Monthly Archives: February 2018

Cockroaches, Commercial Services, News

German Cockroach Gut Bacteria Encourages Grouping and Colonies

Setting Up House: Cockroaches Create Their Own "Neighborhoods"
Setting Up House: Cockroaches Create Their Own “Neighborhoods”

They’re creepy and crawly, and they like to get in everyone’s business from chewing through boxed containers of food to running amuck across counter tops in the kitchen. The disrespecting culprit is the infamous cockroach.

Cockroach and Bacteria

A study at North Carolina State University had interesting results that could lead to the development of stronger and more efficient baits and traps to stop cockroaches in their tracks.

This study involved bacteria found in the gut of German cockroaches. The findings determined that gut bacteria produced fatty acids that result in pheromones being produced in the bug’s feces. The pheromones then work as an attractive scent that is irresistible to other roaches. This draws the roaches together, which is important especially for nymphs who need a safe place.

The feces contained different chemical compounds; 40 in all. What the researchers found was that feces not containing the gut bacteria lacked the majority of the compounds and had only small amounts in the remaining group.

What this means to pest researchers developing treatments for companies with NJ cockroach exterminator specialists is the ability to create more effective products that can be blended to address a variety of roach groups depending on individual environments.

When you’re in need of NJ cockroach exterminator specialists, just give us a call at Stern Environmental. We have experienced technicians with the tools and treatments required to make your property bug free.

 

Raccoons, Rodent Control

Raccoons Are Dangerous When They Move Into Your Home!

Don't Let Rodent Pests Make Your Home Their Home.
Don’t Let Rodent Pests Make Your Home Their Home.

Most folks are entertained when watching masked bandits in a movie, but when the four-legged variety invade your home, that’s a different story. Raccoons are cute with their black masks and fun to watch their fastidious ways when cleaning their paws, but the fact is they cause damage.

Raccoon Renovation

That’s right. When raccoons move into your home whether it’s the basement, attic or garage, you have a problem that could result in needed renovations to insulation, wiring, cables, flooring, or anything else raccoons can chew on or foul due to using the area for nesting and bathroom facilities.

Many people don’t realize that raccoons are very adaptable. They can move into an urban or suburban community with ease. As long as there’s access to water and food sources as well as a place to nest and be protected from harsh weather, they’re like relatives who come to stay indefinitely.

Raccoon Intervention

As with any wildlife, whether they’ve moved into your home or set up housekeeping in your yard, it’s always best to hire NJ and NY raccoon removal professionals. These specialists have the knowledge and equipment to safely and humanely remove the animals out of your home.

When you have wildlife using your address as home, it’s time to call in specialists for NJ and NY raccoon removal. At Stern, we have the experts who can send your resident wildlife packing. Call us today!

Rodent Control, Squirrel Control, Squirrels

The Real Risk of Squirrels In Your Home – Disease, Smell, and Damage

Squirrels Can Cause Much Damage to Your Home.
Squirrels Can Cause Much Damage to Your Home.

No matter how much we enjoy watching the antics of squirrels running willy-nilly through the trees, the fact is, these clever cuties cause damage.

Health and Home

Health-wise, squirrels can pose a problem such as spreading ticks and fleas, salmonella, and Leptospirosis. Rabies is not a known issue with squirrels but it’s better to be safe than sorry and take precautions to keep squirrels out of your home, garage, or shed.

Because squirrels are usually heavily infested with fleas and ticks, if they set up housekeeping in your attic, for example, you can plan on dealing with a flea and tick infestation. If you have pets, an infestation in your home will have an adverse effect on them too. When an infestation occurs, you need a NJ squirrel removal specialist for the job.

Squirrels are adept at finding entrances into a home’s attic. This is a great place to get away from winter weather and to build a nest and have babies.

As the babies grow and become more mobile, they’ll begin to chew on whatever is available as well as make poop messes throughout the attic. These droppings are the cause of Leptospirosis and salmonella. Both pose a health risk: Leptospirosis causes flu-like symptoms and salmonella is defined as food poisoning.

If you need squirrels trapped and removed, contact Stern and we’ll send a trained NJ squirrel removal expert to handle the job. ?????

News, Rodent Control, Squirrel Control

What Squirrels Are Found in New Jersey and New York?

Get to Know your Local Squirrel Species.
Get to Know your Local Squirrel Species.

Squirrels are well-known creatures throughout the United States; just look out your window and chances are you’ll see one, two, or more, frolicking in the trees or burying acorns.

There are quite a few squirrel species and some parts of the U.S. see the same types while others may see a different species.

New Jersey Squirrels

New Jersey squirrels sound like the name of a sports team, which would fit these energetic and agile creatures of the wild. In New Jersey, there are several of these species, which include the gray squirrel, red squirrel, southern flying squirrel, and northern flying squirrel.

New York Squirrels

New York residents have their own squirrel population that is similar to New Jersey. The red, gray, and flying squirrels are common as well as the fox squirrel.

Squirrel Habits

While watching squirrels can be entertaining, it’s sometimes necessary to have NJ and NY squirrel removal services visit your property. The reason is squirrels are notorious for chewing and their appetite includes pretty much anything.

They especially like attics where they can get warm, make a nest, and have their babies, which can lead to messes, noise, and the pittering pattering of little feet across the ceiling during the night.

At Stern, we’re experts at NJ and NY squirrel removal. We’re fast and provide humane squirrel trapping. When you need NJ and NY squirrel removal assistance, just give us a call.

Cockroaches, Insect Control

Female Cockroaches Are Very Picky When Selecting Mates

What's Worse than One Cockroach? A Whole Colony of Them. Don't Let them Breed!
What’s Worse than One Cockroach? A Whole Colony of Them. Don’t Let them Breed!

There’s nothing wrong with being selective when choosing one’s mate and that includes the fairer sex in some insect species such as the cockroach.

Cockroach Courtship

A study at Anglia Ruskin University by Dr. Sophie Mowles covers the intricacies of the courtship ritual of the Cuban burrowing cockroach.

One prominent feature the female looks for is high-levels of energy displayed by the male. This is accomplished by the male in a “raising of the wing” ceremony by repeatedly raising his wing to a vertical position then lowering it. He’ll do this over and over, hence, he is showing his stamina and energy level which the female cockroach finds attractive.

The female’s only interest in the mating ritual is finding the male who is in the best physical condition. While the repeated raising and lowering of the wings tires the male and drains his energy, it’s a gauge used by the female when choosing the father of her babies.

The female wants the best genes for her offspring. By doing so, she ensures her babies are physically fit, have the ability and agility to evade predators, be victorious when confronting rivals, and males are attractive to females to carry on the family line.

If you have a problem with these pests, you need an NJ cockroach exterminator. Contact us at Stern where we have cockroach exterminator specialists who will rid your property of these unwanted guests.