Commonly misidentified as white ants, termites are actually closer to cockroaches than ants and like their roach pals, they’re annoying as hell. Complete blindness doesn’t stop these guys from working mercilessly on your beautiful hardwood up to 24 hours a day if you can’t find them. Unfortunately, finding them in your house can be an absolute nightmare so keep an eye out for early warning signs. We spoke to Sarah from Pest Alert, who covers pest control in Dubbo, and she provided some telltale signs outlined below.

Look for the Fliers

 

One of the first signs of termite infestation is the presence of their winged cousins, called swarmers or alates. These little budding entrepreneurs have left their nest to start a new colony. What a go-getter, right? Well if you don’t want a companion to the colonies you already don’t know you have, whenever you see the flying mites, call a pest control company right away as it’s time for a colony hunt.

Knock on Wood

Did you know that the phrase ‘knock on wood’ originated in German and Celtic folklore to invoke the spirits that lived inside for protection? Well, 2020 called and we don’t exactly believe in the spirits of the wood anymore, but it’s still never a bad idea to rap lightly with the front of your knuckles on various timber spots to identify hollow-sounding areas that could indicate exposure to termites.

Watch for stuck doors and windows

Most people’s first instinct is to assume that a stuck window is due to swelling from moisture, which is, to be fair, the case a lot of the time. However, the tunneling that these little scamps conduct in your hardwood is known to warp and shape the timber in annoying ways, often expanding the outer edges so it’s not obvious there have been termites attacking the area. Doors and windows that don’t open quite as well as they used to are a big red flag for termites.

Clickbait

Finally, if all is quiet in your home and you hear an eerie, repetitive clicking sound when all your devices are turned off, there’s a good chance you have the ‘mites that ain’t your mate.

reign as Miss Arizona 2018 may soon be over but the dedicated volunteer who is passionate about helping the visually impaired is getting warmed up for her next crowning achievement — serving as president of the Chandler Lions Club.

Ticlo, 25, of Chandler, will begin her one-year term as president on July 1, taking over from Ruth Jon Wick, who served in the position for three years.

Wick said everyone in the club encouraged Ticlo to step up as president and she was unanimously elected. She added she hopes Ticlo will want to be president for at least another year after that.

Ticlo had served as one of the organization’s vice-presidents last year and first got her feet wet with the Chandler Lions Club 10 years ago while a student at Hamilton High School.

She had been a member of the Leo Club for high school students who work with the Lions and learn about community service.

Her platform as Miss Arizona was to support people with vision impairment, which also is a big focus of the Lions Clubs International and its local chapters.

Ticlo, who graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in marketing with minors in communications and dance from Arizona State University, works in marketing at Insight, a high technology solutions company in Tempe. She is working on her master’s degree in business administration at ASU.

Empowering the visually impaired is her passion.

“It’s something that we don’t think about every day because most of us are born with our sight,” she said. “There are 200,000 people in Arizona who are visually impaired. I can’t imagine what that would be like one day to lose that…to one day wake up and not be able to see your kids’ faces.

“I’ve met so many people who lost their vision later in life. Adapting to that is terrifying, it’s frustrating. The solutions we can provide; whether they’re prevention solutions or adaptive ones it helps to lessen that pain.”

Ticlo enjoys helping her fellow Lions provide vision tests and glasses for students in need in Chandler Unified.

Vision became a big part of the international Lions clubs’ philanthropy after Helen Keller, an author and activist who became deaf and blind at a young age urged them to champion vision as a cause in 1925.

Ticlo also loves the Chandler Lions Club’s “Blinded by De-Light” events which enable people to feel what it’s be like to be sightless. Last year at one such event, people sat in a movie theater and heard sounds and descriptions of a movie via earphones with no picture on the screen.

The Chandler Lions also sponsor vision forums, free events focusing on macular degeneration and diabetes on vision.

“We want to make sure everyone has the resources they need and be unafraid,” Ticlo said.

During her reign as Miss Arizona, Ticlo volunteered with the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Foundation for Blind Children, the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona and Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

She joined people making beaded bracelets at the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired and handing out medals to those who took part in a 5K run.

In that run, children who are blind would hold onto a pole and a runner with vision would guide them as they ran.

“I was there to hang out with kids and let them have fun,” Ticlo said. “I like to talk to the children.”

She is also excited to tell people about the Be My Eyes free app that links people with blindness or limited vision with sighted volunteers and company representatives who help them do things through live video calls.

Ticlo was thrilled to help a man in Scottsdale figure out how to cook his dinner as he could not see the directions on a bag of rice.

“It was amazing,” she said. “That’s something I would love more people to sign up for.”

When she spoke and met people who had brain injuries during a Rays of Hope 2019 conference in Phoenix, Ticlo was especially touched by a man who had suffered a brain injury when he was struck by lightning. He showed her a mask he painted to tell his story.

Sometimes people believe people who are blind or visually impaired can’t work, she said.

“That’s absolutely not true,” Ticlo said. “I spoke about my experience working with Chandler Lions Club and belief people who are blind or visually impaired aren’t limited by their disability. They are some of the most adaptive and resilient people I have ever met. Any qualified applicant should have the opportunity to pursue the career of their dreams.”

She received the coveted Melvin Jones Award from the Chandler Lions for outstanding contributions to the community.

“It was pretty amazing,” Ticlo said. “You do the work with the intention of just doing good in the world. You don’t expect to win any awards. It’s surreal.”

Wick said Ticlo is well-deserving of honors and is proud of her work in the club and as Miss Arizona.

“She’s been like a walking billboard for not only our Chandler Lions but all the Lions,” Wick said. “It’s been amazing what she has added to our organization…it’s been just a joy to watch her step up and take a leadership role with the high school Leo Club and then join our Lions Club while still attending college and working and still having time to volunteer. I think she’s done an amazing job.

“For the people that meet her, the thing with Isabel that stands out is she is so genuine. Her heart is as good as her beauty. People just find she’s so warm and welcoming and enthusiastic about anything she tackles. I know that all of the members in my club are so excited that she has decided to take on leadership.”

She said Ticlo will likely encourage more young adults to join the Chandler Lions.

“Her youth and enthusiasm will help to bring more youth into our aging Lions organization,” Wick said.

Ticlo said it is intimidating but she is excited to serve as the Chandler Lions president.

“It was intimidating at first because I had really big shoes to fill,” she said. “Ruth Jon Wick has been an amazing president. The Chandler Lions Club is like my second family. I feel inspired by all their stories. Blind people joined. One of my goals is to recruit younger, new members, bring them back and show them we’re still here; we could use their help.”

Ticlo was born in Iowa and moved around often as a child due to her father’s job.

Her father, Harvey, is from India, and her mother, Ganjana, is from Thailand, and she has two sisters. She has an older sister, Genevieve, 27, and a younger sister, Tiffany, 17, who is Miss Glendale’s Outstanding Teen.

As a nod to her heritage, Ticlo performed Bollywood dances while competing as Miss Arizona and at the Miss America competition. She started dancing at 13, doing jazz and hip-hop and then took classes in Bollywood dancing with her mother starting three years ago.

“I moved around a lot as a child and I needed a constant in my life,” Ticlo said. “Dance became my constant and my emotional outlet.”

She started competing in pageants at about 21 and was in the Miss Arizona competition twice previously before winning.

“Every candidate has the opportunity to win a scholarship just by competing on the stage,” Ticlo said. “That was a wonderful bonus. The sisterhood was great. You meet these amazing women.”

Serving as Miss Arizona 2018 also helped her, teaching her how to balance different activities and gave her a chance to make more contacts in the volunteer world.

Pest Control Chandler AZ

The warm has long been the envy of American looking to escape the cold of more eastern provinces. But the conditions that make Chandler appealing to humans are exactly the same that make it an ideal home for pests who wouldn’t be able to survive the cold dry winters further east.

The dense vegetation that covers much of Chandler is home to a wealth of wildlife and associated pests that thrive in the temperate climate. As AZ’s primary gateway to Pacific trade, Chandler harbours also offer some unique challenges for pest control and require continuous monitoring and prevention to ensure that infestations don’t take hold.

There’s nothing quite as frustrating as a pest problem. They can become a huge issue, whether you’re a homeowner or a business manager. That’s why Natural Pest Solutions offers pest control services in Chandler and the surrounding areas like. If you find unwanted rodents, insects, or other wildlife on your property, give us a call. We offer flexible hours so you can call us any time of day, any day of the week.

Natural Pest Solutions
62 N Amber Ct, Chandler, AZ 85225, USA
(480) 428-2826
https://mynaturalpestsolutions.com/arizona/pest-control-chandler/

 

Langley is the Fraser Valley’s premier wine and libations destination, and home of historical Fort Langley; the birthplace of British Columbia. You’ll also discover authentic farm experiences, beautiful parks and trails, trendy restaurants & lounges, exciting sport venues, unique shopping, and so much more.

The Township of Langley extends south of the Fraser River to the U.S. border, shares a western border with Surrey, and shares an eastern border with Abbotsford. The Township is home to approximately 104,000 people living in over 39,000 homes. The Township is primarily rural in makeup, with most of the suburban population living in one of its 6 major communities: Aldergrove, Brookswood/Fernridge, Fort Langley, Murrayville, Walnut Grove, and Willoughby/Willowbrook.

The City of Langley is located along the central western border, neighbouring both the Township and Surrey. It has a population of around 25,000 people living in over 11,800 homes. It is comprised of six major communities: Nicomeki, Douglas, Simonds, Blacklock, Alice Brown, and Uplands.

From its humble beginnings as a fur trading post and “Birthplace of B.C.” to its emergence as a hub of agricultural farmland in the Fraser Valley, Langley continues to demonstrate steady growth. Less than an hour’s drive from downtown Vancouver, Langley offers a mixture of suburban and rural living, blended with a rich history and unique downtown development in the city. 75% of the Township of Langley is located with the Agricultural Land Reserve, and the area boasts a huge agri-tourism industry, including some of the Fraser Valley’s finest wineries.

The city of Langley’s downtown is pedestrian-friendly, featuring a mixture of high-end shopping, boutiques, independent stores, and farmer’s markets. The arts communities is thriving here: for it’s size, Langley has a large number of arts organizations and galleries. The area is also known as the Horse Capital of B.C., home to dozens of world-class equestrian facilities and programs. Both the city and the township are serviced by the Langley School District #35.

 

Best Neighbourhood in Langley

Fort Langley is the richest and best-educated area of the Township, according to a Times analysis of new neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood profiles provided to council.

The statistics also show that the fastest-growing Township neighbourhood is Willoughby, while the slowest-growing is Brookswood-Fernridge.

The updated statistics were presented in a March 24 memo from the Community Development division to council.

The raw numbers were to be posted to the Township website at www.tol.ca under “doing business.”

The figures show that 19 per cent of Fort Langley households reported an annual income of $150,000 or more a year, well above the Township average of 14 per cent, and more than any other neighbourhood in the community.

Walnut Grove placed second, with 16 per cent of its households making $150,000 or more, while Brookswood-Fernridge and Willoughby tied for third at 14 per cent in the plus-150K category.

In terms of the exact numbers of households reporting incomes of $150,000 or more, Walnut Grove had the most with 1,435, while Willoughby was second with 930 and Brookswood-Fernridge was third with 645.

Those three neighbourhoods accounted for more than half of all Township households in the highest income category, 3,010 of the 5,165 in the entire community.

On the other end of the income spectrum, Aldergrove had the highest percentage of households making less than $20,000 a year, at 14 per cent, more than the Township average of 10 per cent.

Willoughby had the second highest percentage of households at the lower end of the income scale with 10 per cent under $20,000, and Murrayville was third at nine per cent.

In terms of the exact numbers reporting less than $20,000 a year in income, Willoughby had the most households in that category at 700, Walnut Grove was second at 635 and Aldergrove was third with 590.

The community with the smallest percentage and smallest actual number of people in the sub-$20,000 categories was Fort Langley, with five per cent or 55 households.

The best-educated neighborhood was Fort Langley, with 47 per cent possessing a college or university diploma or degree, higher than the overall Township average of 40 per cent.

In terms of housing construction, the fastest-growing neighbourhood was Willoughby, which has added 2,800 new single-family and 2,400 multi-family housing units from 2006 to 2013.

Brookswood-Fernridge had the slowest growth rate, adding 167 single-family homes and seven multi-family units over the same period.

Brookswood-Fernridge has the highest percentage of single-family homes in Langley at virtually 100 per cent, with just 15 multi-family units among 4,604, compared to the Township average of 72 per cent.

Willoughby currently has the most housing units of any area of Langley Township at 10,500, 5,900 of them single-family.

Walnut Grove has the second-highest number at 8,800 housing units while Brookswood is third at 4.600.

Pest Control in Langley

Langley is abundant with residential communities as well as economic opportunities. The hot and dry weather can drive many unwanted pests into comfortable Langley homes. Dangerous pests can be harmful and frightening. Other pests like fire ants and roaches can damage property and landscape. Protect your home from pesky pests and call a recommended exterminator today.

Natural Pest Solutions
5844 Glover Rd, Langley, BC V3A 4H9, Canada
+1 604-245-8395
https://mynaturalpestsolutions.com/ca/pest-control-langley-bc/

Gilbert is a community with agricultural roots that show-up in the local food scene and in uniquely handcrafted creations. We boast a family-friendly vibe and an emerging nightlife, all of which has been created in alignment with our local love of great food, craft beer, Arizona wine, handmade goods, bike trails, open space, and our four-legged friends.

Once known as the “Hay Shipping Capital of the World,” more recently Gilbert has received nods like, “Phoenix’s Coolest Suburb,” and a “top 5 foodie neighborhood in metro Phoenix,” it is now known more for its people food than its alfalfa. Gilbert is also consistently recognized as one of the safest cities and best places to live in the U.S.

All this adds up to making Gilbert your home base for Arizona explorations. We have 22 national parks (including the Grand Canyon) and 35 state parks here in Arizona to explore, many within an hour to a day-trip away from Gilbert like Finley Farms and Val Vista Lakes.

Pests in Gilbert

Scorpions are the NUMBER 1 pest in Gilbert AZ! Whether it’s the lush landscaping of beautiful yards in Gilbert, and the block wall fences, or just the location of high scorpion populations for generations, Gilbert has more than its share of scorpions. Scorpions are built for survival and require specialized products and applications than most general pests to eliminate.

 

Natural Pest Solutions
113 E Cullumber Ave, Gilbert, AZ 85234, USA
+1 480-470-0251
https://mynaturalpestsolutions.com/arizona/pest-control-gilbert

Most homeowners insurance protection approaches neglect to cover termite harm. These approaches typically spread home harm that is unexpected or incidental. Be that as it may, termite harm can be relieved through the learning of the indications of termite harm and calling a termite control expert right off the bat.

 

 

 

 

 

Here are five signs that termites are threatening your home:

 

1. WOOD STRUCTURES AROUND YOUR HOME SOUND HOLLOW

Tap on the wooden surface that you think is under termite assault.

Do you hear an empty sound? In the event that you do, at that point it’s sheltered to state that you’re wood is being eaten up by these little, yet perilous creepy crawlies.

Termites flourish in conditions that are dim and damp, which means they will begin benefiting from the inside of wooden structures, not the surface. The wood superficially will look unblemished, however, when you tap on it, it will sound empty.

2. YOU SPOT SWARMERS

Termites that are in their conceptive stage are called swarmers. They swarm to make new provinces.

Underground termites for the most part swarm in the springtime, though drywood termite swarms are less unsurprising. In the event that you see a swarm of creepy crawlies around light apparatuses or radiant bug wings lying around your house, it’s a great opportunity to consider bringing in a termite control expert.

3. Broken OR RIPPLED PAINT ON WOOD SURFACES

Termites can enter even the most moment opening on a wood surface, leaving knocks or swells under the paint. Along these lines, ensure that you seal any splits or openings on the dividers just as other wood surfaces to keep away from pervasion.

4. YOU SEE MUD TUBES ON THE WALLS

Termites make mud cylinders to keep themselves sodden while they’re scavenging for nourishment. Regularly, they will begin assembling these cylinders in the soggy wood that is ordinarily found in storm cellars or in the establishment of your home.

Keep all disposed of materials that they can use for making these mud cylinders, for example, mulch, rotting leaves or wood wears down from your home, so you don’t make conditions where termites like to flourish.

5. YOU FIND FRASS LYING AROUND YOUR HOME

While they eat up your wood, drywood termites desert dark colored droppings called frass. These droppings look like little wood pellets and are six-sided.

Typically when you see frass your home is at a propelled phase of the invasion. You will require the assistance of a certified vermin control expert to exhort you on regulation and treatment.

 

Natural Pest Solutions
32450 Simon Ave, Abbotsford, BC V2T 5E3
778-771-2459
https://mynaturalpestsolutions.com/ca/pest-control-abbotsford-bc

Scorpions are one of Arizona’s most feared pests. There are many myths surrounding the fearsome creatures. It can be difficult to separate the fact from fiction in regards to scorpions. Understanding the truth about scorpions can help to keep victims of scorpion stings from panicking, which can potentially worsen the effects of a sting.

 

All scorpion stings are fatal

There are one species of scorpion out of approximately 100 in the United States that possesses venom capable of causing human fatality- the Arizona Bark Scorpion. However, all scorpions are capable of regulating the amount of venom that is injected during a sting. Since scorpions take time to recover venom supply, scorpions typically only excrete a small amount of venom during stings, and may not excrete any venom at all. Less than five percent of scorpion stings require medical attention each year, most are similar to a wasp sting. Antidotes have severely decreased the likelihood that a scorpion sting will be fatal.

People allergic to bee stings may also experience allergic reactions to scorpion stings. So, be careful if you fall into this category and seek medical help if you see alarming symptoms.

Scorpions are aggressive

The preferred habitat of scorpions is beneath rocks and debris. Scorpions do not aggressively pursue humans. Most scorpion stings occur when humans step on scorpions or reach into an area where a scorpion is hiding. Scorpion stings can be avoided by wearing proper footwear when traveling through areas where scorpions are common and never reaching into debris piles or beneath rocks with bare hands. For example, use caution while removing clutter in the garage, as scorpions may be hiding there.

 

Larger scorpions are more dangerous

The Arizona Bark Scorpion is the smallest species of scorpion in Arizona, typically about the size of a nickel. Despite the small size, this species of scorpion is the only scorpion that can potentially cause fatality. The venom released by this scorpion is a neurotoxin which may cause uncontrollable muscle movements. Other species of scorpions which are common to Arizona, the Giant Hairy Scorpion and the Striped Tail Scorpion, are much larger than the Arizona Bark Scorpion at about five inches and slightly over two inches, but release much weaker venom.

 

When faced with a scorpion problem, a pest control company provides the expertise to get rid of these pests. Natural Pest Solutions is well-prepared to handle a scorpion infestation.

 

Natural Pest Solutions
1511 East Julie Drive Tempe, AZ 85283 United States
(480) 400-0413
https://mynaturalpestsolutions.com/arizona/pest-control-tempe/