Of all the potential pests to find in your home, scorpions are among the most frightening. Between their numerous legs and threatening-looking claws and stinger, many people find their appearance upsetting. Here’s what to do if there’s a scorpion in your home. Take Precautions When Possible In the best-case scenario, you’ll be able to take precautions to prevent scorpions from entering your home in the first place.  Scorpions usually try to get into your house when temperatures outside are too low or too high. They prefer a range between 68 and 99 degrees . You’re more likely to have scorpions in your area if you have a large bug population, overgrown vegetation or piles of debris like trash and lumber. Scorpions may be more common in neighborhoods that have been developed recently, although you can find them almost anywhere.  To keep them out, caulk around pipes and cracks that they...

When someone contacts us about bee infestations at Alliance Pest Management , the very first thing we say is “Get to a safe area, do NOT attempt to take care of the situation alone”.  With the stings, it is best to call in the experts to remove beehives. Let’s take a look at why beehive removal needs to be left to the professionals. Why Can’t I Just Try To Remove Africanized Bees Myself? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), between 2000-2017 there have been around 1,109 deaths related to bee stings and attacks. Most bees have venom and are not afraid to use it when disturbed or threatened. Some people are highly allergic to the venom, causing excess swelling, itchiness and in more severe cases, anaphylaxis and death.  Africanized bees can sting you by the thousand, and the stings are a medical emergency.  If you jump into a...

Bedbugs are almost legendary in their ability to strike fear, awe and horror into anyone who even thinks they may encounter them. Because they seemingly only come out when we are sleeping, they almost feel like something out of a horror movie, stalking us when we are least able to defend ourselves. One major problem is that it is not easy to know if you have an infestation. Because they keep out of sight, often you do not know there is a problem until it is too late. However, that does not mean there aren’t any warning signs at all. Here are some signs that can indicate you may have a bedbug problem . Red, Itchy Bites The most obvious sign of a bedbug infestation comes in the form of the bite marks that they leave behind. Because bedbugs feed on blood they cannot eat without leaving marks behind. If...

Why Pest Control is Important for Restaurants Restaurants never want to have to call pest control because that means that pests have infested their restaurant. Although unfortunate pest infestations are commonly found in restaurants.  Restaurants are a one stop shop for everything a pest is looking for - food, water, and shelter. Most restaurants are located in bigger buildings with more potential entry points for pests to use.  Pest infestations are serious situations that need to be dealt with immediately before matters can get worse.  Pests are known for multiplying rapidly, the longer you wait to call pest control the more out of the infestation will get. As a restaurant owner you might not want to pay for a pest control company but it pays off in the long run.  Why Your Restaurant Should Hire a Pest Control Company  Here are a few reasons why your restaurant should hire a...

Your restaurant is a major investment of heart, soul and finances. It deserves the highest level of protection from any threat , including that of dangerous, disgusting pests. These invaders can destroy your inventory, your property and even something far more valuable: your reputation. Follow these effective practices to keep pests at bay: Inspect Everything Be vigilant in your inspection of food shipments and containers. Look for the presence of pests or evidence of exposure, including droppings and bite or scratch marks. Stop pests from entering the restaurant through any delivery.  Make sure all food sources are sealed and neatly stacked at least a foot away from the walls. Not only should all products be inspected upon delivery, but they should also be watched at established times for any signs of attraction. Date all food sources by using a standard, easily-tracked method. Inspect your building for any entry points for...

Probably the worst pest you can ever encounter in your home is the subterranean termite. Regrettably, Arizona has the perfect climate for this pest. Though Alliance Pest Management is ready and willing to provide termite treatments, you should know how to spot these pests early on so that wide-ranging treatments are not required. What Are Subterranean Termites? Subterranean termites are insects that live in underground colonies and burrow upwards to feed on soft cellulose materials that are in contact with the ground. These can include rotting logs and damp wood structures, plant byproducts, and paper. From there, the pests can work their way up into your home, eating drywall, plastics, and foam. Their bodies are narrow and oval-shaped. Length ranges from 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch. They have antennae and six legs. Color depends on the caste. Worker termites, the ones you will most likely spot, are cream-colored. Swarmers, which...

If you notice an outrageous number of bees flying around your home, it could be a sign that there is a bee nest in the vicinity. Besides irritation, these bees can bring bacteria to your home and can be cause for alarm. If you notice a bee infestation, it would be best to call  pest management professionals for safe removal. Notably, the bee nests can grow quite huge if not detected enough. Here are some of the most common places to find bee nests in your home. 1. In Trees Bees are likely to nest in trees, especially hollow ones. Unfortunately, bee nests control in trees is no easy feat. Since there could be more than one entrance to the nest, you might overlook some. However, pest control specialists can use all their expertise to get rid of the bee infestation. 2. Concrete Blocks It might not be easy to...

While guests in the home are often a delight, unwanted guests evoke feelings of disgust and panic. Mice are some of the most common home invaders to cause serious damage and threat of disease. Take control of your dwelling by learning seven signs of a mice infestation brought you by the rodent exterminators of Alliance Pest Management. #1: Chewed Containers Food is the main attraction for mice entering your home. As soon as they arrive, they sniff out the cabinets and pantries and get to work. If you notice jagged holes in boxes, tears in wrappers or shredded bits of food on the shelves, you are not alone. Throw out any food that has been contaminated, as mice carry diseases such as salmonella and hantavirus. #2: Disgusting Droppings Mice constantly relieve themselves in dark and hidden areas of your home. Their distinctive droppings look like black grains of rice, measuring...

Have you ever found yourself picking or scratching at a random bump that wasn’t there the day before? In some cases, you don’t have to worry about this red spot, but in other cases, you have something worse — an insect bite. A majority of insect bites that occur are from pests. If you have ever caught yourself saying, “What’s biting me?”, then you need to check out this guide about pests that bite.  Biting Insects The most common pest bites people get are from biting insects. In most cases, bug bites are harmless and only leave red patches, rashes, or bumps; however, some bites carry life-threatening diseases like Lyme disease. Pests that intentionally bite include bedbugs, fleas, ticks, lice, mosquitoes, and horseflies. If you do have any of these bites, you can use over-the-counter medications or creams to soothe any pain. If you notice the red bumps, rashes or...

What Are Africanized Bees?   The Africanized bee species is a big source of stress and fear in the southwestern United States. If you live in this area, you should understand what Africanized bees are, what to do if you get stung, and how you can prevent the pests from wreaking havoc on your home.   The Africanized bee, also known as the killer bee, is a dangerous hybrid species of the honey bee. When beekeepers imported African honeybees to Brazil in the 1950s, some escaped and interbred with the European bees in the region. The resulting offspring are significantly more harmful than typical bees because they can sting people thousands of time. They are more defensive and aggressive than normal honey bees, too, and they are known to chase people when they become agitated.   The species spread rapidly throughout Central and South America in the second half of...

If you own or manage a hotel, then you know that it is difficult to keep things running smoothly. You are constantly trying to keep your guests happy, as they are your priority. But you also need to keep the building clean and safe. Unfortunately, this means that you need to plan for possible bed bug infestations.   Know What They Look Like The most effective way to prevent bed bugs is to have your staff keep a lookout for these pests as they clean rooms. Teach your housekeeping staff what bed bugs look like and how to spot an infestation. Keep them on alert when changing sheets and towels to look for things such as red stains that could be dried blood, small eggs or eggshells that are discarded as the nymphs grow, and tiny black spots that smear when they become wet, which is their fecal matter.    Keep...

As we head into peak mosquito season, it’s time to start thinking about the best ways to handle them. We want to enjoy our time outside and not worry about getting bitten by mosquitoes. Not only are they inconvenient and tarnish our time outside, they can also carry with them dangerous diseases such as the Zika virus. These mosquitoes will bite during the day, so it’s important to have a plan in place to handle them.    A pest control service is your best bet to reduce the number of mosquitoes that you may get in your yard. There are several steps that need to be completed to take care of the breeding grounds, eggs and adult mosquitoes that may be bothering you and your family.    Things we can do to help get rid of mosquitoes   1. Perform an inspection for problem areas and fix them.   A...

In Scottsdale and beyond, many homeowners are understandably concerned about the possibility of a termite infestation on their property. While you may have heard that termites can cause extensive damage to a home rapidly, you may not know how these insects travel, what they eat and how you can get rid of them. A Colony of Workers and Soldiers Subterranean termites live in colonies that are similar to the colonies that bees and ants live in. These colonies are comprised of workers and soldiers as well as a king and queen. Only the king and queen are fertile, and the queen can live for several decades. A typical colony may include hundreds of thousands or even millions of insects. The termite diet consists of animal dung, soil and cellulose material like wood and dead leaves. These insects generally live underground, but they can live in moist environments above the ground...

There are a number of rodents that can infest your property. The most common in our area are Pack Rats, Norway Rats and Roof Rats. They can enter your home through a hole the size of a quarter, and are good climbers, using walls, trees, utility lines and fences.  They eat fruit, nuts, pet food, and any type of vegetation. Roof Rats nest in oleanders, wood piles or your attic. If you find hollowed out fruit or hear scratching in the attic or walls, you may have roof rats. If you see a rat and its tail is longer than the body, it is a roof rat & other rats have shorter tails. WHAT TO DO BEFORE WE ARRIVE Do not use any rodenticides (rat poison) If another animal or large bird like on owl, or even a dog or cat, eats the dead rat, they will likely die also....