For many Southern Arizona residents, desert pests raise many questions about what to look for and how to protect their home. Here are some of the most common we’ve heard in our 58 years of serving Southern Arizona.

1. I’m new to Arizona what do I need to know about pests?

Well, that’s a pretty loaded question – how much time do you have? But the simple answer is, yes, we have many different – sometimes scary- pests in Arizona that aren’t like anything you find most other places in the country. However, you’ll come to find that living in harmony with the incredible nature around us is pretty easy. They have their space and you can work to establish yours with some simple home maintenance practices and with the help of a licensed pest control professional.

2. Will termites really eat my whole house?

Although it’s certainly possible for termites to consume an entire structure, it would take them quite a while to do so. That doesn’t mean that they can’t do significant damage if left untreated. Termites indiscriminately consume the cellulose material found in wood and paper products. It’s important that homeowners call a professional at the first sign of termite activity so that it can be evaluated and proper control measures can be performed before any significant issues arise.

3. Why do you exterminate bees? Don’t we need them for our food?

Since the early 1990s Africanized honeybees (killer bees) have invaded the Southern U.S. and research out of the University of Arizona has identified that 99% of all wild honeybees in Southern Arizona are Africanized honeybees. These bees typically cause the death of multiple people and pets in our community every year and hospitalize several others. In addition, Southern Arizona is home to one of the top regions in the world for native pollinators. These pollinators range from bats and hummingbirds to native solitary bees and other insects. These native pollinators are better pollinators for our native ecosystem and do not pose the health and safety risk that Africanized honeybees do. Our native pollinators also have been found to be very efficient pollinators for many of our common crops like pecans, cotton, and alfalfa.

4. How worried should I be about scorpions?

Scorpions are a common pest in the desert and their sting can be extremely painful and, in some cases, even deadly. However, scorpions are nocturnal creatures and typically hide during the extreme heat of the day. Keys to making your home less appealing to scorpions include controlling other pests like crickets that scorpions prey on, sealing cracks and securing weather stripping, and limiting water around your home. In addition, avoid leaving clothing and footwear on the floor overnight so they can’t crawl in unnoticed. A regular pest maintenance program will also ensure that these desert pests don’t take up residence in your home.

For more information about desert pests or the answers to other questions about pest control services, contact the local experts at Bill’s Home Service Company at (520) 625-2381 or www.BillsHomeService.com.