The sun is shining, temperatures are rising, flowers are starting to bloom and spring is right around the corner! That means it’s time to get started on some spring cleaning. That also means you’re likely to start seeing some springtime pests in your home soon. As we start to wake up and come back to life after the long winter, so do our least favorite little home invaders. And you’re likely to find them in the dark corners of your home—like the basement, attic, unused closets, under heavy furniture—as you clean these places for the first time in a few months (or a year—we won’t judge).
The good news is, many of these pests can be permanently prevented with our Preventative Pest Control Services. If you’re dealing with spiders, ants or mice, our bi-monthly program can get rid of them and keep them away for good. And the bonus is that this is also one of our most affordable options! The program also helps get rid of other pests, including roaches. So keep that in mind as you start your spring cleaning. Here are the five pests you’re most likely to see in your home this spring:
- Spiders: most spiders like to be in dark, confined spaces. You’ll usually find them in basements, cellars, attics, barns, garages, unused closets or in the corners of porches or decks where it is easy for them to spin a web. Most spiders are shy and scared of humans and you will not see them unless they come out of their hiding in search of small insects to eat. While spiders are definitely creepy, they also serve as natural pest control, eating other pests like flies, gnats and other insects. However other spiders can be very dangerous if they bite you. Check out our spider identification guide to learn how to tell spiders apart and which ones you need to call a professional pest control expert for.
- Rodents: mice and rats are really an all-year problem, but spring always seems to give them a little extra energy. Mice and rats can cause real problems for homeowners. They chew through wires necessitating expensive repairs or service calls from your internet or cable company (and we all know how much fun that is). They also spread diseases including rat-bite fever, trichinosis, leptospirosis, and hantavirus. They also attract larger pests into your home—like snakes, who will follow the scent of rats up into your attic to feed on them. Prevent rodent infestations by repairing small holes or gaps in siding, roofing, doors, and pipes that they can crawl through. Patch up every whole no matter how small—a rat can stuff itself through a gap the size of a quarter and they have powerful jaws that can rip through even the toughest materials if they find a soft point.
- Fleas: if you don’t have pets, fleas probably aren’t on your radar. If you do, you know how easy they are to catch and how hard they are to get rid of. And even pet-free homes can fall victim to these pests. If you’re a hunter, camper or just love spending time outdoors, you’re an easy target for these biting pests. Make sure you bathe pests regularly and give them flea treatments and clean your home on a regular basis to prevent a flea outbreak.
- Bees and Wasps: we all want to protect our pollinators, but we also all agree that they’re best left outside. Wasp, hornet and yellow jacket queens like to hide in attics during winter and then reemerge in spring to look for a place to lay their eggs and establish a new colony. Wasps, hornets and yellow jackets can be dangerous if they sting—especially to people who are allergic. If you see these in your home call a professional immediately. Honey bees do not pose the same danger, but you still do not want a colony established in your home. They can cause major structural damage if they get too large. If you see a bee colony, make sure to have it relocated rather than exterminated.
- Ants: we have all sorts of ants here in Oklahoma—our weather patterns make it a perfect place for ants to breed and thrive—but the two you are most likely to see in early spring are Carpenter Ants and Pavement Ants. Carpenter Ants come out of hiding when the mercury rises to look for food and shelter. They can be very damaging to your home because they like to burrow into wood to make their nests (unlike termites they don’t eat the wood—they just destroy it looking for a place to sleep). Pavement Ants live in massive underground colonies but these scavengers love to come inside looking for an easy meal. They’ll eat just about anything, so make sure to store all food in the fridge or in airtight containers. Clear up all food and food scraps after you’re done cooking and eating and clean dishes right away. Make sure to take out any trash or recycling promptly. Both of these ants can be invasive menaces, and while you can help prevent them, once they are inside your home it is extremely hard to get rid of them without professional help.
If you have any other questions about springtime pests, pest prevention methods or professional pest control, get in touch with the Oklahoma pest control experts at Emtec Pest Control by calling (918) 663-0613 or by filling out our online contact form. Our service areas in Northeast Oklahoma include Bixby, Broken Arrow, Catoosa, Owasso, Jenks, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Skiatook, Stillwater, Tulsa, and the surrounding areas. In Central Oklahoma, we service Edmond, Moore, Oklahoma City, Yukon, and the surrounding areas. You can also connect with us on social media for more helpful pest control tips and information. We are on Facebook and Google+.
At Emtec Pest Control, we are committed to safe and responsible pest control. We understand that your family’s safety is your number one priority, so we make it our priority, too. If you have any other questions about any of these pests or pest control for your home or business, contact your Oklahoma pest control experts at Emtec Pest Control by calling us or by filling out our online contact form. Our service areas in Northeast Oklahoma include Bixby, Broken Arrow, Catoosa, Owasso, Jenks, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Skiatook, Stillwater, Tulsa and the surrounding areas. In Central Oklahoma, we service Edmond, Moore, Oklahoma City, Yukon and the surrounding areas. You can also connect with us on social media for more helpful pest control tips and information. We are on Facebook.-
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May 26, 2023
