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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.

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Is there a good spider?

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Is there a spider that is good for my garden? Which ones are poisonous pests that I need to get rid of? We will look at some common spiders you will see around your home in Oklahoma.

Is there a good spider?

Chances are, you’ve run into a few spiders (and their webs) around your home. You will commonly find most spiders in cool darker places, such as attics, crawl spaces, closets, and under furniture. In this article, for simplicity, we will classify spiders as good and pests.

  • Good Spiders – The yellow garden spider  will build its web in your garden, as it attracts other bugs, and this spider will act as a natural pest control. These are non aggressive spiders, however if they do bite, it is comparable to a bee sting. Generally speaking, other garden spiders tend to set up shop in gardens for the same reason: to catch the bugs that can damage plants.
  • Pests – There are two spider species to be cautious of in the state of Oklahoma: The black widow, and the Brown Recluse. The Black Widow can be identified by its two red markings that form an “hour glass” shape. If you are bitten by a Black Widow, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. A Brown Recluse is a shy spider that hides out in areas with low activity. They are light or dark brown and recognized by their dark, fiddle-shaped marking that stretches from the back of their head to their rear. If bitten by a Brown Recluse, it is also important to seek immediate medical attention.

As always if you have any questions or concerns about spiders at your home, contact The Bug Guy, the best professional pest control service in OKC!

When your ant comes to visit.

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Have you every had a problem with ants in your house? Here’s an article about ant treatment and how to minimize their presence in your home.

When your ant comes to visit

Ants are fine when they are out in the woods crawling through the grass, but when they get on the counter top by the thousands, then we have a problem! Ant problems begin when they invade a building looking for food and water. They are attracted to many things, but especially to sweets, meats, fats, and oils. When they find what they’re looking for, they go get their buddies. They can also build their nests in walls, foundations, and cracks and crevices in your home. Here’s how you can get rid of them.

  • Preventative Measures – Make sure all food crumbs, left overs, dishes in the sink, etc., has been cleaned up. Over flowing trash cans should be emptied, and counters wiped down. Doing this will limit their options in your home. Although, good housekeeping doesn’t always prevent you from getting ants, it’s a great place to start.
  • Call in Reinforcements –  Ant treatment is very common, and calling in a professional exterminator will help keep the ants at bay. The exterminator will create a perimeter around your home, like a line of defense, warding off future trespassing by our small friends.

Weather it is ants, or any other bug, you don’t want them invading your home. If you are looking for treatment options,  contact The Bug Guy, the best pest control solutions in OKC!

Did I just see a Scorpion?

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Whenever you hear of a scorpion, it may conjure up images of the Sahara Desert. Believe it or not, there are actually between three and five different species of scorpions in Oklahoma! In this article we will discuss some of the attributes of Oklahoma’s common Bark Scorpion.

Did I just see a Scorpion?

Bark Scorpions can be found in various locations such as: woodpiles, closets, beds, garages, cellars, attics, under rocks, sheds, and near ponds. It is common to see these little guys in the OKC metro area, so we will list some of their attributes.

  • Appearance – Bark Scorpions are actually smaller that most other scorpions at approximately 1-2 inches long. They have a long, slender body with four pairs of  legs and two narrow pincer-like arms. Their tail will typically curl over them with a poison gland and stinger at the end of it.
  • Diet – Scorpions are actually nocturnal creatures, and will consume insects, bugs, spiders and other scorpions too.
  • Their Stinger –  Most people have seen “that movie” where someone gets stung by multiple scorpions, and the results weren’t’ pretty. Still, a sting from a bark scorpion isn’t something to mess around with. Their stings can produce severe pain, numbness, frothing at the mouth, difficultly breathing, respiratory paralysis, and even convulsions. In this day and age, death is rare, as anti venom is available in severe cases. Some people can even experience life-threatening effects from the venom, much like how certain individuals experience similar allergic reactions to a bee sting.

Having a scorpion problem can be a real pain (no pun intended). Contact The Bug Guy for scorpions or any other pest control problems here in the OKC area!

April showers bring Mosquitoes!

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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

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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: What happens to pests in the winter

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Pest Control OKC: What happens to pests in winter?

We all know the warmer months are the domain of pests. They seem to pop out of nowhere and invade our homes and BBQ. But why do we typically only have to deal with pests in the summer and spring? What happens to all the pests in Winter? Do they all die off or does something else happen? Pest Control OKC has some answers.

Ants: They may not be in your home during the winter, but that doesn’t mean ants aren’t nearby. Ants will engage in the Insect version of hibernation, called Overwintering. They will spend the fall gorging themselves as much as they can to put on fat. When the temperature drops and food becomes scarce, ant activity will decrease until eventually they seal their colony and hunker down for the coldest parts of the year. When the temperature rises they will reanimate and emerge, ready to invade the nearest Barbecue.

Termites: Different Termites do different things during the winter. Depending on the species and the climate, some termites use one method while others use another. Subterranean Termites will dig down deeper than they already are, below the freezing line of the soil to stay warm and wait out the colder months. Drywood termites on the other hand, will seek out dry wood to shelter in for the winter. After summer comes and the temperature reaches about 70 degrees the colony will send out swarmers to mate and find new locations to infest. If climate controlled conditions or climates that are warm year round, termites will never go inactive staying up year round. This makes homes particularly inviting to termites who can avoid the risk of freezing to death in the winter.

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

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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?

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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

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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!