At a glance
- Many south Scottsdale homes date from the 1950s and 1960s, and their mature citrus trees and older sewer lines support roof rats and cockroaches.
- Homes in north Scottsdale that border the McDowell Sonoran Preserve or open desert regularly see Arizona bark scorpions, black widow spiders and pack rats.
- Lake and golf course communities in Scottsdale, such as McCormick Ranch and Gainey Ranch, have large areas of irrigated turf that support ants, crickets and pocket gophers.
- Platinum Pest Management serves all of Scottsdale, including Old Town restaurants and businesses, with monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly and one-time service.
On this page
How Scottsdale pest control changes across the city
The houses at the southern end of Scottsdale have little in common with those in the far north. Many homes in south Scottsdale date from the 1950s and 1960s. Their yards tend to have mature citrus and tall palms, and some streets still use flood irrigation.
North Scottsdale is newer and more spread out. Lots are larger, and much of the ground is left as native desert. Many subdivisions run right up to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve or to the washes that come down from the McDowell Mountains.
We plan Scottsdale pest control around those differences. A treatment plan for a citrus yard near Old Town looks different from one for a desert lot below Pinnacle Peak, even when the pests overlap.
Which pests show up in each part of Scottsdale
South Scottsdale and Old Town
Roof rats feed on citrus and nest in palms and dense hedges, then travel along block walls and utility lines to reach roofs. Our roof rat control combines trapping with pointing out the openings they use, and our article on roof rats in the Phoenix area covers the warning signs. Older sewer lines bring American cockroaches up through drains at night, while Old Town restaurant kitchens deal with German cockroaches. Both species are handled under cockroach treatment.
McCormick Ranch, Gainey Ranch and the lake communities
Golf course irrigation keeps the soil moist in these neighborhoods, which suits ants and pocket gophers. Mounds along lawns and fairway edges are usually pocket gophers, and we handle them through gopher control. Ants that trail indoors are covered under ant control.
North Scottsdale near the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Desert lots bring Arizona bark scorpions and black widows close to the house, and both are covered by our scorpion control and black widow and spider control services. Pack rats build nests of sticks and cactus pieces under shrubs and sometimes in parked cars, where they chew wiring. Crickets crowd porch lights in late summer and draw scorpions after them, so cricket control is part of scorpion work up here.
Commercial pest control in Old Town Scottsdale
Old Town Scottsdale fits restaurants, bars, galleries and shops into a compact, walkable downtown, and many of those businesses share walls and trash enclosures. A cockroach or rodent problem in one of them can spread next door. We service commercial kitchens for German cockroaches and rodents, and because weekday appointments start at 7 a.m., a restaurant can usually be treated before it opens. More detail is on our commercial pest control page.
How a Scottsdale home service visit works
- An inspection of the yard and exterior walls, with extra attention to citrus and palms on older lots
- On desert lots, a look along the back wall where the yard meets open desert, including any pack rat nests
- Exterior treatment along the base of the house, the garage door and the gaps where scorpions and spiders get in
- Inside the house, treatment only where the inspection points to activity, mainly cracks and plumbing gaps
- Advice on sealing and trimming that cuts down activity between visits
Older lots in south Scottsdale are often fine on quarterly or bi-monthly service. North Scottsdale homes on the preserve edge usually need monthly visits, since scorpions there stay active for much of the year. Compare options on our pest control plans page, or book a free inspection and we will recommend one.
Scottsdale communities we serve
Our technicians work throughout Scottsdale, including the areas below.
- South Scottsdale and the neighborhoods around Old Town
- McCormick Ranch and Gainey Ranch
- Neighborhoods along the Indian Bend Wash greenbelt
- Grayhawk, DC Ranch and other north Scottsdale communities
- Troon and the desert lots around Pinnacle Peak
South Scottsdale borders Tempe, and the city's west side meets Phoenix. Homeowners with property in those cities can read about pest control in Tempe and Phoenix pest control, or about pest control in Mesa, home to our office.
Frequently asked questions
Are scorpions worse in north Scottsdale?
Scorpion activity tends to be heavier in north Scottsdale, because homes near the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and other open desert sit beside natural scorpion habitat. Bark scorpions shelter under rocks, bark and debris by day, then move toward irrigated yards and houses where insects gather. Sealing gaps, clearing debris and regular scorpion treatment reduce how many reach the inside of the house.
Do you remove pack rat nests in north Scottsdale?
Pack rat work is part of our rodent service on north Scottsdale desert lots. These rodents build nests of sticks, cactus pieces and debris under shrubs, in woodpiles and occasionally under the hood of a car that sits for a while. Trapping comes first, then we clear nests near the house and point out openings into the garage.
What should I do about roof rats in my south Scottsdale citrus trees?
In south Scottsdale, roof rats feed on ripe and fallen citrus and often nest in palm skirts and dense hedges. Picking fruit promptly, clearing what drops and trimming branches back from the roof all reduce activity. Our roof rat control then pairs trapping with pointing out gaps at the eaves and roof vents that need sealing.
Can you service restaurants and shops in Old Town Scottsdale?
Platinum Pest Management provides commercial pest control for restaurants, bars, offices and retail shops in Old Town and the rest of Scottsdale. Kitchens usually need monthly service for German cockroaches and rodents. Because Old Town storefronts share walls and alleys, it helps when the neighbors next door are on a service schedule too.
Does living on a golf course or lake in Scottsdale change pest control?
Homes in McCormick Ranch, Gainey Ranch and other lake or golf course communities sit next to large areas of irrigated turf. That moisture supports ants, crickets and pocket gophers, and water pooling in low spots can breed mosquitoes. We adjust the exterior treatment for the turf edge and check for gopher mounds along it.