They are big, hairy, and scary looking.  They buzz around you while you are walking to your car, working in the garden, or sitting on your front porch.  People often wonder what they want as they just appear to be staring at you as they lurk about.

They are carpenter bees!  For many people, carpenter bees are considered to be a nuisance pest as they lurk, buzz, and dive bomb.  They are non-aggressive, but still an annoying pest none-the-less.  Male carpenter bees are harmless and do not have a stinger.  Most of the time male carpenter bees are the ones that tend to do the buzzing around people.  This show of force is one way that they “show-off” for their female counterpart.

The female carpenter bee tends to hang out closely by the chosen nesting site.  She is the one that works feverishly to create the nest as she prepares to lay her eggs.  Females are not considered aggressive, but they do have a stinger and they will sting you if you take a swat at them or if they think you are threating their nest or budding babies.

Carpenter bees drill holes in new and old wood for their nests.  Each hole that is created is used by subsequent generations as well.  The deck railing is often the target of the resourceful carpenter bee.

Stern Environmental Group offers 24 hour emergency hive removal and carpenter bee treatment.  You don’t have to be annoyed by these bees any longer.  Call Stern for expert help.

Follow us on Facebook for important information about pests and how they impact your life.

NJ pest control experts report that a high number of people should likely be carrying around a self-injectable epinephrine pen because of the potential for allergic reaction sustained from bee, wasp, or hornet venom.  For many people who have never been stung, the traumatic results of being stung always result in shock and dismay.

Thousands of Americans are transported to hospitals from coast to coast each year with serious allergic reactions to pests that sting.  Of those, at least 40 will die from anaphylaxis.

According to the Observer on April 24, 2012, Dr. Joseph Petrusek of La Grande, stated that encountering any of the 11 symptoms of a systemic reaction after a bee, hornet or wasp sting will put you at risk for a life threatening reaction.  The risks include:

“• hives.

• a metallic taste or tingling in the mouth

• swelling of the tongue, lips or throat

• difficulty breathing or swallowing

• abdominal cramps

• vomiting or diarrhea

• a rash or itchy skin

• coughing or wheezing

• loss of consciousness

• increased heart rate

• dizziness or sudden weakness”

According to reports, anyone who has had any of these reactions to a stinging pest is susceptible to experiencing some sort of life threatening reaction if they are stung by another bee, wasp, or hornet.  Upon testing by a physician, patients who are allergic to the venom will be prescribed a self-injectable epinephrine pen which will lessen the chance of the allergic reaction being life threatening.

Having bees, hornets or wasps eliminated by a NJ pest control expert will help keep you and your family safe.

The honey bee is not native to North America.  Recognizing their extreme importance to the environment and their way of life, the bees were brought here by European settlers during the colonial times.  The bees served as pollinators to their crops and provided beeswax and honey.

Honey bees remain a beneficial insect in New Jersey as well as other parts of the United States.  They are responsible for pollinating approximately 80% of the fruit, nut, vegetable and grain plants throughout the United States.

According to a report from Environment News Service on January 10, 2012, the nation’s honey bee population could be in serious danger.  Researchers out of San Francisco State University have recently discovered that many honey bee nests have been invaded by a fly parasite which renders affected honey bees into a “zombie-like” state of being.  Their research has shown that “The fly, Apocephalus borealis, deposits its eggs in a bee’s abdomen. Usually about seven days after the bee dies, fly larvae push their way into the world from between the bee’s head and thorax.”  Bees that survive the attack are disoriented, walk around in circles with no sense of direction, abandon their hives (or are thrown out by other bees), and tend to congregate near lights.  It sounds like a strange science fiction movie!  Some researchers speculate that this parasite could be the reason for the honey bee colony collapse disorder.  You may read the full article here.

Because honey bees are beneficial insects, honey bee nests must be relocated from a home or business by a beekeeper.  Stern Environmental Group performs bee eradication services for other types of troublesome bees and wasps.  Nuisance bees such as yellow jackets, hornets, wasps, and carpenter bees can safely be removed with the help of Stern Environmental Group.

 Call us today for expert service in New York, New York City and New Jersey.

Carpenter bees build their nests in burrows in almost any outside unpainted or unfinished wood. Sometimes you can’t see the holes; all you see is the ejection matter from their boring. They typically cause cosmetic damage instead of structural damage to wood. However, many generations of carpenter bees can cause considerable wood damage by enlarging existing galleries in wood. They sometimes create new tunnels near old tunnels. A complex system of tunnels can cause extensive damage to wood.

To prevent carpenter bee damage, keep all exposed wood services well painted with a polyurethane or oil-based paint. Paint everything, even the areas you can’t see including under banisters, railings and window seals. Apply two coats of a good exterior primer and follow up with at least one coat of finish.

Continually perform inspections of painted surfaces because the paint coating deteriorates due to weathering, leaving exposed wood for carpenter bees to attack. Also, seal existing gallery entrance holes to discourage carpenter bees who are looking for potential nesting locations. If you have a problem with carpenter bees let a NJ pest control company get rid of them for you.

If you choose to cover wooden components with aluminum do it correctly. You can’t leave any spaces where carpenter bees can find wood. They can squeeze through very small spaces.

Consider using pressure treated wood in outdoor projects, including playhouses and decks. Pressure treated wood does not require paint but you can paint pressure treated wood if you desire to. Pressure treated trim is available for windows and doors.

Carpenter bees cause extensive damage to redwood swing sets. Use pressure treated wood for swing sets. You can paint it if you want it to look like redwood.

With some effort, you can prevent carpenter bees from harming your outdoor wood.

At all times of the year New York and New Jersey pest control professional’s field numerous calls from residents complaining of bed bug attacking them in the night.  Cockroaches have continued to make their presence known to both businesses and homeowners as well.  During the spring, summer, and fall months in particular, a variety of ant species will march their way into your home searching for tidbits of food and water.  All of these pests are common complaints that require the help of a qualified pest control expert.

Another type of common and troublesome pest that residents frequently encounter is wasps, bees, hornets, and yellow jackets.  These sneaky pests can ruin your outdoor activities and for some people they pose a very serious health risk.
Sometimes nesting sites can be avoided as they visible and are out in the open.  Other times, unlucky people happen upon hidden nests and are attacked by hot tempered soldiers who come out in full defense mode.  Look for nesting sites on the eves on structures, in rotten wood, in holes in the ground or natural cavities.  At times, colonies have also been found in attics, garages and sheds as well.

Take a look at the picture supplied in the blog post.  This nest was created in less than 24 hours!  Once the homeowner was alerted to its existence, a qualified pest control expert was called to the scene to fully eradicate the creatures.

Colonies could have hundreds of inhabitants or thousands of critters living inside, so it’s very important to never take on the task of trying to eradicate these ferocious stingers.

Yellow jackets are different than other types of bees in that their stingers are not barbed so they are able to sting numerous times…usually without provocation.  Each time a person is stung, more venom is injected into the human body which makes these types of bees very dangerous, especially if you are allergic to them.  In addition to the ability to sting, yellow jackets can and will bite as well!

With all types of New Jersey or New York pest infestation problems, it’s always best to call a licensed pest control expert who can provide safe elimination of the pests in question.