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Black Widow Web- OKC Pest Control

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!

Webworms- Pest Control OKC

Pest Control OKC Team Shares About Fall Webworms

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Pest Control OKC: When Webworms Take Over

For many people, webworms are something they have seen plenty of times before. Fall webworms typically would spin their nests from April to September in Oklahoma, but the crazy weather could be a reason people would still see evidence of web worms in October. Today, our pest control OKC team shares a bit more about fall webworms.

It the past horticulture experts have stated that due to milder winters and very wet springs the webworm population has been able to grow. These conditions are much like what Oklahoma’s own weather patterns have been like in the last year. Thus, it is no shock to our pest control OKC team and should be no surprise to you that the eye sore of these sticky nests are appearing.

What our pest control OKC team can tell you for certain is that the nests for webworms is actually a barrier of protection for them. The nests keep the worms from being eaten by wasps, birds, or other predators. The worms attach to trees for food, but the damage to the trees isn’t a big problem. The mess they make is more of a concern to most homeowners.

When the fall webworms hatch, in a butterfly-like fashion these webworms will become moths. For the fall this may not be an issue, but come next May the female, adult moths can lay 400 to 500 eggs! Within only 7 days of eggs being laid, larvae begin to spin their web and the process starts all over.

If you would like to know more about insecticide for treating the areas where webworms reside, please feel free to contact our pest control OKC team. We will be able to guide you to the perfect solution.

For all of your fall pest control needs, The Bug Guy can be reached at 405-973-5522.

Fly- Pest Control OKC

Pest Control OKC Answers Why So Many Pests Are Still Buzzing About

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Bugs, Bugs, And More Bugs? Pest Control OKC To The Rescue!

Oklahomans all over the metro area have been having a lot of problems with insects still buzzing around and getting into their homes. Flies are particularly problematic even at the beginning of September. Reports of wasps, mosquitoes, and other insects keep on coming, but why? The answer is quite simple and our pest control OKC team is here to share more about this phenomenon.

When temperatures soar into the high 90’s or even beyond you will notice that insects manage to thrive. One example our pest control OKC team can think of is mosquitoes. These blood suckers particularly enjoy living in warm environments. Since insects are cold-blooded they actually handle the heat much better than the cold, but that doesn’t mean they won’t seek to get out of the roasting sun at some point. That point can be when warm, summer rain rolls in.

When this happens the insects survive as they will seek shelter inside homes, hide in shrubs, and some even hang around due to standing water from when the grass was soggy. Since the temperatures are still plenty warm enough, the insects have had even more time to breed, increasing the need for our pest control OKC team to put in some extra work.

Take a look outside and you will notice that most people still have the greenest grass they’ve ever had for a summer in Oklahoma! This is, no doubt, due to all the rain we received throughout the month of August. While it has made for prettier lawns, the back and forth weather fluctuations have not done homeowners any good as they have attempted to keep their yards, gardens, and homes pest-free.

That’s where our pest control OKC team comes into play! If insects have decided that your home is a perfect place to rest, please give our pest control OKC team a call. You can reach The Bug Guy 405-973-5522 to book an appointment.

Pest Control OKC

Pest Control OKC Explains Why Cockroaches Are So Terrible

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Pest Control OKC Explains Necessary Cockroach Extermination 

Mention cockroaches to anyone and you’ll see an involuntary facial twinge and possible a shudder. Cockroaches are a disgusting pest that anyone who’s ever had an apartment are all too familiar with. They’re unsettling to see for sure, but are they really a threat to you? Cockroaches rarely bite and they’re not poisonous, so why put in the effort or money to get rid of them? The Bug Guy, your local pest control OKC team, is here to tell you why.

The biggest reason you want to get rid of cockroaches as soon as possible is that they can contaminate food with deadly bacteria. One of the cockroach’s best survival tactics is that it can eat an absurd amount of food. Everything from normal food to soap, to feces, to leather, and even hair! Ready to gag, yet?

The problem for you is when the roaches contaminate the food in your pantry by moving from the bathroom to the kitchen and contaminating food with the bacteria from they carried with them. They also shed and defecate on food, spreading bacteria and disease. Furthermore, cockroaches can transfer the Salmonella bacteria.

Cockroaches also carry a range of allergens on their bodies and in their saliva. This can cause sneezing, watery eyes, and even skin rashes. If you or a loved one suffer from Asthma, the allergens on a cockroach’s body can also trigger an Asthma attack.

Everyone should know how resilient cockroaches are. That’s why The Bug Guy, your pest control OKC expert, recommends not trying to take care of an infestation by yourself. Call The Bug Guy!

We have years of experience and the tools necessary to take care of even the worst infestation problems. If you see a cockroach in your house, it may be a sign that more are hiding in the many nooks and crannies of your living space! Call The Bug Guy, your pest control OKC team, at 405-973-5522.

Yellow Jacket- Pest Control OKC

Pest Control OKC: Discovering An Unlikely Yellow Jacket Nest

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A “Yellow Jacket” Story Submitted To Our Pest Control OKC Team

Some yellow jackets build aerial nests, but many build their nests in the ground. These types of colonies can typically be found under porches, stairs, in sidewalk cracks, at the base of trees, or in out of the way places which would normally be undisturbed. Today, our pest control OKC team has a story that is brought to you by submission of a customer who helped us discover a yellow jacket nest in an unlikely location.

The JD Story:

It was a warm, spring day and Lois decided that letting her two children (JD and Matt) play outside in the backyard while she did some housework sounded like a great idea. The children ran outside to play on the old swing set.

After what only seemed like a few minutes of the children swinging, JD let out multiple bloodcurdling screams. Matt ran inside to get their mother as quickly as he could. When Lois and Matt had made it back outside they were horrified to see yellow jackets swarming and buzzing all around JD.

Luckily, JD wasn’t highly allergic to the multiple stings of the yellow jackets and was able to survive the terrifying experience, but has the story to tell for a lifetime.

Upon calling our pest control OKC team, it was discovered that the yellow jacket nest had been made just underneath one of the old, hollow swing set posts. When the children began to swing higher and higher, it caused the posts to rise from the ground and disturb the nest. The motion, no doubt, made for some angry insects.

Our OKC Pest Control Team’s Comments:

In most cases, aggressive behavior from a yellow jacket is not a problem for people unless an accident occurs. They may attack, as well, if you attempt to swat them away with fast movements. Yellow jackets are combative and protective of their nests if they feel threatened. This is problematic for any homeowner who happens to come upon a hidden nest, such as the children in the submitted story.

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 yellow jackets. You may contact The Bug Guy at 405-973-5522.

Scorpions- Pest Control OKC

Pest Control OKC Reports Of Scorpions In Oklahoma

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Pest Control OKC: The Facts About Scorpions

Oklahoma has become very well known over the last few years for its very hot summers. It’s this very dry type of climate that makes it easier for scorpions to survive in our state. Today, our pest control OKC team would like to share some facts about scorpions.

Interestingly enough, while they like dry climates, these arachnids (not insects) are very sensitive to the moisture loss from their body. This is why scorpions often hide during the day in locations that provide plenty of shade. Since they do require moisture they have been known to make their ways indoors, as well. Many pest control OKC customers report to seeing scorpions in bathtubs, sinks, or darkened areas where there may be a water source.

While there are approximately fifty different species of scorpions all over the United States, it has been estimated that Oklahoma has between three and five species living here. The only common scorpion reported to be across the entire state is called the Bark Scorpion. This is the most commonly seen scorpion by our pest control OKC team members!

How you can identify a Bark Scorpion:

  • An adult Bark Scorpion is between 1-3 inches long.
  • Coloring is tan, but ranges from all yellowish brown without any markings to striped with stripes running from head to tail.
  • Dark triangle mark on the front of the head above their eyes.

While these scorpions prefer to feed on crickets, roaches, beetles, and other small insects they have and will sting humans.

The venom from scorpions in Oklahoma is not usually considered fatal as in most circumstances the sting produces only a temporary, mild swelling. Our pest control OKC team has; however, found reports of some people experiencing numbness, tingling, vomiting, and/or convulsions. In more extreme cases, some people may be immobilized or experience difficulty in breathing. As with any allergy, people with sensitivities to venom may have worsened conditions, but survival is possible if they receive an injection of anti-venom in a timely manner to counteract the sting’s effects.

If you discover that you have a problem with scorpions entering your home, our pest control OKC team would be happy to help. The Bug Guy can be reached at 405-973-5522.

Honey Bee- Pest Control OKC

How Hornet Control Via Pest Control OKC Helps Save Honey Bees!

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Pest Control OKC: Get Rid Of Hornets And Save The Bees

Did you know that the most common honey bee we know in Oklahoma once originated from Europe? Most amazingly, European honey bees are now one of the most familiar insects and are becoming well-known for all the good that they can do in our lives. In addition to honey production, it is estimated that honey bees also provide nearly $20 billion annually from pollination of over 100 cultivated crops. Doesn’t that sound like a good enough reason alone to save these little bees? Our pest control OKC team sure thinks so!

Luckily, many of you are already aware and care about the conservation of the European honey bee population. For those of you who don’t know, there are a few ways to prevent the killing off of these important insects. The most common sense ways would include not trying to kill them or spray them with any sort of pesticide materials. In addition, getting rid of hornets in your yard, by using such methods as our pest control OKC team would utilize, could actually help save the bees, too!

You may be wondering how that makes sense. Let our pest control OKC expert explain.

The fact is that an individual hornet can actually kill up to 40 European honey bees in just ONE minute! Think about how much damage an entire group of hornets can accomplish. In case you need a visual, estimations suggest that a group of 30 hornets can take out an entire hive containing 30,000 bees in less than four hours.  The hornets are brutal when they attack the nearly defenseless honey bees as they swoop in and dismember their bodies. The hornets then fly back to their own nests with the bees’ thoraxes in tow to utilize as food for their larvae.

The only sure-fire way to ensure that your yard stays hornet-free is to have ongoing pest control completed. Our pest control OKC team would love to help you keep your yard safe and in turn allow European honey bees to continue living. If you need help with pest control services, please feel free to give The Bug Guy a call at 405-973-5522.

*Important Note: If you should have a bee problem, do not try to kill them yourself. There are plenty of reputable companies in Oklahoma that will offer save removal and relocation of the bees for you. For the love of bees, please do your research and give one of those companies a call if you notice bee activity on your property!

Bug Guy - Pest Control OKC

The Bug Guy In Full OKC Pest Control Action

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April Showers Brings… Many Bugs and The Need For OKC Pest Control!

Have you ever wondered why those pesky bugs are more active during warm spring and summer months? Ants, flies, wasps, spiders… all those creepy bugs have something in common; they need time to reproduce! The reason you’ll start to see more pests in warmer months is because they’ve had more time to lay enough eggs and potentially produce thousands of babies. This season is when The Bug Guy is in full OKC pest control action!

Not many would argue when we say that Oklahoma’s weather patterns have been just plain crazy this year. From the wet, damp rainy days all the way to the extremely and unusually warm spring days; we’ve had it all! It isn’t surprising that these fluctuating temperatures have created the perfect storm for incubating a staggering amount of reproduction for various insect species.

Did you know it only takes one burst of wet weather, for example, to create a breeding ground for flies? The astonishing part is that flies have the capability of laying up to 900 eggs! The offspring can then hang around for nearly a month afterwards. Annoying, right? If you’ve seen an increase in flies around your home in the last few weeks, it could be a result of rainy days all the way back in April.

On the other hand, many bugs start to make their way out of their resting places when temperatures become more stable and when weeds, flowers, and grass are alive to help the insects have places to hide and feast. This is why after the rainy month of April, comes the many bugs of May and the much needed use of OKC pest control.

As the busiest bug season is about to be in full swing, it might be wise to schedule your OKC pest control appointment as soon as you can. Our OKC pest control team will be serving the OKC metro area and we’d love to add your home to our list of stops to help keep your yard protected.

You can reach out to The Bug Guy at 405-973-5522 to get started with your OKC pest control services this spring and summer!

Ticks- OKC Pest Control

OKC Pest Control Reviews A Story About Ticks And Lyme Disease

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OKC Pest Control Sharing A True Tale About A Tick Bite

Normally, when you think about the presence of ticks in your yard it’s already well into the summer, but as you already know our temperatures in Oklahoma have been warmer than normal this spring. This is why our OKC Pest Control team thought it would be important to inform our readers about ticks making their way out sooner than they usually do.

A lot of people don’t ever think that a tick bite will really do anything to them, but the warning of Lyme disease couldn’t be more real. Last summer there was a story shared online by several sources about an Oklahoma woman named Alyssa Layman who is now battling Lyme disease due to a tick bite. One interview of the story was published by News Channel 4, but our OKC pest control team wanted to share it here as a reminder that caution is needed with warmer days ahead.

The Alyssa Layman Story:

Alyssa Layman’s life was changed one June summer day in 2012 when she decided to go fishing in Arkansas. She was bitten by a tick (most likely to be spread via the blacklegged tick, or deer tick)* and she didn’t think anything more about it at that time. By the month of September she was in enough pain that she had to go to the emergency room. She stated she “had mood swings, started running a fever, had extreme pain.”

The interview with News Channel 4 was published in June of 2016 and it was explained how Layman, 4 years after her bite, still has to rely on her family members to help her do almost everything. She receives help from her mother to wash her hair, do the dishes, and help her cook, because she simply cannot do these things on her own. Her sister takes her to her doctor appointments and Layman also receives help from a service dog.

Layman hoped that by sharing her story about her battle with Lyme disease due to a tick bite that others would take caution. She also stated that “if you get a rash of any kind around a bug bite, definitely go in, get tested.”

Our Comments:

At the end of the original article, there was a comment about how Lyme disease is usually not a problem in Oklahoma, but officials say it is becoming more prevalent. Other resources suspect that a lot of people traveling to other parts of the country may be bringing back infected ticks to Oklahoma.

We wouldn’t want anyone to take any chances! Our OKC pest control team would be happy to help eliminate ticks from your yard to keep you, your family members, and even your pets safe.

To get in touch with our OKC pest control company, give The Bug Guy a call at 405-973-5522.

*Resource: https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/transmission/

Paper Wasps- OKC Pest Control

OKC Pest Control Warns Against Paper Wasps

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OKC Pest Control Reports A Mistake Made With Paper Wasps

Most people are used to seeing wasps during summer months, but as you are well aware, Oklahoma has had some of the most unusual warm weather these past few months. This overly warm spring has caused insects of all sorts to start emerging sooner. Paper wasps are just one winged species our OKC pest control team urges you to be mindful about.

The colony usually begins in the spring when a mated female leaves her hibernation site to build her nest and the maximum colony size can get up to 75 by late summer. Paper wasps can vary from a brown, red, or black color with yellow marks. They are only about 3/4 to 1 inch long with slender bodies. Their name most likely comes from the fact that their nests look like paper of a single comb attached to trees, shrubs, and a variety of structures, such as building eaves.

A Common Mistake Made By Homeowners

A lot of homeowners get a little ambitious when they see a wasp’s nest and their actions can often make matters worse. Paper wasps are generally not aggressive towards humans, but that’s when the most common mistake is made. Anxious people often think that grabbing a broom to knock the nest down will work. Our OKC pest control team warns that this is a bad idea as doing so is sure to have an entire colony of angry wasps chasing you!

Even accidental contact with a nest of paper wasps can warrant a wasp sting. Our OKC pest control team suggests avoiding painful and potentially fatal anaphylactic reactions by allowing a professional to remove the wasps from your yard.

Our OKC pest control company, known as The Bug Guy would be happy to help you prevent wasps from forming nests around your home! If you need treatment, give us a call at 405-973-5522.