Not being biased here, but Arizona is one of the loveliest places on earth. With a year-round sunny climate, vast tracts of virgin terrain for outdoor activities, and numerous interesting places, especially in the Phoenix Valley area, there are just too few places on earth you would rather live. Lovely as our state is, there are little caveats, literally. What we are talking about here are dangerous insects! Though rarely any deaths are attributed to insect stings, dangerous insects will always threaten people, especially the elderly, the very young, and people with health issues. These dangerous insects also find the Arizona climate and surroundings an ideal place to live. Chances are, they were in this place before we arrived. Having these deadliest insects nearby to bite humans will always be a threat if you are unaware of what they are and what to do about them. This article provides you with a list of the most dangerous insect threats near you.
6 of The Deadliest Insect Threats In Arizona
Red Fire Ants
These insects live in the US Southwest. Red ants build large mound nests that can be found near the structural foundations or in landscaping. They can be a severe threat once they enter your property when the possibility of red ant stings is more apparent. Though a single sting from a red fire ant isn’t deadly, it is excruciating and will often result in an enormous welt. They usually attack in groups, and multiple stings are more common.
Most cases of stings are when humans disturb a nest. The allergic reaction to a fire ant sting may cause more severe complications. Though they don’t give as painful a sting as those made by the bullet ants of Central America and South America, they attack in swarms, making them hazardous insects in their own right.
Kissing Bug
A kissing bug doesn’t kiss. They bite. They attack humans in their sleep. Though most of their bites are harmless, they can cause an allergic reaction or spread disease. The most common disease associated with the kissing bug is Chagas disease. Chagas disease is caused by the parasite that lives in the kissing bug’s feces. Kissing bugs live in the US South. They are also common in South America. They rarely venture indoors, but you are likely to find them under piles of leaves or wood, in outdoor dog houses, under porches, or in burrows of wild animals.
African Honey Bees
The species prevalent in Arizona are a hybrid mix of African and European honey bees. These species are aggressive and attack in swarms, especially if they live in larger hives. Though deaths from African honey bee stings are rare, more deaths are caused by the Africanized honey bee than European bees.
Africanized honey bees don’t differ in appearance from other bee species. You are most likely to find their nests in trees or crevices outside your home, where you may find other bee species. One way to avoid them is to treat all bee species in Arizona cautiously.
Arizona Bark Scorpion
The Arizona Bark Scorpion is one of the most venomous insects in North America and one of the most dangerous insects in the world. Worse yet, they may live indoors and sting if you disturb an object containing them. Once bitten, humans may experience loss of breath, tingling, and severe pain.
Brown Recluse Spiders
A brown recluse spider lives in areas of the house with little traffic. They curl up in cracks and crevices, hiding and waiting for their prey. They may live indoors or outdoors. Though death from a brown recluse spider bite is rare, it can cause a nasty wound.
Black Widow Spider
The black widow spider is one of the most venomous insects in the world, with a venom that is 15 times more potent than a rattlesnake’s. Fortunately, they don’t deliver all their venom in one bite. However, they inject venom dangerous to small children and elderly adults. Like brown recluse spiders, their nesting grounds are in dark, undisturbed areas. The most common nesting sites are often near burrows of small animals, under wood piles, or around construction openings. Indoors, they may find undisturbed areas such as behind furniture or under desks as nesting sites.
Honorable Mention: Mosquitos and Ticks
Mosquitos cause more deaths to humans than any other animal, including poisonous insects. Though yellow fever occurrence is infrequent nowadays, the carrier mosquitos still exist. Different species of mosquitos in Arizona also carry viruses that cause Malaria, Dengue Fever, Zika, and others. Ticks are also a threat because they have the organism which causes Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
How To Prevent Deadly Insects From Being A Serious Threat?
You can do your part by preventing dangerous bugs from entering your property. These steps are necessary to ensure that you can provide yourself with a layer of protection from these dangerous insects:
- Keep animal cages away from your home
- Don’t leave piles of firewood, leaves, and rocks in your yard
- Clean your pets regularly
- Avoid too much clutter in your home
- Clean your surroundings regularly
- Seal cracks and gaps in your home. Put screens in your windows and doors. Patch holes around window frames.
- Take out your trash regularly
- Avoid stagnant water
The Best Prevention Strategy Against The Deadliest Bugs: Call The Pros!
Whether you are dealing with a threat from an Arizona Bark Scorpion, a Black Widow Spider, Fire Ants, or Kissing Bugs, among others, our pest control company has the techniques and experience to eradicate these threats. We have methods and strategies to target these specific dangerous bugs to ensure your family’s safety. To know more about our services and how often do you need pest control to avoid dangerous bugs from becoming a severe threat to you, call us at (480) 359-9600, or Visit this page for a free estimate. Arizona is always a great place to live. Let us not let harmful bugs prevent us from keeping it that way.
