Posts

April showers bring Mosquitoes!

/in , , /by

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!

Pest Control OKC

Pest Control OKC: Prepping your house for Fall Pt. 2

/in /by

The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, is back with more Fall Pest-Proofing

4.) Inspect Attic and Crawlspaces: Pests love low-traffic areas where they can infest your home in peace. Whenever days start to get shorter, grab a flashlight and some protective clothing and do a quick inspection of these areas. Look for signs like piles of shredded material, ant lines, Roach droppings, and shedding to indicate the presence of pests. Should you find any evidence in these low-traffic areas, schedule an inspection and treatment with The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, to get these pest out of your home.

5.) Insulate gaps in your home: Even tiny gaps within the insulation of your home can let any number of pests into your home. Inspect your home and look for gaps in areas where pipes and electrical enter the house. As well as well as in the attic and garage. You can caulk many of these small gaps closed to deny entry into your home. You can also use expanding foam insulation to fill gaps.

6.) Maintain weather stripping and window seals: This is referring to the bristly or felt areas around these structures. Replace any worn away stripping to help keep pests out. Even small holes can lead to big problems when it comes to pests.

7.) Fix Condensation Issues: Ceiling leaks, leaking pipes, Attic condensation problems will attract pests. In addition to attracting pests, these condensation problems can also lead to mold and freezing problems. Fix these issues while you can before they cause a host of other problems.

If your having trouble inspecting some of these areas, call The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, and schedule an inspection for pests. The Bug Guy is a professional pest control service and can root out even the most well-hidden pests. Give us a call today at 405-973-5522 and schedule an inspection today!

Pest Control OKC

Pest Control OKC: Fall Termites?

/in /by

Pest Control OKC is here to set the record straight on a couple of things involving termites.

Termites can be a pest year-round

While it’s true most termites reach peak activity (or swarm) during summer and spring any termite can cause damage at any time of year, regardless of weather. In addition, there are some species of termites that actually swarm during Fall months. These types of termites will eat both soft and hard wood, attacking house structures and the furniture within. They can even attack wood objects as small as a picture frame. These kinds of termites will leave a small layer of surface wood intact to hide their presence in furniture and homes. Multiple colonies can even infest a single piece of furniture. If you think you may have an Fall Termite Infestation, give The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, a call today.

Finding termites

Looks for small piles of sawdust near your home and furniture as well as unexplained holes. Shed wings can also be an indication of a new colony hiding somewhere in your home. If an infestation gets really bad, you may also start to notice bulges in your wood. This is because a colony, or colonies, are getting so big that they’re starting to strain the wood. Remember, it’s very easy for multiple colonies to exist in the same house at once. Once a colony digs in they can be hard to remove, luckily The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, can help both find and get rid of these colonies.

Just because it’s getting colder outside doesn’t mean Termites that are inside will take a break for the holidays. If you spot a termite infestation or just want to make sure your house is pest free, give The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC a call today at 405-973-5522!

Millipede and Centipede- Pest Control OKC

Pest Control OKC Sharing Differences Between Millipedes And Centipedes

/in /by

Pest Control OKC: Identifying Traits Of Arthropods

Although commonly mistaken as insects both millipedes and centipedes are classified as arthropods. These multi-legged critters are also often confused for one another when startled people see one of them crawling around. Today, our pest control OKC team is here to clear things up a bit and hopefully educate readers about the differences between millipedes and centipedes.

Our pest control OKC team will start by giving you some identifying traits about millipedes.

Millipedes vary in shape; most of them being more tubular, like a worm, and others having flatter bodies. Their legs are paired in each body segment, except for the first three. Studies show that millipedes are not actually poisonous, but many species have glands capable of producing irritating toxic fluids that may cause allergic reactions for some people. The spray of some millipedes contains hydrochloric acid which can chemically burn the skin and cause long-term skin discoloration.

Of course, millipedes would much rather stick to their diet of dead plant matter, fungi, and other insects than mess with humans. They also like to live in dark, moist places and they usually try to stay hidden. That’s why, if you find one or more of them, it’s best to just leave them alone.

Millipedes can be any of the following colors: Black, brown, red, ivory, and white.

Next, our pest control OKC team will share a little information about centipedes.

Centipedes have flattened segments with only one pair of legs per segment. Centipedes are known for using their venom to kill their prey. if they feel threatened they can bite humans. The poison produced by centipedes is usually not considered fatal, but it can cause a moderate reaction similar to a bee sting. For those who are allergic to insect venoms and other toxins, more severe reactions may occur. Centipedes are usually found outside, near trees, where they can find their next insect meal.

On occasion, the hunt for insects can bring centipedes looking inside outbuildings, basements, or cellars. as with millipedes, our pest control OKC team would not recommended picking up or touching a centipede!

Centipedes can be any of the following colors: Red, yellow, and orange.

Our pest control OKC team hopes that you are having a safe and happy summer. Should you need any pest control assistance, we’d love to help. You can reach The Bug Guy at 405-973-5522.

Stink Bugs- OKC Pest Control

OKC Pest Control Warning Of Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs

/in /by

OKC Pest Control Shares A Story About A Stink Bug

Stink bugs get their name from the obvious pungent odor that they erect when they are threatened. It has been determined that this stinky smell helps stink bugs protect themselves from predators. Not only do they actually stink, but some may say they metaphorically stink, as well. At least, that would be the response from one blogger, by the name of Lydia Whitney, as she reported to having quite an unpleasant experience with a Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. Today, our OKC pest control team is sharing her short story with you!

Lydia Whitney wrote about her experience with a Brown Marmorated Stink Bug on her blog.

In this article she talked about how she sat at her computer working when she felt a “sharp pain” on her bare foot. Whitney looked down and discovered a stink bug biting her, but was highly confused as many experts have stated that stink bugs aren’t harmful to humans and do not bite. She went on to explain that normally a Brown Marmorated Stink Bug feeds by piercing a plant and sucking on the plant juices with its beak, which is made with straw-like mouthparts. The damage done to the plant is generally defined as mild to severe.

With this explanation and the evidence of pain felt by Whitney after the stink bug was found on her foot, it would be difficult to argue that they do not bite. In most cases, they probably wouldn’t prefer to bite people, but they are a nuisance to people with vegetable gardens, precious plants, and even inside homes.

Our OKC pest control team is inclined to share a few warnings with you as many homeowners have thought it was a good idea to attempt sweeping away or vacuuming up stink bugs. Our OKC pest control professionals would like you to know that the smell emitted from these bugs can last for hours. Yes, even inside the vacuum!

To prevent stink bugs from getting inside of your home consider checking to make sure your windows and doors are properly sealed. Additionally, consider having ongoing OKC pest control treatments for all insect control.

If you need help keeping your yard and home safe from pests, give our OKC pest control professionals a call. The Bug Guy can be reached at 405-973-5522.