TERMITES 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.

Ants vs Termites

By Bill Cook | September 2, 2020 |

Ants vs Termites or Termites vs Ants that is the question. During the spring and summer months ants and termites start moving around. As an Oklahoma City pest control company, we are called many times because our customers are unclear which insect they are seeing. There are similarities and there are differences. Let us look at both. Both termites and ants are small with six legs, a head, a thorax, and an abdomen. There are tiny ants; there are tiny termites; there are big species of both. Both have queens who lay eggs and kings who fertilize the eggs. Both have a worker caste who do most of the running around, hauling stuff from one place to another, and soldiers who defend the nest. In a family called Isoptera there are nearly 4,000 species of termites, about 2,700 of which have been taxonomically identified. There are probably 14,000 species of ants in a family called Formicidae, about 12,000 of which have been classified. Differences among this broad array of species are as startling as among dogs from the Chihuahuas to the Great Danes. Differences Between Ants and Termites: Midsection It is easy to tell an ant from a termite. You do not need a microscope. All you have to do is get the bug to stand still, relatively speaking, and look at its midsection. The ants have “wasp waists.” Between the thorax and the abdomen is a narrow connection in ants, just like with wasps. The termites do not have this slender waist. Their width continues, gradually increasing, from the thorax to the abdomen. Differences Between Ants and Termites: Antennae If you want to look closer, notice the antennae, the two “wires” that come out the head. In the termite, these antennae are straight. In ants, these antennae have elbows. Differences Between Ants and Termites: Wings If you find ants or termites with wings, look at those wings. All four of the wings of a termite are about the same length. The two rear wings of a flying ant are shorter than the front wings. Ants vs Termites: Behavioral Differences Ants are usually easier to find. They do not hide nearly so much as termites. There are wood-eating ants, but they are not as well hidden as the termites. Most ants live in visible holes or nests, or they issue from cracks in the concrete. Their nests often are formed by removing earth from the holes they dig in the ground. They have darker, more hardened skins. Because they have eyes, they have great perception of the world around them. Termites are usually hidden. Because of this, they have soft bodies of pale colors. They often enter a wooden home and seal the entrance. Or, they will live in the soil and form tunnels to get to and from the wood, which is their feeding ground. Worker termites are blind (they have no eyes) and find their way by following the passageways, by following pheromone trails, or with their antennae. Termites vs Ants: Food Choices Ants feed on almost anything. Have you seen ants crowding around a dropped ice cream cone at the park? Ants like ice cream. They like all kinds of sweet stuff. Some ants eat leaves and vegetables. Some eat other bugs. Some eat termites. What do the termites eat? Just wood.

Termite Warranties

By Bill Cook | September 15, 2019 |

There are a lot of companies that can treat for termites. By all accounts most companies treat homes the same way, use the same chemical, and for the most part charge close to the same price. So how can a home owner choose the best company when it comes to termite treatment? I do believe the vast majority of pest control companies do a good job when it comes to termite treatment. By speaking to customers, the one thing I have found that sets us apart from other companies when it comes to termite treatment is our warranty. We provide a free five year warranty for any termite job we do. After the five year warranty expires, then the warranty can be renewed for an annual fee for as long as the home owner desires. What I am hearing from customers that shop around is that most other companies only offer a free warranty for one or two years. There are some companies that promote a five year warranty but you have to pay for the warranty annually so it is not a free warranty. Our warranty works this way. After we do a termite job you have a free warranty for five years. So if you have any issues or concerns you call us and we come out and inspect and will retreat in the affected area at no cost to you. When you are under warranty feel free to call us anytime for an inspection and we will come out at no additional cost to inspect your property. Some homeowners like for us to come out annually to inspect. All you have to do is call. After the five year warranty expires you can renew the warranty for an annual fee. Usually around $120.00, depending on the size of the home. We will contact you once your warranty expires and check if you want to renew the warranty. There is no pressure if you do not want to renew. If you do choose to renew then we come out and do an inspection and also provide a general pest spray for your home. Going with A-Team for termites you can have a free five year warranty for your home and if you choose to do so you can renew that warranty year after year. It is up to you.