Monthly Archives: June 2019

Squirrel Control, Squirrels

Facts About the Eastern Gray Squirrel – They Breed More Often Than You’d Think

Facts About the Eastern Grey Squirrel
Facts About the Eastern Grey Squirrel

The eastern gray squirrel is an animal everyone who lives in New York and New Jersey is aware of. In fact, most of us see them every single day. While they’re cute, they can be a real menace too. Still, there’s a lot that you probably don’t know about them. As your NJ pest control specialists, we’d like to fill you in.

Breeding Habits of Gray Squirrels

Because squirrels hibernate during the winter, most people assume that they probably breed only once per year. However, as long as their food supply is good, most females will have two litters every year. When the females give birth, they can have as many as eight babies. This means that they multiply much faster than a lot of people realize.

In as little as eight months, those babies are adult size, and ready to have babies of their own. That spells trouble for anyone who already has a serious gray squirrel problem in their home, or on their property.

When to Contact NJ Pest Control Specialists

If you think you hear squirrels in your attic, or elsewhere in your home, it’s important to have a professional inspect the space right away. These pests can do a lot of damage in a very short period of time and, as we mentioned previously, they multiply quickly.

Please contact us at Stern Environmental for help right away!

Ants, Bed Bug Information, Bed Bugs, Carpenter Ants, Carpenter Bees, Cockroaches, News

Do Your Due Diligence – Do a Pest Inspection Before Moving In

Before You Move In Do a Thorough Inspections for Pests.
Before You Move In Do a Thorough Inspections for Pests.

Think a home empty of humans is empty of pests? Think again. The NJ pest control experts at Stern know that prolonged vacancies can result in squatters. Insects and rodents are quick to move-in when prior residents vacate, making a pre-purchase pest inspection essential to avoiding hair-raising situations.

New & Existing Buildings are Both Affected

When new building construction is delayed, as is common, and wood framing and interior components are exposed to moisture and humidity over time, pests are attracted to and thrive in these moist conditions. In existing homes, overgrown shrubbery and standing water likewise attract pests of all kinds, from rodents and stinging insects, to mosquitoes, creating major infestations in mere weeks.

What Pests Should You Be on the Lookout For?

Common pests in vacant homes and buildings include:

– Beetles feasting on damp wood, floor boards, paneling, drywall, and interior mold.

– Silverfish munching wallpaper paste.

– Springtails and booklice feeding on damp, moldy wood and paper materials.

– Termites hidden in structural framing, flooring, carpeting, wallpaper, and construction debris.

– Carpenter ants, common in new building sites, are attracted to moist construction debris.

– Cockroaches, a particular problem in city homes.

– Massive wolf spiders in homes located in/near wooded areas.

– Rodents near farms and wooded areas.

– Fleas, ticks, and bedbugs from previous occupants.

Ensure a new home that’s a safe haven for you and your family. Schedule a pre-purchase inspection with the NJ pest control pros at Stern Environmental today.

Animal Control, News, Nuisance Wildlife Control, Wildlife Control

Do You Have a Raccoon in Your Attic? The Telltale Signs

Do You Have a Raccoon in Your Attic? The Telltale Signs
Do You Have a Raccoon in Your Attic? The Telltale Signs

Raccoons knocking over your trash cans are bad enough. Having one inside your attic is even worse as they present health and safety risks. Raccoons are common in northern New Jersey, where they destroy roofs and walls while spreading disease.

To protect your home from damage and avoid illness from these rabies-carrying intruders, get NJ pest control services to safely handle raccoon removal.

Sounds & Signs of Raccoons in the Attic

Raccoons make enough noise that you’ll probably hear them walking around. They are most active at night, but urban wildlife may cause noise at any time.

Take a flashlight to the attic and shine it around. This helps identify a raccoon nest because their eyeballs will reflect the flashlight.

The smell of raccoon musk, urine, and feces will be obvious. Their poop looks a lot like cat poop. Squirrels leave smaller pellets.

Beware of Raccoon Problems in the Summer

It’s most common to get a pregnant mother raccoon who wants to give birth and raise her young in the safety of the indoors.

Be careful, though, because a concerned mama will be aggressive and defensive. If you block her out with the kids still in the attic, she will destroy whatever she needs to get back in.

NJ pest control professionals offer humane removal, cleaning and disinfecting, and blocking raccoons from getting back inside your home.

Need help removing a raccoon nest from the attic? Contact us at Stern Environmental for NJ pest control by your local wildlife removal experts!

Animal Control, News, Nuisance Wildlife Control, Pest Animal Removal, Raccoons, Wildlife Control

Get the Facts on Raccoons and Why They Love to Move Into Your Attic

Too Adaptable

Get the Facts on Raccoons and Why They Love to Move Into Your Attic
Get the Facts on Raccoons and Why They Love to Move Into Your Attic

For raccoons, survival is dependent on adaptability. Adaptability is a great skill for raccoons to have but it spells trouble for you. The same instincts that keep raccoons seeking shelter, feeding and surviving can drive them to invade your space. In New Jersey, the only thing that should be inhabiting your attic is keepsakes, mementos, and living space, not uninvited guests. Stern Environmental’s NJ pest control aims to keep out the stowaways.

What’s in Your Attic?

Raccoons seek shelter in dry and abandoned areas. When was the last time you checked your attic? Are there any dumpsters or scraps of food near or outside your home? Raccoons love to munch on human food. They’re omnivores and love fruits, vegetables and meat. If your home has a dry and warm attic that comes with questionably edible entrees within reach, it’s like an open invitational for a raccoon! Stop the raccoon invasion! Get some great advice from an NJ pest control professional today!

The Dexterity Paws

Do you think there’s no way a raccoon can get into your house? Think again. Raccoons are professionals at getting around obstacles. They’ve been known to open doors, bottles, lift latches and to the frustration of attic owners everywhere are great climbers. Beware of tipped trash cans, tell-tale paw prints, and ruined crop gardens. A raccoon may be raiding your property! Contact Stern Environmental right away!

Animal Control, News, Nuisance Wildlife Control, Pest Animal Removal, Raccoons, Wildlife Control

Our One Way Tunnels Let Raccoons Out and Not Back Into Your Attic

Our One Way Tunnels Let Raccoons Out and Not Back Into Your Attic
Our One Way Tunnels Let Raccoons Out and Not Back Into Your Attic

Wondering what to do about raccoons in the attic? Send them packing with a one-way ticket! Our NJ pest control experts have devised a one-way tunnel for raccoons that they will use to go foraging—then find out they cannot re-enter the home.

Eviction tunnels solve your raccoon problem safely and humanely:

• No trapping necessary so you can avoid contact, which can spread rabies and other illnesses.

• Avoids euthanasia, assuming the raccoon takes the hint and goes away.

• More effective by far compared to sprays, lights, music, or other DIY raccoon removal tactics.

How Do One-Way Raccoon Tunnels Work?

Our doors are made from strong metal that even a wily raccoon cannot bend or break. A NJ pest control technician will safely install the tunnel at the raccoon’s preferred entry and exit point.

A narrow, angled opening allows the raccoon to escape at night when it wants to search for food. Raccoons will push their way out of the door, but will not be able to enter from the other direction.

Beware of DIY Raccoon Tunnels

A one-way door should only be used after consulting with a professional wildlife removal specialist. Most importantly, we need to ensure there are no baby raccoons stuck inside the attic.

Leaving babies behind will lead to foul odors, especially if one dies in the nest. You also want professional cleaning to remove urine and feces, which may contain roundworm.

If getting rid of raccoons in the attic is your objective, nothing beats a one-way tunnel. Contact us for NJ pest control and raccoon removal by knowledgeable, experienced professionals!