Pest control OKC

Pest Control OKC: Common Winter Pests

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.

Flying Ant Day 2018 - Pest Control OKC

Flying Ant Day 2018 Came Early…

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!

The Deadliest Insects and Bugs in Oklahoma

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Bees and Wasps
Bees and wasps are most active during the warmer months in Oklahoma City and can be a nuisance to any lover of the outdoors. Their stings can bring an end to an enjoyable summer event quickly! For most, a bee or wasp sting will cause pain, redness, and minor swelling. For some, a more serious allergic reaction may occur. If this happens seek immediate emergency care. To prevent most bee or wasp stings wear light-colored clothing while outdoors, don’t wear perfumes, do not use soda cans (they may crawl inside) keep lids on all of your garbage cans and of course, call a professional to have unwanted nests removed.

Mud Dauber
The mud dauber constructs their nests from mud and do not live in colonies. Their favorite food is spiders and they rarely sting humans. The mud dauber nests can sometimes be adopted by more dangerous wasps species though so if you see abandoned nests it is best to call The Bug Guy to remove it for you.

Yellow Jacket
The yellow jacket is a species of wasp that is very aggressive and territorial. They prefer undisturbed areas like attics, soffits, sheds and underground locations that protect them from the weather. Yellow Jackets are capable of stinging repeatedly and may induce a severe reaction in some people. To prevent yellow jackets from taking over your backyard, do not leave food out (including pet food), make sure the trash can in covered at all times and seal gaps on the exterior or your home.

Black Widow Spider
The black widow spider can be found throughout North America but is most common in the southern and western parts of the United States. It is identified by an hourglass red marking on the underside of its abdomen. Black Widow spiders like undisturbed locations away from human activity such as woodpiles, storage bins, patio furniture and cellars and most bites occur when their nests are disturbed. The black widow bite may feel like a pinprick, although some victims may not feel anything. There may be swelling and redness near the bite area, as well as a target-shaped lesion, and within an hour a dull muscle pain can spread to the rest of the body. If possible, collect the spider in a container for identification. Seek immediate medical attention.

Brown Recluse Spider
The brown recluse is a spider many Oklahomans are familiar with. The brown recluse is often called “fiddleback” because of its violin-shaped marking on its back, the brown recluse is most common in south central states of the United States, including Oklahoma. Most brown recluse spiders and their webs will be found near ground level, and they can be found both indoors and outdoors. They prefer dark and quiet areas like closets, behind and under furniture and in shoes. The brown recluse bite can be painless or you may feel a sharp sting. Severe symptoms and pain may take several hours to appear. If you see the spider bite you, attempt to collect the spider in a container. Children may have more serious reactions. Seek medical attention immediately.

Fire Ants
Fire ants attack by biting to get a grip on the skin and then stinging their victim. Their sting releases a painful venom which is where the “fire” in the name fire ants comes from. The severity of a sting varies from person to person. For some, this sting causes a painful or itchy bump, but for others, the sting of the fire ant can cause a dangerous allergic reaction. You can reduce your risk of fire ant stings by having The Bug Guy check for and get rid of ant nest near your home, avoiding ant nests (be especially careful when mowing the lawn), wearing shoes and socks while walking in the yard and wearing work gloves when you garden.

Hobo Spider
While there has been some debate on the danger of hobo spiders recently, the Center for Disease Control still lists the hobo spider as one of the venomous spiders that can be found in the United States and Oklahoma. The Hobo Spider can be very difficult to identify without the aid of microscopes, and is sometimes confused with the Brown Recluse. Preferring humid environments, they set up their funnel-shaped webs in homes and offices as well as outdoors – among storage items, baseboards, window sills or near stacks of firewood. The hobo spider bite may go unnoticed at first, but will soon develop into a slow-healing wound. Some symptoms are more severe and immediate. If possible, collect the spider in a container for identification. Seek immediate medical attention.

Mosquito
The mosquito causes more human suffering than any other animal. More than 1 Million people die every year and 300-500 million people are sickened as a result of mosquito-borne diseases like Zika, Malaria, Yellow fever, West Nile Virus and St. Louis Encephalitis. In Oklahoma, there are many different kinds of mosquitoes and not all of those carry diseases or parasites that will make people sick. You can reduce your risk of being bitten by mosquitoes by

  • draining or removing standing water from your property
  • wearing long sleeves and pants and spraying your clothes with insect repellent containing DEET
  • staying indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

Scorpion
Between 3 to 5 species of scorpion are believed to live in Oklahoma, but only one species is common throughout the entire state.  Scorpions prefer undisturbed, outdoor areas like those under rocks, leaves, or loose bark around trees. When found indoors, the scorpion is often found in bathrooms or kitchens, or in a dark area where water is available. The scorpion sting usually occurs when stepped on, handled or bothered in some way. To prevent scorpions in your home regular treatments from The Bug Guy are recommended as well as removing objects like bricks and logs that may be around the home, keeping the grass mowed near the house and eliminating clutter in the attack, garage and crawl space.

Stinging Caterpillar
There are a few stinging caterpillars in Oklahoma to be wary of and it is important to note that not all caterpillars are stinging caterpillars. A caterpillar sting is the result of a contact and not a deliberate attack on the victim and will usually occur inadvertently while outdoors.  The type of reaction will vary from person to person based on allergies and skin type, but also by the type of caterpillar. Sting reactions can range from mild to painful and a rash or other symptoms may occur. If you think you may be having an allergic reaction seek medical attention immediately.

Ticks
Ticks are a little like mosquitoes, in that not all ticks carry diseases but those that do can cause some serious illnesses to their victims. Ticks lay in wait in grasses until an animal or human host walks by and then crawls onto the host to feed. Most diseases are transmitted to the host during the feeding process.  Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Heartland Virus are a few of the diseases that can be transmitted from a tick. The rare Bourbon virus has also been diagnosed in Oklahoma.  To reduce tick populations near your home, remove leaf litter, cut back tall grass and brush and discourage deer activity. If you are in an area known for ticks, use repellents containing 20-30% DEET on exposed skin and clothing and check all areas of your skin carefully when returning to the indoors. Some may be very small to see and you may need a partner to help you.

 

April showers bring Mosquitoes!

It’s raining, it’s pouring, now the mosquitoes are swarming! In this article we will discuss some simple steps to help deter our needle-nosed friends.

April showers bring Mosquitoes!

Mosquitoes are definitely in the top ten most annoying creatures on the face of the Earth. Most of us know if we are going to be outside doing “nature stuff,” we spray on the insect repellent. However, can we be more proactive when it comes to eliminating sources that attract mosquitoes? Let’s take a look.

  • Standing Water – Any source of standing water is a haven for these blood-suckers. A mosquito will lay its eggs in standing water. Something like a rain barrel under a downspout full of water is a mosquito breeding ground! Eliminating these places is definitely a good start.
  • Bug Light – If you enjoy sitting outside at the end of the day with the porch light on, you should replace the bulb with a bug light. These do not repel or kill bugs, but because of the color, it will attract fewer insects that a regular bulb.
  • Bug Zapper – During those evenings outside, bug zappers are great for… zapping bugs. A UV bulb attracts the bugs to a high voltage wire mesh inside the zapper were they are electrocuted.
  • Smoke – Smoke is a natural insect repellant, so the next time you want to do a backyard bonfire, the smoke will help keep the pests away.

Remember, if mosquitoes or any other bugs are trying to invade your home, contact The Bug Guy in OKC for professional service!

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Pest Control OKC: What happens to pests in the winter Pt. 2

Pest Control OKC: What do other pests do in the winter?

Pest Control OKC has a few more pests behaviors that let them survive the winter and come back to annoy you in the summer.

Mosquitoes: Spend any time outdoors in the summer and you will eventually catch a bite from these tiny buzzing nuisances. Most people believe that the cold kills off these little terrors. When it warms up they move back from the warmer climates. But that isn’t what happens, mosquitoes will actually overwinter, hibernate, inside hollow logs and other protected places. They hibernate like this until the weather warms back up at which point females will wake up and begin looking for blood to develop eggs from. And to annoy you while you enjoy the warm weather of course.

Cockroaches: Cockroaches are survivors. They’ve been around for millions of years and, despite our best efforts, they’ll be around for millions more. They’ve developed into one of the most adaptable creatures alive today, so how do they survive the cold? Generally, they don’t. They don’t die, they simple choose to not deal with the cold by living in warm, moist environments. German Cockroaches, for example, stay active year-round by living in these kinds of environments, like your home, year round. American Cockroaches will spend the warmer years outside with the other pests, but once it gets colder they’ll begin to mass migrate to similar environments as their German counterparts.

Bed Bugs: bed bugs can handle an extreme range of temperatures. From nearly freezing to around 122 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes them difficult to deal with. However, they can’t last more than a few days in temperatures below freezing, making your home the perfect winter shelter.

If you need pest control, call The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, today.

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Pest Control OKC: Keeping a summer home pest free

Pest Control OKC: How to protect a summer home from infestation

You work hard, you save up, and your finally able to afford a summer home somewhere nice. But then you get there to enjoy a vacation you find it overrun with pests! What can you do to make sure that isn’t a reality? Pest Control OKC has a few tips.

  • Clean all cabinets and counter tops thoroughly before you depart. Clean all appliances to remove food residue and crumbs. Dust off shelves and store food such as cereal, flour and dog food in releasable containers.
  • Sweep and vacuum floors in the kitchen, under furniture, and around dining areas.
  • Check any pipes around the house for leaks, cracks and gaps and seal them before you leave to keep water from attracting pests and forming mold.
  • Inspect boxes, grocery bags and other packaging thoroughly. Insects may hitch a ride into your summer home from potted plants and infest your home after you leave.
  • Keep basements, attics, and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry. A good way to tell if you need more ventilation is the presence of mold and mildew.
  • Seal cracks, crevices, and other gaps in doors and windows before you leave. Doors and windows should be kept closed at all times unless well screened.
  • Keep garbage areas clean. Garbage should be taken out regularly and removed completely before you leave for the season. Garbage provides 2 things. Clutter and food sources. Insects like to be able to hide, from you and other predators. So cluttered places like a full garbage bin are attractive. And of course, if they can find a supply of food while hiding in their cozy garbage patch even better. Don’t give them the chance!

If you need pest control, call the bug guy, pest control okc, today.

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Pest Control OKC: What’s eating your lawn?

Pest Control OKC: How to tell what’s eating your lawn

Not all pests are created equal, some pests live underground while other in nests in the trees. Some invade your home while others just carve miles of tunnels into the lawn your worked so hard to make beautiful. Here are a few pests that you can keep an eye out for according to Pest Control OKC.

European Crane Flies: These nuisances resemble large mosquitoes and frequently appear in late summer and fall. They don’t bite or sting, but they will probably startle you if you mistake them for the world’s largest mosquito. They’re larvae state, called leatherjackets, resemble small, brown worms. Leatherjackets will feed on the roots of grass while they mature. This causes brown spots to appear in your lawn as the grass dies. Feeding will be heaviest during the summer as the larvae mature. You can check for infestation by cutting a 6 to 12-inch square foot of sod, digging down 4 inches, and peeling back the sod to look for leatherjackets. A healthy lawn will suffer damage from about 25 leatherjackets per square inch. Birds can be another handy indicator, look for birds scouring the ground for the tasty larvae.

Southern Chinch Bugs: Immature chinch bugs are reddish-orange with a white band across the back. Once they’re adults, they turn black in color. Adults also have shiny, white wings that fold neatly over their backs. Damage from these pests will start in sunny areas. Grass will brown and die. Once an area is dead you will see the browning spread across your lawn quickly, often within a day or so. Infestations might be spotty and may only affect portions of the lawn. Left untreated however, you can easily lose your entire lawn. Damage will typically occur in spring and fall. To look for these pests, take a coffee container and cut out both ends. Place it 3 inches into the ground and fill it with water. Chinch bugs will rise to the top of the water if present. Test near the edge of an affected area.

If you need pest control, call The Bug Guy, pest control okc, today.

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Pest Control OKC: More Plants to help keep pests away

Pest Control OKC: Some more plants to keep pests out of your garden

Last week, pest control OKC talked about some plants you can add to your home or garden to help keep away pests while adding some color and nature to your home. But those are just a few of the examples of what you can add to your garden. There’s still quite a few more options to help keep your home pest free!

Mint: Mint is best grown in separate pots. It looks nice and smells great but it also grows aggressively. Planting mint in your garden could mean you end up with a really nice smelling weed ravaging your garden. Mint leaves mostly repel mosquitoes but can work on other insects. And, much like basil, mint is a great plant for the kitchen. Use it to flavor iced tea and added to many recipes. The mulch of a mint plant is also great for vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and turnips.

Rosemary: Rosemary is a much less invasive option to repel mosquitoes and a slew of other insects. It can be grown in pots but it does just fine in gardens or landscaped beds. The plant itself or it’s clippings both repel insects and it can even be boiled and turned into a repellent, making it one of the most flexible plants you can pick. And of course, Rosemary oil is great for cooking!

Alliums: Not one specific plant, but the family of plants known as Alliums are all effective natural insecticides. Repelling everything from slugs to aphids to cabbage worms. Putting an Allium near plants like tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, kohlrabi, and carrots can ward off many of they’re natural pests. Alliums also include small herbs like chives, leeks and shallots!

If your home has some uninvited guests, call The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, today at 405-973-5522!

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Pest Control OKC: Plants to keep away pests

Pest Control OKC: What to plant to drive away pests

Gardens are a great investment in your home and your health. Gardening is a great way to get exercise and can leave your home looking beautiful. But all those beautiful plants can also attract not-so-beautiful pests…or can they? The Bug Guy, pest control OKC, has a few plants you can add to your home or garden to drive away pests!

Basil: Planting some basil in containers in your home near entrances to the outdoors can help keep away flies and mosquitoes. It also has the added benefit of letting you grow a herb that had many uses in cooking! Basil can be added to salads and used to enhance other vegetables like tomatoes.

Lavender: Lavenders smell great to humans but moths, fleas, flies and mosquitoes hate the scent and will avoid it. Lavender had been used for centuries to add fragrance to homes. Keeping bouquets in your home will drive away the flies and putting one in your garden will help keep pests that might be attracted to other plants away.

Lemon Thyme: A more adaptable solution to repelling mosquitoes, Lemon thyme can be planted in rocky or shallow soil and still thrive. It just needs to be in a sunny location. There is some more maintenance to keep it repelling mosquitoes though. To release it’s chemicals you have to do what’s known as bruising the leaves. Simply cut off a few stems and rub them between your hands. Make sure you’re not allergic to this plant though, you can test your tolerance by rubbing a few crushed leaves on a small part of your forearm for several days and watching for adverse effects.

If your home is hosting some unwanted guests, call The Bug Guy, pest control OKC, today at 405-973-5522!

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Pest Control OKC: Keep pests out of the garden shed

Pest Control OKC: Keep your shed pest free

It’s starting to warm up, and that means it’s approaching time to bust out the garden tools and start taking care of the lawn. But there’s always that trepidation that comes with opening that garden shed for the first time in months. What’s going to come crawling out of there? Rats? Wasps? Ants? Is your lawnmower going to be covered in ants? Is your leafblower now home to a black widow? The Bug Guy, pest control OKC, has a few tips to keep the pests away this year.

Keeping your shed clean and organized is the most effective way to keep most pests away. Pests hate a well kept environment with few places to hide and fewer food scraps to eat. Regular vacuuming, sweeping, and cleaning will go a long way to keeping your shed pest free. The scent of mint, lavender, and tansy can also drive away bugs while also letting your shed smell great! Removing standing water to deter mosquitoes from nesting in your shed. Spiders are a problem that will handle itself once you clear away the other bugs. Spiders prey on other insects, so if your shed has no insects it won’t have any spiders! Stain or paint exposed wood to protect it. Never store compost, potting soil, or sawdust in your shed and always keep other garbage away from your shed. You can deter ants from invading your shed by drawing a chalk line around your shed. You can keep bees and wasps away by sealing and holes in your shed and keeping dead or old wood, including firewood, away from the shed. And always, always clean your tools before storing them back in the shed. You don’t want all your hard work to be for nothing because you didn’t want to wipe down your lawnmower do you?

Call The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, for all your pest control needs.