Posts

pest control okc

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

/in , , , /by

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.

Pest Control OKC

Pest Control OKC: Bed Bug Bites and treatments

/in /by

Pest Control OKC: Bed Bug Bites and how to deal with them

Bed bugs are an invasive, annoying pest. They ruin furniture and are notoriously hard to get rid of, often requiring the work of a professional pest control expert. But by far the creepiest part about bed bugs is the way they feed on humans, sucking our blood as we sleep in the night. Bed bug bites often appear in lines as red bumps. They can be itchy and annoying. Should you find a line of bumps along with blood on your pajamas and sheets, it may be you have a bad bug infestation. Here are some common treatments if these bites become irritated and itchy:

Of course, the best way to prevent bed bug bites is to get rid of bed bugs. After you relieve the itching from bed bug bites, be sure to call a pest control expert to get rid of the infection. What’s good about bed bugs is that they’re more annoying then deadly. The worst that will happen is you’ll get really itchy and have some annoying bumps on your skin. Antihistamines can reduce the swelling and itching from the bumps, as can a plain old ice pack. You can clean the bites with antiseptic cream or lotions. The bumps should go away on their own in a couple of weeks. The only thing to really worry about is the possibility of infection from the openings left by the bed bugs but really as long as you shower and maintain a level of cleanliness that shouldn’t be a big concern. You’ll also want to wash and dry your sheets and blankets. Bed bugs don’t clean up after themselves and will leave fecal matter all over your bed!

If you have an infestation, call The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, today at 405-973-5522!

Pest Control OKC

Pest Control OKC: How to spot bed bugs

/in , /by

Pest Control OKC lays out how to spot bed bugs

Bed bugs can be quite the hard pest to find. Often, they can exist for quite a long time without you ever noticing. Once you discover an infestation, it’s important that you take steps to end the infestation quickly before it can spread to other parts of your home. The best way to do this is by calling a certified pest control specialist to handle the problem. Bed bugs are notoriously resilient and DIY methods often miss nests or aren’t strong enough to kill them. That being said, here are a few methods of finding these critters.

Look for physical evidence: Bed bugs are masters when it comes to hiding themselves. Where there less capable is hiding the evidence of their attacks. Look for these physical signs that a piece of furniture may house some unwanted guests:

  • Fecal Stains on mattress or bedding
  • Bloodstains on pajamas and sheets
  • Cast/shed skins and exoskeleton

Suspicious Bugs: Obviously, the most concrete evidence that you have a bed bug infestation is to actually find a bed bug scurrying around your place. This is easier said than done however. Bed bugs only come out at night and are very small. Also, do you know what a bed bug looks like? We all know about bed bugs, but how many of us actually know what they look like? Luckily, The EPA has pictures and explanations about each stage of a typical bed bug’s life. Showing how they grow and change.

Bites: Bites might seem like a clear indication of infestation, but they’re actually one of the worst indications of infestations. Why? Because lots of insects bite. It could’ve been a chigger or even a fungal rash. Some people don’t react to bed bug bites at all!

If you think your home might have some unwanted guests, give The Bug Guy, pest control OKC, a call today at 405-973-5522.

Pest Control OKC

Pest Control OKC: Don’t let the bed bugs bite!

/in , , /by

How to keep the bed bugs from biting with Pest Control OKC!

Bed bugs have made a resurgence in recent years and they can be one of the most troublesome pests to deal with. In a survey conducted by The National Pest Management Association, 76% of pest control professionals said that bed bugs are the most difficult pest to control for them. The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, is here with a few tips on what to do if you find these annoying critters in your bed.

Bug bombs are generally not recommended for use in Bed Bug control. Bed bugs are very good at hiding and can crawl into spaces where a bug bomb won’t be able to reach them. They’ve also shown a resilience to the chemicals used in bug bombs to kill them. A lastly, maybe most importantly, these bombs can cause the bed bugs to scatter and look for different hiding places making the problem significantly worse!

If your going to try and control the bed bugs by other means, such as pesticides, make sure that such chemicals are safe for indoor use. Many pesticides were not designed to be used indoors and can do way more damage than good when dealing with bed bugs. Many of these pesticides will make you sick, and to top it all off much like the bug bombs, incorrect pesticides can drive the bed bugs to hide! Now your sick and the bed bug problem is worse! The EPA has a list of all products approved for use on bed bugs.

If your going to go the professional route, make sure the person you hire is fully qualified and certified, like us! Resources like the Better Business Bureau, consumer protection agencies, and the state pest control regulatory office can all help you find a qualified, and quality, pest control professional in your area.

If you need Bed Bugs driven out of your home. Give The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, a call today at 405-973-5522!

Pest Control OKC

Pest Control OKC: Bed Bugs facts

/in , /by

Pest Control OKC: Facts about Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are a terrible nuisance, they infest our bed and feed on us as we sleep. They’re hard to discover and once you do, they’re even harder to get rid of. It’s good to know how these pests spread and how they feed in order to better combat them.

How do they spread: Bed Bugs mostly hang around, well, beds and other furniture. So, how do they go from place to place? There are 2 main ways bed bugs spread: Travelers and secondhand furniture. Hotels and other traveling accommodations are magnets for bed bugs. The high number of humans coming in and out means there’s plenty to eat and plenty of opportunities to stow away in an unknowing vacationers things. Then, once your home they can begin to infest your residence! Secondhand Furniture should be checked carefully as this is another common way bed bugs move. You buy an old sofa from a friend or from a craigslist ad thinking it’s a good deal. But if you don’t check that sofa might be hiding some bed bugs the previous owner missed or just didn’t tell you about.

How do they Feed: Bed bugs feed on blood and they primarily feed at night when we’re sleeping. Bed bugs usually don’t feed every night. Typically they will feed around once a week. Females need to eat more so they can produce babies, called nymphs. Bed bugs will also usually only stick to one host and never stray far from their nest. That means that if 2 or more people in your house are suffering bed bug attacks, it’s likely 2 different nests with completely different bugs. If bed bugs get hungry enough, they can also come out during the day out of desperation.

If you think you have bed bugs or any other common pest, call The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, today at 405-973-5522.

Fall Leaves On Tree- Pest Control OKC

Pest Control OKC Services For Keeping Bugs Away This Fall

/in /by

Pest Control OKC Helps Homeowners Avoid Fall Pests

A lot of people tend to love the fall with the colorful leaves falling off of trees, the tasty treats, and plenty of seasonal activities to be have some fun doing, but it’s difficult to focus on much else if your home has a potential pest problem. You may think that once fall has arrived that there is no longer a need for our pest control OKC services, but many pests still live on during this season.

The difference for fall months is that many of the pests you once saw buzzing around your yard will try to venture inside in search of warmth and protection to settle in before winter comes. Before things get too out of control (which can happen quite rapidly) you should consider contacting your local pest control OKC service team to help you.

A few of the most common pest problems in the fall months can include, but may not be limited to:

  • Stink bugs – They are resilient, can fly off to unknown locations, and give off chemicals to attract other stink bugs.
  • Some wasps – While most wasps are most active in summer they can survive in your warm home and be dangerous even if just accidentally provoked.
  • Carpenter ants – They can and will chew through wood of a home to build nests for their young.
  • Bed bugs –  These bloodsuckers can carry diseases, get into every nook and cranny of a home, and be very hard to get rid of.
  • Spiders – There are many male spider species that will become more adventurous and bite more often than usual as they seek to mate.

Dealing with any of the above mentioned insects or arachnids is not a pleasant thing for most homeowners. While some are more dangerous than others, it often takes professional assistance to rid a home of these small critters. Our pest control OKC team would be more than happy to help!

If you’re in need of our pest control OKC services, please feel free to give us a call! Our pest control OKC team can be reached by calling The Bug Guy at 405-973-5522.

Pest Control OKC: Lesser Known Pests

/in /by

Pest Control OKC is here to tell you about some lesser known Oklahoma Pests

Wasps, Roaches, Ants, Termites, and ‘Skeeters. If you live in Oklahoma you’re probably all too aware of these kinds of pests. Of course, that’s not all the kinds of pests you can see here in Oklahoma and Our pest control OKC team is here to introduce you to just a few of them:

Reduvius personatus:

Also known as the Masked Hunter, from the Assassin Bug Family, sticky hairs all over its body allow this sly hunter to camouflage itself with dust and other debris. A favorite prey of this hunter are bed bugs, so finding one of these little guys in your house is a good indication of a larger bedbug infestation. While not poisonous or really any threat at all to humans, they can inflict a painful bite so The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, recommends leaving them alone. Also, consider calling us to investigate and eradicate a potential bedbug infestation.

Jumping Spider:

Spiders are terrifying enough on their own, but some of them could put an olympic vaulter to shame! There are many kinds of jumping spiders and on the whole they’re harmless to humans, though most can bite. The Johnson Jumping Spider, which can be found here in Oklahoma, can leap up to 5 times its length! These kinds of arachnids are active hunters and don’t build webs, preferring to hunt and leap on prey. While harmless, it can be annoying and certainly startling to have these guys leaping around your house.

Oil Beetle:

Oil Beetles are a type of blister beetle. If you see one of these guys be very careful, they can excrete a painful irritant that can cause skin blisters. Thankfully, these guys tend to stick to grassy areas and gardens; however, that doesn’t mean one couldn’t end up in your home.

Our pest control OKC team has been hard at work this year! Don’t be a victim. Give our pest control OKC team a call to eliminate your chances of a run-in with pests, common or uncommon. You may contact The Bug Guy at 405-973-5522.

Your Oklahoma City Pest Control Resource

/in /by

Spring is here for Oklahoma City and pest control is starting to come to the minds of homeowners. Warmer temperatures, rainy weather, as well as animals and people spending more time outdoors, tends to bring more of the insects and bugs indoors. The Bug Guy wants to be your Oklahoma City Pest Control source. Add this website to your bookmarks- it is a great resource!

Identifying Insects

Use our services page to identify what you see.

Do you think you may have captured a brown recluse spider? Do you wonder what the physical differences are between ants and termites? Our services pages offer detailed information and photographs so that you know what you are looking at and how to handle the situation. Remember, if it bugs you call The Bug Guy.

Blog

Our blog is full of articles to keep you up to date with the latest creepy crawly thing that is in the OKC metro area. Are you worried about bed bugs? Did you know that termites can attack your home within 1 year of construction? Are you having an issue with fleas? Do you have questions about mosquitoes and the Zika virus? We have written a blog to answer your questions and we are always writing new ones. Are you interested in a particular topic that we haven’t covered? We would love to hear your suggestions for upcoming topics. Recommend it to us on our Facebook page or on Twitter!

Call Anytime

We work with homeowners and commercial properties within the Oklahoma City metro area. Yes, we are Oklahoma City Termite Specialists, but we are experts on all types of insects and pests that you may encounter in OKC. Put our phone number on your phone now. 405-973-5522 You may not need an exterminator or termite control this week but when you do all you have to do is call and we will be there for you.

The Bug Guy Gets Rid of Bed Bugs

/in /by

Where did bed bugs come from?

Originally from tropical climates, bed bugs were almost completely eliminated in the US in the 1940s. Their modern day comeback is most likely due to easier and more frequent international travel. While it seems as though the bed bug problem is growing awareness has just increased. Still, most of us don’t like the idea of something creeping on us in our sleep or using us for their meal.


bed bugsPest ControlHow Bed Bugs Travel  istock_000054790202_large-400x333

Bed bugs are excellent travelers. They slip into luggage, folded clothes, briefcases, shoes, furniture – virtually anything you can bring into your home. Bed bugs are found in hotels, airplanes, movie theaters – pretty much anywhere people are. And we are their transportation. While bed bugs have been found on pets, their preferred meal and transport is human.

Who is at risk

Anyone is at risk for getting bed bugs, however, those who spends a lot of time sleeping where other people have slept are at a greater risk and should develop a bed bug checking “ritual” for checking into their hotel room.

Hotel Pro Tip: Keep luggage raised and in the bathroom

Check the linens, mattress and behind the headboard for bed bugs or their droppings. Also check the nightstand, drawers, telephone and even books. Bed bugs will most likely be within 15 feet of the bed (but not always). If you want to hang your clothes or use the dresser, be sure to inspect carefully. If you see any signs of bed bugs, alert the hotel staff immediately.

In the Neighborhood

Another place we are seeing bed bugs being transported from one location to the next is from yard sales.

Pay particular attention to:

  • Bed Frames/Mattresses
  • End Tables/DressersInfested with Bed Bugs? Call The Bug Guy OKC
  • Upholstered furniture
  • Clothing/Shoes
  • Stuffed Animals
  • Mirrors and picture frames

Does a sale seem too good to be true? See a yard with a filled with enough furniture to fill a house? This could be a sign of someoneistock_000015988333_large-500x406 wanting to ditch their infested furniture on you and make a buck. It isn’t very nice but it does happen.

Someone could still sell their furniture without realizing they have a bedbug problem. That is why it is very important to inspect items carefully for bugs, casings or droppings.

What you can do if you suspect you have bed bugs

Save any bed bugs you find. Don’t assume you will find a lot – you may not! But if you do see one or more, collect them in a closed jar and put them in the freezer. You may need to show them to a pest control company and/or your landlord. Do not begin removing furniture and other belongings from your home or apartment. Doing so will only cause them to spread out. Contact your landlord if they make the pest control decisions for your dwelling or call The Bug Guy to get rid of your bed bugs.

Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite!

/in /by

When growing up as a kid, mom used to tuck us in and pray for us and then make this statement. Sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite! I’m sure a large quantity of us have heard this statement at some point in our lives. I used to ask why she would make that statement and she would basically tell me not to worry about it that bed bugs were a myth. I accepted that for the truth and never worried about them until recently. Actually, about six years ago we started taking calls about bed bugs and I had to stop and research this issue. Bed bugs were a problem in the past but seemed to disappear for years! Bed Bugs are for real and are becoming a huge issue worldwide! We believe that here in the United States bed bugs just about completely disappeared. We believe that bed bugs started becoming more prevalent after so much travel to the Middle east during all the conflicts. Wherever they came from the fact is that we are experiencing infestations in many places now.

It is imperative to educate yourself on how to identify what they look like or signs of where they may be. Bed bugs only grow to about a 1/4 inch in length, After a feeding, bed bugs turn a reddish brown. Bed bugs are oval shaped and flat. They are excellent at hiding. Bed bug feces is black and will leave black spots where they hide or will literally squeeze into tight spaces squeezing their feces out. Again the feces is blackish in color.

Bed bugs show up in hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, college dorms, daycare, basically anywhere host are. Host being ourselves and pets.I have researched about if pets can be a host and have found that yes, animals can be a host. We have also found bed bugs in used furniture and used clothes. I highly recommend thoroughly looking over a hotel room before unpacking. I also recommend treating any used furniture before bringing furniture into your home. Used clothes should be washed in hot water and dried with high heat.

Bed Bug infestations are growing and growing. Again educate yourself on what to look for and how to possibly prevent infestations. Call or email us today for treatment options.