Local pest control expert shares how to prevent the most common summertime pest infestations

ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- As the Permian Basin continues to experience its annual summer heat with temperatures rising to three-digit degree weather, a variety of seasonal pests are coming out to play- or infest- according to local pest control services, who shared ways to prevent these common summer infestations.

From ants to cockroaches, spiders, scorpions, termites, bedbugs, and mice- the West Texas area is an ideal environment for many common pests due to the desert climate.

Local pest exterminator Lonnie McComas of X-Pert Termite & Pest Services shared that the rising temperatures in the area are a main contributing factor to the rise in home infestations. “The warmer the weather, the more bugs are gonna come out,” McComas said.

According to BugPest Control, these rises are attributed to the insects’ reproductive rates which typically increase in the warmer months.

Lonnie McComas, who has been in pest extermination for over 25 years said that the most common calls he received this summer were for spiders (specifically black widows,) termites, and ants. “Mostly ants right now and black widows- we’re seeing a lot of them,” McComas said. “All bugs have a different hatch cycle and a different season that they come out but right now that’s what I’m mainly getting called on.”

According to McComas, spider, and termite infestations are preventable, however, ants…not so much.

“Ants like in the kitchen- were getting a lot of calls on that,  It doesn’t matter. They’re seeking water. So they are coming up around the plumbing, through the slab, and they are usually going to be around your sinks, your kitchen, your bathroom, and there’s really not much you can do about it. They are going to come.”

Despite the limited preventive measures to take for ant infestations, McComas said there are many ways to avoid the other common pests.

McComas said that to avoid a spider infestation, specifically black widows, residents should avoid having a cluttered area. “It’s mainly keeping your house clean,” he said.

The other preventable home infestation McComas said he has seen a lot of, is termites, adding that it is “one of our biggest problems around here.”

According to the Texas A&M Health and Environment site, when the weather becomes hot and dry, termites that dwell under the soil will move farther up to find any place with moisture- which could ultimately be the wood in or around your home.

McComas stated that the best way to avoid a termite infestation (something that cannot be seen right away) is to remove any wood with excessive moisture or wood in general that could be around the house or in the yard. “Never have any kinda wood on the ground around your house- because that’s just like an attractant. It makes it more conducive… It’s like a buffet for them,” McComas said.

Overall, the Lone Star State is home to around 100,000 different species of insects that have fluctuating population numbers as the seasons change, and because of the West Texas climate, several species that thrive in dry environments have made their way to the Permian Basin, especially for the summer.

Typically, summer plans include BBQs, outside activities, and cooling off from the heat– not fighting off pests, however with the local infestation frequency, it’s important to take the steps to prevent any unwanted pests from entering your home.

If you or anyone you know is looking for pest control services in Midland/Odessa or surrounding areas, contact Lonnie McComas with X-Pert Termite & Pest Services at (432)-352-5534 or visit this website .

“We kinda do it all. Me and my son- he works with me and we do all the work ourselves,” McComan said. “We take pride in our work.”

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