Monthly Archives: October 2015

Bed Bug Detection Dogs, Bed Bug Information, Bed Bug Resources, Bed Bugs, Commercial Services, Insect Control, News, Pest Eradication

A Hospitality Industry Guide to Surviving a Bed Bug Infestation

Telling If You Have Bedbugs
The Infestation

Bed bugs can be just about anywhere from your sofa cushions, curtains, or mattress to hiding in the headboard or seating on a plane, train or automobile. Their mobility makes them world travelers as they like to hitch a ride in suitcases, carry-on luggage and backpacks.

One industry hard-hit by bed bugs is hospitality. With so many travelers coming and going, it’s no wonder these tiny bloodsucking hitchhikers have made hotels, motels, hostels, resorts, and bed and breakfasts their choice of accommodations.

A new weapon in the fight against bed bugs is the use of specially trained canines that can sniff out an infestation in minutes. A dog’s olfactory system is one of the most sensitive in the world of mammals with over 200 million scent receptors. That’s a lot of smelling power.

These highly specialized canines are adept at sniffing out an infested area within an approximate radius of 3-feet. For example, the dog may signal its handler that bed bugs are in the vicinity of a piece of furniture. The bed bugs may be hiding in the cushions but may also be in floor or baseboard crevices beneath or behind the furniture.

At Stern Environmental Group, we’ve got the experience and the technology to get rid of bed bugs and keep them away. Contact us and schedule an appointment for an inspection to find out if you have bed bugs invading your space.

Bed Bug Information, Bed Bug News, Bed Bug Resources, Bed Bugs, Commercial Services, News, Residential Services

Bed Bugs: The Signs of a Problem

The Problem With Finding Bedbugs
The Problem With Finding Bedbugs

Bed bugs have no shame. They don’t care where you live, work, go to school, or where you go on vacation. Wherever they can commute to, that’s where they’ll set up a base of operations whether it’s via a briefcase, backpack, suitcase, or used furniture.

Signs of Bed Bug Bites

Bites from bed bugs leave clusters of 3 to 5 red and itchy bites that are uncomfortable on the best of days.

Keep in mind these pests are tiny and chance are you won’t see them at all. The bites may be confused with those of a mosquito or flea and for some people, the bites can cause an allergic reaction.

Signs Bed Bugs Have Moved In

If your home has a large infestation of bed bugs, it’s possible you’ll see an actual bug but most likely, you won’t so you need to be aware of what to look for.

  • Look for small, white oval shaped eggs found in out-of-the-way places such as cracks or small holes.
  • Check your mattress or sofa and chair cushions for empty bed bug shells.
  • A sweet odor that borders on smelling musty is a sure sign of an infestation.
  • If you see small black flecks on bedding or beneath cushions, this is excrement produced by bed bugs.

Before the bed bugs decide to make you their next meal, contact Stern Environmental Group for help with eliminating these unwanted pests.

News, Pest Management, Spiders

How to Identify the Hobo Spider – a Potential Future NJ Pest

ID a Hobo Spider
ID a Hobo Spider

Hobo spiders have been making their way to areas outside their usual range in the Pacific Northwest and Southeast. If they continue to spread, they could become a problem in NJ. Since these spiders are known for being aggressive, it’s important to know how to identify them.

Hobo spiders are brown spiders that are typically up to 2 inches in length, including their legs. They rarely grow bigger than this size. You can identify these spiders by the zigzag-shaped lines running along both sides of their abdomen, although this can be hard to see.

Unlike other spider species, hobo spiders have solidly colored legs rather than legs with ring-shaped patterns along them. These spiders can be easily confused with more common spider species, such as wolf spiders and brown recluse spiders.

Their bite was believed to have similar effects to those of brown recluses, which have venom that can make flesh become inflamed and potentially begin to rot without prompt treatment. However, it is now thought that hobo spiders are not venomous.

They can still inflict painful bites, though, and are considered more aggressive than brown recluse spiders. This makes it important for building owners to know how to spot these critters and have them eliminated as soon as possible.

If you’re having a spider problem, contact Stern Environmental Group. We offer effective, nontoxic NJ and NYC commercial pest control services.

Green Pest Control, News, Pest Control, Pest Management, Termites

National Alert Sent About Termite Fumigation and Kids

Termite Issues
Termite Issues

Getting rid of pests that can cause considerable damage to homes and businesses is essential, but it’s even more important to do so safely. Pest control services that use fumigation and other potentially toxic chemicals to eliminate pests can have serious health risks.

A national alert was recently released when a 10-year-old boy in Florida was poisoned after being around chemicals used for a termite infestation. The boy and his family had their home treated for termites by a pest control company that used a sub-contractor. Treatment involved tenting the house and applying chemicals designed to destroy termites. When the family returned to their home two days later, they all became sick soon after. Ten-year-old Peyton McCaughey suffered a serious illness from exposure to the chemicals and might not be able to speak or walk again.

The national alert urges pest control companies to make sure they’re using safe methods to remove bugs and other pests from homes and businesses. This alert is also a good reminder for building owners that it’s crucial to hire a pest control company that offers nontoxic forms of treatment. This helps reduce the risk of having occupants become ill from exposure to pest control chemicals.

Don’t take health risks when it comes to NJ commercial pest control. Contact Stern Environmental Group for safe and reliable pest control if you have a bug infestation.

Bed Bug Detection Dogs, Bed Bug Information, Bed Bug Resources, Bed Bugs, Commercial Services, Insect Control, News, Pest Control

Bed Bug Dogs Allow for Rapid ProActive Property Inspections for Early Bed Bug Discovery

Bed Bug Dogs
Bed Bug Dogs

Dogs may be man’s best friend, but they’re not nearly as accommodating to bed bugs. Canine patrols have become the latest field agents in the war against the recent spread of bed bug infestations in NYC and across the country.

A dog’s secret weapon

If you’ve ever noticed how quickly your pet reaches your side when you’re eating, you’re well aware of a dog’s finely tuned sense of smell. The average canine has 200 to 250 million scent receptors in its nose, which dwarfs the human total of 5 million. Even sensitive scientific equipment cannot duplicate the superior scenting ability of dogs.

The nose is quicker than the eye

Once a dog has been trained, it can enter a room and detect bed bug infestations within two to three minutes. Its nose provides a quicker indicator than the efforts of human technicians, who are restricted to visual evidence. A manual search of a home or building can take hours.

Early detection of bed bugs can keep a minor nuisance from becoming a major problem. Our technicians at Stern Environmental Group use state-of-the-art, eco-friendly methods to find and eliminate bed bugs in your NYC home or business. Visit our website to learn more about why we are the preferred solution for extermination and control of bed bugs and other nuisance insects and wildlife.