There are a lot of myths out there when it comes to pests and pest control. As a pest control company, we often get asked if things are true or not when it comes to bugs, birds, pests, rodents, and everything in between. We thought it would be good to debunk a few of the most common Arizona pest myths for you.

1. Do-it-yourself pest control is just as effective as hiring a professional.

This is all wrong. While you can buy chemicals for pest control at your local hardware store, taking care of insects, rodents and pigeons is best left to a professional. Our experts have received the proper training to use chemicals, which can be harmful if used incorrectly. We know just how much to use and where it should be applied. And, we can diagnose the problems around the whole home or building, not just take care of one thing.

2. Mosquitoes are the only insects attracted to water.

People often associate mosquitoes with standing water and that’s not wrong. But, lots of insects are attracted to water. Roaches hang out near a water source, like drains. Termites are attracted to moisture. Even bees and ants need a water source.

3. Once your house has scorpions, there isn’t much you can do about it.

Scorpions in Arizona do tend to cluster in certain neighborhoods and even near specific buildings and houses. The Alpha Pest team has had much success making scorpions a thing of the past for many of our customers. Treating around a home creates a barrier and gets rid of many of scorpions’ favorite snacks – insects. While spraying inside a home may be part of the plan to rid you of scorpions, keeping up the outside barrier is essential. And, if you have heard that scorpions glow under a black light, that is 100% true.

4. If you ignore pigeons, they will just go away.

Here’s the thing about pigeons. Once they have made themselves at home on your eaves, on the roof, or near your chimney, they become quite comfortable. They literally would rather die than leave. They poop much more than you’d think a bird can and this scent really makes them feel at home. They’ll have babies and those babies will keep coming back. But trust us on this, you want to leave pigeon eviction up to Alpha Pest Control. It’s a dirty job and our professionals use the right tools, cleaning products and deterrents, like wire and discs that smell like fire and keep those flying pests far, far away.

5. Not all rats in Arizona are roof rats.

Roof rats get all the press in the Phoenix area. They are especially seen in neighborhoods with fruit trees. However, many of the rats are actually Norway rats. And, this will keep you up at night, they are like schoolyard bullies. They tend to hang out on the ground; roof rats like to live up high like in a tree or on your roof. The moral of this story is, if you see any evidence of rat droppings around your house, this problem won’t go away on its own. And you really don’t want to deal with a rat issue on your own. Call us first.

Is there anything that you have always wondered about pests in the metro Phoenix area? We can help? Give the Alpha Pest Control team a call. We will come up with custom solutions for your specific problems. Call or text us at 480-968-0414.