Monthly Archives: January 2020

Insect Control, News, Pest Control

What Pest Should You Watch Out For This Winter? Prepare For A Stink Bug Invasion

We Can Help You Remove Stinkbugs!
We Can Help You Remove Stinkbugs!

What’s in a name? When it comes to stink bugs, the name is accurate. Our NJ pest control experts fill you in on what else you should know about this common winter invader.

History of Stink Bugs

New Jersey is home to approximately 20 species of stink bugs. Foremost among these is the brown marmorated stink bug, first identified in Allentown, PA during the 1990s. As a native of Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan and Beijing, the brown marmorated stink bug was introduced to the area as a stowaway on a container ship.

Handle with Care

Do you instinctively crush unwanted bugs found in your home? Squashing a stink bug will aggravate the problem, as it releases their distinctive foul odor. In addition, the smell could linger on shoes, carpeting and other objects.

Vacuuming isn’t the solution either, as stink bugs also emit their smell when they’re frightened. If you have to vacuum them, use a shop vac and empty it immediately afterwards to prevent the stink bugs from re-entering the home.

Stink Bug Prevention Tips

* Secure weather-stripping and vents to eliminate gaps.

* Don’t leave fruits, vegetables and legumes sitting out to attract stink bugs.

* Weed and mow the lawn regularly.

Stern Environmental: Leaders in Effective NJ Pest Control

Don’t take chances with any pests you find in your home or building. Contact Stern Environmental for safe and effective NJ pest control.

 

Disease Carrying Pests, News, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Rats, Rodent Control

What’s That Smell? Critter Cologne Is NYC’s New Rat Strategy

What's That Smell? Critter Cologne Is NYC's New Rat Strategy
What’s That Smell? Critter Cologne Is NYC’s New Rat Strategy

Could a cologne be the key to solving NYC’s rat problem? Scientists have been looking into using male and female rat pheromones to deter rats from going to certain areas. While this critter cologne is still being studied, keep in mind that you’ll need to rely on professional NJ pest control if you have a problem with these rodents.

Rat Pheromones

Pheromones are scent hormones given off by male and female rats. Researchers found that rats tend to avoid visiting areas that are filled with the scent of male rat pheromones. Instead, they typically visit areas where female rat pheromones are more distinct.

Using male-scented rat pheromones could end up being a way to keep rats away from certain areas. One problem with this approach is that it attracted more cats than usual, which could lead to other problems.

Dealing with Rats

Pheromone critter colognes aren’t on the market yet, so it’s important to have pest control experts handle rat infestations for you. Relying on professionals helps ensure that your rat problem is under control, which helps lower your risk of disease, property damage, food contamination, and other issues. Pest control experts can also help reduce your risk of having more rat problems in the future.

If your property has a rat problem, contact Stern Environmental for NJ pest control services. We can safely eliminate rats or other rodents and pests from your property.

Commercial Services, Disease Carrying Pests, News, Pest Control

One Man’s Pest Is Another Man’s Zoo: How Pests Thrive In An Urban Environment

Pests Thrive In Urban Environments, Too!
Pests Thrive In Urban Environments, Too!

Raccoons, ants and other targets of NJ pest control are always searching for a comfortable habitat. As cities continue to expand and displace natural landscapes, wildlife members are finding unlikely homes in urban surroundings.

Wildlife Becomes City Life

Millions viewed the recent viral video of Pizza Rat, an industrious rodent dragging a slice down New York subway steps. Sightings of feral cats snatching mice and pigeons feeding on discarded French fries are becoming increasingly more common in the hustle and bustle of cities.

Scientists view this as an example of the adaptive nature of cities and nature alike. While we generally picture “nature” as vast expanses of grass, trees and lakes, urban areas encompass another type of nature that includes even such surprising members as coyotes, deer and bald eagles.

Look, but Don’t Touch

For years, researchers dismissed urban communities as the dark side of nature. Cities were places where insects begin their insidious spread across the country, not forums to watch animals go about their business.

Experts warn against one dangerous side effect of this movement. People are sometimes fooled into thinking proximity equals domesticity. Wildlife is still best observed at a safe distance.

NJ Pest Control Experts for All Environments

Squirrels, cockroaches and other pests may be tolerated as distant neighbors, but no one  wants them as house guests. Contact Stern Environmental for safe and effective removal of wildlife and insects.

Disease Carrying Pests, Insect Control, News, Pest Control

13,000 Apartments In NYC Are Still Waiting For Rat and Bug Infestation Complaint Response

Cities House Large Populations.... and Pests, Too.
Cities House Large Populations…. and Pests, Too.

Why is NJ pest control such a serious issue? Just look across the river, where more than 13,000 NYC apartments are awaiting an official response to reports of rat and bug infestations.

Fighting Pest Infestations in NYC Housing

Data comes from a report issued by Bart Schwartz, federal monitor of the New York City Housing Authority. Nearly two months after initial complaints were filed, there was a backlog of 2,645 apartments with open work orders along with 10,580 adjacent units.

This is the second quarterly report from Schwartz as a follow-up to his initial missive in late summer 2019. At that time, Schwartz found the NYCHA out of compliance with a mandate to have infestation complaints handled by August 1.

The Road to Progress

Despite these numbers, Schwartz’s report acknowledged a certain amount of progress by the NYCHA. Original totals indicated 23,531 “primary impacted units” and 74,527 “adjacent impacted units” requiring relief, of which 6,000 had been addressed over the two months.

One specific problem, unnamed in the report but confirmed by the NYCHA, involved the Washington houses in East Harlem. These units were added to NYC’s rat reduction program, resulting in the eventual reduction of rat burrows and the reopening of closed trash compactor rooms.

Need NJ Pest Control? Contact Stern Environmental

We provide safe and effective removal of pests ranging from ants and bed bugs to squirrels and raccoons. Contact us for more information.

Bed Bug Information, Bed Bug Resources, Bed Bugs, News

Bed Bugs Don’t Just Stay At Home – Bed Bugs Found At 911 Dispatch Center

Bed Bugs Are Everywhere... Even 911 Dispatch Centers.
Bed Bugs Are Everywhere… Even 911 Dispatch Centers.

People tend to think of bed bugs as being pests that are typically found in bedrooms. But we’re seeing more and more stories about people finding them in schools, in libraries, and even on public transit buses. Your NJ pest control experts came across a story about bed bugs infesting a 911 dispatch center in the Bronx, and even we were surprised at that one.

A Lengthy Infestation That Was Largely Ignored

Most people would assume that if bed bugs were found at a 911 dispatch center, the problem would be corrected right away. But that’s not what happened in the Bronx. In fact, employees reported that the problem went on for at least two weeks, but NYPD refused to do anything about it.

Bed bugs can multiply rapidly once they get established, so the call center’s lack of action only made the problem worse and more expensive to treat.

It didn’t take long for the bed bugs to spread. What started in a training room on the sixth floor quickly moved to other areas of the facility, including in the vendor and lobby areas. Steaming treatments did nothing but drive the bugs to other parts of the building.

It’s Time to Call NJ Pest Control

The best time to call NJ pest control professionals is before the problem gets out of hand. At Stern Environmental, we use the latest technology to deal with bed bugs fast. Contact us for help.