They have a somewhat harmless and romanticized name but they are far from any type of bug that you would want to spend any alone time with!  The “kissing bug” is also known as the assassin bug, the Mexican bed bug, and the cone-nosed bug, is bloodthirsty pest to keep a watchful eye out for.  There are several species of kissing bugs within the United States. Some have a painless bite, while others deliver what is considered to be the most painful bite of any type of insect.

There are 16 species and 18 subspecies of Triatoma in the United States. Just like a bed bug, the kissing bug survives solely on the blood of mammals.  These bugs will attack wild and domestic animals, as well as humans.  In North America, opossums, raccoons, rats, armadillos, cats, and dogs have fallen victim to kissing bug attacks.

Kissing bug bite wounds are often misdiagnosed as spider bites, bed bug bites, herpes zoster, flea bites, and erythema multiforme.  In extreme cases, death from anaphylaxis is possible from the bite of a kissing bug.

The main reason that the kissing bug bite is so dangerous is because it can spread Chagas’ disease.  The disease is spread when the kissing bug bites their victim and leaves their feces behind in or near the bite wound.  If a person scratches or rubs the feces into the bite wound, the disease can be contracted.  Some people will show signs of the disease immediately, some will not.  Symptoms include a rash, fever, vomiting, and a swelling near the eyes.  The disease often goes misdiagnosed by the medical community.  Additionally, some people will not show any symptoms of the disease for years.  Chagas disease will lurk in their blood and surface twenty to thirty years after the bite wound occurred.  When this happens it is difficult for doctors to determine the digestive and heart problems that the victim is exhibiting.

Please check back on Monday for the conclusion.

The winter months are fast approach on the east coast and humans are not the only ones that are gearing up for the cold months ahead.  New York City and New Jersey pest control professionals report that many other creatures that spend the warmer months outdoors are now looking for a warm spot to hunker down in to escape the upcoming blast of Old Man Winter.

It may begin as an unexplained bang here or there, or maybe some strange scratching noises, or perhaps you’ll hear scampering in your attic, ceiling or wall voids.  The threat of rodents entering your attic is a problem says pest control experts.  Raccoons and squirrels are common rodents that invade homes as the winter months approach.  These pests often cause serious problems for residents in New York and New Jersey as they chew through electrical wiring causing electrical shorts and a fire hazard.  Once these pests arrive, they send pheromones out to others of their species inviting them to join them.

Raccoons are extremely agile creatures that will gain access to your home by tearing attic vents, soffits, and even shingles and roofing boards up.  Their paws are strong and resemble those of a human with long claws attached. Raccoons are curious creatures and scavengers that leave a trail of destruction in their wake.  Raccoons use attics at a nesting site to raise their young and reside as a family.  They defecate and urinate at will, causing serious damage and health threats to humans.

Squirrels may seem fun to watch as they frolic in the trees and garden, but once they gain access to your home, they are a menacing pest to encounter.  Squirrels can squeeze into small openings and gain access to an attic.  If they opportunity presents itself, squirrels won’t hesitate to venture into the main area of the house, helping themselves to food and causing enormous damage as well.

Raccoon and squirrels should not be poisoned to be eliminated and should instead be trapped by a licensed pest control professional with experience in rodent removal services.  For expert services in New York and New Jersey, contact Stern Environmental Group.

An interesting story just emerged from England about a wild pack of criminals that have been running through a town cutting a huge amount of expensive telephone lines and an extraordinary amount of anti-lock braking system cables on cars.  Who could be committing such a heinous crime?  Why would someone want to cause such trouble and risk injuring so many people?  The mystery has been solved!  The answer finally came after “high visibility police patrols were carried out.”  It was discovered that these crimes were not that of some knife wielding vandal seeking revenge against society; but instead wild squirrels have gone nuts!  They were the culprits in the crimes!  Squirrels can be very destructive pests indeed.

New Jersey squirrels are known for the funny backyard antics for certain.  They playfully romp to and fro and entertain us with their tree leaping agility.

The problem with NJ squirrels is that they have a propensity to gnaw on anything that they can sink their always growing teeth into.  Once a squirrel has entered a home, they can cause considerable damage as well.  In Illinois, a homeowner just returned home to find the interior of his home in shambles, and his television and water turned on when a way-ward squirrel found himself trapped inside his humble abode.

Squirrels can create serious problems for New Jersey homeowners when they decide to take up residence in the attic during the wintertime.  These cleaver creatures can easily chew through the strongest of roofing materials, or rip through soffits or vents to gain entry into NJ homes or businesses.  Once inside, they contaminate the insulation with their urine, feces, and parasite filled nesting materials.  New Jersey squirrels should also be a huge concern to residents because they are known for chewing through electrical wires and have caused fires in homes and businesses.  Additionally, NJ squirrels pose a problem for residents because they will bite when handled or cornered, and they can carry the rabies virus.

Squirrel removal should only be handled by a licensed NJ pest control professional that is trained in wildlife removal services.  Contact Stern Environmental Group for expert and humane squirrel removal services in Secaucus, New Jersey, the Greater New York City Metro and Connecticut Regions.

Continuing from Thursday…

Not only is Josimar Ferreira accused of operating a Massachusetts extermination company without being certified, but it has been reported that he has also allegedly maintained pest control companies in New Jersey and New York as well.  Both New Jersey and New York have cited Ferreira for operating an unlicensed pesticide business.  It makes you wonder how he is able to obtain toxic pesticides, without being properly licensed.  Clearly there was a breakdown…in three states!

Stern Environmental Group has been providing expert bed bug and pest control services in New Jersey and New York for over ten years.  We pride ourselves on providing our customers with the safest pesticide application available, and offer a wide variety of services and products to meet many different types of needs.  We offer professional services to both residential and business customers alike.  Whether you are looking for help with bed bugs, rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, groundhogs, ants, spiders, cockroaches, or bee control, Stern Environmental Group’s licensed pest control applicators are here to lend a helping hand!

Now that winter has officially set in, many homeowners are experiencing the arrival of guests they were not expecting.  No, not Aunt Sally…instead mice, rats, squirrels, and other home invaders are using the warmth of homes to seek shelter from the bitter cold.  According to the National Pest Management Association, an estimated 21 million homes in the United States will experience a rodent invasion of some sort this winter.

If you have not already prepared your home for winter invaders, here are a few things you should do…

Trim any branches and shrubbery away from your home or roof so that rodents do not have easy access to your home.  Firewood is a favorite nesting spot for many creatures, so you should keep it at least 20 feet from your house and elevate it several feet off the ground.  Seal any holes or cracks on the outside of your home to keep would-be invaders out.  If you suspect that you might have a rodent invasion, inspect electrical wires and look for gnaw marks and rodent droppings.

If you are one of the unlucky folks who have been invaded by pests, it is always wise to contact a licensed pest control specialist to take care of the infestation as soon as possible.  Rats and mice carry diseases in their urine and feces that are dangerous when ingested or breathed in by humans.

Stern Environmental Group provides fast quality rodent extermination service to Secaucus, New Jersey, the Greater New York City Metro and Connecticut Regions.