The Bug Guy
Love Bugs and Other Uninvited Valentines in Phoenix Ah, February in the Valley—when the temperature hits a perfect 70 degrees, the desert blooms with wildflowers, and the scorpions emerge from winter hiding to crash your romantic dinner. Nothing says “I love you” quite like your partner screaming and jumping on the couch because a bark scorpion just photobombed your couples’ selfie. While you’re planning the perfect Valentine’s evening with chocolate-covered strawberries and candlelight, Arizona’s least romantic residents are planning their own festivities. February’s mild weather is like sending out engraved invitations to every pest in the valley. Ants form conga lines to your kitchen counter, roaches think your pantry is the hottest nightclub in town, and those gorgeous desert roses you planted? The rodents think they’re an all-you-can-eat Valentine’s buffet. Let’s talk about the real love triangle nobody wants: you, your significant other, and the family of roof rats living in your attic. They’ve been up there since December, and now that it’s warming up, they’re feeling frisky. Nothing kills the mood faster than
hearing mysterious scratching sounds above your bedroom at midnight. Is it romantic? Only if you’re into horror movies. And don’t even get me started on the pigeons. These flying romantics choose February to scout out prime nesting spots—usually your tile roof or air conditioning unit. They’re basically the reality TV stars of the bird world: loud, messy, and impossible to get rid of once they move in. The good news? A pre-Valentine’s pest control visit is actually more thoughtful than drugstore chocolates. Your partner will appreciate that you value a scorpion- free bedroom more than overpriced roses that’ll die in three days. Plus, pest control professionals work on Valentine’s Day—because love might be patient and kind, but termites definitely aren’t. So this February, show your Valley home some love. Schedule that pest inspection. After all, the only thing that should be bugging you on Valentine’s Day is deciding which restaurant has the shortest wait time. Happy Valentine’s Day from the pest-free zone! Submitted by Larry Cash, of Estrella Mountain Pest Control.
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10 Estrella Publishing - The Grove magazine
February 2026
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