Monthly Archives: January 2018

Animal Control, News, Squirrel Control, Squirrels

Five Weird Yet Interesting Facts About Squirrels

Five Weird Yet Interesting Facts About Squirrels
Five Weird Yet Interesting Facts About Squirrels

When describing squirrels, several adjectives come to mind; they’re cute, inquisitive, acrobatic, and entertaining. They’re also interesting and are found in nearly any type of ecosystem on the planet. They can also be destructive, which is when you will need the help of a NJ squirrel removal specialist to keep your home squirrel free.

Facts About Squirrels

1. When it comes to the number of species inhabiting the planet, the figure is a whopping 285 worldwide.

2. They are true survivalists. Each year, they stock up on nuts, acorns, and seeds to get them through harsh winter conditions when food is not plentiful.

3. The smallest species is the pygmy tree squirrel weighing in at half an ounce. On the flip side, the largest are western Africa’s gray marmots of Kazakhstan weighing 20 pounds.

4. Squirrels are environmentalists when it comes to tree planting. An example is a gray squirrel that can create thousands of buried food caches filled with nuts. Not all caches will be found, though, which leads to new saplings sprouting from acorns. Not only that, the acorns may be buried in open places in need of trees.

5. Squirrels like mushrooms and during the winter they will hang the fungi in tree branches to dry. This preserves the mushrooms for winter dining.

If you need help with invading squirrel populations, our NJ squirrel removal specialists at Stern provide humane removal services.

News, Raccoons, Squirrel Control, Squirrels, Wildlife Control

Tips to Keeping Nuisance Wildlife Out of Your Attic

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Squirrels and Other Wildlife Can Destroy Your Attic
Squirrels and Other Wildlife Can Destroy Your Attic

NJ nuisance wildlife removal is usually required when cooler weather arrives and the outdoor pests want to move indoors as your new domestic house guests so they can stay warm. Consider these tips to make your property resistant to wildlife intrusions.

Preventing Wildlife Invasions

There are several tips to prevent wildlife from becoming unwanted guests. These include actions you can take both indoors and outdoors.

Check vents leading to the attic and chimney tops to ensure they’re screened to keep wildlife out. Also, replace a torn window or door screen as these are another entryway.

Trash left out in the open is a calling card for wildlife. Think camping and bears pillaging for food and that’s the same scenario you could have in your yard. Keep trash in secure bins.

Tree limbs growing near the roofline are like providing an interstate highway with fast access for wildlife to find entry points.

Store wood for the fireplace a minimum of 20-feet from your home. Also, don’t keep piles of debris piled up in the yard.

Use secure bird feeders that allow access only to birds.

For expert NJ nuisance wildlife removal, you need the services of a professional who knows how to remove squirrels, raccoons, opossums, and other critters safely.

When wildlife comes knocking at your door, basement, or attic, call Stern for fast-action help. We handle NJ nuisance wildlife removal the best way possible; quickly.

News, Pest Control, Pest Management, Rats

Pest World’s Videos on Rodents Puts the Problem in a New Perspective

Identifying the sources that attract rodents is the first place to start in eliminating these pests in and around your property. The three things you need to take care of are their access to food, water, and places to build their nests.

Food

Don’t leave pet food bowls available for rodents. Keep countertops free of spills and crumbs and store food packages, such as crackers and cookies inside non-edible containers. Also, store your pet’s food in heavy-duty containers.

Water

Rodents need water. Remove all sources such as pet water bowls or half-empty glasses.

Nesting

Clutter, such as cardboard boxes, is a rodent’s best friend. Use plastic containers and don’t allow clutter build-up on the floor.

Prevention

Things you can do to prevent an infestation includes maintenance, such as sealing and caulking around cracks and crevices, adding a rubber seal beneath doors that rodents can slip under, using steel wool or other products rodents can’t chew through around indoor and outdoor piping, and filling gaps around washing machine vents that are easy entryways into your property. You can also use the expert services of an NYC rodent exterminator to handle the problem quickly and efficiently.

No one wants rodents lurking and nesting inside or out as rodents are disease carriers and they can damage your property. When you need professionals on the job, contact Stern. We’ll send an NYC rodent exterminator who’ll take care of business.

Rats, Rodent Control

Surprising Research: Empathy For Other Rats Drives Behavior

Rats Work In Teams, If You Have one, You Probably Have More.
Rats Work In Teams, If You Have one, You Probably Have More.

While it may be difficult to fathom, studies have shown that rats have empathy for others who are in a stressful or painful situation.

What the Studies Have to Say

In 1959, Russell Church, a well-known psychologist, conducted a study involving two rats. One was in a cage with an electrified floor and the other was free. The free rat had a choice of food but when it pressed the lever, it sent an electric shock to the cage and caused its occupant pain. Once the rat connected the pressing of the lever with pain to the caged rat, it stopped pressing the lever.

In 2006, more studies were conducted at McGill University that showed rats became more sensitive to the pain of other rats, showing an emotional tie. When caged test rats showed signs of stress and emitted high-pitched alarm calls, their free counterparts reacted by finding a way to release the captive rat.

Several studies have ensued through the years that show rats are empathetic when it comes to others of their species experiencing distress such as pain or being caged in small areas.

Help keep your property rat-free by sealing entry points and by having an inspection by an NYC rodent exterminator.

When you need the help of an NYC rodent exterminator, contact our technicians at Stern Environmental. We have the experience, know-how, and equipment to remove the pests quickly and efficiently.

Animal Control, Squirrels

NJ Squirrels: Where Do They Go When It Gets Cold?

The Secret Life of the Squirrel
The Secret Life of the Squirrel

Squirrels are intriguing characters. They’re multi-talented acrobats who can “fly through the air with the greatest of ease.” People are entertained by their antics, enjoy the opportunity to provide peanuts, and generally relax while these whirlwinds of energy bounce from tree limb to tree limb.

Squirrels and Cold Weather

While the spring, summer, and fall are comfortable times with plenty of sunshine, blue skies, and warm temperatures for squirrels to take advantage of, what happens during the winter when the temps drop and snow covers the landscape?

According to information provided by registered nurse and squirrel rehabilitator William Sells, they find their closest friends of the same sex and curl up together and sleep around 18 to 20 hours a day. The community sleep-in provides ample warmth as all of the squirrels in the den are sharing their body warmth. Very smart survival tactic on the part of this inquisitive species.

Squirrels have also built up a 3-year stash of food that they’ll venture out to dine on when there is a break in the cold weather. This is yet another survival tactic for winter cold snaps.

While squirrels are entertaining, they can do damage if they enter your attic and set up winter housekeeping. In this case, you’ll need the services of NJ squirrel removal experts.

At Stern Environmental, we provide humane NJ squirrel removal. Call us and we’ll take care of the rest.