​These termites are aggressive and not afraid to put up a fight,  and they will definitely defend what they determine to be their territories. Formosan termites act quickly, and they can cause a lot of damage in not a lot of time. These termites reproduce fast! The queen can lay around 1,000 eggs in a single day contributing to how quickly one colony can destroy a home. ​

​There are some warning signs that you should pay attention to in order to tell if you might have a termite infestation. One warning is the presence of termite swarmers. Termite swarmers are adult termites with wings who leave their colonies to mate and create new colonies. These particular winged termites sole purpose is to reproduce.

​You can see evidence of termite swarmers when you see them flying around your porch lights. Another warning to pay attention to is if you see their wings dropped near your doors, windows, vents, and other parts of your home. This is a sign that termites are nearby, have potentially found a mate, and could very well be creating a colony right under your nose. 

Happy New Year!
It's time for new resolutions, new promises, new changes, and new commitments. 
In the pest control industry, these new commitments come in the form of a commitment to your home,  to your health, and to your peace of mind. 

​So, what exactly does that look like? 
​It looks like making the decision to be proactive in the protection of your home from pests. Here at Champion Pest Management, we believe it's time to make some New Year's Resolutions that are easy to stick to because we're here to do the heavy lifting. 

Believe it or not, but the number one reason you should schedule regular professional pest control is to keep up with your overall general health. Cockroaches, rodents, mosquitoes--all of these pests (and more) carry diseases which can spread to you and your family causing illness. A regularly scheduled pest control appointment with a trained and licensed pest control company like Champion Pest Management is crucial in keeping these unwelcome visitors out of your home and your yard, and therefore keeping your immune system just how you like it: strong and healthy.  

There are quite a few homeowners looking to save a dollar or two and take the chance with DIY pest control solutions. While you may feel as though you're saving a few bucks, this could be costly and ineffective in the long run. Without proper training and knowledge, a homeowner runs the risk of misusing over-the-counter pesticides. A trained technician knows where and how to best apply professional grade pest control solutions and can take the guess work out of DIY pest control. A trained professional can save you time, and save you from exposure to unnecessary and misused pesticides.  

I promise, keeping pests out of your home is way more effective than trying to kick them out once they've invited themselves inside. Many people feel as though a professional service is no longer needed once they no longer see bugs with their own eyes. This isn't entirely true. It's the regular treatment that is giving the homeowner that peace of mind. Get rid of your pest control service, and in about 3 months, you may be wishing you still had us around. ​

No matter what you decide, or when you decide it. Champion Pest Management will always be here to help fight that good fight. Our trained technicians will help guide you through the best course of action for your home, and we will give you that peace of mind that we're all looking for when it comes to New Year's Resolutions and changes. 

Halloween is tucked away. 
​We've all slept off the turkey comas.
Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday have all come and gone. 

It's not quite December 1st, but maybe even for the Scroogiest of us all it's time to sit back and usher in the  Christmas holiday. With that, comes, for many, the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree. Now, a Christmas tree entry isn't exactly what you'd expect from a pest control company blog, but believe me, the choices you make about your tree could greatly affect your need of an exterminator this Holiday season.

The Christmas tree is probably one of the most iconic Christmas image, but it's definitely one that is not safe from debate:

Douglas or Fir.
Homemade ornaments or Elegant themes. 
Let the kids lend a hand or Move all the ornaments after they've gone to bed. 
White lights or Colorful lights.
One tree or Two. 
And of course.....
Real or Fake

With over 35 million trees harvested each year and only about 10 million artificial trees sold a year, it's not too soon to rule out the popularity of the live tree. I mean come on, it's an over 1 billion dollar industry!

​ Let's talk a little though about what you should know about those amazing live trees after you strap them to the top of your car and head home singing carols along the way. 

As with bringing anything involving nature into your home, when buying a live tree, you run the risk of opening your doors to a possible 25,000 unwelcome Christmas guests. Okay, Okay. I'm not saying all this to scare you, or to send you running to your local box store to purchase a pre-lit, artificial tree. Believe me, I'm not trying to ruin any traditions. You simply cannot replace that magical smell of a fresh cut tree. 

While aphids and mites are just a couple of pests possibly trimming your tree this year. You should be on the look out for other signs of bugs as well. Adelgids (these make your tree look as though they have a slight dusting of snow on it--festive right?), Bark Beetles, and even Praying Mantises are known to be found in evergreens.  A Christmas tree filled with pests may not quite be what's on your Christmas list, and the thought of bringing home a bounty of bugs may leave you a little Bah Humbug, but don't let these thoughts bring you down. Be sure to check your tree thoroughly before bringing it inside your home. a goof idea would be to place it in your garage for a few days on a white sheet, and shake it vigorously. Just think, there are always the stockings to hang by the chimney with care. 

No fear though. Champion Pest Management is here if you do happen to have a few extra visitors this holiday season. Don't be afraid to give us a call. 

I highly recommend reading the article written by PCT on the recent bed bug reports in Phoenix.