Do it yourself  tips for detecting and controlling House crickets : 
These crickets have some very definite preferences in habitat. They are 
largely nocturnal, hiding away during the day. Their resting place 
preference is strongly for vertical surfaces close together. 
A tell-tale sign of these crickets is an incredible amount of small, 
black droppings resembling coffee grounds. 

It is very common for these crickets to inhabit the void areas around 
the home. Window molding , siding  and decorative trim that have not 
been properly sealed. Caulking void areas around the home is very helpful in reducing the 
chance of infestation of these critters. 

Exterior: 
Treating surface areas at random with aerosols is ineffective. 
However properly labeled retail aerosols with extension nozzles can do a 
great job. Inspect the home especially the exterior and garage storage 
area  looking for there droppings “resembling coffee grounds”. 
With the nozzle Inject  these areas and you’ll be surprised how many 
crickets will evacuate .  After the infested area is under control, 
sealing is a good idea. 

Interior: 
Exactly the same procedure can be followed for the interior of the home 
but some folks are uncomfortable with residual pesticide use in the 
home. For these folks I recommend baits or traps available at home and 
garden centers. Make sure baits are labeled for crickets
Links: Biology, Damage etc. 
http://entmuseum9.ucr.edu/ENT133/ebeling/ebel12.html#acheta domesticus 

Africanized bee : 

Were receiving numerous calls on foraging bees. 
The Africanized bee is well established in the valley now and folks 
should familiarize themselves with there habits. 
The Africanized bee in no more aggressive when foraging than the European bee. 
However, they a very defensive around there hive. 
Here’s a link that goes  into detail about new neighbors. 
http://agnews.tamu.edu/bees/ 

Preparing to leave for the summer: 

We receive many pantry pest calls in fall of the year that can be 
prevented with a  little preparation prior to leaving . The saw-toothed grain beetle 
is usually the  culprit. The saw-toothed grain beetle can penetrate most packaging with
small exit holes then penetrate other food items in the pantry. Any 
cereal ,grain items including  dried fruits, nuts and some spices can be infested. 
Reducing the amount of these items and placing them in either glass or 
tupper-ware  like containers before leaving can prevent a costly surprise when you 
return. 

If you have someone checking the home while your gone, have them run the 
water and flush the toilets every few weeks.  When traps are dry it allows 
access for the  American Cockroach “Sewer roach”.  Under dry conditions this roach can’t  survive  for very long in the home but this large roach can be quite a shock when you return. 

Need help identifying a pest or plant problem. 
In our new digital camera age send us a picture with explanation of 
problem and will try and help. 

Any suggestions , comments or critique  is appreciated.
To be removed from Pest Alert just return this letter with “remove me“ 
 

Pest Alert July 2001
Subjects: Pavement Ants,  Black Widow Spiders and Gardening tips.

Pavement ant control for the do it yourselfer.
What can we say, they're everywhere.
The primary ant species in the Sun Cities area is the Pavement ant.
This is one of the most common tiny house-invading ants with nests
usually found outdoors under stones, in pavement cracks, along the curb
edges, in crevices of masonry and woodwork. Pavement ants may forage in
the home throughout the year, feeding on grease, meat, live and dead
insects, honeydew, roots of plants and planted seeds. Workers are
sluggish, between 1/12 to 1/4 inch long, light to dark brown or
blackish. In winter, nests may be found in the home near a heat source

The average do it yourselfer will take the nukem approach when dealing
with pavement ants. Using sprays and baits at the same time. This
usually results in very short term results and the little buggers are back in
a few weeks.
Baiting and patience is the most successful approach to controlling
these pests.
When baiting use no residual sprays at the same time.  The bait has to
be taken back to the colony in sufficient quantify to destroy the nest.
The patience part is waiting at least a week or two for control to take
effect. Follow the label when using baits. Ants will reject baits when applied
in excess.
They are smarter than you think :^)

Black widow spiders:
    Well the monsoon season is upon us, so expect Black Widow spiders to
show up in about a month. The young will balloon in from the desert and
start establishing around valley homes. They seldom invade inside the
home but are quite common in garage and storage rooms.
    The web on this species is also distinctive. The strands of silk run
in many directions so the web appears as a concentration of irregularly
arranged threads. The silk strand of the web is considerably heavier and
stronger than those of other species that form similarly shaped webs.
    Mechanical controls are best when just a few are found around the home.
Destroy webs, egg sacs, and spiders by brushing or vacuuming; use a fly
swatter to crush.  Severe infestation may require a pro.

Timely Tips for July in the Low Desert:
http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/t-tips/july.htm
This is an excellent and almost unknown web site created by,
Lucy K. Bradley, Extension Agent Urban Horticulture, Maricopa County and
Dr. Jean Stutz, Plant Pathologist, Arizona State University.
If you’re a gardener at heart or having plant problems this site should be on your 
favorites list. 

Need help identifying a pest or plant problem. 
In our new digital camera age send us a picture with explanation of 
problem and will try and help. 

Any suggestions, comments or critique is appreciated.

To be removed from Pest Alert just return this letter with “remove me“ 

  General Exterminating, Inc. 
  12040 N. 111th Ave. Youngtown, Arizona 
  Phone (623) 977-2100 or 974-8527 
  http://www.generalx.com