Monthly Archives: December 2019

News, Residential Services, Squirrel Control, Squirrels

What to Know About Squirrel Breeding Season in New Jersey

What to Know About Squirrel Breeding Season in New Jersey
What to Know About Squirrel Breeding Season in New Jersey

A lot of New Jersey homeowners have trouble with squirrels in their attics this time of year. But it’s not just the cold weather that drives them inside; although that is one reason they seek shelter. The early winter months are actually the time of year when squirrels are breeding.

Although we know they’re fascinating, your NJ squirrel control professionals also know that they’re a nuisance. We think you do too.

Squirrel Breeding Season

Squirrels generally have two litters of pups a year. They have one in the middle of summer and another in the late winter months. As many as 8 pups are possible per litter, but most squirrels have between 2 and 4.

Squirrel mating behaviors are very interesting as well. They actually mate more like gorillas, which means both males and females have more than one partner.

Do You Need NJ Squirrel Control Experts to Inspect Your Attic?

Most people really like squirrels. They’re fun to watch as they run around your backyard and climb up trees. As long as they stay outside, there are no problems. But all too often, they venture inside for warmth and shelter.

Your NJ squirrel control experts can come and inspect your attic to determine the scope of your squirrel problem. Not only can we get rid of them, but we can help to make sure they can’t make it back inside again. Contact us today for help.

Disease Carrying Pests, News, Rats, Rodent Control

Do Rats Live in Colonies in New Jersey? What to Know

Do Rats Live in Colonies in New Jersey? What to Know
Do Rats Live in Colonies in New Jersey? What to Know

Seeing a rat scurrying around every now and then might not seem like a big problem. However, keep in mind that there are likely to be a lot more of these rodents around. In fact, you might need NJ rat control services to eliminate a local colony on your property.

Rat Colonies in NJ

Rats do form colonies in NJ, which means you could be dealing with a large population in the area. It doesn’t take long for rats to reproduce, and they’re able to do so many times. This can lead to a huge rat colony that creates a major health hazard on your property.

Rats are known to carry diseases and cause damage to buildings. They also contaminate food supplies kept in pantries, cupboards and other storage areas.

What to Do About a Rat Problem

What should you do if you have a rat colony on your property? Professional pest control technicians can find where the colony is located in order to get rid of it and stop these rodents from continuing to invade your property.

Keep in mind that rats can rapidly build a huge colony, so it’s better to have rat control done right away. This helps keep your property safe from the diseases these rodents can spread.

If you’re dealing with a rat problem, contact Stern Environmental as soon as possible. Our team provides dependable NJ rat control services.

Animal Control, News, Pest Animal Removal, Raccoons

What to Know About Attic Raccoons in New Jersey

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

Female raccoons, much like their human counterparts, have a strong nesting instinct when it comes to raising a family. But what happens when mama raccoon chooses your home for her nest? Here’s why NJ raccoon control is so important during nesting season.

What’s That Noise in the Attic?

If you discover a raccoon in your attic, chances are good that it’s a female who’s seeking a comfy home for her brood. While nesting season can vary in different parts of the country, March is usually the peak time for raccoon births. Unfortunately, male raccoons kill babies that don’t belong to them, which is another reason for females to seek shelter.

Unlike squirrels and other wildlife, raccoons don’t build elaborate nests. The mother raccoon will simply shred insulation in the attic until there’s a sufficient amount to burrow inside. Raccoons create “latrines” around nests for depositing their feces and urine, which often carry parasites and bacteria that pose a serious health threat to humans.

Maternal Instinct of Female Raccoons

If you find a raccoon prowling around your home, always assume there are babies nearby. Separating a mother from her brood is never a good idea, so it’s best to seek help from NJ raccoon control professionals for safe removal.

Safe and Humane NJ Raccoon Control by Stern Environmental

Our trained technicians have extensive experience removing raccoons, squirrels and other wildlife invaders. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

News, Rats, Rodent Control

Winter Living – Where Do Rats Go in the Winter?

Wildlife are Cute, but Beware the Diseases they May Harbor.
Wildlife are Cute, but Beware the Diseases they May Harbor.

During the winter months, rats need to find warm, dry places to get out of the cold. Where do these rodents end up going for shelter when it’s freezing outside? You might find them in any of the following places:

Residential and Commercial Buildings

Rats can make their way into homes, businesses and other structures, such as sheds or garages. These places provide them with a warm, insulated place to stay out of the cold. This behavior keeps NJ rat control professionals busy in winter, since these rodents can spread disease and cause other problems.

Cars and Trucks

Cars and trucks that aren’t used often, or at all, provide shelter for rats. These pests can get into engine compartments and vehicle interiors where they’ll build nests and travel back and forth through the ventilation system.

Underground Dens

Rats don’t always invade human spaces when they’re looking for warm shelter during winter. Some make underground dens or burrows to stay in when it’s cold outside. These dens give them a dry and warm place to survive.

Caves

Rats that remain in outdoor areas during winter sometimes seek shelter in caves. They’re able to store a large amount of food in these caves before winter arrives, so they won’t have to forage in the cold.

If you need professional NJ rat control for your commercial business, please contact Stern Environmental.

Disease Carrying Pests, News, Rats, Rodent Control

Wild Norway Rat Behaviors Impact Commercial Businesses

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Wild Norway Rat Behaviors Impact Commercial Businesses
Wild Norway Rat Behaviors Impact Commercial Businesses

Norway rats weren’t always a problem for business owners in the NJ and NYC areas. However, these invasive rats have become a big issue in our region. Knowing more about their behavior can help you understand why they’ve been so successful at building large populations and why they’re such a menace to local business owners.

High Birth Rates

Norway rats don’t have a long life span. In fact, they only live for about a year in the wild. However, these rodents make up for that short life span by having a high rate of birth. Norway rats were found to have a birth rate that falls between one and six percent per month when conditions favor their reproduction. This allows them to maintain larger populations in many areas even if individual rats don’t live very long. These large populations also make professional NJ rat control a must for business owners who have an infestation of these rodents.

Food Access 

Norway rats in the wild sometimes live completely apart from humans, but this usually doesn’t last long. These rats have learned that food is easy to find around human dwellings and businesses, causing them to hang around dumpsters or get into restaurants, homes and other buildings.

If Norway rats are invading your building, Stern Environmental can provide prompt help. Contact us to learn more about our NJ rat control services.