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3 summer critters to be on the lookout for

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The hot Arizona climate and landscape mean summer bugs are plentiful. And if not dealt with appropriately, they can be a real nuisance.

Insectek Pest Controls, a locally-owned and operated pest control company, share three bugs you should be on the lookout for this summer:

• Ants: There are several species of ants you can find in the Arizona desert, including carpenter ants, fire ants, and leafcutter ants. They can quickly become destructive as they search for water and food sources. Ants are worse during the summer months due to rains destroying their homes.

• Scorpions: Though not technically a bug (they are considered a Scorpionidae), there are three types of scorpions in Arizona. Warmer temperatures bring them out of hiding, as they look for shade, water and other insects to eat.

• Palo Verde Beetle: Harmless to humans, but often mistaken for cockroaches, they can damage your property and landscape. Their diet consists of trees, shrubs and roots. They usually come out after monsoons.

Other bugs to keep an eye out for this summer? Wasps, bees, cockroaches, termites, Orb Weaver Spiders, house crickets, drain flies and the false chinch.

Editor's note: This information was submitted by founder of Insectek Pest Solutions, which has a location in Peoria.