Pest Control Tips For Winter In OKC

Pest Control Tips for Winter Months Of OKC.

When cold weather comes to OKC, most pests die or hibernate, but some may wish to enter your home seeking food and warmth. OKC Pest Control encourages you to take some safeguards against several cold season pests such as spiders, cockroaches, mice, rats, and raccoons. We will provide you with tips to prevent an invasion over the cold winter months.

Cockroaches

The hated German cockroach is one of the most common species of roach found In Oklahoma City. This species prefers to inhabit areas close to moisture and food, so your home makes an inviting place. The German cockroach makes its way inside your home through used appliances, grocery bags, or boxes, and is usually found in bathrooms and kitchens. These bile creatures can spread bacteria, pathogens, and contaminate food. German cockroaches can even cause allergy problems and worsen asthma, which is particularly harmful to children.

How to win the battle of a winter cockroach infestation:

• Keep food crumbs off floors, counters, and the bottom of pantries.
• Take out the trash regularly and vacuum the floors daily.
• Keep your kitchen, bathrooms, and refrigerator clean.
• Keep the area underneath sinks clean and dry.

 Spiders

Creepy crawly spiders such as the brown recluse prefer to spin their webs in corners and dark places, such as basements, closets, attics, and crawl spaces. Like most types of arachnids, the brown recluse can be found inside boxes, unused shoes, window sills and under couches. The brown recluse will bite and inject toxic venom without provocation and should be considered dangerous to humans and pets.

Tips to keep spiders out of your home during the winter:

• Keep shrubs and trees cut away from the home and get rid of tree limbs which hang over the roof.
• Store unused clothes and footwear in a sealed container.
• If you think you may have been bitten by a spider, take appropriate medical precautions.

 Raccoons

The furry, mischievous mammal known as the raccoon is commonly found near wooded areas of Oklahoma. Although they may seem cute they are still considered a wild animal. Raccoons can enter homes through crawl spaces, chimneys, and attics in search of shelter during the winter. Raccoons are known to carry rabies which is extremely dangerous to pets and humans.

Pest Control Tips For Winter Raccoon Problems:

• Keep recycling bins and trash containers in secure areas like a locked shed or other enclosed areas. Try to use a critter proof lid on these containers.
• Check your home for possible entry points, such as loose siding, unprotected crawl spaces, or holes in the eaves of your roof.
• Install a critter-proof wire-mesh cover on chimney openings and other possible areas of entry. Raccoons are clever so make sure to hire a professional to do this.

 Mice

Mice are the most commonly encountered rodent in OKC. Mice will usually build their nests in dark, isolated areas like basements or attics. Mice have been known to cause serious damage to homes and businesses by chewing through electrical wires, which can then spark a serious fire. They are disgusting creatures and are known to cause health problems in humans.

Pest Control Tips For Winter Which Will Keep Mice Out Of Your Home:

• Seal holes and cracks on the outside of your home with steel-wool and caulk.
• Keep your home free of clutter. Don’t give them a place to hide.
• Inspect your home as much as possible throughout the year for signs of mice, especially in the winter time. An infestation is easily spotted through their droppings and pungent smell.

Rats

Rats tend to nest in debris piles, basements, and cluttered areas. These destructive animals are known to chew through lead pipes, plastic, and wood to obtain water and food. They are also a carrier of several diseases like Tularemia, Salmonella, and Rat Fever.

 Pest Control Tips For Winter That Will Keep Rats Out Of Your House:

• Rats can fit through an opening as small as a half inch. Inspect the outside of your house for cracks and gaps. Fill them with silicone caulk.
• Get rid of debris piles near your home.
• Rid your basement, crawl spaces and attic of moisture. Moist environments attract a wide range of pests including rats.
• Conduct yearly inspections inside the home for signs of a rat infestation which could include droppings, rub marks, and foot prints.