Every region of the county has its own distinct pest problem. Bugs and insects that invade homes in the East are different than those in the West. The Southwest desert states of Arizona and Texas have particular problems of their own. Here is a breakdown of the what residents in the Southwest encounter year after year.
The desert landscape of the Southwest provides a unique environment for pests. States such as Arizona and Texas are known for being very dry most of the year, but, say in the case of Arizona, has an annual monsoon season. Contrary to popular belief, the desert is home to very few pests. The water and food supply makes it very hard for even the most resiliant pests to survive year-round.
So how does a city like Phoenix have such a bad bug problem? As the city grew and expanded over the years, and homes and neighborhoods were built, tree farms provided the trees and other plants for new homes. Once a species gets near a constant water and food source, their population can mulitply exponentially in a matter of months.
The Bark Scorpion. Perhaps Arizona and Texas’ most infamous native, the bark scorpion is smaller than most other scorpions, but its venom is considered the most toxic in the country. They are identified by their consistent yellow-haze color throughout their bodies and limbs.
Cockroaches. The most common cockroaches found in the region are the American and German cockroaches. They differ in size and color, but they behave and breed all the same.
All kinds of ants. There are literally hundreds of ant species native to the Southwestn United States, but the most often you will see are the Western Carpenter Ant, the Acrobat Ant and the Pharoah Ant. Colonies can vary in size, and so can the number of queens per colony. Unlike other insects, each ant species has its own behavioral and eating pattern. Texas is also home to the Red Imported Fire Ant, the kind that build volcano-shaped mounds, but they are not found in Arizona.
Crickets. Crickets are similar to roaches in that there are several different species, but they all behave and infest the same. In the Southwest you’ll primarily find Indian House Crickets and Field Crickets.
All our friends mentioned above are looking for the same thing we are: food and water. They do not intend to invade our living spaces, but they are attracted by the numerous water sources in and around our houses.
Steve Bitter is a Marketing Manager with Bulwark Exterminating, based in Mesa, AZ. Bulwark Exterminating is an industry leader in providing high quality pest control service. Bulwark is fully operational in seven states, including eleven major cities. While Bulwark provides pest extermination for common insects such as ants, roaches, crickets and spiders, the company’s differentiating specialty is scorpion control. Bulwark uses the finest and most effective products in the world to solve common pest problems.