Best Pest Control in Tulsa, OK

Tulsa is famous for its music scene and iconic Art Deco architecture, but it’s also known for its many pest and rodent issues. Recent flooding along the Arkansas River and ongoing construction Downtown projects throughout the city are also leading to an increased number of pests. Exterminator treatments, fumigation and recurring services from professional pest control companies effectively eliminate these infestations.

Bed bugs, roaches, mosquitoes, termites, rodents, snakes and spiders are the most common pests in the Tulsa area. Some of these unwanted guests cause structural damage or health issues, but others are a harmless nuisance.

• Bed bugs: Tulsa’s bed bugs burrow in mattresses, bedding, furniture, clutter, carpets and baseboards and must be treated by a termination technician to eliminate an infestation. Bed bugs don’t transmit diseases, but they can cause severe itching and allergic reactions. Bed bugs can occur anywhere in Tulsa but are commonly spread by traveling and staying at infested hotels. If you notice a sweet, musty odor or small, rusty-colored blood spots on your bedding or furniture, you should call a professional to inspect for bed bugs.
• Roaches: Roaches enter homes through drains, pipes and cracks in a home’s exterior. Roach infestations are difficult to treat because the insects breed quickly and can develop a resistance to pesticides. Roaches can taint food with salmonella and E. coli, and their presence can cause bacteria-related illness, allergies and asthma. In Tulsa, roaches are generally more common in neighborhoods near the Arkansas River.
• Mosquitos: Mosquitos are also prevalent in Tulsa, especially for homes near water. Homes on Riverside Drive, near the Oxley Nature Center and close to the Lynn Lane Reservoir often experience an increase in mosquitoes during the summer months. However, any home near stagnant water is susceptible. Mosquito bites cause a variety of reactions, ranging from mild irritation to intense inflammation with severe side effects. Mosquitoes transmit several illnesses that are dangerous to humans, including Zika and West Nile viruses.
• Termites: There are three common types of termites: dampwood, drywood and subterranean. Most termites in Oklahoma are subterranean termites. Dampwood termites are more common in the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest and South Florida, while drywood termites are not native to Oklahoma but can travel in infested wood.
  Termites can cause extensive damage to house foundations and furniture, but they do not bite or harm humans. Excess moisture, cracks in building exteriors and items like firewood and overgrown shrubs in your yard attract termites.
• Rodents: In Tulsa, common rodents include Norway rats, roof rats, mice and moles. Rats and mice can spread diseases and contaminate food with their urine and feces. They can also gnaw through plastic and lead pipes, door frames and electrical wiring. Moles dig holes in your yard and garden that can cause minor damage.
  To prevent rodents, declutter your property, and maintain your yard and garden, dispose of all trash and seal any gaps or cracks in your walls or foundation. Nearby cities like Jenks and Bixby may experience an increase in rats and mice because of the increased construction of homes and businesses.
• Snakes: Common snakes found in Tulsa include the rat snake, garter snake, copperhead, cottonmouth and timber rattlesnake. Rat snakes and garter snakes are not venomous, but other types of snakes are potentially dangerous. Many Oklahoma snakes are found in or near ponds, lakes and rivers. Snakes are attracted to homes with rodents and those with pet chickens or other birds. Keeping your property free of rodents and maintaining your yard and garden helps deter snakes.
• Spiders: Though most spiders pose little danger to humans, some species — like brown recluses and black widows — do have venomous bites that create medical issues. Both types are found in Tulsa, as are nonvenomous spiders like jumping spiders, tarantulas and wolf spiders. Different spiders thrive in varying environments, including damp and dark basements and dry and warm areas like vents and attics. Some spider infestations may require ongoing extermination treatment.