length of a human fingernail (around 1 inch) to an intermediate frisbee (nearly 11 inches).
In Phoenix, these tiny creatures can often be found in dark crevices and holes around your home.
The people in Phoenix have recently been facing an increasing infestation of Bed Bugs. About 1in 5 (20%) of homes will have some kind of bed insect problem in any given year.
Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are very small, about the size of an apple seed, and can fit into tiny crevices around your home.
They often hide in mattresses, furniture, carpets, clothing, and other areas of your home.
Bed bugs are nocturnal and feed at night while their host sleeps when they are most vulnerable.
Although bed bugs don't typically spread diseases, their bites can cause itchy and uncomfortable welts on the skin. And because bed bugs reproduce quickly, an infestation can become severe if left untreated.
The following percentage of Americans are quite worried about having bed bugs:
Termites may damage your property around the clock, every day of the week.
Underground termites may dig their route to your residence. In contrast, dry wood termites might exploit a stack of kindling or magazines to get access.
Every year, termites in the United States cause approximately $5 billion of property destruction. They affect nearly 600,000 houses in Phoenix.
In the Phoenix area, the three most common kinds of termites are:
Although DIY pest-control methods are available, it's best to speak with a qualified pest-control specialist. For example, Agro Pest Control in Phoenix provides a full range of services.
So what can you expect from them?
By protecting your home from pests, you can rest assured that your property is safe. Professional pest control services are the best way to avoid any damage caused by pests.
With Agro Pest Control's help, you can ensure your home stays pest-free!
Call 480-780-2476 to discuss your pest control needs and book a FREE HOME INSPECTION today. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date with the latest pest news and tips.
Don't let pests ruin your Phoenix home—call Agro Pest Control NOW!
