Black Widow Spider - Spiders in Oklahoma

Three Spiders in Oklahoma That Might Bite You

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What to Do if These Eight-Legged Creatures Bite You

Oklahoma is home to a wide range of spiders, some of which can pose a danger to humans. However, the negative reputation of some of Oklahoma’s spiders is unearned. Read on to learn more about some of Oklahoma’s most common and well-known spiders.

Brown recluse.

People fear the brown recluse for a reason – its bite injects venom that can be toxic to humans, particularly the very young and the very old. You can most easily identify brown recluses by their brown color and the distinctive fiddle-shaped markings on the back.

Brown recluses hide in quiet areas such as cabinets, shoes, and under furniture during the day, but may come out in search of food at night. If a brown recluse bites you, you may experience an immediate painful reaction, but the long-lasting effects of brown recluse venom are the real danger. Their venom can kill skin tissue to an extent that may require skin grafts and six to eight weeks to heal. Seek medical attention.

Black widow.

The country’s most well-known venomous spider is also native to Oklahoma. Their large, shiny, black abdomens easily distinguish black widows, as well as the distinctive red hourglass on the underside. You can find them most often in crevices provided by manmade structures.

Black widows inject their victims with a neurotoxin that can affect the nervous system, but usually produces flu-like symptoms. However, the very young and the very old can be at a greater risk for further injury by black widows. Seek medical attention in the case of a black widow bite.

Wolf spiders.

Wolf spiders are often confused with brown recluse spiders. Though fearsome in name and appearance, these large, furry brown striped spiders do not typically harm humans; though their bites may be painful, wolf spiders are not venomous. Wolf spiders are helpful creatures, as they eat other insects – as well as other spiders – in your home.

Do you have questions or concerns about spiders you’ve found in your home? Are you interested in pest control in OKC or spider control in OKC? Contact The Bug Guy for a quote.

Sources:

http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2294/EPP-7301webcolor.pdf

http://www.dasnr.okstate.edu/Members/sean-hubbard-40okstate.edu/spider-identification-101

https://www.nomorebugs.com/poisonous-spiders-in-oklahoma/

Oklahoma

Tick Bites Can Make You Sick - Pest Control OKC

Five Ways a Tick Bite Can Make You Sick and What to Do

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Don’t Let a Tick Bite Make You Ill

Ticks are notorious for being hard to spot until they’re well established, and tick bites can make you sick. Are you aware of all the risks ticks can carry? More importantly, are you doing all you can to prevent yourself, your loved ones, and your pets from exposure to ticks?

What Are the Health Risks?

The most well-known tick borne disease is Lyme disease, with over 30,000 cases per year. The bacteria that cause this disease spread after a tick bites, and can cause a rash, headache, and fever, and eventually lead to arthritis as well as neurological and cardiac disorders. However, North American ticks spread at least eleven other diseases, including:

  • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
  • Tularemia
  • Q fever
  • Ehrlichiosis

Several of these diseases can turn deadly, and not all are detectable on the skin or by other symptoms until the infection is advanced.

How Can You Prevent Tick Bites?

The best way to prevent tick bites is by staying away from areas commonly known to host ticks, such as areas of tall grass. Alternatively:

  • Cover yourself. Wear clothing that covers the arms and legs and presents a barrier to any ticks.
  • Use a repellent. Look for a repellent marked to repel ticks. However, ticks may be able to walk over areas of skin sprayed with repellent, so consider clothing treated with permethrin, a tick repellant substance.
  • Stay away from shade. Ticks don’t adapt well to direct sunlight, meaning they tend to stay in shaded areas.
  • Wear light colored clothing. Lighter colored clothing makes it easier to spot any ticks that may have caught a ride from your hike to your home.
  • Check your pets. You should check your pets for ticks after every walk – particularly those in grass or a wooded area. In addition, regularly use tick prevention for your pets.

Once you get home, do a thorough check for ticks, including any small red bumps that could indicate a tick bite. If you find a tick, remove it immediately with tweezers, being careful to keep the tick intact.

Reach out to The Bug Guy if you have questions regarding ticks, or with any questions about pest control in OKC or spider control in OKC.

Sources:

https://medlineplus.gov/magazine/issues/spring17/articles/spring17pg25-27.html

https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/index.html

https://www.livescience.com/46160-how-to-avoid-tick-bites.html

Household Pests - Pest Control OKC

Household Pests That Cause Severe Health Problems

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3 Household Pests You Need to Remove Right Now

Some household pests can cause more damage than others, and it’s important to be able to recognize when you need professional assistance with a pest infestation. Though all pests are annoying, some are relatively harmless, while others can jeopardize your and your family’s health. Here are a few of the most harmful common household pests.

Mice

Mice may be kind of cute, but they are not harmless. They frequently try to find their way indoors when the weather turns cold. Mice typically search kitchens in hopes of finding food. Even when they don’t find food, they still contaminate every surface they walk on. Mice constantly dribble urine, and also frequently drop pellets of feces. They can carry a number of diseases such as salmonella and meningitis. Though the amounts are trace, those are not germs you want in your home at all – much less where you prepare food.

Cockroaches

They are despicable little bugs, aren’t they? From the small German cockroach to the massive Palmetto bugs of the southeast, they are all disgusting, full of germ, and hard to shake. Cockroaches are notorious sewer dwellers. So, they bring all those yucky sewer germs into your home, often near your food. Additionally, they multiply extremely fast. If you see a few roaches in a week, there are likely hundreds more coming.

Brown Recluse Spiders

Also known as the Fiddleback, brown recluse spiders can lurk in your home without you knowing. They cause necrotic bites, infection, pain, and fever. In very severe cases, untreated bites are deadly. These spiders are aptly named reclusive given that they like to hide in curtains, closets, attics, basements, and quiet corners. They also love to hide in the bed If you see a few of these spiders, you likely have many more and need assistance quickly.

If you need household pest control in OKC call The Bug Guy for help.

Sources:

https://www.motherearthliving.com/your-natural-home/common-house-pests-that-affect-your-health

https://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/magazine-archive1/augustseptember-2012/sanitation-pests-everyday-threats-to-the-human-food-supply/

http://www.cmete.com/index.php?tg=articles&idx=Print&topics=101&article=68

Bed Bug - Pest Control OKC

Warning Signs of Bed Bug Infestation

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How to Spot Bed Bugs Early

Bed bugs are every homeowner’s worst nightmare, and it is essential to know how to identify a bed bug infestation as soon as possible, before it gets out of control. If you need help with pest control in Oklahoma City, The Bug Guy is the call to make. We want to help you identify what kind of pests you are dealing with, so that we can help you find a solution. Here are a few signs that you may have bed bugs in your home.

  • Reddish or rust-colored mattress spots from smashed bedbugs
  • Dead bedbugs under the mattress or under the mattress cover
  • Small dark brown or black spots about the size of an asterisk (*) which are bed bug feces
  • Physical bites on you or your loved ones (reddish and resemble ant bites or a rash)

Identify Bed Bugs Early

It is better to treat a bedbug infestation early, rather than to wait for them to take hold. A severe bed bug infestation can create painful bites and unsanitary living conditions. The sooner bed bugs are discovered, the more quickly and efficiently we can help you get rid of them. With that said, we can help at any point in the process – even if the infestation is severe.

Where Do Bed Bugs Hide?

Bedbugs are so small, they can fit in many crevices, especially in a heavy infestation. A trained professional can help detect these pests. If you suspect you may have bedbugs, check the following hiding places:

  • Curtains
  • Wall joints and molding
  • In seams of drawers
  • Between couch cushions
  • Within electrical components
  • Inside any furniture
  • Under loose wallpaper edges
  • Inside electrical appliances

Contact The Bug Guy if you have further questions or concerns about bedbugs. Additionally, we offer pest control in OKC and spider control in OKC. We can get rid of what’s bugging you!

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/bedbugs-infestation#1

https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/how-find-bed-bugs

https://www.pestworld.org/all-things-bed-bugs/signs-of-bed-bugs/

 

Pest control OKC

Pest Control OKC: Common Winter Pests

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Pest Control OKC talks about common winter pests

Winter is here and the pests are looking to make a nice warm winter retreat within the walls of your home! Most insects will die off in the winter or go into hibernation, but some species will look for a warm, dry place (like your home) to wait out the colder months. Pest Control OKC lays out some of the most common winter pests to look for.

Moth Fly: Commonly known as a “drain fly” these small insects don’t cause any harm, but in large numbers they can become quite the nuisance. As their name suggests, you’ll commonly find them around drains.

Bed Bugs: There was a time when no one had to worry about bed bugs, but in recent years they have made a resurgence keeping many a people awake and annoyed.

Cluster Fly: Cluster Flys are big, slow flys that like to cluster around windows on warm days. There’s never just one of these flys, as their name suggests. If you think you found one, chances are there are many more hiding in your home.

Winged Carpenter Ants: Ants in your home are never a good sign, flying ants are even worse! Should you see a winged carpenter ant in your home during winter, there is a strong possibility that they came from a nest within your home. If you find these winged pests, call for pest control ASAP!

Firewood Pests: There are few things more enjoyable than a nice fire on a cold, snowy day. But be careful, the firewood needed to make those fires can house a large number of pests. Check your firewood carefully to make sure you don’t let any unwanted guests in the house!

If you think your home is infested with unwelcome pests contact The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, today at 405-973-5522.

Pest Control OKC

Pest Control OKC: Common Fall pests

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The leaves are turning, it’s getting colder, and the pests are moving in! Pest Control OKC is here to identify some common ones and what you can do when you see them.

 

 

1.) Cockroaches: Roaches need humans and their warm homes to survive the colder months. The best way to deal with a roach infestation is to prevent it by making sure your house is sealed and that there are no places for the roaches to hide. Once roaches are in, it can be almost impossible to get rid of them without a pest control professional. If you do spot roaches in your home give The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, a call.

 

 

2.) Ants: When most insects become less active in colder months, Ants keep right on going thanks to the hives they build deep underground. But just because they’re deep underground doesn’t mean you shouldn’t worry, these tiny engineers often position their nests in ways that allow them to build tunnels into your home. And don’t think an infestation will pass over with time, Ants colonies can live for years with a healthy queen and ready access to food.

 

 

Pest Control OKC

Pest Control Okc

3.) Spiders: These creepy crawlers will attempt to invade your home for 2 reasons: The first reason is like the others on this list, some spiders will move in to try and avoid the cold and search for food. The other reason however can provide some future problems. The second reason spiders will move in is to lay egg sacs. These spiders will typically die after a short period, leaving their eggs to incubate in your warm home and hatch when the weather gets nicer. A nasty surprise for summer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you find any of these uninvited fall guests, give The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, a call at 405-973-5522 and take back your home for Fall!

 

German Cockroaches wreak havoc!

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German cockroaches are a very serious threat to anyone that has respiratory problems. Their feces or dead bodies put our some nasty allergens that can cause allergic reactions and asthma. This is especially detrimental to young children or elderly. These roaches will reproduce in droves and their numbers can quickly expand.They have been known to transfer some diseases also. It is important to get started eliminating them at the first sign of infestation.

The insects can enter your home in many ways. Some examples: groceries, neighboring houses, piggybacking from baggage after traveling to name a few. They are also not limited to dirty conditions. I have found them in some of the cleanest homes. They can actually feed on proteins of some cleansers.

The Bug Guy will recommend 2-3 treatments (and sometimes more) depending on how severe the infestation. The Bug Guy will use a combination of spray, baits and possibly dust in order to gain control of the roaches. Feel free to give us a call for a free bid or if you have any questions.

Armyworms In OKC - Pest Control OKC

Armyworms In OKC Are On The Move!

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No one likes to see Armyworms in OKC!

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a species in the order of Lepidoptera and is the larval life stage of a fall armyworm moth. The term “armyworm” can refer to several species, often describing the large-scale invasive behavior of the species’ larval stage. It is regarded as a pest and can damage and destroy a wide variety of crops, which causes large economic damage. Its scientific name derives from frugiperda, which is Latin for lost fruit, named because of the species’ ability to destroy crops. Because of its propensity for destruction, the fall armyworm’s habits and possibilities for crop protection have been studied in depth. It is also a notable case for studying sympatric speciation, as it appears to be diverging into two species currently. Another remarkable trait of the larva is that they practice cannibalism.

The fall armyworm is active at a different time of year than the true armyworm, another species in the order Lepidoptera and family Noctuidae, but of the genus Mythimna. Outbreaks of the true armyworm usually occur during the early part of the summer; the fall armyworm does most damage in the late summer in the southern part of the United States, and early fall in the northern regions.

Because of their food preferences, fall armyworm larvae can wreak havoc on a wide range of crops. The first historical account of the fall armyworm’s destruction was in 1797 in Georgia. Destruction can happen almost over night, because the first stages of a caterpillar’s life require very little food, and the later stages require about 50 times more. Because of this rapid change in food consumption, the presence of larva will not be noticed until they have destroyed almost everything in as little as a night. Some examples of targeted crops include cotton, tobacco, sweet corn, rice, peanuts, and even fruits such as apples, oranges, and many more. The list of possible food sources for the worms is extensive, so crop damage is wide-ranging. It is estimated that almost 40% of those species that armyworms target are economically important. Because the larva eat so much of the plant, they are very detrimental to crop survival and yield. In corn, larvae will even burrow into the corn ear to eat the kernels.

Typically armyworms will gravitate to larger food sources like crops, but they will go anywhere to find food. That means your backyard garden is at risk if you see these guys around. The larva can eat through an entire garden overnight since they lay about 1,500 eggs at a time! If you see these guys around be sure to give us a call!

Want to find other ways to protect your garden from unwanted pests? Read here!

To learn more about the fall armyworm click here.

Why do bugs come inside when it gets cold?

Why do bugs come inside when it gets cold?

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Why do bugs come inside when it gets cold?

Do you notice that every fall, (Fall is about a month away!) bugs collect on the side of your home? Worse, they even get inside. Do you find clusters of bugs near your windows and in your attic? Why do insects come inside your house in the fall, and what can you do to keep them out?

What to Do About Bugs in Your Home When It Gets Cold?

If you really can’t stand the sight of bugs in your home, or they appear in such large numbers that you have to take action, don’t squish them. Many of the insects that come indoors emit foul defensive odors when injured or threatened and some even ooze liquids that can stain your walls and furnishings. There’s no need to resort to chemical pesticides, either. Just grab your vacuum and use the hose attachment to suck up the offending pests. Be sure to remove the vacuum bag when you’re done, and take it outside to the trash (preferably inside a sealed plastic garbage bag).

Once Bugs Find Their Way Into Your Home, They Invite Their Friends to the Party!

When the sun sinks lower in the sky and winter approaches, these insects begin looking for a more permanent shelter from the cold. Some insects use aggregation pheromones to spread the word about a preferred overwintering site. Once a few bugs find good shelter, they give off a chemical signal inviting others to join them.

The sudden appearance of dozens, or even hundreds, of insects in your home may be alarming, but don’t overreact. The lady beetles, stink bugs, and other shelter-seeking insects won’t bite, won’t infest your pantry, and won’t do structural damage to your home. They’re just waiting out the winter like the rest of us.

Your House Isn’t Just Keeping You Warm

Different insects have different ways of surviving the winter. Many adult insects die off when frost arrives, but leave eggs behind to start next year’s population. Some migrate to warmer climates. Others, burrow in the leaf litter or hide under loose bark for protection from the cold. Unfortunately, your warm home may be irresistible to insects seeking shelter from the cold.

In the fall, you may see aggregations of insects on sunny sides of your home. As we lose the heat of summer, insects actively seek warmer places to spend their days. Boxelder bugs, Asian multicolored lady beetles, and brown marmorated stink bugs are well known for this sun-seeking behavior.

If your home has vinyl siding, insects may gather underneath the siding, where they are protected from the elements and warmed by your home’s heating. Any crack or crevice large enough for an insect to crawl through is an open invitation to come indoors. You may find them gathered around windows, as poorly caulked window frames allow easy entry into your home. Usually, home-invading insects stay inside your home’s walls during the winter. But on the occasional sunny winter day, they may make their presence known by gathering on your walls or windows.

If you want to make sure the bugs stay away as the weather cools down, give us a call!

Is there such thing as a good spider? Click here to find out!

Flying Ant Day 2018 - Pest Control OKC

Flying Ant Day 2018 Came Early…

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Flying Ant Day 2018 Came Early this year. What should we expect come fall/winter?

Since flying ant day came early this year the diligent ants have had more time to work and multiply. This could cause an increase in home infestations as the weather cools down this fall and winter. Here are some details of the event this year. It gives clues on what to expect:

Over 50 Billion Flying Ants Took To The Skies Over The Summer

The unusually warm Spring weather is being blamed for boosting insect numbers, with experts predicting “Flying Ant Day” – when they all appear apparently out of nowhere – will occur in June, rather than July.

If that happens, it could coincide with the Royal Entomological Society’s National Insect Week, appropriately enough.

Meanwhile pest controller Rentokil reported an increase of almost 150 per cent in call-outs to deal with ant infestations in March and April.

Quotes from other pest control experts through the spring and summer

“Ant-related call outs increased 148 percent from March to April.

“Experts believe the rise could be attributed to the unseasonably warm start to the Spring – after Brits experienced record-breaking warm weather in April.

“Last month’s period of clear skies and the hottest April day since 1949 may explain the surge in activity, as ants are typically more active in higher temperatures and colonies use sunlight to navigate.”

“Ant life-cycles depend on temperature, and the amount of food available to them.

“Provided the Queen is healthy, and enough food is being brought back to the nest, ant eggs have a greater chance of survival.”

Despite its name, Flying Ant Day usually lasts about two weeks.

“It’s rare to see ant infestations in cold or overcast weather, and while the ‘Beast from the East’ may have caused them to remain dormant in March, the sudden change in temperature has since brought them out in their droves.

“This trend could be set to continue throughout the rest of the summer.”

The website of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society explains: “Ant colonies produce winged sexuals and these individuals found new colonies. In order to start a new colony the new queens (or gynes) must mate.

“When environmental conditions are right, winged males and females leave all the ant colonies within an area. They then take to the air on a nuptial flight and mate.”

“Some people incorrectly believe that these winged ants are a different species from the ants in the colonies that they are more familiar with.

“This is not the case, the winged ants are the same species but are winged so that they can disperse and find a mate.”

If you are seeing an increase of ants this season, don’t panic! Give us a call.

Interested in learning more about Ant Day? Check out the Wiki page by clicking here!

Something eating your lawn? Click Here to learn what is it and how to prevent it!