Buying a home is one of the greatest decisions one could ever make. Unlike any other purchase, a home is a lifetime investment that really needs to be thought out and planned. It is that one thing that you and your family couldn’t live without, aside from food, water and all the other necessities in life. Come to think of it, if you just buy a house without even considering the things that need to be considered, you will be stuck in a place that you might not like for the rest of your life.

If you are a first time home buyer in Oklahoma, there are tips that might be useful for you in order to make a wise investment and avoid having to experience bad things in your future residence. These tips are aimed to help you make an informed decision on which house to purchase.

Tip 1: Find good neighbors.

Even though you don’t literally live together with your neighbors, whether you like it or not, they will have an effect on your household. It is important that in buying a house, you should always consider the type of people that live within the area. You wouldn’t want to be around suspicious, careless or cold-hearted people. So before making a decision, try to make sense of the surroundings and the people around the property. It might even be a good idea to meet the neighbors surrounding your home before you decide to make the move. Some other considerations are the stores, schools and facilities nearby; it would be most beneficial to live in a place that is highly accessible to these resources.  If you think that they are good enough and that they wouldn’t cause problems with your living situation, then the house for sale may be included in the options available for a final decision. 

Tip 2: Take a look at the property.

If you find a house for sale and it seems to be a great deal, then go and personally assess whether it really is. Sometimes, marketers oversell their products, so it is important that you verify what is true and what is false. You shouldn’t base your decision on the ads you’ve seen. Advertisements are there to attract you in any way possible. As a wise buyer, you need to do your due-diligence and make sure you don’t get deceived. Visiting the location of the house and assessing the area is the least you could do to ensure that your future home is just the way you want it to be.

Tip 3: Consider the present and future value of the property.

Part of making a wise investment is to consider its value, not just the present, but also the future. As an investor, you wouldn’t want a house that costs you a fortune today, but will lose value after years down the road. First and foremost, you want to make the best investment possible. So your main goal should be to buy a house that you can live in and make money on when it comes time to sell. You never know, there might be unpredictable circumstances in the future that may cause you to sell your property. As a , you need to do your homework, be patient and know what you want.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source

Mike was a first time home buyer in Oklahoma who now knows what to look for in the real estate market in the state of Oklahoma.

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Guest Post Published by Bulwark

The honey bee is the most common state insect in the United States. It’s so common in fact, that it is the state insect 17 different states. These 17 states that have the honey bee as their state insect include: New Jersey, Missouri, Arkansas, Nebraska, Georgia, Louisiana, Kansas, North Carolina, Kentucky, Vermont, Maine, Mississippi, South Dakota, Utah,  Wisconsin, and of course… Oklahoma.

So Which Species of Honey Bee Is It?

There are actually seven different honey bee species, with another 44 different subspecies. So which species of honey bee are State legislatures referring to? My guess is that these state legislatures were simply assigning the honeybee as a state insect in its truest and purest form. The genus Apis are only true honey bees recognized by scientists.

In the case of Oklahoma, the state insect is actually defined as the European honey bee.

Why Is The Honey Bee The Most Common State Insect?

Honey bees are dynamic and hardworking insects that work together as a society for the betterment of the hive as a whole. When you recognize the parallel of a bee hive, and a state’s society, it’s easy to see why so many states have claimed the honey bee as their official state insect. A modern civilization would love to get just 20% of the honey bee’s work ethic out of it’s citizens. In any prosperous civilization each honey bee has a designated role within the hive. The bee does it’s job, no questions asked. A honey bee is so dedicated to it’s cause, that it would even give its own life for the preservation of the hive and the queen.

Oklahoma designated the honeybee as official state insect in 1992. It would love for it’s citizens to emulate the dynamic and hardworking of a honey bee; and their hive.

The European Honey Bee

The European honey bee is also referred to as the Western honey bee. They are virtually found everywhere in the United States, and on other continents like Europe and Asia. Of course, they are found in Oklahoma, including the city of Tulsa.

European Honey bees are beneficial insects that assist in the pollinating of flowers and flowering plants. These honey bees live in a hive and are grouped together in castes of queens, sterile female workers, and fertilizing males. A single European honey bee hive can carry up to 80,000 bees.

Unfortunately, honey bees do sting. There are actually 14 deaths annually caused by reaction from a honey bee sting. Deaths occur when allergic reactions take place. They are rare.

Author Bio: Anthony Ball does content marketing for Bulwark Exterminating, which is an industry leader in providing first-class pest control services. Bulwark specializes in roach, ant, spider, and scorpion control in eleven cities, including Tulsa, OK.

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As urban sprawl causes major cities to bleed into once quiet, suburban areas, residents of these neighborhoods are noticing an increase in their costs of living and a decrease in their quality of life. It’s because of this that many people are transitioning away from major metropolis areas and are returning to their roots in more laid back, spacious environments like Oklahoma. In terms of purchasing a house, finding a good school district, enjoying fresh air, lowering your cost of living, or even finding an affordable auto loan, Oklahoma cannot be beat. Here’s a look at several things that make Oklahoma an ideal place to settle down.

Wide Open Spaces

Wouldn’t it be great to live in a house where you actually had some room to breathe? Instead of rows of houses crammed together, Oklahoma features open spaces that allow residents to enjoy spacious yards and privacy from their neighbors.

Friendly People

A huge advantage to Oklahoma living is that the people are warm and kindly toward one another. Instead of keeping to themselves, like people tend to do in major cities, the residents of Oklahoma embrace the concept of looking out for their neighbors, offering a helping hand to someone on the side of the road, and saying, “Hi” with a smile when someone passes by on the sidewalk.

Family Friendly

Oklahoma is an excellent place to raise a family. In addition to surrounding you with caring people, the state boasts numerous excellent school districts to ensure that your children will receive the best education possible. In addition, Oklahoma offers a safe place for you and your family to live, with low crime rates and excellent public safety officers.

Affordable Living

If you want to spend all of your income on rent and go bankrupt buying a box of cereal, move to Los Angeles. If you want to buy a home, take out a cheap Oklahoma auto loan, purchase your groceries, and still have plenty left over to put into savings, move to Oklahoma. Everything is cheaper here, meaning that you can truly thrive – both now and in the future.

Plenty of Variety

Although many people like the idea of living a simpler life in a quiet and beautiful state like Oklahoma, some feel concerned that they will not have much to do for fun or recreation. In reality, there is plenty to do and see in Oklahoma. The state features 35 different state parks for hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, picnicking and more. Additionally, Oklahoma hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year.
Ultimately, you should love where you live. Oklahoma provides excellent options for everyone so that you can enjoy a higher quality of life for less money.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source

Eric Regan is a writer who loves to see what the world has to offer. He has written for blogs covering various topics

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Guest Post Published by Bulwark

The Red Imported Fire ant is one of the worst species of ants found in Tulsa, OK. On top of being very aggressive and destructive, these vicious ants also bite and sting. The fire ant’s sting is what makes this pest infamous.

Fire Ant Stings

If you have ever been stung by an ant, not bitten but stung; the culprit was a fire ant. Fire ants are the only stinging ant found in the United States. When stung by a fire ant, you will know it immediately. You will be in pain. The pain ranges from moderate to severe, depending on your body’s reaction to the fire ant venom. Once stung, the infected site will turn red. The area will eventually turn white and blister.

If you are stung by a fire ant, the reactions will subside after a couple days unless an infection sets in; or have insect allergies.

Common Fire Ant Sting Symptoms

• Moderate pain
• Burning sensation
• Tenderness around sting site
• Redness
• White blisters
• Hives
• Inflammation
• Itching 

Severe Fire Ant Sting Symptoms (Allergic Reaction)

• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea
• Vomiting 

How To Treat Fire Ant Stings

If you have been stung by a fire ant, it’s important to remain calm. If you panic, your blood pressure will rise and the ant venom will spread further and faster.

If you have known insect allergies (bees), or are experiencing any of the severe fire ant sting symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. If you have been stung numerous times, having stepped on a fire ant mound for example, it’s probably a good idea to seek medical attention as well.

If you’ve been stung by a fire ant, and are not experiencing allergic reactions, you’ll likely be in pain for a few hours. Take an Advil. Clean the infected sting area with a mixture of water and bleach OR ammonia (not both). Water and meat tenderizer also works well. These concoctions will help denature the fire ant’s venom.

The pain from the fire ant sting will subside after a couple hours. The redness, the white blisters, and the itching will take a few days to alleviate.

Preventing Fire Ant Stings

In order to prevent stings from fire ants, you will need to take precautions. If you see one of the fire ant’s distinctive mounds, keep your distance. Point out fire ant mounds to your children—who are frequent sting victims. If one of these ant mounds is disturbed, the colony will spill out of the mound and defend it by attacking the perpetrator; crawling up feet and legs as they sting repeatedly.

One of the best precautions to take when dealing with fire ants is getting professional ant control. Ant control professionals are up-to-date on of the most effective methods to exterminate and control fire ants on your property.

Make the call today, and avoid getting stung by a fire ant!

Fire Ant Control In Tulsa

Bulwark Exterminating
2013 North Willow Avenue
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
(918) 252-3548
bulwarkpestcontrol.com

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As the nation enters into another tornado season, it’s important to be prepared in the event you face one of these devastating storms. Every year there are many severe thunderstorms and tornadoes reported, with a handful leading to deaths and millions of dollars worth of destruction.

One of the most recent, and most deadly storms, was the EF5 tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri on May 22, 2011. At a mile wide this storm took over 150 lives, injured 1,100, and cost $2.8 Billion in damages.

There’s no way we can prevent the storms from happening, or controlling where they go, but education about the storms and how to protect homes and families goes a long way.

Know Your Location

Southern states experience the most tornado activity from late March to early May. The Southern Plains typically gets the storms from May to the early part of June. Gulf coast residents should be aware of storm possibility for the entire season. In the later part of the spring through June and July, the Northern states and upper Midwest should expect activity. Throughout the season of late winter to early summer, tornado season tends to move from south to north.

Tornado & Dixie Alley

This is an area of the United States where an extraordinary amount of tornado outbreak has happened over the years. It ranges from Texas straight north to Nebraska.

Dixie Alley is another area with a lot of tornados reported. This area contains the western portions of Tennessee and Kentucky, and the northern parts of Mississippi and Alabama.

Weather Watch & Warning

When the weather alerts start flashing warnings across the TV it’s critical to know which one is in effect in your area. A “tornado watch” simply means that conditions are right for a severe storm or tornado to form, and to stay on the watch. “Tornado warning” means that storms or tornadoes have been spotted or detected and to take cover.

Home Security

Measures can be taken before a storm to keep a home safe, so it can best protect your family. Look into storm tested doors, window and shutter options, and home security systems with storm alert capabilities. Make sure that your insurance policy is in good order, and have your home checked to be sure that it’s structurally sound.

Other Preparations

Have a safety plan for the members of your family to follow. Prepare and emergency kit that consists of a flashlight, battery powered radio, nonperishable snacks and bottled water. Keep the yard clear of any large objects that aren’t tied down. Know how to turn off the gas, electric, and water.

During a Storm

When it’s time to take shelter, gather everyone in your home in the innermost closet, bathroom, or hallway. In the bathroom have blankets, coats or a mattress to protect from flying debris. Keep the battery powered radio close by, and remain in your secure shelter until the storm has clearly passed.

About the Author: Michelle is a blog writer for a Dallas based home security company. She loves writing about DIY projects, green living, and family safety.

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Guest Post Published by Bulwark

Don’t let the bed bugs bite, as the expression goes. But if you don’t want to let the bed bugs bite, you also need to know where it is likely that bed bugs could be in your apartment or house.

Bed Bugs Detection: Where Are The Bugs?

According to research by Dr. Michael Potter, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky, the name ”bed bugs” actually does indicate where the insects may most likely be located. Around 70% of all bed bugs in homes are found in beds. That is not surprising, given that the bugs feed off of human blood, and often go after their unwitting victims in the middle of the night, when they are asleep.  So that means that in order to reach their prey, the bed bugs go to where the people are, which in this case can mean beds.

However, that is not the only place where bed bugs have been found. In 23% of the cases, bed bugs are found in couches and chairs. That can be in your home, or in businesses, like at a movie theater, restaurant, or library. Again, bed bugs go to where the people are, and that includes all sorts of businesses and places you may not expect bed bugs to be.

In addition, bed bugs can travel and hitch a ride on people and their stuff, whether they are leaving their home, or coming back to their home. One example where you might find bed bugs is when you travel, and stay in a hotel room that has the unwanted pests. All it takes is one critter or two to jump into your suitcase from the hotel bed (note: never put your luggage on that bed) and you could have a bed bugs problem when you return. And because female bed bugs can lay eggs as frequently as every five days, it could be a massive problem for you in no time.

Bed Bugs Detection: Other Places The Bugs Are Found

According to the University of Kentucky study, 7% of bed bugs are found in other places besides beds, couches, and chairs. These can include: dressers and nightstands, as well as on walls, ceilings, and house moldings. In addition, here is a scary thought: like roaches, bed bugs can burrow inside things, including books, clocks, coffee makers, radios, telephones, and televisions. Basically, bed bugs can potentially be any place where humans are, and that humans touch. Yikes!

If you think you might have bed bugs in your home, click here to find out what to do next.

Featured images:

•  License: Image author owned

Lisa Swan writes for sites like Bed Bug Finders LLC.

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Termite Damage

Termites are a nightmare to homeowners, because of their talent of hiding and destroying homes and other wooden structures undetected. These tiny creatures usually hide underneath the soil or wood surfaces and in mud tunnels making it easier for them to invade homes. They can enter our homes from the soil surface and then forage in the wood materials used to build our houses. Unfortunately, termites are very difficult to control when the infestation is severe, so extensive efforts to prevent and control termite infestations must be done once termite infestation is suspected.

The Common Entry Point Of Termites

Termites usually infest a home through the soil along its foundation. They can find their way into the house through utility conduits, cracks in the slab, plumbing connections and expansion joints. If there are wood structures in your home constructed in direct contact to the ground, such as decks and patios, you can expect problems as they are a warm invitation to termites. Since termites live in colonies in the soil, early detection can sometimes be very difficult.

Signs Of A Termite Infestation

Some believe that detecting a termite infestation early is impossible. However, there are three easy ways to indicate that you are dealing with unwanted visitors.

1. Mud Tubes

These tubes are actually foraging tubes that extend from the ground to the infested wood, which also provide shelter for termites. The mud tubes can be distinguished by their muddy appearance and flattened tubes having a width of a pencil. Unfortunately, the tubes are not easily seen because they are often located underneath flooring, along cracks and behind base boards. Sometimes, they can also be found extending over concrete foundations as well as other surfaces that are exposed.

2. Wood Damage

Another sign of termite infestation that is common in infested homes are the dark areas of blisters located in the wood flooring. Such damage is not always seen immediately as termites feed on the spring wood and not the grain and exterior surface. To check for any termite damage, the wood can be tapped on every inch using the handle of a screwdriver. The damage can be detected when you hear hollow sounds or when the screwdriver breaks through the wood because of the damage inside. In the event that the infestation is still active, you may find termites working inside.

3. Swarmers

You can also tell if you have a termite infestation, when there are winged termites emerging from swarming tubes located near the house. Since these termites are attracted to light, you can find them swarming around windows, lighting fixtures, vents and doors. When you find plenty of tiny termite wings left behind on windowsills and floors, you can be certain that you already have an infestation.

Termite infestation is sometimes caused by poor construction practices, as they provide termites with a certain amount of access into the structure. They can also create living conditions for termites as a sufficient amount of moisture is applied. As such, termite infestations can be prevented during construction and after the house has been built through treatments. When you detect termite infestation in your home, have it treated immediately before it can be severely damaged.

Citations:

• Photographed By: Jeltovski.

Featured images:

•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://mrg.bz/KneJQb

Valerie Adams is a mother of four and freelance writer specializing in safe pest control methods of InsightPest.com and termite control. She also provides homeowners with vital information as to how termites infest homes and how their infestation can be detected.

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Guest Post Published by Bulwark

English: a yellow jacket wasp (Photo credit: Wikipedia) 

Yellow Jackets 

Yellow jackets are a species of predatory wasp that are common in the Tulsa, OK area. Yellow jackets are most commonly black and yellow in color, but are sometimes black and white and even have red markings. All female yellow jackets are able to sting multiple times. These stings will cause unbelievable pain, and have even caused death in a few rare instances.

Yellow Jacket Nests 

Yellow jackets will build their nests in shrubs or trees; but prefer the protection of man-made structures such as hollow walls or flooring, attics, sheds, porches, and eaves of houses. A fertilized yellow jacket queen will take shelter in these protected areas during the winter months, and build begin building a new nest and laying eggs when the weather warms.

With summer just around the corner, now is the time that those stinging yellow jackets start looking for places to build their nests. Most homeowners will not notice a yellow jacket nest until late summer, when the wasps have had time to grow the nest and flourish on your property. From spring to summer a wasp colony expands very rapidly, reaching a maximum size of 4,000 and 5,000 workers.

If you eliminate the wasp’s nests now, while they’re small and still being built, it will prevent the likelihood of a more serious problem later this summer.

Controlling Yellow Jackets 

If you are seeing yellow jackets near the garbage cans of your home quite frequently, or near picnic areas and hummingbird feeders, it is a sure bet that there is a nest nearby. The first step to controlling yellow jackets around your property is to determine where their nests are. Open a can of chicken-flavored cat or dog food and place it near where you are seeing yellow jackets. They’ll soon find the food and you can follow their flight as they take it back to the nest. Now you’ll know if the wasp’s nest in on your property.

Once you have located a yellow jacket nest, it needs to be treated. While this can be done by injecting a pesticide into a hole drilled into the nest, or dusting the nest with a pesticide powder, it’s best to leave treatment to a professional. Attempting to spray the yellow jackets with an aerosol pesticide can result in numerous painful stings during the process. I repeat it’s best to leave the process to pest control professionals.

If you are going to attempt to exterminate the aggressive wasps on your own, opt for a “quick-freeze” aerosol product to eliminate stirred-up wasps near the entrance of the nest. Remove the nest completely after all of the yellow jackets are dead, so another colony will not make it their home in the future.

Pest Control In Tulsa 

Many homeowners will not take action against yellow jackets until somebody is painfully stung. Obviously by then it is too late. Take action now and properly eliminate yellow jacket nests around your home and property. Get pest control!

Wasp & Bee Control 

General Pest Control 

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Published by Bulwark

What is the scariest insect that you can think of? Chances are that it wouldn’t even occur to you that hornets are very menacing. Yes, they sting, but that just makes them as scary as bees. Do you really think so? First of all, there are several species of hornets. Some are the run-of-the-mill hornets that you expect to become aggressive when disturbed. But there are some that will rival even the most frightening creature that you can think of. An example is the Japanese giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia japonica), which kills more people in Japan than the average bear. Yes, this type of hornet is one of nature’s most awesome and menacing predators. It spews venom that can easily melt the skin. Just imagine how painful that is, and how people have died because they did not get emergency treatment.

Not all hornets shoot skin-melting venom. But it is still better to have a home that’s hornet-free, most especially if you have children around. You can get rid of these creatures through the following methods:

Pest Control without Using Pesticides

1. Entrapment

A vinegar mixture, as well as meats, can be used to create a homemade trap. Check YouTube for how-to videos about creating your own device. Some traps are designed to draw in hornets in general, but others are especially made to ensnare the queen. These kinds of traps are more complicated. Raw meat is often used here, and it’s actually better to get the queen first because without it, hornets will find it more difficult to establish a colony.

2. Cleanliness

Since hornets eat protein-rich foods, you should make it a point to properly dispose of your garbage, especially leftovers. Put food items in a trash bag and seal this before throwing. Make sure that your bin also has a tight cover to prevent hornets and other pests from scavenging.

Getting the Most Out of Insecticide Sprays

3. Spraying

You can also use insecticide sprays to kill hornets. But be sure to have at least 2 cans of Raid ready before you start your assault on these nasty stingers. Get a spray that’s specifically made for hornets. Furthermore, be sure that you don on the proper attire. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and boots. Tuck your pants inside your socks to prevent flying hornets from crawling inside and stinging your legs. Use a bee head net, also known as bee veil or bee hat, to protect your head from the creatures. Since you’ll also be spraying a whole lot of pesticide, you should also wear a mask so that you won’t inhale all those bad fumes.

The best time to attack is during early morning or dusk, when the tiny stingers are just getting ready to start the day or sleep. You’ll get most of them that way. Soak the hive in insecticide, and spray all visible holes. After you’re done and you’re satisfied that the hornets are either dead or dying, very carefully remove the nest. Put the nest in a trash bag and throw away.

Citations:

• MinivanNinja. “Hornet Nest”. July 13, 2006. Online image. Flickr. February 11, 2013.

Claire Norton is a freelancer who frequently blogs about insects and their effects on health. Many of her materials have been published by http://www.interstatepest.com/ and other websites that feature insects and household pests.

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Guest Post Published by Bulwark

You might be more of a do-it-yourself kind of person who doesn’t believe that making reservations truly comes from the heart. The only real way to show how you truly care is to march yourself down to the market, hand pick each ingredient with extreme detail, wake up early on Valentine’s Day at about 5am and prepare the main course which requires a slow cook time 10 hours.

Or, if you’re like the rest of us, you have babysitters already scheduled, and you have a 6pm reservation at the place for which you have a $10 gift certificate. That means that will either help cover the tip or you can splurge with your own individual desserts.

Here are some of the nicer restaurants around town.

The Melting Pot. If you don’t mind a little bit of adventure and some variety on Valentine’s Day, then try The Melting Pot. You’ll get a four-course fondue dining experience that is guaranteed to delight. Also includes private tables, fine wines and first class service.

Flemings. Do you and your valentine like steaks? If so, then go to Flemings. You won’t be sorry.

Garlic Rose. Italian restaurants are the easy choice for any Valentine’s Day dinner date. We’re far from Rome here in Tulsa, but if you want to try something particularly tasty, then reserve a table at Garlic Rose. The breaks, desserts and pastas are all homemade and as a personal recommendation, consider the Rosemary Crusted Filet.

From all of us at Bulwark Pest Control, have a happy Valentine’s Day… just don’t let this happen to you.

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