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Black Widow Web- OKC Pest Control

Is there a good spider?

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.

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!

April showers bring Mosquitoes!

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: How to spot bed bugs

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.

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Pest Control OKC: Pest-Proof your home Pt. 4

The final part of Pest Control OKC’s breakdown of pest-proofing!

The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, has some final tips to pest-proof your home this holiday season. Remember, infestations are nearly impossible to get rid of without professional help. If you’ve already been invaded, give The Bug Guy a call today at 405-973-5522!

Keep food sealed: In addition to keeping your kitchen nice and tidy, keeping your food sealed up can make it nearly impossible for pests to survive. Bags and twist ties aren’t enough, keeping food like cereal, rice, and other grains in air-tight containers. When you can, keep any opened containers in the fridge where pests can’t really survive long enough to eat.

Clean up your yard: Dead leaves are nature’s clutter. When the leaves fall, rake them up as fast as possible. Pests love to hide and roost inside these piles of leaves. Leaving them on your yard gives pests an entrance point to your home. Much like trimming back trees and shrubs, cleaning up your yard is more about keeping the pests farther away from your home. Mowing your lawn regularly also keeps pests away. Again, this all also helps keep your home look clean and inviting to humans, but not to pests!

Rinse Recyclables: Recycling is a great habit to get into, however it can also lead to pests! Empty soda cans, beer bottles, and other recyclables can provide a heap of free food for pests. You can limit this by washing out any cans and containers that might have residual food in them. It might seem like a hassle, but it will keep pests away from your home so that’s worth it right?

If you’ve got an infestation, it’s best to call a professional to clear them out. Call The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, today and de-infest your home! Call today at 405-973-5522!

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Pest Control OKC: Pest-Proof your home Pt. 3

A few more pest-control tips from Pest Control OKC

Just a few more way you can pest proof your home. Pest Control OKC knows it’s a challenge to fight off infestation. Even the best measures can still end in infestation, if this happens gives the professionals at The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, at 405-973-5522!

Install and maintain screens on doors and windows: Screens can be a cheap and effective way to keep pests out of your home. Keeping a fine mesh screen on all your doors and windows can keep out all but the smallest of pests. If you don’t already have these installed, there easy to install yourself. The biggest thing to keep in mind is that these screens are prone to tearing. Regularly inspect your screens for break and tears, repairing and replacing any you see ASAP.

Seal Cracks in your home: The easiest ways for pests to get into your home is through cracks in your home. Foundations, walls, and crawlspaces all grant access space for pests. Regularly inspecting your home for cracks in your foundation is critical to keeping pests out. Should you find one, grab some caulk and seal it up! It doesn’t take much for pests to squirm into your home and infest your life. In addition, keeping your home patched up will help maintain the integrity of your home. Really most tips for taking care of pests are also great homekeeping habits!

Get Rid of Clutter: Pests like places to hide, and cluttered and messy rooms provide ample hiding spaces and places to nest. Keeping your home neat and tidy will limit where these pests can hide and nest. Making sure things are organized will also help limit places they can hide. Additionally, it makes your home look and feel nice!

Seasons greetings and happy holidays from The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC!

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Pest Control OKC: How to Bug-Proof your home Pt. 2

Pest Control OKC has some more tips for pest-proofing

Pest Control OKC is back with some more tips to help pest-proof your home!

Eliminate Moisture: One thing to keep in mind is that most insects need a certain amount of humidity to survive. If you can keep the air drier, you can make it very hard for certain pests to live in your home. Any amount of moisture can be enough for these insects. Even something as minor as condensation on pipes is enough for these pests. Fix any plumbing problems and leaks, no matter how minor, quickly to keep these pests at bay.

Prune Trees and Shrubs: You may not think about trees and shrubs as being a potential access point for pests. However, if these plants are touching your home, they can act as a highway for pests to get to you home easily. It doesn’t make a hole for these pests to go through, but it gives these pests more complete access to your home. Raising the chances that they find a nook or cranny to crawl into. Keeping your trees and shrubs trimmed back so they don’t touch your house is an effective way to keep them from letting pests onto your home.

Scrub your trash bins: Even if you keep your trash in plastic bags, they can still spill out and stain your trash bins. Pests can survive on these trace amount of food and waste meaning trash bins are one of the biggest pest attractors. Cleaning your trash bins several times a year will help ensure pests don’t have a tasty cocktail of trashy leftovers to feast on. Bleach will be enough to clean out your outdoor bins. Additionally, this will also limit smells coming from your bins!

Call The Bug Guy, Pest Control OKC, today at 405-973-5522!