Maricopa County, Arizona

Keeping Surprise Homes Free of Scorpions, Termites and Bees

A newer house on a newer street still sits in the Sonoran Desert. We help Surprise homeowners close the gaps that scorpions, crickets and wild bees use, with plans starting at $57.

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Surprise was founded in 1938 by Flora Mae Statler and became a city in 1960, but most of what you see here today is far younger. The population was 30,848 in 2000 and 143,148 by the 2020 census, so a large share of homes sit in subdivisions built over the last few decades, spread across about 110 square miles of Maricopa County.

Fresh stucco and a new roof do not keep desert pests away by themselves. Hollow block walls shelter scorpions, porch lights pull crickets to the door at night, and an irrigation box makes a ready-made cavity for a wild honey bee colony. Precision Pest Control treats residential, commercial and real estate properties here, from the Original Town Site between Dysart and El Mirage roads to the active adult streets of Sun City Grand.

Pests in Surprise

Arizona bark scorpions

The Arizona bark scorpion is the one scorpion in the state whose sting University of Arizona entomologists consider a health hazard. In a study their extension team cites, 95 percent of scorpions picked hollow block walls over every other hiding place near buildings. If a block wall surrounds your yard, that is where they live. They climb well and slip in under worn door sweeps and through weep holes, so we treat the wall line and entry points and show you which gaps to seal.

Desert subterranean termites

UA Cooperative Extension calls termites Arizona's number one urban pest, and the desert subterranean termite (Heterotermes aureus) causes the most harm. Colonies live in the soil and build mud shelter tubes up the foundation to reach framing and trim. Check the stem wall behind shrubs and along the garage, and keep plants at least two feet from the house. Store-bought products rarely stop an established colony, so we inspect first, then treat with soil or bait methods.

Africanized honey bees

According to UA Cooperative Extension, every wild honey bee in Arizona is Africanized to some extent. These bees guard a wider zone around the nest and respond in larger numbers than European bees. Around Surprise homes they settle in irrigation boxes, wall voids and other hollow spaces. Never try to remove a colony yourself. If bees chase you, cover your head and get indoors. Sealing any hole wider than 1/8 inch keeps the next swarm from moving in.

House and field crickets

Indian house crickets and field crickets are the two crickets Arizona homeowners run into most. Adults and young gather at foundations and doorways, hide through the day and come out after dark to feed, and field crickets push indoors once temperatures fall. They do not bite or carry disease, but the chirping gets old fast. Cutting back outdoor lighting, weather-stripping doors and a perimeter treatment with baits keep them outside.

The pest year in Surprise

Spring training season
Spring brings crowds to Surprise Stadium, where the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers train, and warming nights bring scorpions out. In the low desert, bark scorpions stay active whenever overnight lows sit above about 70°F. Replace worn door sweeps and caulk pipe openings before the long summer starts.
Monsoon, July to September
Summer storms are when subterranean termites send out winged swarmers, and a swarm inside the house means a colony is close. Storm runoff also pools in plant saucers and yard low spots. Clear gutters, fix drainage that sends water toward the slab, and look for new mud tubes after heavy rain.
Fall and winter
Cooler evenings send field crickets, house mice and roof rats looking for warm garages and wall gaps. Termites stay active all year in Arizona but move deeper into the soil when it turns cold. This is a good stretch to screen attic vents, stack firewood well away from the house and book an inspection.

Why new construction in Surprise still needs sealing

A recently built home is not a sealed one. Weep holes in block walls, gaps under garage doors, unsealed pipe and cable openings and door sweeps that never fit tightly are the entry points University of Arizona guides list again and again for scorpions, crickets and bees. Closing them does more than any spray alone.

Our Surprise visits start with a walk around the yard and wall line, then target the spots pests actually use: the base of the block wall, irrigation boxes, the garage and the area under exterior lights. In 55+ communities such as Sun City Grand, Arizona Traditions and Heritage at Asante, we keep things simple and explain what we applied and why. Estimates are free, and you can call (512) 561-7451.

Quick Quote (512) 561-7451

Where we work around Surprise

Original Town Site
Sun City Grand
Marley Park
Surprise Farms
Asante
Sierra Montana
Arizona Traditions
Greer Ranch
Sun City West

Surprise pest questions

Are bark scorpions common in Surprise, AZ?

Yes. Surprise is in the low Sonoran Desert, where the Arizona bark scorpion is active for most of the year once nights stay above about 70°F. They favor hollow block walls, rocks and wood piles, and because they climb, they turn up on ceilings and in attics. Sealing door gaps and weep holes plus a regular perimeter treatment reduces how many get inside.

What should I do if a scorpion stings someone in Surprise?

Call Poison Help at 1 (800) 222-1222 right away for guidance. University of Arizona extension advice is that children 9 years old or younger who weigh under 70 pounds need immediate medical attention after a bark scorpion sting. Adults with severe symptoms should seek care as well. After that, a UV light check of bedrooms at night shows where others may be hiding.

How much does pest control cost in Surprise?

Our Surprise plans begin at $57, and we never charge to put together a quote. Where yours lands depends on the size of the property, which pests you are dealing with and how often you want service. Request a quote online or call (512) 561-7451, and we will walk you through the options for your Surprise home.

Book Your Surprise Pest Service

Schedule online or call (512) 561-7451 for a free estimate on your Surprise home.

Schedule a FREE Estimate (512) 561-7451

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