Pest Control Archives - A Team Pest Control - Oklahoma City Exterminator

Professional Exterminator Insights: 5 Common Pests in Oklahoma City

By website_manager | July 18, 2024 |

How are you supposed to deal with these pests when you can’t identify them? You’ll need to familiarize yourself with common pests in Oklahoma City to effectively protect your home. In this article, we’ll list common annoying pests in Oklahoma to help you understand their appearance, habits, and risks associated with housing each one. Common Pests in Oklahoma City To identify any rodents or insects that have unwillingly entered your home, here’s a list of the most common pests in Oklahoma City: Bed Bugs Bed bugs are a lot more prevalent in public settings than people realize. As one of the most common pests in Oklahoma City, they can be found anywhere, including hotels, libraries, shopping centers, etc. Once bed bugs come in contact with someone and are brought to their home, they’ll hide in unsuspecting and close crevices. Typical hiding spots include the inside of mattresses, upholstered furniture, and cracks in wooden furniture. Bringing bed bugs into your residence can be a major concern. They’re parasitic insects that feed solely on warm-blooded animals and people. Numerous bites from them can cause itching and allergic reactions. Cockroaches While cockroaches are fairly common pests, they’ve become a considerable issue in Oklahoma City. The fact that OKC ranks 10th among the most roach-infested cities in the US highlights the severity of the problem. Furthermore, cockroaches are notorious for spreading diseases. So, a roach infestation can most often lead to health risks like food poisoning and infections. Currently, there are three types of cockroaches residing in Oklahoma City: American Cockroaches: Large, reddish-brown cockroaches, also identifiable by a faint yellow-ish figure eight behind their heads. German Cockroaches: Brown cockroaches that also feature two black stripes behind their heads. Oriental Cockroaches: Sporting a more beetle-like appearance compared to other cockroaches. They’re attracted to high moisture areas and standing water. Termites Among the most common pests in Oklahoma City, termites are probably the most damaging kind. They’re known for their ability to cause significant damage to wooden structures. So, if your house is infested with termites, you’d be dealing with crumbling drywall, sagging floors, and hollowed wood. While there are several types of termites across the country, Oklahoma City is abundant in subterranean termites. These are considered the most destructive species of termites as they create colonies of millions. The sheer size of these colonies is enough to cause significant structural damage to your home. Rodents Oklahoma City is home to several species of rodents, including house mice, Norway rats, and roof rats. During colder months, these rodents are on the lookout for food and shelter, making your home an appealing target for habitation. They often gravitate towards warm and dry places such as attics or basements, where they begin to nest and reproduce. Once the rodents have settled in your home, they pose several potential dangers. Firstly, they spread various diseases like salmonella, Lyme disease, and typhus, which can lead to serious health issues for you and your family. Secondly, rodents can cause significant property damage to your home by gnawing on electrical wire, insulation, and structural components. Fleas and Ticks Fleas and ticks are also common Oklahoma pests that eventually find their way into your home. Similar to bed bugs, both fleas and ticks are parasitic insects that mainly feed on warm-blooded animals. That’s why you most commonly find them infesting household animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits, cattle, etc. Unfortunately, fleas and ticks aren’t only confined to pets. They can infest mice, rats, and other uninvited rodents that can sneak into your home. The presence of these insects poses several health risks as they’re able to carry disease-causing pathogens. You’d be at risk of catching Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Conclusion Rodent and insect infestations pose significant risks to your home and health. That’s why it’s best to be aware of the most common pests in Oklahoma City to prepare yourself for a potential infestation. You’ll also be able to implement several pest control methods to contain the issue and protect your home. However, if you’re looking for more effective solutions to pest problems, contact us at A-Team Pest Control. You can trust to protect your property by eliminating pests through efficient and permanent methods.

Seasonal Pest Control Strategies for Oklahoma City Residents

By website_manager | July 18, 2024 |

With pests being common all year round in Oklahoma, staying alert is a must. If you aren’t careful, the infestations can quickly escalate and get out of control. Not only can this damage your property, but it also adversely affects your health. So, it’s important to know what pest control strategies can help avoid these scenarios. To save you the research, we have listed the most effective pest control methods for protecting your home. Pests You Can Expect Each Season Before learning about different pest control strategies, let’s discuss what pests you can expect each season in Oklahoma. Spring: With a rise in temperature and frequent rainfall in spring, you can expect mosquitos, ants, and termites. Summer: The high temperature in summer can force spiders and roaches indoors to escape the heat. The increased humidity also contributes to the ideal breeding conditions for many insects, e.g., mosquitos, flies, etc. Fall: As the temperature starts to cool down, rodents have been found to enter 21 million homes in the U.S. for warmth, including Oklahoma. Winter: Pests are usually scarce in the winter, but insects and rodents may be found in cluttered areas for warmth. Most Effective Pest Control Strategies The following are some effective pest control strategies that you can use to avoid extreme infestations: Seal Entry Points Small entry points are primarily how pests get into your home. These include crevices and cracks, gaps around doors and windows, and torn screens. That’s why one of the best pest control strategies is filling out any gaps with caulk. While some gaps may be hard to find, sealing maximum entry points and repairing broken screens can help minimize the pests. Outdoor Maintenance Essentially, all pests start out outside of your house and in your garden. They hide in cluttered debris and use overgrown vegetation as a bridge to your home. The best way to tackle this issue is to regularly trim your garden plants, grass, bushes, and trees. Also, clean your yard and regularly empty your bird baths of dirty water. Keep Your Home Clean Food debris is notorious for attracting pests like ants and roaches into your home. So, always make sure your house is clean, especially of food crumbs. Wipe down surfaces like tables and kitchen cabinets on a daily basis and regularly clean cupboards. If you have any dry goods, make sure to pack them in airtight containers to avoid beetles and moths. Take Care of Leaks and Drainage Problems Stagnant water and humidity can serve as the perfect breeding ground for insects like mosquitos. So, it’s important to take care of any leaking pipes or drainage issues on a priority basis. If you feel like an area has already been affected, use store-bought pesticides for treatment. Just make sure to dispose of them later correctly. Proper Waste Disposal We’ve all seen flies gather around trash if it’s left undisposed for too long. So. regularly get rid of old trash and place a fresh trash bag in the bin. Ensure that the trash bags are tightly tied up when thrown out. Also, pests are especially attracted to decaying organic matter. So, if you make compost, always keep it in a bin with a secure lid. Declutter Regularly Insects and rodents will always look for the most cluttered areas in your house to hide in. Such spots provide them with warmth and also serve as good hiding places. So, always keep your house free of clutter, especially the attic. Pack everything you want to keep in boxes and inspect the storage areas regularly for signs of pests. Schedule Professional Inspections While many pest infestation signs can be easily detected by homeowners, no one can do it better than a professional. That’s why you should schedule regular professional inspections to make sure your home is pest-free. Their professional pest control strategies will help detect and treat any infestations early on, preventing long-term damage. Conclusion Pests can be a nuisance, disturbing the peace of your otherwise pristine home. The best thing you can do is look out for early signs of infestation and use different seasonal pest control strategies. That being said, sometimes, pest infestations can go undetected until it’s too late. For such cases, it’s always a good idea to contact us at A-Team Pest Control Oklahoma City. Be it termites, rodents, mosquitos, spiders, or anything else, we have your back. With our potent pesticides and professional pest control strategies, even the largest of infestations are possible to treat. Let’s make your residence pest-free!