Keeping pests out as temperatures rise
13 On Your Side's Arlette Yousif speaks with a local pest control company about keeping the bugs out
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA/KECY) - It’s definitely starting to heat up in the desert southwest, and some creepy crawlers may be trying to make their way into a cool place.
Spiders, ants, and even water bugs try to stay cool just like the rest of us, but how do you get rid of unwanted house guests? In this case… cringe-worthy squatters.
Summer heat means a lot of things for the desert southwest… one being keeping pests out of your sanctuary.
Empire Pest Control Owner James Rodriguez says to look out for hidden critters.
“During the summer months, the biggest thing to watch out for is when you’re moving things like your sneakers or rocks… because that’s where a lot of the bad insects can be hiding out to stay cool, to stay, you know, out of the heat themselves,” says Empire Pest Control Owner James Rodriguez.
Rodriguez says while store-bought sprays can be helpful… It’s usually more effective and even more cost-effective to hire a pest control company to address exactly what pest may be trying to make its way into your home.
He also says it’s better to start early to prevent any major pest problems in the future.
That’s just what one local is doing.
“Constantly sweeping, spraying raking, and just aware of my surroundings and the neighbor's pets and everything. So you know, I just make sure that I’m always on top of everything,” explains Yuma local David Salinas.
Rodriguez says to read all pest control product labels for rules and safety, as misusing products can do more harm than good.
“A lot of what changes from the winter months to the summer months in treatment is the type of product that we use. Obviously, with all the heat and the UV rays, liquid products are going to break down much quicker than let’s say a granular product," says Rodriguez.
Rodriguez says to especially look out for termites this time of year as they are known to surface when the temperature changes from cold to hot.
