The Most Dangerous Summer Pests in Arizona

Arizona is home to a wide variety of pests that range from simply annoying to outright dangerous. As Arizona summers heat up and the monsoon season sets in, Arizonans can expect to see some scary-looking insects. Before sounding the alarms and planning ways to spend the remainder of summer inside, learn more about the pests you need to protect against or avoid. In this blog, we will share valuable information on the dangerous summer pests in Arizona and offer tips from our experts on how to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Mosquitoes

These tiny and potentially deadly creatures make their homes almost everywhere in the world, but Arizona’s warm climate provides the perfect stomping grounds for mosquitoes. It’s surprising to learn that mosquitoes are the deadliest creatures in the world due to their disease-spreading tendencies. Mosquitoes often spread dangerous diseases like malaria, yellow fever and West Nile. At the very least, mosquito bites are itchy, annoying and put a damper on summer activities.

The best way to prevent mosquito bites is to prevent them from breeding in the first place. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so eliminating standing water around the home and yard is the best first defense against mosquitoes. Find anything that could be holding water, such as gutters, buckets or plant pots get rid of mosquito breeding grounds.

Mosquito Repellant Plants

Another step homeowners can take is planting naturally mosquito-repellant plants. Plants that naturally repel mosquitoes include citronella, marigolds, lavender, catnip and basil. These plants repel mosquitoes with their scents and are also beneficial when rubbed on the skin because it masks the human scent that draws mosquitoes in. There are also a variety of creams and sprays that can be applied to the skin that repel mosquitoes. We recommend using bacterium granules that control mosquito larvae to keep mosquitoes away from the home. Plus, granules are safe for pets, children and plants.

Wasps

Wasp stings are some of the most painful insect stings. The pain is normally the worst part, but if a person is allergic, or if he or she gets stung multiple times, it can turn into a medical emergency. Most wasp encounters happen toward the end of summer when colonies stop breeding new workers and the remaining wasps must fly farther distances in search of food making them more likely to encounter humans. Wasps are predatory flying insects, which means they have hotter tempers than similar insects like bees.

If you see wasps consistently flying around your home or neighborhood, it means there’s probably a nest nearby. Wasps like to build their nests in sheltered, hidden locations, so check all bushes, attics and structure eaves for a suspected wasp nest in the area. Once you locate the nest, you may want to call a professional to have it removed. If you’d like to save some money and take this task on yourself, we recommend talking with our experts to identify the most effective product and to get clear instructions for killing wasps from a safe distance.

Ticks

Another one of the most dangerous summer pests in Arizona is the tick. They are most active in the summer, but ticks can remain active well into the spring and fall due to Arizona's year-round warm weather. Ticks can be dangerous for humans and animals alike and there are over 25 species of ticks in Arizona. Although tick bites aren't normally painful, they can still be dangerous. Ticks can transmit diseases like Lyme disease, babesiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

How to Keep Ticks Away

To keep ticks away, we recommend applying a combination of spray and granule killers, as well as a coat treatment for any furry family members living in the house. It's important to regularly check both children and animals for ticks to prevent tick attachments. It’s also important to know how to safely remove ticks from a dog and a human.

Spiders

Although there are countless spiders living in Arizona, there are only two groups that pose a severe risk to people – Arizona brown spiders and black widows. Arizona brown spiders are a type of brown recluse that grows to only a ½ inch long and is an ordinary brown color. They don’t typically seek interactions with people and tend to stay in warm, dry, dark environments. When they do bite, it is because they have been disturbed or feel threatened. Their bites become painful blisters and can cause restlessness, fever and trouble sleeping. When undetected, a bite can cause serious illness, which can require hospitalization for treatment.

The black widow is one of the more notorious black spiders. They grow to be around one and a half inches long and are identified by their trademark bright red hourglass shape on their underside. Like the Arizona brown spider, black widows prefer to keep to themselves and typically only bite when provoked. They also prefer dark, dry locations to make their homes. Black widow bites are rare but extremely dangerous – their venom is 15 times more potent than rattlesnake venom. A black widow bite typically causes muscle aches, and nausea and can create difficulty breathing.

Precautionary Measures

While spiders try to keep to themselves, it is still important to take precautionary measures around the house to ensure they keep their distance. Removing clutter around the yard and home is a good first step to eliminating hiding places. Homeowners should remove anything left lying around both outside and inside the home. You should also seal and properly store any food sources and inspect the home for possible entry points around doors and windows. The most common and effective preventative treatment is to apply a mix of granule and spray solutions around the perimeter walls of the home and the yard. This easy DIY treatment kills and provides a barrier preventing both insects and arachnids from entering the home.

Scorpions

Scorpions might be the most feared pest in Arizona. The state’s hot, dry climate provides the perfect habitat for scorpions to thrive year-round. Their stings cause extreme pain and a variety of miserable symptoms. More than 40 scorpion species make their home in Arizona, but the only one that’s deadly to humans and animals is the Arizona bark scorpion.

Slick Barrier

Scorpions are known for their remarkable climbing abilities, easily making their way up surfaces like walls and bedposts. However, they are incapable of climbing up glass-like surfaces. Knowing this, brothers Tony and Aaron Gonzales created a product called Slick Barrier. This product is a first-of-its-kind paint-on solution that creates a slick, physical barrier around a home or building that scorpions and other pests cannot climb. Slick Barrier is easy to apply with a paintbrush and lasts for up to two years before you have to reapply it. Bug & Weed Mart was the first retailer to sell this product and is well-versed in its use. Slick Barrier, along with other DIY pest control solutions, are effective for keeping scorpions out and getting rid of them overall.

While a variety of scary pests call Arizona home, there is no reason to live in fear of their stings. Most pests want to keep to themselves and the ones that don’t can be kept out of homes and yards with simple DIY treatments and tools. If you have any concerns or fears, our experienced team is available and happy to answer specific questions about pests and pest solutions; just call or stop by one of our valley-wide locations to get the help you need.