Monthly Archives: November 2014

Bed Bug Information, Bed Bug News, News

Are Movie Theaters the Next Place You’ll Get BedBugs?

Movie Popcorn
Are Movie Theaters the Next Place You’d Get Bed Bugs?

Movie theaters make an unfortunately perfect place for bed bugs to live. Think about it:
•    Theater seats are usually covered in upholstery, which bed bugs love.
•    Bed bugs come out at night, so they are active in dark theaters.
•    Thousands of people visit your local theater, greatly increasing the chances of someone bringing them in.

A bed bug infestation in California recently caused panic for a couple who were terribly bitten while watching a movie at a Regal Cinemas in Hollywood. The husband’s arm was thoroughly covered in red, itchy bites and his wife had also been bitten.

The theater refused to confirm or deny the allegations, so the local community could not be sure whether the problem was ever addressed.

Bed bugs have popped up in cinemas, hotels and other large public places in Manhattan and throughout the NYC area in recent years, too.

We call them “bed bugs” because they love to burrow into mattresses, but there are tons of places that have bed bugs.

The couple in California was caught off guard by bed bug bites. You can be better prepared:
•    Be aware and careful when visiting public places
•    Know the signs of an infestation
•    Protect your health and property by acting quickly

If you come home from a movie theater and feel itchy, check your skin and clothes immediately! Call Stern Environmental at 888.887.8376 for fast, safe bed bug treatments before things get worse.

Bed Bug Information, Bed Bug News

Bed Bugs: Will They Die Off During the Winter?

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Do Bedbugs Die Off In Winter?
Do Bedbugs Die Off In Winter?

A bed bug infestation is a big problem, and it’s one that many New Jersey residents are currently facing or have faced in the past. A quick Internet search will turn up thousands of stories from people who have gone before you who have attempted various ways to eliminate them or at least keep them controlled. Many people try different techniques because they assume the cold winter temperatures will cause bed bugs to die. However, that is not the case.

While it’s true that bed bugs can be killed using rapid cooling using extremely cold temperatures, they’re just as plentiful and hardy in the winter as they are in the summer months. That’s because we like to keep our homes nice and warm, which gives them the perfect environment to thrive and multiply.

The best course of action to take if you think you have a bed bug infestation is to contact a NJ Pest Control Specialist. There are other pests that cause bites that look similar to those of a bed bug, but it is important to know what you’re dealing with. Once you’ve identified the problem, you can start working on a solution.

It would be great if bed bugs died off every winter, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. If you’re noticing signs of bed bugs – bites or welts, blood stains on your sheets or other signs – as your NJ Pest Control Specialist, we want to help you. Contact us!

Bees, Commercial Services, Insect Control, News, Pest Control, Pest Management, Residential Services

New Legislation May Save Bees from Pests

Honeybee Protection Legislation
Honeybee Protection Legislation

In keeping with watching legislation for pesticides, Stern Environmental is watching the news for you. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have recognized that the factors causing honey bee losses are complex. They include nutrition, pesticides, pathogens and genetics. However, the the USDA and the EPA have also stated that the Varroa mite is the most detrimental pest to honey bees in the United States.

About the Varroa Mite
The Varroa mite is a small reddish-brown parasite that feeds on the hemolymph of honeybees. The cuts it makes on the bodies of bees can cause infections. These mites enter the brood cells before they are capped and will lay eggs inside while also feeding on the growing bee.

Bee Health Legislation
A bill introduced by congressman Austin Scott, R-Ga., seeks to increase the availability of products that would help to control Varroa mites and other threats to bee health. The bill would expedite the EPAs review of products for improving the health of bees. Products designated as reduced risk pesticides would have review times shortened by three months.

Honeybees provide over $15 billion dollars in increased value to crops every year, which makes the control of Varroa mites extremely important. However, it is important to note that honeybees can infest your property. If this occurs, they should not be treated as pests; instead, their hives should be removed carefully. Although Stern specializes in pest bee control; we can put you in touch with the proper person to remove and relocate honeybees as they are protected by law and we do not exterminate them. Please contact us to get honeybee hives safely removed.

Cockroaches, Commercial Services, Disease Carrying Pests, Insect Control, News, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Residential Services

Love Them or Hate Them Roaches Are Here to Stay

The Trouble With Cockroaches
The Trouble With Cockroaches

If you think about what species has continued to be part of the landscape through countless centuries, you’d have to add cockroaches to the list. These creepy, crawly pests have withstood the ages and it doesn’t look like they’re going away anytime soon.

Let’s put it this way, cockroaches have been around for over 300 million years so they know what it means to survive in friendly and unfriendly environments. Because of their adept adaptability, cockroach control is a necessity for any business, home, garage, shed or building.

Cockroaches are known for carrying unhealthy germs and can cause asthma attacks due to the allergens they emit. No matter how you look at it, these six-legged insects are the epitome of what is considered a pest.

They are happiest in warm, dry locations, which can be anywhere you have such an enticing oasis available. While you think the area is secure, cockroaches are diligent in finding their way into and through the tiniest opening.

There are plenty of over-the-counter insecticides available from the garden center, pest control store, or even the local grocery but, if you have a thriving infestation, you’re better served using the professional pest control services of Stern Environmental Group.

Contact our office to schedule an inspection. One of our technicians will take a look at what you’re dealing with and suggest a plan of attack. Remember, the only good cockroach is the one not living in your home.

Cockroaches, Commercial Services, Insect Control, News, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Residential Services

Ode to the Lowly Cockroach

Cockroach Control
Cockroach Control

Cockroaches are everywhere from Alaska to Florida. They thrive in warm, moist, dark conditions with temperatures over 70 degrees Fahrenheit yet they exist in colder climates.

Cockroaches manage to infiltrate and spread bacteria through their saliva and droppings. They nest in dark places and leave a trail for other cockroaches to follow. Cockroaches can squeeze into tiny cracks and crevices in any building.

Exposure to cockroaches can result in asthma and other allergic problems, especially in children. They carry bacteria and viruses that attach to their bodies while they crawl through garbage.

These pre-historic beetles that have been around for over 300 million years, might have survived the ice age but they cannot survive Cryonite®. This is a special CO2 snow substance, used by Stern Environmental Group. The carbon dioxide mix is sprayed in a thin layer in areas where large German cockroaches live and nest. The substance, which does not harm the environment, instantly freezes the pests.

The CO2 snow is made from three sizes of particles that stay on the surface long enough to eradicate bugs and nests. It is used for cockroach control, bedbugs and other pests without leaving a residue or bad odor.

It is a safe means of cockroach control in residential and commercial buildings including restaurants and other food processing services.

Contact Stern Environmental Group for more information on cockroach control in the New Jersey, New York City, Long Island and Connecticut areas.