Rains Make It Tough To Stay Ahead Of Pests

All the recent rain has made the annual battle with bugs difficult for exterminators.  The News On 6's Chris Wright reports exterminators say the rains are washing away their pesticide, and driving more bugs indoors.

This home was just sprayed, but every time it rains, the pesticide is washed away, and the exterminators are back to square one.

It's the busiest time of year for exterminator Arron Peternell, and the recent rainy weather isn't making his job any easier.       

"Kinda look around, see if I can see any trails or anything, get an idea if I can pinpoint an actual spot where they're going in," said EMTEC's Arron Peternell.

Arron says because of heavy rains, he's been forced to spray the same homes several times.  Friday was his first trip to Joyce Rotert's house.  She says ants have recently invaded her place.

"It seems like the last two years have been worse.  I didn't have it too much before then," said Joyce Rotert of Tulsa.

Besides washing away pesticide, Arron says the rain makes it tough for pests to find food outside, so of course, they are looking elsewhere.

Unfortunately all the rain is forcing ants and other pests inside, to places you don't want to find them, like underneath your sink.

"We're really hoping for a couple days of sunshine," said EMTEC's Cory Forister.

Cory Forister says the recent deluges will mean a busy summer for him and his employees.

"It's running us a little ragged with all the water, but we're keeping people happy and keeping bugs out," said EMTEC's Cory Forister.

The first round of spraying should keep the bugs out of Joyce's house for now.  But, there's always a chance they could return after the next downpour.

EMTEC has started to use more granule insecticides.  They say those are less likely to wash away when it rains.