In the heat of the season, its scorpions that drive people to call companies like Blue Sky Pest Control.
According to co-founder Nate Woolf, scorpions are among the most common pest complaints among homeowners this time of year. “We have one of the only poisonous varieties of scorpions in the area, the bark scorpion, “he said. “It’s been an active year because of the moisture for scorpions and other insects.”
Woolf and his co-founder Curtis Whalen, encourage Valley residents to take steps to make their homes less attractive to scorpions and other troublesome pests. “Removing leaf litter, keeping potted plants on stands away from the house, and avoid over watering,” cautioned Whalen.
Other steps homeowners can take include:
• Avoid overgrown vegetation near the house
• Steer clear of river rock and palm trees
• Watch for leaky faucets or standing water
• Keep tree limbs trimmed, especially near the home
Whalen is considered one of the top experts on insects in the country and believes in not just treating the home with their “secret sauce,” but also looking at each customer’s home for trouble spots.
“We help homeowners recognize what they need to do and suggest habitat modifications,” Woolf says. “One recommendation is trimming bushes six inches back from your home. Also, trimming tree limbs that hang over roofs is important, since the limbs and foliage provide a bridge for insects to get into your home.”
Woolf also says that old wood piles, tool bins, yard debris and certain types of landscaping become an inviting habitat for pests.
“We also look at conditions like weather stripping, daylight gaps in doorways and leaky downspouts, all of which are conductive to attracting a wide variety of insects.
