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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!

Hobo Spider- OKC Pest Control

OKC Pest Control: Hobo Spiders Are Crawling Out Of Obscurity

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OKC Pest Control: Keeping An Eye Out For Hobo Spiders

At one time hobo spiders were actually more well known as the venom was once said to be life-threatening. Today, the perspective may be a different as further research dispelled the deadly medical threat of a hobo spider’s bite. That doesn’t mean; however, that they aren’t still around and that their bites won’t do some damage. Luckily, our OKC pest control team still has an effective treatment solution to keep you safe.

While the hobo spider is originally documented as being native to Europe, it’s no wonder that thanks to years of immigration and travel that several places in the United States have become home to this spider species.

Hobo spider bites are often mistaken for other types, especially due to the Brown Recluse Spider stealing the spotlight over the years. To help you identify hobo spiders here’s our OKC pest control team’s description of these little critters:

  • They are brown in color.
  • They have no distinct rings on their legs, but they are covered in short hairs.
  • Their abdomens usually have several chevron shaped markings.
  • Males have two large palps- commonly described as “fangs, venom sacs, or boxing gloves” (they are actually just male genitalia).
  • Females have palps without the “swollen” ends.
  • Females have a much larger abdomen.

The hobo spider has poor eye site and less sticky webs in comparison to other spiders. Simply stated: to live; they must attack. This most likely explains why hobo spiders are known to be so aggressive by nature and will bite humans. As to be expected, the female spiders are even more defensive if they are tending to their egg sacs. Most bites probably occur when the spider becomes trapped in clothing, bed sheets, or someone accidentally breaks their web.

Our OKC pest control team is just here to let you know that the hobo spider is no longer an unknown entity, especially with the onset of warmer weather. In fact, our OKC pest control team has found funnel shaped webs attached to objects in many yards, by foundations, between planters, and other ground-level objects.

This is one spider species that is crawling out of obscurity. To keep your yard pest-free, our OKC pest control team would be happy to help! You can reach The Bug Guy at 405-973-5522.

Brown Recluse- OKC Pest Control

OKC Pest Control Team Looking Out For Brown Recluse Spiders

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Warmer Weather Brings A Need For OKC Pest Control

The warmer it gets outside the more Oklahomans find the desire to get out and become more active. Our OKC pest control team knows that people aren’t the only beings to enjoy springtime. In fact, Brown Recluse spiders are no exception.

The warm, spring weather is a great time for them to emerge as they are capable of surviving with no food or water for up to 12 months and probably have spent the winter hiding. During the daytime, the Brown Recluse spider is known to hide in dark areas. They like to move around mostly at night searching for prey.

If one is seen during the daytime, our OKC pest control team would suspect that pesticide applications, hunger, overcrowding or a desire to find a mate has probably brought them out. Sometimes, the spiders can become trapped in certain places within a person’s home, as well.

Identifying features of the Brown Recluse spider include a brown-to-gray abdomen, lighter coloring on the legs, and an orange-to-yellow cephalothorax (the anterior part of the body). You may also hear others refer to this spider by names such as Violin Spider or Fiddleback Spider. These names refer to the description of the violin-shaped pattern on top of the spider, with the base of the “violin” sitting on the eyes, and the neck of the “violin” pointing back toward the abdomen.

Many victims of Brown Recluses spiders often roll onto the spider during normal sleep movements causing the spider to bite. A common Brown Recluse spider bite can completely destroy the surrounding tissue. The wound can then develop a crusty-like appearance and texture surrounded by patches of redness and irritation. The awful part about these bites is that although the crust falls off, the deep, crater-like shape may not heal for several months!

Our OKC pest control team encourages you to keep an eye out for Brown Recluse spiders, but to really protect yourself and your family members from accidental spider bites, it’s best to receive a treatment in and around your home.

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