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Paper Wasp: Identification & Control Guide

. Posted by in , • Oklahoma City
a paper wasp

Just the word “wasp” can make most people shudder, as it brings to mind a fear of getting stung. It can be difficult to know whether or not the flying insect you see threatens you and your loved ones. Once you spot them, you want them gone as soon as possible. But before you do, here is some information on identifying wasps and how they live.

Some types of wasps can be beneficial, and that includes paper wasps. If you like to garden, especially if you grow vegetables and flowers, the presence of these wasps might be a welcome sight. These social wasps feed on other insects that can harm the things you grow. How do you know if the buzzy bugs you see are the “good” kind? Check their markings. Or contact a pest control expert who can assess the population and let you know if you have anything to … Read Full Post »

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Your Guide to Oklahoma Rodents

. Posted by in , • Oklahoma City
a mouse

Oklahoma is home to several types of rodents, and many species find their way into homes. These uninvited guests, which include roof rats and deer mice, can cause severe structural damage, carry diseases and cause anxiety in pets. They are even capable of causing house fires by chewing through electrical wiring!

Homeowners in the Sooner State need to know how to identify the most common types of rodents that they may see on their property. However, since rodents are most active at night, it’s crucial to know the signs of an infestation.

Some rodents in Oklahoma, such as roof rats, like to set up camp in attics. This rodent identification guide will also break down the signs of rodents in attics and how to get them out of walls.

The Most Common Types of Oklahoma Rodents

Oklahoma is home to a diverse rodent population, from common house mice to North America’s largest rodent—the American … Read Full Post »

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I Found Mouse Droppings But No Mouse

. Posted by in , • Oklahoma City
mouse droppings on floor

You might not have spotted a mouse in your house, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t moved in. There are several other signs that you have a rodent problem that needs immediate attention.

Sudden Appearance of Pellets

A sure sign is droppings around food, in drawers or cupboards (especially in the kitchen) and under a sink. Not everyone is quite sure what they are seeing when they spy droppings in their home, so it’s important to know what mouse droppings look like. What you are looking for are smallish dark pellets, about one-eighth to one-quarter of an inch long, with pointed ends.

It can be easy to want to believe it’s just food particles or something else, but the reality is you have unwanted guests if you are seeing these droppings. You can get a flashlight and take a peek behind cabinets and under sinks and appliances to see if … Read Full Post »

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The Different Types of Wasps in Oklahoma

. Posted by in , • Oklahoma City
a paper wasp which is a type of wasp in oklahoma

If you’ve ever been stung by a wasp, you know how painful it can be. Regardless of whether they have been stung before, most people go out of their way to avoid wasps. There are several different types of wasps in Oklahoma. Many build nests near human activity, which can make it hard to stay out of their way. This is why it’s good to know which types of wasps are aggressive toward humans, and which are less likely to bother you. It’s also helpful to know how to keep wasps away from your property.

Although some types of wasps look a lot like bees, they have many characteristics that set them apart. One is that, unlike bees, many types of wasps are solitary insects. Also, whereas bees can only sting once, wasps can sting multiple times. And, you can usually tell the difference between a bee hive and a wasp … Read Full Post »

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Does Fire Keep Mosquitoes Away?

. Posted by in , • Oklahoma City

Fending off mosquitoes is a ritual of both spring and summer—sometimes year-round depending on the weather and location. People try just about everything to keep these pesky, annoying little pests away, from sprays to candles to home remedies. Some people even try to eat certain foods to keep mosquitoes away. None of these options are particularly effective, however.

Mosquitoes aren’t just a nuisance. They can also carry a variety of diseases, including Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, dengue and malaria. These aren’t things you want to mess around with!

Many people believe that mosquitoes only come out and bite at night, but that isn’t the case. Though it is true that the variety that carries the West Nile virus is more active from dusk until dawn, other types keep a different schedule. During the day, in shaded areas, you can find active mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus and chikungunya. … Read Full Post »

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Your Guide to Ticks in Oklahoma

. Posted by in , • Oklahoma City
a tick on a leaf

It can be an outdoors-lover’s nightmare: You feel an itch on your skin or that of a loved one and find an odd bump. After a quick peek, you know the culprit. A tick has hopped on in search of a meal! Or maybe you find some of the small creatures crawling about in the woods during a family hike. Either way, this is never a welcome discovery.

Oklahoma is home to a variety of ticks. Though they are all vector arthropods, their appearance, behaviors and preferred habitat vary. Each poses a threat to different animals or people based on location, some worse than others. If you come across ticks around your property, contact a pest professional for more information specific to your infestation.

Soft Ticks Versus Hard Ticks

The first two species of tick, the fowl tick and the spinose ear tick, are considered soft ticks. They are called soft ticks because … Read Full Post »

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How To Get Rid of Wasps

. Posted by in , • Oklahoma City
yellowjackets

For many people, seeing a wasp is cause to scream, duck and run for cover. This is understandable, considering how much it hurts to get stung. Some people are even allergic to stings, making bees and wasps a real danger. But while some types of wasps are aggressive, plenty of others are very unlikely to sting you. Regardless, most of us want to get rid of wasps when we see them. Read on for more information about these insects, including the best ways to get rid of wasps when you see them or their nests around your property.

Are Wasps Beneficial?

Something many people don’t realize about wasps is that they are actually beneficial. Like bees, wasps are pollinators. This means they are an essential part of the process of producing fruits, seeds and more plants. Wasps also feed on caterpillars and other pests that might otherwise destroy our food crops.

For all … Read Full Post »

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DIY Mice Repellent: What Works and What Doesn’t

. Posted by in , • Oklahoma City
a cat looking at a mouse

The most effective way to keep mice out of your house and yard is to contact a pest control professional. These experts have the experience and tools to help keep you and your family safe from pests like mice. They can also provide ongoing rodent control services, so you do not have to worry. However, homeowners sometimes prefer to try to take care of pest problems on their own before reaching out to a professional.

A quick search of the internet will show that there are many different ideas out there on how to repel mice. Before you try any of these DIY methods, it is important to know which ones are most likely to work. This could save you from wasting time and money on something that will never work. It is also important to understand the dangers of certain DIY mice control methods. Otherwise, you might accidentally endanger your … Read Full Post »

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What Do House Mice Eat?

. Posted by in , • Oklahoma City
house mice eating cereal

If you’ve ever had a mouse problem, you probably wondered what attracted the mice to your house in the first place. What do house mice eat? Their natural habitat is outdoors, so what do they live on when they move into a person’s home? Unfortunately, the short answer is that mice can eat a wide variety of foods. This is why they can live so well inside a house, as long as there is access to water as well as some food that they can get into.

The truth is, most of us have plenty of food that mice could get into if they tried. For example, readily available food left in fruit bowls on our countertops. Or, the thin plastic bags and cardboard boxes filled with cereals and snacks found in our pantries. These materials are easy for mice to chew through to get to the food inside.

Outside in nature, … Read Full Post »

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Common Household Spiders in Oklahoma

. Posted by in • Oklahoma City
a brown recluse spider which is one species of spider that can be found in Oklahoma

When you find a spider or multiple spiders in your Oklahoma home, it can be alarming. One of your first thoughts is probably whether the spider poses a threat to your family. Many different kinds of spiders live in Oklahoma and only some of them are dangerous. Nonetheless, even though most spiders will not hurt humans, it is understandable to not want these creatures around.

All spiders and many other critters like ticks have eight legs and segmented bodies. Since so many pests look alike, it is helpful to pay attention to the unique characteristics of each species. This can help you figure out what type of spiders you have in your home. Some of the most common kinds of household spiders in Oklahoma include the following.

Brown Recluse Spiders

The brown recluse spider, which is pictured above, is sometimes referred to as the fiddleback or brown spider. These spiders are one of … Read Full Post »

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