Pest Control Services with EnviroTech Exterminating of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Pest Control & Exterminator Services with EnviroTech Exterminating, Inc. Serving Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks and the metro Tulsa area.

Pest Control for Bed Bugs, Fleas, Spiders, Brown Recluse Spiders, Black Widow Spiders, Cockroaches, Termites, Ants, Carpenter Ants, Carpenter Bees, Wasp, Rodents, Mice, Rats, Raccoons, Squirrels, Opossum, Skunk, Pigeons, Bats and other Nuisance Animal Wildlife Removal. Visit our Pest Control website.

Friday, December 30, 2011

Bed Bug Repellant - Does It Work?



EnviroTech Exterminating
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Got Pests? Call (918) 282-7621
Online: www.GotPest.com





Bed Bug Repellent – Does It Work?



Does Lysol Kill Bed Bugs?
Similarly to common insecticide spray, Lysol itself will kill the bed bugs only if you sprayed directly on the bugs with it. Areas sprayed and treated with this disinfectant will only keep bed bugs away while it is still wet otherwise once it dries, the bed bugs will return again.
Does Alcohol Kill Bed Bugs?
Alcohol will kill bed bugs on contact and can be apply similarly like a bed bug spray. While it can be use temporaily as a bed bug repellent, it need to be used often to control an infestation since it does not remain long enough on the surfaces to continue killing the bugs. As such, it is not a very effective way to get rid of bed bugs permanently.


 
 




Does Bleach Kill Bed Bugs?
While bleach does kill bed bugs, the method is not recommended. Bleach will ruin carpet, furniture, mattresses and paint as well as also cause irritation to your skin. It is best to limit its use for killing bed bugs in items you can launder and hard surfaces that are bleach safe.

Does Boric Acid Kill Bed Bugs?
Boric acid is often used as an insecticide and repellent for the control of cockroaches, termites, fleas, silverfish, and many other insects. However boric acid is a stomach posion and the commerical attractants maunfactured in it to attract common insects will not work on bed bugs since bed bugs are attracted by carbon dioxide and will only feed on blood. Furthermore, boric acid is especially toxic to small children and animals and can cause serious kidney damage when accidentally consumed.
Bottom line, bed bugs are resourceful, opportunistic and are a very hardy pest and currently, there are no known medically proven bedbug-proof repellent that will work 100 percent to repel them or their bites.   Creams or lotions for the skin will not stop their growing populations which can escalate into a full blown bed bug infestation within the house or apartment.

Brought to you by EnviroTech Exterminating, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (918) 282-7621

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Bed Bug Knowledge & Control Strategies Continue to Evolve

EnviroTech Exterminating
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Got Pests? Call (918) 282-7621
Online: www.GotPest.com


Bed Bug Knowledge & Control Strategies Continue to Evolve

     PCT Magazine recently published a bed bug supplement stating that more than 550 professionals seeking bed bug knowledge turned out in September for Bed Bug University’s North American Summit in Chicago.  The event, produced by BedBug Central, featured leading university researchers and drew executives from pest management, hospitality, university, housing authority, and property management fields.
The major take-away: Bed bug knowledge continues to grow, which means evolving strategies for the pest’s prevention and control. Here are some topics covered in this very informative bed bug writeup:
  • Bed bug anxiety
  • Federal involvement
  • Bed bugs without beds
  • Help your client be the hero
  • Early detection hits, misses
  • Cheap and easy monitoring
  • Consider the time factor
  • Sofas, freezing, and follow up
  • Bed bugs on treated surfaces
  • Issues with OTC products
  • Get paid for teaching prevention
  • This low-tech tool rules
  • Inspect everywhere 
Here are the topics covered:

Bed bug anxiety. According to Dr. Caleb Adler, associate professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati, bed bug anxiety can trigger some people with existing psychiatric issues into worse episodes. This can complicate bed bug abatement, as clients may not react to treatment suggestions in a rational manner. Bed bugs make most people anxious, but this won't cause someone without psychiatric problems to suddenly get them. Be positive and supportive, and assure clients the pests are common and treatable. Pest management professionals might advise clients to talk about their stress with someone… just don't suggest they see a psychiatrist, advised Adler.

Federal involvement. According to U.S. Congressman Robert J. Dold, the Bed Bug Management, Prevention and Research Act would create a federal task force, declare the pest a vector, require efficacy data for all bed bug treatment products, and provide research grants. Some funds would develop treatment pilot programs in Ohio, New York and another state that could be expanded nationwide. Funding hinges on the super committee's plan to cut $1.2 trillion from the federal budget, but passage is likely if H.R. 967 can be attached to the Farm Bill, said Dold. From a bed bug education standpoint, "we have a lot of work to do."

Bed bugs without beds. Professionals need options when treating bed bugs in offices, retail stores and public spaces, said Jeff White, technical director, Bed Bug Central. Canines are ideal for initial inspections, but make sure they've been trained for these environments and aren't put off by wiring harnesses and swiveling office chairs. More than one dog may be needed for large spaces and to double-check positive findings. Treat hot spots with steam or freezing. A typical cubicle takes about 30 minutes to treat and surrounding cubicles also must be treated. White has constructed heat chambers inside offices and once converted a board room into a temporary heat unit. Proactive monitoring may require a team approach due to labor costs. Train maintenance staff to use and inspect interception devices and low-profile glue boards.


Help your client be the hero. Bed bugs can damage a client's brand and reputation. Advise them to take control of the story, before someone else does. By not communicating, they're part of the problem, said Jill Allread, president of Public Communications. Always put the health and safety of people first, tell the truth, remedy the situation, and respond quickly and responsibly, she said. When people are stressed, educational messages are hard to comprehend, said Cornell University Entomologist Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann. Advise schools, for instance, to tell the public bed bugs have been identified, that they don't transmit disease, the steps being taken to remedy the situation, and how parents can help prevent re-introductions. "Bed bugs, themselves, are not the crisis," she said. "It's the reaction that's causing the crisis."

Early detection hits, misses. Early detection is a tenant of sustainable bed bug control. But it's a lot easier to find large infestations than one or two pests. Dr. Phil Koehler, entomologist, University of Florida, found these early detection methods had limited results: visual inspection, enhanced visual inspection with special glasses, DNA testing (bed bug DNA remains viable a long time so this tool is best for verifying infestations at new accounts), mechanical sniffers, and passive monitors. More effective were canine inspection, as long as the dog was properly trained and handled, interceptor traps, and active monitors. But it is "fairly easy to confuse a bed bug" with active monitors that combine too many cues, said Koehler.

Cheap and easy monitoring. Pitfall traps placed under bed and furniture legs catch foraging bed bugs and are an effective, inexpensive tool. In a 360-unit multi-housing facility with 19 known bed bug infestations, visual inspections identified 17 more infestations and interceptor traps found an additional 26 infestations after one week, said Rutgers University Entomologist Dr. Changlu Wang. Bed bugs are most attracted to red and black pitfall traps, he added. Wang used a trap of dry ice and an inverted dog dish to determine if treatment was successful in a heavily infested vacant apartment. Thirteen days after steaming and pesticide application, 505 bed bugs were collected. Monitors can help determine if a unit needs to be treated again or if bed bugs have been re-introduced, but they can't tell where pests are coming from or hiding, he said.

Consider the time factor. Detection devices make a pest management professional's job easier, but monitoring them still takes time. Phil Cooper, CEO of BedBug Central and president of Cooper Pest Solutions in Lawrenceville, N.J., estimated it takes eight minutes to accurately monitor traps under four bed legs. "A quick visual glance doesn't cut it for a low-level infestation." Cooper developed a program to train managers of a group home to use and inspect interceptor traps. This enabled them to identify infestations sooner and save $100,000 in bed bug remediation in one year. Pending state legislation could open the door for bed bug prevention and early detection programs, he added.

Sofas, freezing, and follow up. PMPs discussed the pros and cons of bed bug treatment approaches at a stakeholder meeting led by BedBug Central's White and Yale University Entomologist Dr. Joshua Benoit. Sofas are bed bug havens and difficult to treat. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure steaming or a heat chamber raises the sofa's interior temperature to 180°F. Dust inside the framework (not if a sleeper sofa) with diatomaceous earth, which abrades the bed bug's cuticle causing dehydration. DE works, said Benoit, "but not quickly and not by itself." Steam has better penetration than freezing with CO2, but freezing uses less moisture so is better for leather upholstery, popcorn ceilings and electronics. Damaging items is inevitable so start with an inconspicuous area first and have clients sign off on mechanical lift chairs, wheelchairs and Sleep Number beds. Follow up bed bug treatment 10 to 14 days after initial service. A serious infestation may require four to six follow up visits; a simple infestation will need one to two.

Bed bugs on treated surfaces. Formulation plays a big role in how insects pick up insecticide. University of Minnesota Entomologist Dr. Stephen Kells exposed bed bugs and German cockroaches to an aerosol formulation of chlorfenapyr and found the cockroaches had nine times more chlorfenapyr inside their bodies than bed bugs, which had nine times more active ingredient on the outside of their bodies. This difference may be a result of grooming by the cockroaches. He also found that, with a particular formulation, bed bugs picked up more active ingredient the longer the chemical was in the environment. Research showed pests picked up six times more chlorfenapyr after walking on a treated surface 24 hours after the insecticide was applied. The insects had 20 times the exposure walking on a month-old treated surface. The slow evaporation of aerosol materials may slow chlorfenapyr release. Bed bugs require time on treated surfaces, said Kells. Don't assume they'll pick up enough active ingredient by crossing a one- to two-inch barrier.


Issues with OTC products. PMPs won't be surprised to find over-the-counter bed bug foggers and some EPA exempt 25b products don't work. However, clients and tenants may find the research of Ohio State University Entomologist Dr. Susan Jones eye opening. Jones found three consumer fogging products achieved no mortality of pyrethroid-resistant bed bug populations, even when the pests were just feet from the foggers and couldn't escape the droplets. Even bed bugs susceptible to pyrethroids were unaffected if in harborage, which is typical behavior. Bed bugs treated with botanical oils had less than 35 percent mortality, with nymphs still molting and females laying eggs on treated surfaces. Even at 40 times the recommend usage rate, an extract of Neem seed oil achieved less than 50 percent mortality of bugs that were directly sprayed, with no residual kill.

Get paid for teaching prevention. The ongoing cost of bed bug treatment is unsustainable for multi-unit housing. Instead of walking away from jobs (and people in desperate need) or giving away your expertise, PMPs can get paid for training property management staff and tenants on how to prevent, monitor and remediate bed bugs, said Virginia Tech Entomologist Dr. Dini Miller. She and students developed a program for a women's shelter, trained managers, and performed tasks themselves to make sure others could perform them. This involved properly vacuuming and discarding bed bug matter; pulling up carpet edges, dusting with a non-pesticide diatomaceous earth, and re-inserting carpet under baseboards; dusting outlets, faceplates, artwork and box springs with DE; encasing mattresses; bagging soft items for the dryer; and installing and inspecting passive monitoring devices. They even built an in-room heat box, which the shelter manager successfully used to treat furniture, books and some electronics.

This low-tech tool rules. The lowly magnifying glass may seem a bit old fashioned but it's the perfect tool for inspecting passive bed bug monitors. Book lice look very similar to first instar bed bug nymphs, cautioned Wang, who's also caught spider beetles, grain beetles and pavement ants in these traps.

Inspect everywhere. When bed bug populations get high, it's not unusual to find bed bugs harboring in kitchen cabinets, under sinks and toilet tanks. PMPs must pay attention to product labels and may need tenants to do more or different prep work


Don't let Bed bugs take a bite out of you.  If you have a Bedbug issue talk to a professional.  Call EnviroTech Exterminating at (918) 282-7621 today for a free consultation.  We can help!

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EnviroTech Exterminating services Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Bixby, Coweta & the Muskogee area.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Bed Bug DNA Testing: Does It Work?

EnviroTech Exterminating

(918) 282-7621

 

Bed Bug DNA Testing: Does It Work?

Posted on December 28, 2011

Do you know what bed bug detection method is the most accurate?
There are many companies creating new devices as the bed bug epidemic in the United States increases.  Unfortunately, many of these technologies are not fully evaluated before they are released and used by the public and pest control industry.
Jeffrey White, an entomologist at Bed Bug Central, wrote a paper on the effectiveness and sensitivity of real-time PCR to detect bed bug DNA from swabs collected in both laboratory and field settings to evaluate the claims of Bed Bug DNA testing.
Here are some of the key findings from the Bed Bug DNA Test Results:
  1. It was found that bed bug DNA can be detected by real-time PCR if the swab is applied in an area where a bed bug has been and left DNA behind.
  2. Using PCR to assist in the detection of bed bug DNA is a technology that can be used to help identify the past or present presence of bed bugs.
  3. A “negative” test result should not be interpreted as meaning that bed bugs are not present since bed bug DNA may not have been left behind by a passing bug or the DNA may have been missed by the individual swabbing the area.
  4. A “positive” test results should be interpreted as meaning bed bugs are or were present within the last year.
  5. Bed bug DNA takes a year or more to denature and therefore it is not recommended that this test be used to determine if bed bugs have been eliminated or have been reintroduced if a bed bug infestation was present in the past.
  6. Due to the highly sensitive nature of this test, for those using this test that may be exposed to bed bug in other locations to where the test is being applied, cross-contamination is a serious concern and should be addressed accordingly.
  7. Real-time PCR cannot currently differentiate between the Common Bed Bug, C. lectularius, and Tropical Bed Bug, C. hemipterus.
  8. Bed bug DNA takes an unknown length of time to breakdown and “positive” test results were observed in areas where bed bugs had been dead for over one year.
  9. In low and moderate level infestations where monitoring technology is truly needed since bed bugs can be difficult to find through visual inspections, real-time PCR can detect bed bug DNA IF the swab was used in an area where bed bugs left DNA behind. Meaning that the test is inconsistent in low and moderate level infestations because it is impossible to determine where bed bug DNA will be.
  10. Real-time PCR is an extremely sensitive technology and areas being swabbed can be contaminated with bed bug DNA even though bed bugs may not be present.
Key Findings:
  • Anyone using this test should not determine that a “negative” test results means that you do not have bed bugs.
  • The results of this study clearly demonstrated that bed bug DNA can be detected up to a year or more after it was shed by a bed bug.
  • This test may not be ideal for someone who has had bed bugs in the past because the result of the test will most likely be returned “positive”.
  • Bed Bug DNA testing may provide the client potentially false information that they again have an active infestation.
  • If a swab is returned “positive” for bed bugs, a visual inspection should be conducted to confirm the presence of bed bugs to rule out a false-positive on old evidence or contamination transferred in from an infested environment.
Jeffrey White concludes, “As more and more bed bug detection devices and technologies become available to the public and pest control industry, it is important to properly test these devices prior to drawing conclusions on any results they may provide. Using real-time PCR analysis to detect bed bug DNA has the ability to help a homeowner or pest control company identify if bed bugs are present but should not be relied upon to indicate if a home or location is free of bed bugs. Also, using this test determine if bed bugs are still present after an infestation is treated is also not recommended due to the slow way in which DNA denatures. This tool should be viewed as another method to confirm the presence of bed bugs when a homeowner suspects them but has been unable to visually confirm bed bugs.”

EnviroTech Exterminating
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
(918) 282-7621
Online: www.gotpest.com
Blog Page

Pest Control Services Special

Pest Control Services Special



Offered by EnviroTech Exterminating.
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74011
(918) 282-7621

EnviroTech Exterminating is currently offering new customers $50 Off Pest Control Services.  Sign up for the EnviroCare Service Plan and get $50 off your initial treatment.  This plan provides 12 months of treatment for your peace of mind.  Protect your family, home and pets from pests. Coverage includes Black Widow, Brown Recluse Spiders, Scorpion Control, Cockroach Control and much more. We also offer a choice of conventional treatment and/or organic treatment. This plan covers general pest control for the following pests.

  • Spiders
  • Cockroaches
  • Ants
  • Crickets
  • Mice
  • Scorpions
  • General Pests
This plan does not include Bed Bug Control, Termite Control or Flea Control. Protection for these pests is available for an additional cost. Call (918) 282-7621 for details.

Pest Control Services are offered by EnviroTech Exterminating of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. 

If you have a need for Pest Control Services don't hesitate to contact EnviroTech Exterminating Today for a free pest control evaluation and consultation.  EnviroTech Exterminating uses Termidor for Termite Protection and a combination of Insect Growth Regulators, Dusts, Baits and Insecticides for general Pest Control Services.  We also service the Greater Tulsa Metro including Jenks, Bixby and Coweta.


Special Offer: EnviroTech Exterminating also offers it's current monthly customers a referral program.  For every three customers you refer to EnviroTech Exterminating we will provide one free month of general pest control services.  To participate in this plan all you must do is be set up on the EnviroCare Service Plan Program, have three referrals schedule pest control services and mention who referred them to EnviroTech Exterminating.  The free service will be provided on your first scheduled service after the three referral services have been completed.

If the Pests Don't Rest call EnviroTech (918) 282-7621

Monday, December 26, 2011

Cockroaches in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma






We Offer Organic Pest Control Services



Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74011
(918) 282-7621






Cockroaches
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma


There are hundreds of species of cockroach around the world. We're lucky in Broken Arrow, OK we don't have to deal with the giant hissing cockroaches of Madagascar, but there a plenty of varieties of these unpleasant insects that make Broken Arrow, Oklahoma their home. The hot, humid summer climate of Oklahoma unfortunately provides an ideal breeding ground for many species of roaches, and the abundant supply of food and shelter that humans unintentionally supply them with means that Oklahoma’s battle with cockroaches is going to be going on as long as there are people here.
One of the easiest ways to tell apart different species of roaches you find in Broken Arrow is by their size:


Small Roaches


The German cockroach is the species of small cockroaches that are often seen indoors. Although called German cockroaches, the species originated in Africa and has difficulty surviving in colder climates, so the hot, humid summer climate of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma is a perfect home for them. German cockroaches will often have an unpleasant odor when disturbed. These bugs will eat nearly anything, including soap, glue, and toothpaste. German cockroaches are particularly good at establishing themselves inside of houses, and can be extremely difficult to get rid of once they've set themselves up inside a home.


Big Roaches



The American Cockroach is another one of the most common species of cockroach found in Oklahoma. These dark-colored roaches can grow up to 1 to 1 1/2 inches in length, and prefer to gather in dark, moist places. Equally comfortable inside the home or out, American cockroaches will routinely set themselves up in wood piles, basements, under refrigerators, or any other dark place with easy access to shelter.

Oriental Cockroaches or Waterbugs are another large species of cockroach, but unlike the Tree roach these bugs are not as content to live outdoors. They get the name waterbug from their attraction to damp, dark places and they love to gather around pipes and under sinks. Though similar in size to Tree roaches, their wings are comparatively underdeveloped and they are only capable of flying short distances.



Roach Problems? 


Got Pests?
Call EnviroTech Exterminating (918) 282-7621

No matter what the species, cockroaches can be difficult to get rid of. Sprays and bombs often have little effect except making the cockroaches stronger. If you see cockroaches in your home, the best thing to do is contact a professional pest control expert who can develop a comprehensive plan to get rid of the roaches and stop them from coming in to your home again.
For the best in pest protection, pest control and extermination services, call EnviroTech Exterminating at (918) 282-7621. EnviroTech Exterminating is a family owned and operated, fully licensed pest control and exterminator service Serving the local Broken Arrow, Jenks, Bixby and Tulsa Metro area.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

EnviroTech Exterminating, Broken Arrow, OK: Bedbugs Gaining Ground

421 W Austin St
Broken Arrow, OK 74011
(918) 282-7621

Interesting article I found on Bedbugs and how they are gaining ground.

Bedbugs gaining ground

By Marnie Hunter, CNN
July 27, 2010 7:51 a.m. EDT
The National Pest Management Association reports an 81 percent increase in bedbug calls since 2000.
The National Pest Management Association reports an 81 percent increase in bedbug calls since 2000.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Survey: 67 percent of pest control companies have treated for bedbugs in hotels/motels
  • Bedbug calls to pest control companies have increased by 81 percent since 2000
  • Bedbugs travel with people; their arrival is not a hygiene issue
(CNN) -- "There are bites all over my legs! Room 603, king nonsmoking room. Cheap but costly in the end!"
Hotel guest "Megs" posted this bedbug complaint about a room in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Monday on bedbugregistry.com, a website that logs alleged encounters with the blood-feeding insects.
This agitated traveler is far from alone. According to a study released Monday, 67 percent of nearly 1,000 pest management companies surveyed have treated bedbug infestations in hotels or motels.
Overall, bedbug calls have increased by 81 percent since 2000, according to the National Pest Management Association, which conducted the 2010 Comprehensive Global Bed Bug Study with the University of Kentucky.
Infestations tend to occur more frequently in urban and suburban areas with larger populations, according to the study, but the tiny pests aren't particular about their accommodations. Bedbugs may take up residence anywhere from houses and laundry facilities to budget hotels and four- and five-star resorts.
Though the insects aren't known to transmit disease to humans, bites may itch and cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Researchers identify increased travel as a key reason for the spike in infestations. "Bedbugs are often referred to as the 'hitchhiking pests,' " said Missy Henriksen, a spokeswoman for the National Pest Management Association.
"They need to be where people are, so they're on the move with people, and obviously as more and more people have increased their travel habits, bedbugs have certainly been able to tour the world," Henriksen said.

Not a sanitation problem
While travelers may be horrified to find bedbugs in a hotel room, cleanliness isn't a factor in the pests' arrival.
"It's not a hygiene issue, and that's a very important thing for all consumers to understand," Henriksen said. The American Hotel and Lodging Association echoes that message.
"Bedbugs are brought into hotels by guests; it is not a hotel sanitation issue," the association said in a statement. The increase in bedbugs has had little impact on the majority of hotels, the association said.
"Education, awareness and vigilance are critical. A trained and knowledgeable housekeeping staff is one of the best lines of defense, along with having regular pest control inspections," the association said.
The lodging association conducted symposiums last summer to address preventive and corrective measures for dealing with bedbugs, and the Environmental Protection Agency held a National Bedbug Summit last year in response to the pests' resurgence.
On its website, the lodging association advises daily inspection of linens, mattress and box-spring seams, headboards and bedding by hotel staff. Staff should look for live insects as well as signs of the pests, including spots of dried blood or excrement.

What's a traveler to do?
Travelers should also conduct a brief room inspection upon arrival, looking at the linens, the mattress, the headboard, upholstered furniture and drawers where clothes will be stored. Henriksen advises guests to store luggage in the bathroom during the room check, where hard surfaces make bedbug infestation less likely.
"Once they return home, it's always good practice to do an inspection of your suitcase and the garments within it," Henriksen said.
Even unworn clothes should be thoroughly washed in hot water and suitcases with signs of bugs should be vacuumed with a vacuum cleaner hose, she said.
Getting rid of the pests can be costly. Depending on the level of infestation, treating for bedbugs can cost a homeowner several hundred to several thousand dollars, Henriksen said.
Most of the pest control experts surveyed, about 90 percent, reported treating for bedbugs in apartments, condos and single-family homes, and 4 to 5 percent reported treating infestations in laundry facilities and movie theaters.
Bedbugs were identified as the most difficult pest to treat by 76 percent of the nearly 1,000 U.S. and international pest control companies surveyed.
Each female can produce up to 400 offspring, so infestations can spread quickly, Henriksen said. Bedbugs can live for up to a year without eating, and they're very small, about the size of an apple seed.
With so many people traveling over the summer, it's important to get the message about bedbugs out, Henriksen said. "Not from a paranoia standpoint, but just proper vigilance."

Have you encountered bedbugs? Share your experiences in the comments section below.

If you have a Bedbug or Pest Control issue call EnviroTech Exterminating today at (918) 282-7621. We service Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Jenks, Bixby, Coweta, Muskogee and the Metro Tulsa, Oklahoma area.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

EnviroTech Exterminating Blog Change: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma



EnviroTech Exterminating
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Phone: (918) 282-7621

EnviroTech Exterminating has taken a step forward in the internet marketing of our blog page.  Soon the URL for www.gotpest.blogspot.com will change to www.envirotechexterminating.com    
This change will go a long way in distinguishing the EnviroTech Blog page from other Blog pages in the local Broken Arrow & Tulsa, Oklahoma pest control market place.  We at EnviroTech appreciate your support and look forward to serving the community by providing the most cost effective, quality services in the local pest control industry.

Sincerely,

Billy Howard
EnviroTech Exterminating

Friday, December 2, 2011

EnviroTech Exterminating: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Pest Control Services

Pest Control Services
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
(918) 282-7621

 

Offering Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Organic Pest Control, Termite & Humane Animal Wildlife Removal
  • Locally Owned & Operated in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
  • Professional & Affordable Insect, Pest Management Solutions
  • Serving Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Jenks, Bixby, Coweta, Owasso, Haskell & Muskogee, Oklahoma
  • EnviroTech Exterminating is an Eco-Friendly Pest Management Company
  • We stand for a GREENER & Safer Approach to Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
  • Not just greener, but UNIQUELY GREEN!
  • Licensed & Insured For Your Protection
  • Oklahoma Department Of Wildlife Professional Trappers License, Nuisance Wildlife Animal Removal
    Ants, Fleas, Cockroaches, Bed Bugs, Spiders, Brown Recluse, Black Widow, Termites, Rodents & Wildlife
 
                                         
                 
Serving The Local Tulsa & Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Metro Area
                 Same Day Service! (918) 282-7621
                                                   
  • Safe & Natural, Organic Pest Control or Conventional Exterminating to Control Insect Problems 
  • Bugs don't have a chance with our Green, Eco-Friendly Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
  • Restricted Pesticides, Organic Pesticides, Pheromones & Growth Inhibitors, Regulators
  • Structural & Urban Pest Control: Say Goodbye to Insects & Creepy Crawlers
  • Offering Termidor For Termite Treatment & Bait Systems for Control of Termites
  • Real Estate Inspection Services: Oklahoma Termite & Wood Destroying Insect Report, Form ODAFF-1
  • Solutions to Wood Destroying Insects, Wood Damage, Wood Rot Repair
  • Professional Trapping Services: Humane Removal and/or Relocation of Nuisance Animal Wildlife
  • Wildlife Removal: Raccoons, Squirrels, Opossums & Snakes
  • Insects & Pests: Ants, Roaches, German Cockroaches, Spiders, Black Widow Spiders, Brown Recluse Spiders, Bed Bugs, Fleas, Insect Management, Exterminating  
We Accept:             Contact us email:         Call (918) 282-7621       

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Excellent Video on Bed Bugs


Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
(918) 282-7621

If you are having a Bed Bug problem call (918) 282-7621 to get started on a bed bug program today.

Here is a great little diagram of where Bedbugs like to harbor in your bedroom.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Pest Control Blog & Others Promoting Their Blog



Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
(918) 282-7621

Since creating our blog, I’ve not been the most diligent blogger out there. Probably like most, I posted a bunch early, and have “gotten busy” and not posted. Another factor is on each of my posts, I find I receive very little good constructive responses. I get quite a few, but 90% of them are just promoting their own blogs, or at least that’s what I think. The response might be like:
   I like your blog. Check out ours at….
or
   Pest Control is important, as we state at www…
It won’t discourage me from blogging, but I screen the responses and don’t release them unless:
  1. They add to the discussion, and
  2. They don’t reference their own site (with some exceptions). Contact me first if you would like to exchange links.
I figure it is better for our readers and to be fair I only exchange links with those that offer to do the same back.  Please contact me regarding doing this.  Links can be exchanged but the sites must be relevant to pest control or offer something in the way of the biology of insects and or wildlife.


Sincerely,

Billy H.
EnviroTech Exterminating

Sunday, November 27, 2011

How Did I Get These Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs in mattress seam
New bed bug infestations are usually centered around the bed
Photo © Pinto & Associates

 "How Did These Bed Bugs Get Into My Home?"

Brought to you by EnviroTech Exterminating of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. (918) 282-7621. Visit us online: www.GotPest.com

Bed bugs are secretive insects. They live in the dark tight cracks, crevices, and holes near sleeping areas.
New bed bug infestations are usually centered around the mattress and bed frame. In heavier infestations, bugs move out to occupy hiding places further from the bed as well.
Bed bugs can hide in beds, furniture, piles of clothing, back packs, and similar everyday items. They can live for 6 or 7 months between feedings.

Common Ways for Bed Bugs to Infest Apartments

The most common way for bed bugs to invade your home is for you, your family, or your friends to bring them in without realizing it. Bed bugs are excellent “hitch-hikers.” Here are some ways you could bring bed bugs into your home:
    Mattresses discarded at dumpster
    Discarded mattresses, box springs, and furniture are often infested with bed bugs
    Photo © Pinto & Associates
  • Picking up bed bug-infested beds, mattresses, or furniture that has been discarded and placed on the street or by a dumpster.
  • Visiting someone who has bed bugs and carrying them back with you on your clothing or possessions. (Children playing together in one home after another can be transferring bed bugs in their toys and backpacks.)
  • Staying overnight in a bed bug-infested room in a hotel or home and bringing them home in your luggage.
  • Renting furniture infested with bed bugs from furniture rental companies.
  • Buying bed bug-infested second-hand furniture, carpets, blankets, luggage, pictures, and fixtures from stores, yard sales, auctions, and flea markets.
  • Bed bugs can also migrate from one apartment to the next through pipe and wiring runs, and through wall and ceiling voids, in the same way that cockroaches move between apartments. 
Got Bed Bugs? Need Bedbug Treatment?  EnviroTech Exterminating Services the Local Tulsa & Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Metro Area.  Call EnviroTech Exterminating (918) 282-7621 Online: www.GotPest.com

Getting Ready For Your Bed Bug Service Visit


EnviroTech Exterminating
Pest Control, Wildlife Animal Removal & Termite Control
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Call (918) 282-7621

www.GotPest.com

 

The Tulsa, Broken Arrow area has been hit hard by the recent rise in Bed Bugs.  Prior to your service it is recommended that you use the following plan to prepare for your service. Following this plan will help yourself, the service tech treating your bedbug problem and will increase the quality of service you receive.

Bed Bug

How to Get Ready for Your Bed Bug Service Visit

Bed bugs are tough to control. They hide in many places…in beds, closets, furniture, behind pictures, in tiny cracks in the wall… so inspections and treatments must be thorough. Pest control technicians need your cooperation in order to control bed bugs successfully.
Before technicians can treat your home, you must prepare your home for service. Here’s how:

Strip your beds

Bed Bugs in Mattress

Remove all sheets, blankets, mattress covers, pillowcases, etc. from your beds and wash. Fold them and place them in plastic garbage bags. Do not put them back on the bed until the evening after pest control service.
Mattresss stripped of all sheets Cluttered closet
Strip your beds of sheets, blankets, mattress covers, etc. A cluttered closet makes it impossible to control bed bugs
  Photos © Pinto & Associates

Remove everything from bedroom and hall closets

Your closets must be empty. Empty all dresser drawers and night stand drawers. Take everything out of nightstands and other furniture near the beds. Dresser drawers and nightstands must be empty. Remove all clothing, toys, boxes, etc. from bedroom floors. Place items in the living room.

Wash ALL clothing, towels, and other linens

This means everything… and place the clean items inside plastic storage bins or plastic garbage bags. Store them in the living room until after treatment.

Vacuum

Vacuum floors, furniture, and inside closets, dresser drawers, and bedstands. Also vacuum mattresses and box springs. Dispose of vacuum bag.

Provide access for pest control technician

Make sure the technician can get into all closets. If possible, move bedroom furniture away from walls so there is a 3 foot space between the furniture and walls.

Avoid contact with insecticide until dry

Make sure there are no animals or people in the apartment during treatment and for at least 2 hours afterwards (check with the pest control technician for the exact time period needed) 
If you are in a situation where you need pest control services for Bed Bugs or any other pest please call EnviroTech Exterminating, Inc.  We would be happy to discuss your pest control needs and schedule an appointment with you. We service the entire Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area. EnviroTech can be reached at (918) 282-7621.  You may also visit us online at www.GotPest.com

Monday, November 21, 2011

Pest Control Broken Arrow, OK: Bed Bugs & Frequently Asked Questions

EnviroTech Exterminating
Pest Control, Nuisance Wildlife Animal Removal & Termite Services
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
www.GotPest.com 
Call (918) 282-7621




 Harold Harlan, who was a career bug expert for the military, is a prominent authority on bed bugs. Below, he answered a few frequently asked questions: 

Are bed bug attacks a sign of dirty living conditions or living in older homes/building, or is anybody at risk?  
Infestations of common bed bugs, Cimex lectularius L., are not directly related to sanitation levels.  The cleanest living area can have a very large infestation , and improving sanitation alone will not eliminate an established bed bug population.  Cluttered conditions can offer the bugs a lot of excellent harborages very near their human blood-meal hosts.  Almost anyone is at risk of having an infestation if bed bugs are brought into their home.
   
Can you get anything serious from a bed bug bite? Are there physical/physiological effects if you are living with bed bugs?  According to scientists, naturally occurring populations (infestations) of common bed bugs have been documented to have at least 28 different kinds of human pathogens in their bodies.  However, very careful and detailed studies by both entomologists and medical doctors have never shown that those bed bugs could transmit (infect) even one of those pathogens to humans or lab animals.  They simply have not been shown to transmit any human disease known so far.    
When a bed bug feeds, it injects saliva into its blood-meal host, and that saliva contains several proteins which can routinely cause an allergic response from most hosts.  The severity and timing of those reactions depends on the bitten person’s immune response to the salivary allergens, and they can vary greatly from one individual to another.Typical reactions to bed bug bites usually include some level of local reddening, minor swelling, inflammation and  itching (which can be very intense, and can sometimes recur without another bed bug bite) at each bite site.  A person being repeatedly bitten by bed bugs can be very uncomfortable, develop lots of reddish, itchy welts (at bite sites) and often have difficulty sleeping.  The more bugs present, the more bites they inflict, and the worse the problems usually become (tending to be progressive as the bug numbers increase – usually rapidly).  Also, some people can be significantly affected by the social stigma of having a bed bug infestation in their home.

Microscopic view of Bed Bug

If you are a home owner and have an infestation, and you do all the preliminary cleaning and self-help steps,  is an exterminator really necessary?  Are there sprays/home cures? 
Most people who work in urban pest control in the U.S. would prefer to be called Pest Management Professionals (PMPs) rather than exterminators.  Unfortunately (as stated above), cleaning alone will not usually have much impact on an established bed bug population.  Successful programs to eliminate these bugs require detailed knowledge of their biology and exact harborage (hiding) locations determined by thorough inspection.  PMPs must also know a lot about the strategies, techniques and products which can be used effectively, safely, and legally to control bed bugs.  The vast majority of laymen could not expect to effectively control even a very small and localized infestation; and they probably could not even tell if their efforts had any impact.  Under current conditions, the use of some kind of residual (long lasting), properly labeled insecticide is needed to effectively control bed bugs in the U.S., and any practical control effort could not be carried out without use of such a product.  The U.S. EPA-approved insecticide products that are currently labeled against bed bugs must still be used properly and applied at the proper sites (in the proper formulations and concentrations) to be effective.  No “home cures” I have encountered so far have much affect at all against bed bugs.  Regardless of any specific material used, self-help efforts seldom have a noticeable impact because individuals do not have the background knowledge or technical support needed.
          
Why are the bugs hard to kill?
  Common bed bugs are small, thin, and can hide deep in very narrow cracks. They are mainly active at night. They will routinely travel as far as a 20-foot radius from their hiding places (and back) in one night to take a blood meal. Bed bugs are very adaptable. They move much quicker, and can pass through much smaller openings or cracks, than most people expect.  Even Ph.D. entomologists who work with live bed bugs for the first time are often surprised.  Bed bugs can detect (and often avoid) chemical deposits such as some cleaning agents.  Adult bed bugs can live longer than a whole year without feeding and most currently labeled insecticides used against them in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia, do not last more than one to three months when applied by a well-trained and competent PMP.  In addition, there are reports in older literature that state that certain populations of bed bugs have developed physiological resistance to specific chemical insecticides in past, making these products ineffective.  Although such true resistance has not been documented or reported against any currently labeled and commonly used insecticides, it could be developing in field populations and it should be screened for by professional diagnostic labs.  Such testing (screening) in North America and Europe has only recently begun and has been very limited, so far.
   
If you don’t have an infestation in your home, are there things you can do to prevent one?
   Take steps to try to avoid picking up bed bugs from hotels, hostels or any other sources when you or your family members travel, even to local destinations (e.g., within the same or a nearby city).  Do not buy used furniture (especially bedding items or upholstered items), or at least do not bring them into your home until you, or a competent expert, have inspected them carefully for any signs of bed bugs (live or dead bed bugs, their eggs, fecal spots, or cast skins).  Also consider covering all of your mattresses and box springs with a plastic cover which you can seal shut to prevent such pests from getting into them (or to permanently trap any already there).  Periodically inspect bedding and other places in your home which are typical harborage sites for bed bugs.  No control efforts (or products) are needed unless an infestation is detected and verified by an expert.  If an infestation is confirmed, it is wise to consider contracting with a properly licensed, trained, and experienced (with bed bug control) local PMP or company.  They should help with effective and thorough inspections, to provide you with information you may want, and to carry out any needed control effort under a suitable contract.  Be sure to ask any questions you may have before you sign a control contract.  Web sites of several Co-Operative Extension offices (at the state government level) and Universities, as well as trade associations (like the NPMA), and urban pests management (often called ‘pest control’) trade journals, currently offer fairly good, informative and balanced fact sheets and additional information on bed bugs.  Educating yourself can be quite helpful and re-assuring.
    
How would one go about avoiding them at hotels?
   Inspecting fairly thoroughly for signs of bed bugs when you first arrive in a room can be very helpful.  Include checking the bedding (especially near any attached type of bed headboard), the luggage holding rack, night stands by any bed (remember to check underneath and inside drawers if possible), closet shelves, dresser drawers, and along carpet edges under and near (e.g., within about 5 feet of) any bed.  Report any evidence of bed bugs to the management immediately for their corrective actions.  Just moving to a different room may not be the total answer.  You should repeat the thorough inspection of any new or different room you are offered.  When you pack to leave, inspect your luggage carefully first, and inspect every item as you pack to help detect any bugs or their signs. Laundering most cloth items with typical hot water and detergent followed by drying on low heat for at least 20 minutes (or standard dry cleaning) should kill all bed bugs in or on such items. Sealing freshly-laundered items inside a plastic bag should help keep any more bed bugs from getting in those items later to hide (and be carried back with you).  Initially detecting and then excluding the bugs is the usually best strategy.
    
Bed bugs were almost eradicated years ago – why are they back these days?
    Many factors probably have contributed to this apparently sudden bed bug resurgence.  It is hard to say any one factor is the most important in every situation.  A few of the most probable factors include:  much more rapid travel over greater distances on both a local and global scale (e.g., flying to or from Europe, Africa, Asia, etc., or any closer destination, in less than 24 hrs.); much less current overall public and PMP knowledge about these bugs, their biology and effective control strategies (i.e., many PMPs in developed countries have only begun trying to learn about and control bed bugs in the last 3-5 years); changes in available properly-labeled insecticides to less toxic, less persistent, chemical active ingredients and formulations; and some construction practices and furniture design choices in hotels, motels, and homes.  Grossly ineffective self-help “control” practices which probably help spread infestations include:  throwing out infested furniture (without any inspection or treatment to try to remove the bed bugs present) which is often picked up by someone else for their own use; leaving a room vacant for a few days as a means of getting rid of bed bugs present (this does not work and may make them migrate and spread out to find a blood meal); very inadequate partial or spot treatments by occupants of infested rooms or homes (even the use of most kinds of total-release aerosols or “bug bombs” is very ineffective); and placing infested items outdoors in either hot sun (by day) or below freezing temperatures (overnight) to kill infesting bed bugs (both of which are generally not effective).
    
The story is on 'Dateline' and all over local news all over. It has even been called the “scourge of America.”  Is the threat as bad as it appears?
    It may not be quite as bad as that, but there is no doubt that bed bug infestations are being reported more often and from more and more places world wide.Currently, controlling bed bugs in most situations is certainly not a simple or easy thing to do. It requires considerable time, technical knowledge, and assistance by occupants or property managers for the most competent and best trained and experienced PMPs to effectively eliminate established bed bug infestations. Occupant compliance, especially regarding reducing clutter, making infested spots fully accessible for inspection and treatment is crucial for successful bed bug control.  Under the best of situations, at least two separate visits by a PMP should be expected as a minimum.  Thus the cost of technical labor, and related overall cost for control, is often higher than expected.  Litigation is becoming a significant concern for the hospitality industry in the U.S. and abroad (you can check recent news stories for good examples).  Personal discomfort and the distasteful aspect of “being bitten” by these bugs can be very significant on a personal level and must be considered a growing problem for the general public. There are also a few cases of true allergy (anaphylactic reactions) being infrequently reported, and as more people are bitten or exposed to the bugs, those cases should be expected to increase, too.

If you have a Bed Bug problem and live in the Tulsa or Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area you need a Pest Control Professional Immediately.  Call EnviroTech Exterminating for a consultation at (918) 282-7621

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Pest Control, Nuisance Wildlife Animal Removal in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

EnviroTech Exterminating
Pest Control, Nuisance Wildlife Animal Removal & Termite Services
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
www.GotPest.com 
Call (918) 282-7621


EnviroTech Exterminating uses humane animal control & removal methods.  Opossum control and removal can be challenging for the wildlife control & removal professional. Opossums can be a very aggressive animal and their initial appearance makes them seem really aggressive and vicious. However, the opossum are actually very shy, very mellow animals that only look to gain a free meal every chance they get. They will bite if provoked but will usually run from any confrontation.

Opossums are categorized in the marsupial family and one of the only animals in the United States that carried their babies in a pouch just like a kangaroo. Kangaroos and opossums are in the same family structure and have very unique and similar birthing and young rearing practices. Opossums can and are a nuisance animal they carry many unique diseases that are very unique to this animal.  Some of the diseases are:  tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, salmonella, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, Chagas Disease, yellow fever, and rabies.

Opossum Life Cycle

Opossums life cycle starts in a pouch, like all marsupials including kangaroos, the opossum bears is and after only a 14 day gestation. After the baby opossum is born in the bout it makes its way through the house to find teat. Here the opossum mother will nurse the baby opossum for approximately 75 days at this point the baby opossum is considered weaned. Shortly after being weaned the young opossums start to ramble around the neighborhood with their mother getting into trash cans and eating roadkill all along the way. Young opossums become sexually active at the age of six months, their the reproduction cycle starts all over again. Opossums have one of the shortest lifespans for are a marsupial their size, living only 2 to 4 years in the wild. Opossums are considered omnivores and have a very broad diet. They can be seen along the road eating carrion, they are also known to eat insects, bird eggs, birds, small mammals and anything else they can find.

Opossums usually will stay in one area as long as there’s food shelter and water in the vicinity, they are known to be solitary creatures only interacting with the opposite sex during the breeding period which is in the months of February and March. There are many different species of opossums with the most common posture being the Virginia opossum. 

Opossums can become a nuisance when they either enter your attic to find shelter, or they turnover your trash cans in search of food, or they find their self in some of the curious position been in your garage, your shed or some other common place in which you run into a possum.

Opossums trapping can be done to eliminate a nuisance opossum problem. Traps can be baited with several different varieties of bait including raw meat, chicken eggs, sardines and fruit.  Contact a trapper licensed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.  We are licensed as a professional trapper and can assist you if you need the removal & relocation of pests such as Raccoons, Squirrels, Skunk, Opossum and other nuisance wildlife.


EnviroTech Exterminating
Broken Arrow, OK
(918) 282-7621
www.gotpest.com




Friday, October 28, 2011

Pest Control Services: Tulsa & Broken Arrow, OK - Black Widow Spiders






EnviroTech Exterminating, Inc.                    
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
(918) 282-7621

Serving ALL Of Tulsa Metro.  Call Us Today (918) 282-7621


The Black Widow Spider!  Danger

Black Widow Spider Bite


It is the bite of only the adult female black widow spider that can be harmful to humans. Generally, a female black widow is withdrawn and timid, but at times, she will attack, such as after laying eggs or guarding them.
A black widow's bite feels like a needle puncture in the skin, but sometimes, a victim may not feel anything. Initially, the person may only observe evidence of the bite, including swelling and two tiny red spots where the fangs pierced the skin. Nonetheless, the victim usually feels pain pretty quickly, and it can last for a few days. Symptoms of a black widow bite may include nausea, fever, increased blood pressure, pain in the abdomen, back or limbs, as well as excessive sweating. In severe cases, paralysis may occur.
The venom of a black widow is a neurotoxin, which means it is toxic to a person's nervous system. People's reactions to bites can vary, depending on such factors as an individual's sensitivity, or the location and depth of the bite. Elderly people and young children are at greater risk, as are people with heart problems, compromised immune systems, or poor overall health.
If treated, these bites are rarely fatal, and there is an anti-venom available for black widow bites. If you or another person is bitten, immediately seek the attention of a doctor or visit the nearest emergency room. If possible, take the spider along for identification, even if it is not fully intact.


Black Widow Spiders Food

     Black widow spiders spin webs for the purpose of catching prey. Their diet consists of ants, caterpillars, cockroaches, grasshoppers, and other insects. Black widows are capable of surviving several months without food.
A black widow spider survives on a diet of various insects and arthropods. Their meals include beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, cockroaches, and ants, among others. If a black widow makes its home indoors, it can be found in less-frequented and cluttered areas where it can find more insects to eat.
The web constructed by the black widow is intended to catch prey. When insects get caught in the web, the spider will wrap it in silk, then inject it with venom to kill it. The spider will also inject digestive enzymes into the insect to help soften it before eating it. In a human, this type of process takes place internally. After a black widow has consumed its prey, its body actually elongates as the stomach expands.
If prey is scarce, a black widow, like many spiders, is capable of surviving for many months without food, sometimes even as much as a year. The spider has internal cavities that are able to store remnants of food.


Black Widow Spider Web

     Black widow spider webs are made with very strong silk and have irregular patterns. They are made specifically for catching prey and primarily situated near the ground in a sheltered location.
Black widow spiders spin webs to trap their prey, which consists of a variety of insects such as ants, beetles, caterpillars, and cockroaches. These webs are very irregular with no obvious pattern and look like a mass of fibers, though the silk is quite strong. An average web is about one foot across and has a small spot in the middle where the spider will wait for its prey. A web is usually situated near the ground in a dark, sheltered location.
Outside, black widows usually make their webs in protected areas, such as woodpiles, under decks and rocks, in tree stumps or other hollow places. They prefer dry areas like sheds, barns, woodpiles, or barrels.
Inside, these spiders are usually found in low-traffic areas like basements, crawl spaces, or garages. They prefer areas that are cluttered because they can find more insects to eat.
The female will spend time in the web during the day and rarely leaves voluntarily. She tends to hang upside down in the web, which exposes her hourglass marking that serves as a warning to predators. When prey gets caught in the web, she will wrap it in silk, then inject it with her venom to kill it. If a female has egg sacs in her web, she will stand guard against predators and is more likely to attack at that time.


What Does a Black Widow Spider Look Like

The black widow spider has eight legs and eight eyes. The eye configuration is unique to them. Their abdomen has two triangles shaped like an hourglass and legs have three claws. Females are larger than the males.
Like all spiders, black widows have eight legs and no antennae or wings. Their bodies consist of two sections-the cephalothorax, which is the head and thorax together, and the abdomen. These two sections are connected by a tiny waist, called a pedicel.
Black widows also have eight eyes, with four of them being quite unique-on either side of their head, they have two eyes that are very close together and almost touch. The remaining four eyes are in the center, two in front and two behind. There is no other species of spider with this exact eye formation.
Black widow spiders' legs have three small claws on them, and their back pair of legs is covered with bristles. Their other characteristics vary by gender.
The female black widow is about half an inch in body length and reaches about 1-1/2″ including its legs. Her abdomen is large, shiny, and very rounded, almost a perfect sphere. Normally, the female's abdomen measures about ¼” in diameter, but it can be larger if she is carrying eggs.
The females usually look black or brownish-black in color. They have a unique marking that many people are familiar with: on the underside of the abdomen, the female bears two triangle shapes that look like an hourglass. These can vary in color from golden to orange to red. Sometimes these triangle shapes do not touch, and other times, there may only be one triangle-type marking.
Male black widows are considerably smaller than the females, about half their size, but have longer legs. The abdomen on a male looks more elongated and not as round a female's. They are sometimes lighter in color and have patterns or markings on the dorsal side of their abdomen, usually spots and lines that branch out to the sides. Young black widow spiders of both sexes look like adult males.

Black Widow Spider Eggs

     Black widow spiders typically lay eggs during the spring and summer months. These eggs hatch after about a month, releasing hundreds of spiderlings. However, many of these spiderlings will eat each other early on.
A black widow female generally lays eggs during the spring and summer months. In order to lay her eggs, she will construct whitish-colored, silky egg sacs, which are tightly woven and strong. These are usually rounded or pear-shaped. After a short time, the sacs will turn from white to tan. After constructing a sac, which takes a female a couple of hours, she will deposit anywhere from 25 to 250 eggs in it.
The egg sacs are suspended from the spider's web, which is located in dark, undisturbed areas like woodpiles, under rocks, or in outbuildings like sheds. The female fiercely guards her eggs and is more likely to attack a perceived predator during this time.
The spiders will emerge from the egg sac after about a month. These newly hatched spiders are called spiderlings. Because the egg sac may contain hundreds of eggs, hundreds of spiderlings will hatch, however, many of these will not survive because black widow spiders will eat one another in the early stage of their life.
A female black widow is able to store sperm after mating and is therefore able to lay more eggs without mating again.

Life Cycle of Black Widow Spider

     The life cycle of a black widow spider begins when it hatches from an egg as a spiderling. Premature black widows are lighter in color and also do no have a dangerous bite. Adults are dark black and have potent venom.
A black widow spider's life cycle begins as an egg, which is laid by the female in a silky egg sac that she creates. A female may deposit as many as 250 eggs in one sac and will create several of them. Once she lays her eggs, she then stands guard and is more likely to attack during this time.
The young spiders, called spiderlings, will hatch in about a month. Spiderlings molt, or shed their skin, one time inside the sac, then several more times before they fully mature.
The spiderlings initially stay near the sac, but after a few days will climb up to a high area where there is air flow. They will spin silk threads in order to float in the air, which allows them to disperse to a wider area. The lifecycle of a black widow spider, from egg to adult-takes close to one year.
Young spiders are lighter in color than adults, usually whitish or yellow, but as they mature, they become darker. The pattern on the young spiders of both sexes resembles that of the adult male. They also tend to have one or two reddish spots on the underside of the abdomen. Immature black widow spiders do not have a dangerous bite. It is only the bite of the adult female that is harmful to humans.

Black Widow Spider Venom

     Black widow spider venom contains neurotoxins which attack a victims nervous system. Death is rare in most cases because such a small amount of venom is injected. Immediate medical attention should still be sought out.
The venom of the black widow spider contains toxins that affect a person's nervous system. These are known as neurotoxins. The black widow is said to be the most venomous spider in North America. However, a very small amount of venom is usually injected when a person is bitten, so the bite rarely results in death.
The venom of the black widow travels through a person's bloodstream and then begins to affect the nervous system. This causes different levels of pain in different people. Some victims describe very intense pain following a bite.
Unlike the brown recluse, which is another very dangerous spider, the venom of a black widow does not result in extensive tissue damage at the bite location.
One person's sensitivity to a black widow bite can be different from another's. Black widow bites are rarely fatal if they are treated promptly. Bites are more threatening to the very young and very old, as well as those with high blood pressure or poor physical health.
There is an anti-venom used for black widow bites. If you are bitten, immediately seek medical attention and take the spider along for identification, if possible.

Black Widow Spider Danger

     Only the adult female black widow spider poses a danger to humans. bites are very treatable, but can cause severe issues if left untreated. Generally, these are timid spiders who look for areas where they won’t be disturbed.
It is only the bite of the adult female black widow spider, not the male, which poses any danger to humans. Although the female is generally timid, she will attack if she is protecting her eggs or if she is disturbed.
Black widows lurk in areas where they are less likely to be bothered. Outdoors, this includes piles of firewood, under decks, or in sheds or tree houses. Indoors, they may be found in basements, garages, or cluttered areas where they are likely to find insects to feed on. It is advisable to exercise caution in these places to avoid danger.
The bite of a black widow feels like a needle puncture in the skin, but sometimes, a victim may not feel anything at all. However, pain usually sets in pretty quickly and can last up to 48 hours. A person may observe two small red dots where the spider's fangs entered the skin. Other symptoms may include cramping, nausea, fever, sweating, or in extreme cases, paralysis.
People's reactions to black widow bites can vary, depending on their sensitivity, the location of the bite, or the amount of venom injected. However, if treated promptly, black widow bites are rarely fatal. Bites are more dangerous for the very young and very old, as well as those with high blood pressure.
Fortunately, there is an anti-venom available for black widow bites. If you or another person is bitten, immediately see a doctor or visit the emergency room. If possible, take the spider along for identification, even if it is not fully intact.

Northern Black Widow Spider

     The northern black widow spider is not significantly different than other species apart from a few minor markings and colorations. They are rarely encountered indoors and prefer firewood, stumps, and vegetation.
Another species of widow spider is the northern black widow. It is found in the same areas as the black widow (the warmer regions of the U.S., along the eastern seaboard to Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas). However, the northern widow is also found in the northern part of the United States and in Canada. This species is more common in the northern United States, as the name implies, but these spiders can sometimes be carried by travelers or shipments to areas where they are less common.
The female northern black widow is also blackish in color and bears the red hourglass marking on its abdomen. The two triangular shapes that make up the hourglass figure are generally not touching. The spot nearest the rear, or posterior, end of the spider is more triangular in shape and the other spot is more rounded. The back, or dorsal, side of this spider has a row of red spots and sometimes diagonal white lines out to the sides as well. Some northern black widows are more brownish in color, have whitish/yellow hourglass markings and red legs.
This species of spider is rarely found indoors, but may sometimes get carried in, such as on firewood, for example. Outdoors, they prefer sparse vegetation, firewood, stumps, hollow logs, and the like.

Female Black Widow Spiders

The female black widow spider is a danger to humans. She’s larger than a male and has an hourglass marking on her abdomen. Her bite can cause severe reactions dependant upon location and the amount of venom injected.
The body (both the cephalothorax and abdomen) of an adult female black widow is about 0.5″. The abdomen is very rounded, shiny and large, about ¼” in diameter. It can even be as large as 0.5″ if the female is carrying eggs. Overall, including its legs, a female black widow is about 1-0.5 to 1-3/8 inches long. Males are approximately half the size of the females.
These spiders are usually black in color, and on the underside of their abdomen, they have two unique triangle-shaped markings that form an hourglass. These markings can vary from yellowish or orange to reddish in color. Sometimes there is only one triangle-type marking. Females may also have red spots along their backs.
It is the bite of only the female black widow that is worrisome. Her venom can be harmful to people, whereas a male black widow is not considered a threat to humans. If bitten, a person may or may not actually feel the fangs puncture the skin, but generally will feel pain fairly quickly afterward. The victim may notice two tiny red spots where the fangs entered the skin.
People's reaction to black widow bites varies depending on the location of the bite, the amount of venom injected, and that particular person's sensitivity. Symptoms can include nausea, fever, sweating, labored breathing, or tremors. If treated, black widow bites are rarely fatal, and there is an anti-venom available for these bites.
Females construct an irregular web to catch prey. This looks like a mess of random threads with no recognizable pattern and is usually found near ground level. The female mostly stays in the web, retreating to one side or the center, and often hangs upside down allowing potential victims to recognize her hourglass marking. The spider's prey consists of insects, such as roaches or beetles.
The females create eggs sacs and will deposit up to 250 eggs in one. The sacs are whitish initially, but will soon turn to a tan color. They are silky, tightly woven and quite tough. Although the females are generally withdrawn, they can be aggressive when protecting their eggs. After the young spiders hatch, the females have little involvement.

What is the Black Widow Spider Named After?

     The black widow spider was believed to eat its male partner after or even during mating. This is a rare occurrence however, as most males escape unharmed following the mating process.
The black widow received its name because it was believed that females would eat males after mating, but actually, this is very rare. In most cases, males are able to escape without harm after mating.
A male black widow will recognize a female because of the pheromones in her web. He will enter the web and begin rearranging it while vibrating his abdomen to get the female's attention. This technique puts her in a trance-like state, and the male will attempt to mate. If he is unsuccessful, he will go back to rearranging the web and try again.
In a rare case, if the female does choose to attack, the male is most vulnerable during the mating phase because he has to remove his pedipalps from the female before attempting to escape.Posted in Get Rid of Black Widow Spiders | No Comments »

Black Widow Spider Facts

     Female black widow spiders rarely kill males after mating. They are quite timid unless protecting eggs. Only adult females are a danger to humans. They spin webs to capture food. Males are about half the size of females.
Black widow spiders are one of five types of widow spiders found in the United States. The black widow is most commonly found in the warmer parts of the United States. It can also be found along the east coast from Massachusetts to Florida and westward from there to Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
There are a couple of interesting black widow spider facts that may surprise you. For instance, black widow spiders are usually timid and do not aggressively attack unless they have just laid their eggs or are guarding them. Also, contrary to popular belief, the female black widow rarely kills the male after mating. The spider received its name because that was believed to be true in years past.
People are generally fearful of the black widow because of the fact that it is one of the few spiders that pose a threat to humans. The bite of the adult female black widow is of concern, but young black widows and adult males are harmless. Although the black widow is considered to be the most venomous spider in North America, the female injects a rather small amount of venom into its victim, so its bite is rarely fatal to humans.
The female black widow has a distinctive large, shiny, and very rounded abdomen. She is black in color and bears a unique marking on the underside of her abdomen that resembles an hourglass and is usually red, orange, or yellowish in color.
The male black widow is about half the size of the female and can be lighter in color. The males are usually more colorfully patterned, with spots and lines on their dorsal side. In fact, many people would probably not realize that they have seen a black widow when encountering a male because it looks quite different than the female with her well-known and unique design.
Black widows do not hunt for prey, but spin webs to catch it. These are usually found near ground level in secluded areas, such as under rocks, boards, hollow logs, or behind bushes. The black widow mostly feeds on insects.


Male Black Widow Spiders

     Male black widow spiders are smaller and also lack the red hourglass marking that the females have. Males are attracted to female’s webs where they vibrate the web, putting the female in a trance to initiate mating.
Male black widow spiders are quite a bit smaller than females, usually about half their size, but they have longer legs. The male measures approximately ¼” in body length. The male's abdomen is more elongated and is not large and rounded like the female's.
The females are well known because of their black color and unique hourglass marking. The males are sometimes lighter in color, but exhibit more colorful patterns than the female. They have streaks on their abdomens and patterns on their backs, usually spots and lines that branch out to the sides.
A male black widow will recognize a female by the pheromones in her web. He will use a vibration technique to put her in somewhat of a trance and attempt to mate. Contrary to popular belief, females rarely eat males after mating.
The bite of the male black widow is not harmful to people, unlike the bite of the female. Once a male reaches maturity, his venom sac is not functional. The juveniles are also harmless and, whether male or female, resemble an adult male in appearance. They are light yellow or whitish in color when they first hatch. As they get older, they become darker in color.

Characteristics of Black Widow Spiders

     The black widow spider follows basic spider biology. Females have an hourglass shape on their abdomens and a dangerous bite for humans. They spin webs to catch prey. These spiders prefer to live in cluttered, secluded areas.
Black widow spiders exhibit typical characteristics of spiders-eight legs, no wings, no antennae, and like most spiders, eight eyes. Their other physical characteristics vary depending on whether they are male or female.
Of the two genders, the female black widow is the one that most people probably recognize. They are usually black in color with a characteristic large, shiny, and very rounded abdomen. They have unique hourglass-shaped markings on the underside of their abdomens. These can vary in color from yellowish to orange to red.
Male black widows are about half the size of the female. They are sometimes lighter in color and have patterns or markings on the dorsal side of their abdomen, usually spots and lines that branch out to the sides. Young black widow spiders of both sexes resemble adult males.
Many people fear black widow spiders because of their dangerous bite. It is the bite of only the adult female black widow that is harmful to humans. People's reactions to black widow bites can vary, depending on such factors as his/her sensitivity, the amount of venom injected, and the location of the bite. If treated, black widow bites are rarely fatal and rarely cause serious long-term problems.
Instead of hunting their prey, black widow spiders spin webs to trap it. They eat a variety of insects such as beetles and cockroaches. These webs are an irregular mass of fibers with no obvious pattern. The webs are, on average, about a foot in diameter and have a small spot in the middle where the spiders wait for prey. A web is usually situated near the ground in a dark, sheltered location.
Outside, black widows tend to live in protected areas, such in tree stumps, under rocks, decks, or in woodpiles. They also prefer the shelter of outbuildings like sheds, tree houses, or barns.
Indoors, black widows prefer undisturbed parts of homes, such as garages, basements, or crawl spaces. They like cluttered areas because they can find more insects to eat.
Black widow spiders are more commonly found in the warmer parts of the United States. They can be found along the entire eastern seaboard and westward to Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma.  They are regularly found in garages, attics, laundry rooms, basements & crawl spaces right here in the local Tulsa, Oklahoma metro area.  

EnviroTech Exterminating (918) 282-7621 Serves:
  • Broken Arrow 
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We are here to help with your spider problems.  Brown Recluse, Black Widow, We can help your family, home or business to make it safe from these pests.  You can count on EnviroTech Exterminating of Broken Arrow, OK.


If you have a need for Pest Control Services, Please call EnviroTech Exterminating Immediately at (918) 282-7621.   

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