5 Springtime Pests in the Las Vegas Valley

It’s officially the first day of spring here in Las Vegas, meaning warmer weather is headed our way. Increasing temperatures and rainy weather in the springtime encourage a variety of insects and pests to emerge after spending most of the winter in a dormant state. The best way to prepare for spring pests is to know what types you should expect to see as spring progresses. The top 5 springtime pests in the Las Vegas Valley are as follows:

Bark Scorpions in Las Vegas

Bark Scorpion Exterminators Las Vegas Henderson NevadaNot only is the bark scorpion the most common scorpion in the nation, it is also the most venomous and will attack if threatened. A few things to remember about bark scorpions include:

  • They are tan in color, have 8 legs, grow up to 3 inches in length, and have a thin tail with a curved stinger.
  • Bark scorpions prefer to make their home under rocks, in crevices, and in trees outdoors. Inside, they can be found trapped in sinks or bathtubs when not climbing walls.
  • Their sting is highly venomous and should be considered a serious health risk that should be attended to by a medical professional as soon as possible.

The Prevalence of Sugar Ants

odorous house ant sugar ant exterminators Las Vegas NV Henderson Paradise NevadaAlso known as odorous house ants, sugar ant infestations are notoriously difficult to manage. Sugar ants are either black or brown in color, grow to no more than 1/8″, and, true to their name, emit a strong odor when smashed. While sugar ants don’t pose a serious health risk, it’s important to know the following facts:

  • They are capable of contaminating food in your home as they forage.
  • Odorous house ants do not bite people.
  • They are known to be one of the most difficult pests to eliminate.

Africanized Honey Bee Facts

Africanized Honey Bee removal and control Las Vegas Nevada Henderson Paradise NVAfricanized honey bees are a hybrid species of the western honey bee, and they are frequently found in the Las Vegas area. A few facts to remember about Africanized honey bees include:

  • Often known as “killer bees”, these bees are fiercely aggressive and known to attack anyone they feel threatened by.
  • They closely resemble European honey bees, but their aggression makes them stand out as more dangerous.
  • Nests can be found anywhere and everywhere around your home, often in places common to human activity.

The American Cockroach Dilemma

american cockroach exterminators and pest control las vegas paradise NevadaAmerican cockroaches are large red-brown roaches in the southwest, and adults can grow to be 1½ inches in length. American cockroaches exhibit some of the following behaviors that separate them from other types of cockroaches:

  • They are found in large numbers in restaurants, family homes, and hospitals.
  • American cockroaches do not cause structural damage but can contaminate food and can be vectors of disease as they carry around germs and bacteria.
  • They can be extremely difficult to get rid of especially when the infestation is large.

All About Roof Rats

roof rat exterminators control and removal companies Las Vegas Henderson Paradise NV NevadaRoof rats are smaller than Norway rats, but possess a longer tail and bigger ears. True to their name, roof rats nest in high areas such as trees or attic spaces. Some of the threats of roof rats include:

  • They have a fast reproduction rate.
  • They are carriers for a variety of diseases and bacteria.
  • Roof rats can quickly damage their environment by chewing through wires, wood, and food, leaving destruction in their wake.

Professional Help With Springtime Pests

If you notice any of the aforementioned pests this spring, it’s smart to call a professional who can check for signs of nests and populations. At Western Exterminator, we are dedicated to helping our customers stay pest-free throughout every season.

5 Tips for Avoiding Insect Stings

Stinging insects such as yellow jackets, wasps and hornets send more than 500,000 people to the emergency room each year. And, if that’s not bad enough, in Las Vegas and Henderson neighborhoods, they become extra feisty in late summer and early fall when their colonies forage for food to sustain their queens during the winter months.

While the thought of encountering a bee hive in a sprinkler valve box or a hornets nest under the patio is enough to make anyone want to stay indoors over the next few weeks, don’t fret. There are a handful of ways to ensure these pesky stingers won’t ruin your fun in the sun.

Seal cracks and crevices

One effective way to prevent an infestation of these insects and most other pests is to eliminate access and harborage sites around of the home. Stinging insects often build their nests inside block walls and valve boxes, behind patio lights and under decks or eaves. Homeowners should seal all visible cracks and crevices to keep these pests from moving indoors, and regularly inspect around the yard and along the perimeter of the house for nests.

Keep food covered

Have you ever been to an outdoor gathering where bees are swarming around the table of hamburgers, chips and fruit? Stinging insects are attracted to exposed food and open garbage cans. To avoid an unwanted encounter with a yellowjacket or bee during a picnic or cookout, cover all food when outside and be sure to keep tight fitting lids on trash bins.

Avoid excessive use of fragrances

Yellowjackets and other stinging insects are attracted to sweet-smelling fragrances. If spending long periods of time outdoors, avoid excessive use of perfume or cologne. When possible, also choose unscented shampoos, soaps, lotions and sunscreen.

Adjust your wardrobe

Avoid wearing dark colors and floral prints, since these patterns are known to attract stinging insects. It’s also important to wear closed-toe shoes, especially in grassy areas as bumblebees and some hornets often nest there.

Remain calm, cool and collected

If a stinging insect is flying nearby, many people’s first reaction is to either swat the insect away or flail their arms in panic. However, these movements may actually provoke an attack. Do not swat the pest, but rather remain calm, slowly walk from the area and it should fly away without causing any harm. If you do get stung, carefully remove the stinger and seek medical attention, as reactions can be severe in some cases.

Contact a pest professional

If a nest is found on the property, keep yourself and other members of the family away and do not attempt to remove it on your own. Depending on the species, a nest could contain hundreds (if not thousands) of stinging insects, which could swarm and sting en masse if they are disturbed or feel threatened. Instead, contact our pest professionals at Western Exterminator, and we will be able to identify the species and aid in stinging insect control by either removing the colony or destroying the nest.

How Do Bees Make Honey?

Bees are the only insect in the world that make food that people can eat – honey. We all have honey in our cupboards. Maybe we add it to our tea or drizzle it on our toast, but how do bees make honey?

Honey gets its start as flower nectar, which is collected by bees.

Bees gather nectar from flowers using their straw-like proboscis. Worker bees drink the liquid nectar and store it in a special stomach called the honey stomach. With a full belly, the worker bee heads back to the hive and regurgitates the nectar into a cell of the honeycomb, where it’s naturally broken down into simple sugars and stored. The unique design of the honeycomb, coupled with constant fanning by the bees’ wings, causes evaporation to take place, creating the thick, sweet liquid we know as honey.

Bees work hard to make honey.

A honeybee visits between 50 and 100 flowers during one collection flight from the hive. In order to produce one pound of honey, two million flowers must be visited and it takes about 12 bees their entire lifetime to produce one teaspoon of honey. 

Sources:

“How Honey Is Made” National Honey Board 

“How Do Bees Make Honey” About.com