Monthly Archives: October 2014

Animal Control, News, Pest Control, Residential Services, Rodent Control, Squirrels, Wildlife Control

Squirrel Intrusion Prevention Tips

Squirrel Control
Squirrel Control

As more and more trees are cut down to make way for multi-family units and office buildings to be built, it’s not surprising that some pests make their way indoors to camp out for the colder fall and winter seasons.

Squirrels are some of the biggest offenders, and when they get inside, they can cause a lot of damage. You might be able to prevent them from invading your multi-family units this year by taking a few steps.

Step One: Do an outside inspection – Inspect the outside of your property for any holes that might have previously been created by squirrels or other pests. You should use a ladder to make sure you leave no section of your home uninspected.

Step Two: Do an inside inspection – Squirrels like to hide out in the attic, and it’s possible that the walls of your attic have some weaknesses you aren’t aware of. Do a thorough inspection to make sure you’ve secured those walls.

Step Three: Trim tree branches – Squirrels can chew through walls, even if you reinforce them well. However, if you trim the tree branches that are closest to your property, you’ll discourage squirrels from making an attempt at coming inside. You’d be surprised how much tree branches can grow in a year, so make this an annual event.

If you do need quick squirrel control this fall, we’re available to help you get rid of them. Don’t hesitate to contact us!

Animal Control, Mice, News, Pest Control, Residential Services, Rodent Control

Mouse 101

Mouse 101
Mouse 101

With the winter season approaching quickly, it’s a good idea to start thinking about things you can do to keep mice out of your property or office building. Remember, they can be pretty tricky, but if you learn more about how they behave, you can keep them outside where they belong.

The first thing you should do is take a walk around the perimeter of your property or office building. Look for any small cracks in the foundation. Mice can fit through a very small opening, and if you find any, you should seal them up with foam insulation to keep these critters out.

Seeds are very tempting for mice, and they make an excellent meal. If you have a bird feeder near your properties, consider relocating it to keep mice from being attracted to the dropped seeds.

Pet food bowls are another easy way for mice to find food, and many people keep bowls outside to feed their pets when they’re not indoors. Spilled food is naturally going to happen, so keep a close eye on the bowls and clean up any messes.

Although you might not be able to completely prevent mice from coming inside for the winter, by following these tips, you have a much better chance. However, a mouse infestation is not something to be taken lightly, especially since these pests can multiply quickly. If you spot them inside, contact us right away for an inspection.

Bed Bug Information, Bed Bug News, Bed Bugs, News

Bed Bug Fall Resurgence

Bed Bugs
Bed Bugs

The common bedbug (Cimex lectularius) is one of Mother Nature’s most insidious creatures. In fact, most homeowners don’t even know that they have then until the infestation becomes intolerable. This fact is even worse when those afflicted think that the worst is over because autumn season has finally arrived. Here’s the lowdown on the resurgence of bedbugs in the the fall and spring.

Like all insects, bedbugs look for a warm and comfortable place to live. In every case, the most attractive spots are inside your home – and the bed! – of some unsuspecting human. We’ve found that sometimes bed bugs may not be as active in the winter and appear to become more active in the fall and spring. This is not a seasonality issue but rather one we think driven by the humidity within your home.

It is interesting to know that we are currently receiving more calls for bed bug extermination and that typically these calls will slow down in November all the way to February and then pick up again with a vengeance in early spring.

For more information on bed bug control in particular and the elimination of residential pests in general, please contact us at Stern Environmental Group. We can be found online at SternEnvironmental.com or reached directly at 888.887.8376.

Animal Control, Disease Carrying Pests, News, Pest Control, Rats, Rodent Control

Three Interesting and Little Known Facts about Rats

The Rats
The Rats

As warm-blooded creatures, rats seek out protection from the elements in the winter. If they can get into your home, they will happily share it with you. Once inside, they can cause a significant amount of damage and you will have a hard time removing them. Effective rat control starts with being informed. Below are some facts about rats that you may not know.

1. Their Incisors Keep Growing

A rat’s front teeth can grow between 4.5 and 5.5 inches per year. They are specially designed for gnawing and they keep them short by gnawing on objects around them. If they infest your home, those objects may include the wood, brick and other materials that make up the structure.

2. They Reproduce Rapidly

Rats become sexually mature anywhere between three and four months old. At this age, a female rat may come into heat every four or five days. While in heat, she may mate as much as 500 times and give birth to litters each consisting of four to five offspring.

3. They Can Gain Entry Through Small Openings

Rats can get into your home via openings as small as half an inch. This is due to the fact that their bodies are long and flexible. They can judge whether they will fit through a hole by using their whiskers. If the hole is too small, rats may gnaw away at the material to make it larger.