Monthly Archives: August 2019

Bed Bug Information, Bed Bugs, Insect Control, News

University of Kentucky: What to Know About Lice, Mites, and Bed Bugs

Keep a Close Eye Out For Lice, Mites, and Bed Bugs!
Keep a Close Eye Out For Lice, Mites, and Bed Bugs!

Lice, mites and bed bugs are some of the more frequent targets of our NJ exterminator services. Experts from the University of Kentucky share important facts you need to know about these common household pests.

Lice

Parents of young children may be all too familiar with lice, a parasite that feeds on human or animal blood. Approximately 10 percent of school-age children are infested with head lice each year. Treatment requires used of a specially formulated shampoo, while clothing and linens should be laundered with hot, soapy water.

Mites

There are two species of mites primarily affecting humans.

* Chiggers are larvae that tend to inhabit damp, overgrown areas. A soapy bath and application of antiseptic cream relieves the irritation of chigger bites.

* Scabies burrow into skin, particularly around fingers, elbows and knees. Transmission occurs through personal contact, so if someone develops a scabies infestation, all family members should be checked. Medical attention is recommended for scabies treatment.

Bed Bugs

While bed bugs do feed on human blood, they’re not parasites. Their small size enables them to live in cracks and crevices, usually in a bedroom where they can feed at night. Since bed bugs hide in so many places, professional exterminator services are the best solution.

Effective and Thorough NJ Exterminator Services

Our professional NJ exterminator staff has extensive experience dealing with lice, mites, bed bugs and other pests. Contact us to learn more.

Insect Control, News, Stinging Insects

Why Do Yellow Jacket Stings Hurt So Much?

What to Know About Hornet Attacks
What to Know About Yellow Jackets

Most people have been stung by a wasp at some point in their lifetime.  Why does it hurt so bad? The NJ yellow jacket control professionals at Stern Environmental are here to explain a little behind the science of a wasp’s wrath.

Wasps Sting When Threatened

A single wasp, such as a yellow jacket, can and will sting repeatedly. A cousin to ants and bees, who also live in large colonies, a wasp sting releases a pheromone. This alerts nearby wasps to join in on the stinging/defense party, pursuing you over long distances.

Wasp Venom Stimulates Pain Receptors

Bee and wasp venoms contain an acid called melittin, which stimulates pain receptors. Wasp venom also contains acetylcholine, another pain receptor stimulant. Releasing histamine into your bloodstream as they sting, this combination of chemicals causes burning, itching, and misery.

Ways to Banish the Burn

Applying an ice pack to wasp stings can help reduce the pain and swelling of yellow jacket stings. A paste of water and baking soda can help neutralize the acidic toxins. Sprinkling meat tenderizer, which contains the enzyme papain, can also break down proteins in the venom. Taking an antihistamine immediately after the sting can also help reduce swelling and itching. Known allergy? Always carry an Epi-Pen, and understand its proper usage.

Put your wasp control concerns on ice. Contact the NJ yellow jacket control experts at Stern Environmental today.

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

Hornet or Yellow Jacket – How to Tell the Difference

Hornet or Yellow Jacket - How to Tell the Difference
Hornet or Yellow Jacket – How to Tell the Difference

Stinging pests are a serious problem for a lot of New Jersey homeowners. But most of the time, they’re not really sure what type of pest they’re dealing with. Hornets and yellow jackets are two of the pests that get confused the most.

Before contacting NJ yellow jacket control or hornet control, here’s how you can identify which pest is in your yard.

The Similarities Between Yellow Jackets and Hornets

Both yellow jackets and hornets are types of wasps. But people often refer to them as bees, which is incorrect. The stings of both are quite painful, but that’s where their similarities end.

The Differences Between Hornets and Yellow Jackets

In most cases, you can tell the difference by just looking at them closely. Yellow jackets have distinct black and yellow markings, like their names suggest. Hornets also have yellow marks but with a reddish-brown color instead of black.

Both pests can sting repeatedly, but the yellow jacket’s stinger has barbs and sometimes gets lodged in its victim. Like a bee’s stinger, if it gets left behind then the insect dies. Hornets, however, don’t lose their stinger and their stings tend to be more painful.

Contact a NJ Yellow Jacket Control Specialist for Help

Whether you’re dealing with hornets or yellow jackets, both are a menace this time of year. Stern Environmental has the expertise to rid you of them. Contact us today to learn more.

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

National Geographic Uncovers the Secret Life of Groundhogs

National Geographic Uncovers the Secret Life of Groundhogs
National Geographic Uncovers the Secret Life of Groundhogs

Have you ever wondered what groundhogs are up to when they’re running around your yard? Most people don’t know that these animals can cause a lot of damage. It often takes an NJ groundhog control specialist to remove them humanely. Still, their lives are fascinating, and National Geographic has given us an inside look.

All About the Groundhog

The groundhog is sometimes referred to as a woodchuck. It’s a marmot, and also a member of the squirrel family. They grow to weigh about 18 pounds, and from head to tail their length ranges from 24 to 35 inches.

During the warmer months of the year, groundhogs spend their time eating as much food as they can. They’re herbivores, so your garden is one of their favorite places to dine. After the first frost of the year, they hide away and snooze until springtime. Their fat helps to sustain them through the colder months of winter.

When to Call a NJ Groundhog Control Specialist

Groundhogs might be cute, furry and fun to watch, but they can also cause big problems. Given the right circumstances, they have been known to chew through underground wires. So even though they’re fun to watch, it’s best to find a professional who can help you remove them without causing harm.

At Stern Environmental, we’re eager to help you if you have a groundhog problem at your home. Contact us today.

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

University of Maryland Offers Tips on Groundhog Control

University of Maryland Offers Tips on Groundhog Control
University of Maryland Offers Tips on Groundhog Control

Remember the dancing groundhog that tormented groundskeeper Bill Murray in Caddyshack? Experts from the University of Maryland explain why NJ groundhog control is no laughing matter.

Characteristics and Habits of Groundhogs

While groundhogs are part of the squirrel family, they tend to be larger, nearly two feet in length and a weight of 10 pounds or more. The most distinctive feature of groundhogs, or woodchucks as they’re also known, is their powerful front feet used for digging burrows.

A groundhog’s burrow may reach as deep as five feet. There is often more than one entrance, and they are expanded to accommodate the groundhog’s growth. Eventually, a fully developed network of burrows can cover anywhere from eight to 66 feet.

Since groundhogs are herbivores, eating mostly vegetation, they can cause major damage to vegetable and flower gardens. Their burrows may also extend under sheds and other outdoor structures

DIY NJ Groundhog Control

Keep groundhogs out by surrounding gardens with a sturdy four-foot fence that reaches one foot below ground. Add an electric fence wire four to five inches off the ground to prevent groundhogs from climbing over. Live traps can be set with fresh fruits or vegetables as bait.

Experienced NJ Groundhog Control Services

Technicians from Stern Environmental Group will remove groundhogs from your property using effective and humane methods. Contact us for more information about our comprehensive pest control services.