Monthly Archives: June 2018

Bees, Commercial Services, Insect Control, News, Residential Services, Stinging Insects

Ground Bees: Not All Bees Make Honey or Hives

Ground Bees: Not All Bees Make Honey or Hives
Ground Bees: Not All Bees Make Honey or Hives

Are you wasting countless hours searching for bee hangouts around your business? How can you stop the onslaught of not-so-friendly buzzing from upsetting your profits? Save time and money by exercising a different tactic.

All bee species and their nesting habits are not the same. Only about 30 percent of bees nest in above ground hives. When bees are driving your employees or clients up the wall, it’s time to employ the ground bee removal experts!

No Bees, No Honey. No Way!

Of the 20,000 bee species in the world today, the honey bee is the only species that actually makes honey. Are you’re worried that your efforts to rid your commercial site of bees disrupts honey production? Environmental experts are ready to help.

At Stern Environmental, our knowledgeable staff does the research for you ensuring your business is protected. Many underground nesting bees aren’t social or aggressive in nature. Our experts know each bee species’ unique habits and the specific steps to take to ensure your profit and customer security.

Making the Call

Do you need an expert opinion to help formulate your next plan of action? Is ground bee removal a viable option for your current bee situation? Stern Environmental helps you control any bee problems you may be facing. Visit our website today to find out how we can help. Schedule an appointment today and we’ll keep your business abuzz with profit!

News, Pest Control, Pest News

Cornell University Launches Lost Ladybug Project

Cornell University Launches Lost Ladybug Project
Cornell University Launches Lost Ladybug Project

Ladybugs are a topic of conversation in the news as it seems in North America, the tiny red coat with black spots insect is not increasing its numbers.

The Ladybug Mystery

The reason the ladies are becoming rare in our part of the world while other countries are seeing increases in population and range is a mystery. Unlike bed bugs that are avid globetrotters, that doesn’t seem to be the case with ladies in North America.

The Lost Ladybug Project

In an effort to help save, support, restore and repopulate ladybugs in North America, the Lost Ladybug Project was started and is well on its way to making a difference.

The point of the project is to collect as much data, through photographs, as possible from people across North America. Doing so provides important information on what type of ladybugs are still making an appearance and where. Even if you’re searching and find none, they want that information too.

This project is a learning experience for everyone with resources available and instructions on the safest way to catch, photograph, and release them.

Ladies play an important role in our gardens, so, we don’t want them to disappear.

As of May 7, 2018, a total of 38,385 ladybug pictures have been submitted and added to the ongoing data being collected.

For help with bed bugs, cockroaches, and other pests, contact Stern Environmental. We’re here to help.

Insect Control, News, Stinging Insects

Why Are Hornets a Serious Problem for Businesses and Home Owners?

Why Are Hornets a Serious Problem for Businesses and Home Owners?
Why Are Hornets a Serious Problem for Businesses and Home Owners?

We see them all the time whenever we’re outdoors; insects. Whether crawling, walking, or flying, Mother Nature has provided a smorgasbord of insects for us to share the environment.

This works out fine unless we happen to get in the way of one of these social species: the hornet.

About the Hornet

There are two genera; Vespa (22 species ) and Provespa (3 species). The Provespa species, unlike the Vespa, are nocturnal. In North America, the European Vespa hornet is most prevalent.

Hornets are often confused with yellowjackets due to their similarity in appearance. Their distinguishable characteristics include a distinctive head and an elongated rounded abdomen. In size, some species can grow to over two inches long.

Stirring Up a Hornet’s Nest

There’s an old saying about “stirring up a hornet’s nest,” which means when applied to a human situation you want to avoid causing trouble. When applied to hornets, this is something you don’t want to do deliberately for any reason. They’re already an aggressive species without any provocation, but when their nests are in danger, they become even more so and attack anything in sight including humans and pets.

Due to their aggressiveness, hornet nest removal is best left to a professional service with trained staff and appropriate solutions. At Stern Environmental, our hornet nest removal process will rid your home or commercial building of these unwanted pests. Call today to schedule an appointment.

Insect Control, News, Pest Control, Pest News, Stinging Insects, Wasps

How do Hornets Differ from Wasps?

How do Hornets Differ from Wasps?
How do Hornets Differ from Wasps?

You’re outdoors enjoying the clear skies, brilliant sunshine, and comfortable temperatures poking your garden or maybe you’re trimming tree branches or bushes and out of nowhere, an aerial assault leaves you with a painful sting or multiple stings.

You look around for the out-of-control pilot and realize you’ve happened upon a wasp or hornet’s nest and they’re reacting with pinpoint precision.

Wasps vs Hornets

Wasps are most aggressive when provoked. This is usually if you’ve interfered with a nesting spot. Removal of their nests is best left to the services of a wasp abatement professional for this reason. The nests may be clearly visible hanging from the eaves of a home giving you ample opportunity to steer clear, but if they’re hidden behind the siding, you can find yourself in a hurtful predicament when doing any type of outdoor home improvement project.

Hornets, on the other hand, are aggressive without any particular provocation and they’ll do it repeatedly. For many, the stings of both the wasp and the hornet can cause an allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis, which, if not treated, can result in a deadly outcome. An estimated 1,500 people die annually due to anaphylactic reactions.

While you may think it’s safe to handle the situation on your own, you have no idea how many stinging pests you may be faced with. For the proper help with wasp abatement, contact the experts at Stern.

Animal Control, Commercial Services, Disease Carrying Pests, News, Pest Animal Removal, Pest Control, Pest News, Rats, Rodent Control

What Do New Jersey and New York City Rats Eat?

What Do New Jersey and New York City Rats Eat?
What Do New Jersey and New York City Rats Eat?

Rats are survivors in the wild. They have to be like any other wildlife species that must fend for itself, which means their diet is diverse from day to day depending on what’s available.

Feeding Behavior

Rats eat just about anything when the opportunity arises. Outside, they’ll climb trees to get to the fruit, invade vegetable gardens, enjoy a feeding buffet bonanza at bird feeders, and forage through garbage cans. If you feed squirrels, they’ll eat the nuts and if you feed a pet outdoors, they’ll finish off what’s left in the bowl.

The fast-footed rodent is also a hoarder. They may eat a portion, then, like a squirrel, hide the rest for snacking later. They’re also careful about what they eat since the menu isn’t always the same. To make sure something they aren’t familiar with won’t make them sick, they do a taste test.

When rats get access to the inside of your home, a rat exterminator is the best approach to eliminating these pests. They’ll continue to forage for food scraps in the garbage, pet food bowls, and will eat through food packaging when the opportunity arises.

When a rat exterminator is next on your list of priority things to do, Stern Environmental is just a phone call away. We’ll schedule one of our professional technicians to dispatch rats quickly and efficiently. Call today and send the rat pack on its way.