Pack Rats

There’s no doubt that Tucson pests love the monsoons just as much as we do. We’ve been hit with several monsoon thunderstorms in the past few weeks and this is welcome weather by many, pests and humans alike.

The added moisture turns our desert landscapes green and the cloud coverage provides cooler temperatures; these changes also bring out some of Tucson’s notorious critters – wildlife that can potentially cause harm to either you or your home. So keep on the lookout and make sure your home is protected from these little visitors this monsoon season.

• By now you’ve probably seen a swarm of flying ants or perhaps the remnants of one around your home or neighborhood. These swirling dark columns are mating colonies where ants congregate in order to mate and subsequently lay their eggs. There is a significant increase in population because of all the food that is now available. There will also be many dead ant remains after one of these bevies; monsoon insects tend to have short life spans, living only a few weeks.

• These small rodents love to burrow and build their nests in shrubs and soil. Their teeth never stop growing, so they ware them down by chewing on whatever is available. They especially like to nibble on wires, so depending on where they’ve nested; your home or vehicle may be susceptible to costly damage. Trim the bottom of any shrubs around your home to reduce the risk of pack rats setting up shop nearby. If nothing works and you need Tucson rodent removal – you know who to call.

• The desert monsoons mark the peak of rattlesnake season as this is the time when the babies are being born. This is particularly hazardous because these newborns have not yet grown a rattle to warn other animals, such as humans, to stay away. Likewise, the rattle of adult rattlesnakes can become much less audible when wet, making them a more invisible threat to anyone not aware.

• Snake relocation is a Gecko Pest specialty, so if you feel threatened by the arrival of these venomous evil-doers make sure to get in contact with us.

• These familiar insects acquire more maneuverability in the wet soil and like to go searching for any soft wood to consume. This means they are able to enter homes through the vulnerable edges of the foundation, entering through the wood beneath the stucco and causing damage to wall studs or roof trouses. The best way to avoid this expensive damage is by keeping the ground around your home dry and making sure any water isn’t able to collect and pool.

• We all know what these little critters look like; this small cousin of the spider has its trademark pincers and stinging tail. There are more than 30 species of scorpions in Arizona, some more dangerous than others. In particular, the bark scorpion is small, yellow, has a penchant for climbing and a nasty sting that has a painful neurotoxin. They try to stay dry and have found our homes to be a nice place to hide, needing only 1/16 of an inch to gain entry.

• This list wouldn’t be complete without everyone’s favorite blood-sucking annoyance. Mosquitoes are active in Tucson from April through late fall, they also become very active during the time around sunrise and sunset. They like to lay their eggs in fresh or stagnant water, which means the containers or pools of water found around many Tucson homes are at high risk of attracting these itchy nuisances.

These are just a few examples of pests you may encounter this Tucson monsoon season. Although humans may consider them to be a nuisance, they do serve their purpose and help to keep the ecosystem strong, so do your best to maintain your home and the area surrounding it. If it becomes a problem and you need Tucson pest control professionals, here at Gecko Pest we can prevent any one of these species from becoming nuisance.