4 times with the Pest Control guy and still have ticks!? (Home Depot, buy)

[HarveytheRabbit]

Does this sound right? They are small and flat and red, they look like the pictures of bedbugs I see online, but they assure me they are ticks. Why can't they get rid of them? They say they are using an organic chemical that does not harm humans at all, maybe it's not strong enough?

Also I have an extremely loud chirping sound in a tree outside. It is very, very loud and has been there for days. Is it a katydid? And how do I get rid of it?

[Bungle]

Originally Posted by HarveytheRabbit

Also I have an extremely loud chirping sound in a tree outside.

Replace the battery. Trees need fresh batteries.

[observer53]

I'd suspect a bird before I'd think of an insect. I don't know that we even have katydids here. And, if we did, aren't they called that because that's the sound they make? Not "chirp" ? This site doesn't describe any of them as making a "chirp" sound.

[HarveytheRabbit]

It's actually very strange. I've looked into that tree for 1/2 an hour and can't zero in on them and see where the sound is coming from. It sounds more like electricity sizzling, or a giant wasp flapping it's wings. It's a constant ZZZZZZZZZZ sound, so loud that it hurts your ears if you stand under it for too long.

They don't do it at night, only day. I'm wondering, the tree has what looks like bean pods all over, could it be those are baking in the sun and making a mexican jumping bean rattle effect?

I've shot the tree with a high powered water hose nozzle, and whacked it with a broom and it doesn't stop or even quiet down for a second or two. Any ideas?

[AZPam]

Sounds more like a Cicada to me. They are starting to tune up for the summer

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by AZPam

Sounds more like a Cicada to me. They are starting to tune up for the summer

Yep. The sound of love.

[Border Scot]

HtR...

Here's a link that will give you a brief overview of the low desert Cicada.

Cicadas in the Low Desert

Me thinks this is what you have in your tree. I lived in Maryland when the cicadas came out to make whoopie after their 17 year slumber in 2004. Now THERE was some noise!

[hank c.]

Cicadas sound right to me. Could maybe be a "Mockingbird", they make some strange sounds but I do believe it is Cicada time. Usually right before the monsoons start. If one is bothering you that much I feel sorry for you and I would get a good set of ear plugs for the up and coming event you are about to experience when all the Cicadas come out in another couple of weeks. It's pretty loud.
Ticks suck! Good luck with that adventure is all I can say.

[HarveytheRabbit]

Originally Posted by Border Scot

I lived in Maryland when the cicadas came out to make whoopie after their 17 year slumber in 2004.

I was that age once. I think I'll just deal with the noise and leave them to their business.

[MalteseJane]

Originally Posted by AZPam

Sounds more like a Cicada to me. They are starting to tune up for the summer

I too think it is a Cicada. Now why they call that noise "le chant de la cigale" (song of the cicada) beats me. I would certainly not call that a song.

Now for the ticks. If after 4 times the Pest Control could not get rid of them I would start doing the pest control my self. I love the organic products but they don't kill on contact. If you are that much infested I would look for something else. We stopped using the pest control company this year because we still had crickets. We now do it ourselves with EcoSmart that we buy at Home Depot. So far so good. No crickets.