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pest control okc

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: Fall Termites?

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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!

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Pest Control OKC: Formica Ants And Oklahoma

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Pest Control OKC: These Ants Don’t Sting, They Spray

The Bug Guy, your local source for pest control OKC, is here to tell you about a certain kind of ant. Formica ants are one of the many species of ants that can be found in Oklahoma. These ants are often called Wood Ants, because they like to make their nests in wooded areas. These ants are also known for invading the colonies of smaller ant species and capturing workers, turning them into slaves for their colonies.

Formica ants primarily feed off of the Honeydew produced by Aphids and other small insects. They even defend Aphids, a common garden pest, from predators and lead them to the best parts of plants to feed. These ants aren’t poisonous, but if provoked they can bite with their mandible and spray Formic Acid. This kind of acid can cause coughing fits, watery eyes, and skin irritation.

Still not convinced Formica ants are a nuisance? They are pests in 2 ways:

  • They can infest a home and cause a list of problem including being attacked by the colony and being sprayed with Formic Acid.
  • They farm and defend the Aphid, a common garden pest that can destroy garden plants and lawns. They also like to hunt caterpillars and other insects that can help pollinate your garden.

With any ant infestation, it can be hard to get rid of them, because it can be difficult to track down the colony. This is especially true for Formica ants as they like to hide the entrance to their colonies under rocks or in wood.

It’s best to call The Bug Guy, your local pest control OKC team, to come out and make sure the colony is dealt with. Years of experience allows our pest control OKC experts the ability to find and remove these colonies quickly and safely.

If you have ants infesting your home, give The Bug Guy a call and take back your home and garden from these acid spraying pests! Call now at: 405-973-5522

Record setting high temperatures!

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Oklahoma City is experiencing record-setting high temperatures this week. With warm weather here it is the perfect ingredient for insects to start appearing. We have already started taking calls on spiders, ants, and termites. It is important to keep up a regular schedule of pest control treatments to prevent insect infestations, especially during this warm week. Spiders and ants will be increasing their activity in order to survive. Termites are active all year long. Do not let an infestation occur. Call The Bug Guy for a free bid for treatment. We would be happy to inspect your home at no charge and make any recommendations that may be needed!