Category Archives: Insect Control

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, 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.

Animal Control, Disease Carrying Pests, Insect Control, Mice, News, Pest Animal Removal, Pest Control, Pest Management, Pest News, Rats, Residential Services, Roaches, Rodent Control, Squirrels, Stinging Insects, Yellow Jackets

October Pests for New Jersey – What to Know

October Pests for New Jersey - What to Know
October Pests for New Jersey – What to Know

Fall brings comfortable temperatures and beautiful colors to the northeast region. But NJ pest control experts know there’s a downside to this seasonal shift. With the cooler weather comes an increase in pest problems as the animal kingdom seeks the perfect residence to hole-up for the winter season. Which pests should you be on the lookout for this fall?

Scary Stingers

Bees, wasps and yellow jackets become more active in the winter as they seek out additional food stores and nesting places. Prevent injury with fast stinging insect removal from the pros at Stern.

Funky Flyers

Germ-carrying flies are out in force during the fall season, as are smelly stink bugs, which infiltrate every crack and crevice of your home and automobile.

Creepy Crawlers

As the coming winter chill presses forward, ants, cockroaches, box elders, ladybugs and more seek out the warmth of your home and easy access to food. These pests are notorious for infiltrating even the smallest entry points to your home.

Rascally Rodents

Rats, mice, and squirrels who are already an annoying presence will try your patience to the limit in the fall season, going out of their way to find a way inside your home to hibernate for the winter or nest with their babies.

Don’t feel like snuggling up with pests this fall and winter? Seal them out with the help of our NJ pest control team at Stern Environmental today. 

Insect Control, News, Wasps, Yellow Jackets

It’s Fall – Time to Remove Yellow Jacket Hives and Wasp Nests

Mild Winters Are Causing Super Wasp Nests -- Get Them Removed Today!
Mild Winters Are Causing Super Wasp Nests — Get Them Removed Today!

Cooler weather is on its way, so this is the time that most people expect a decline in nuisance insects. However, yellow jackets are one exception to this rule. During the fall, these pests become more aggressive and much more likely to sting, making this the ideal time for the preemptive removal of yellow jacket nests.

Why Does Your NJ exterminator Recommend Fall Yellow Jacket Nest Removal?

At Stern Environmental, we recommend yellow jacket nest removal in the fall for a number of reasons.

• More Wasps

Yellow jacket nests are larger at the end of the summer/early fall.

• More Aggression

Wasps become more aggressive as food sources decline with cooler weather, often stinging without provocation.

• More Danger

Large numbers and increased aggression make fall a dangerous time for stings, particularly for allergic individuals, as yellow jackets can sting multiple times.

Nest in the Wall? Immediate Removal Prevents Wasps from Infiltrating Your Home

Nests in wall voids are difficult to remove. However, it’s highly recommended to remove these before it’s too late. Otherwise, large numbers of yellow jacket wasps could find their way into your home, delivering a nasty surprise.

Yellow jacket removal is not a DIY endeavor. Control yellow jackets safely with the help of your local NJ exterminator. Contact Stern Environmental to learn more about our professional wasp removal services today. 

Insect Control, News, Pest News, Residential Services

How to Differentiate Between a Ladybug and Lady Beetle

Learn to Recognize the Difference between Harmful and Harmless
Learn to Recognize the Difference between Harmful and Harmless

Ladybugs may seem too benign to require NJ pest control, but the closely related Asian lady beetle isn’t quite as good-natured. How can you tell them apart? Here’s a look at the physical and behavioral differences between the two.

Appearances Can Be Deceiving

At first glance, a native ladybug looks just like an Asian lady beetle, with similar colors and markings. A closer look reveals a black section between a ladybug’s head and body. On an Asian lady beetle, that same section is white with black markings that form a “M” shape.

When Ladybugs Aren’t “Ladies”

Native ladybugs serve a valuable purpose by preying on aphids, spider mites and other plant-destroying pests. While Asian lady beetles were introduced to North America for the same reason, they began to demonstrate less desirable traits.

• When weather grows cold, Asian lady beetles invade homes via cracks, holes and other unobtrusive entry points.

• While native ladybugs are peaceful, Asian lady beetles will aggressively bite, often causing allergic symptoms such as sneezing and coughing.

• Asian lady beetles excrete an odorous yellow liquid that stains fabric, walls and other surfaces.

• In rare cases, Asian lady beetles have sought shelter inside the mouths of dogs, leading to discomfort and sometimes sores caused by the beetles’ secretions.

Experienced and Knowledgeable NJ Pest Control Services

Don’t take chances with insect or wildlife invaders. Contact Stern Environmental for safe and professional NJ pest control.