Category Archives: Residential Services

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, 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.

Commercial Services, News, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Pest Management, Pest News, Residential Services

Does Integrated Pest Management Work to Lower Pest Populations?

Does Integrated Pest Management Work to Lower Pest Populations?
Does Integrated Pest Management Work to Lower Pest Populations?

As more home and business owners seek to minimize exposure to chemical pesticides, commercial pest control providers are increasingly turning to integrated pest management solutions. How well does this approach work for pest control?

The Inner Workings of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Environmentally friendly and safe for humans and pets, integrated pest management solutions reduce chemical exposure and subsequent health and environmental risks. IPM seeks to prevent and control pests through a three phase approach:  

1. Monitor and identify pests in the environment.

2. Preventing or excluding pests from entering the environment.

3. Control pests, balancing the risks and efficacy of treatment.

What Solutions Might Be Involved with IPM?

At the onset of infestation, lower-risk pest control measures are preferred such as natural chemicals and pheromones. If this approach is effective, treatment is concluded. If this more natural approach proves ineffective, chemical baits or pesticides are then integrated, beginning with the safest and most effective options.

Integrated Pest Management is Beneficial in Large & Small Scale Applications

Whether you are looking for a more natural pest control alternative for your home or commercial property, IPM is effective and endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Looking for an alternative to chemical and pesticide-laden commercial pest control options? Learn more about safe and effective integrated pest management services from Stern Environmental today.

Groundhogs, Nuisance Wildlife Control, Residential Services

Why Do Groundhogs Cause So Many Problems for Home Owners and Property Managers?

Call Stern for Nuisance Pest Control
Call Stern for Nuisance Pest Control

It’s kind of fun to see groundhogs running around a golf course or along the hills when you’re traveling down the highway. But when you have them on your property, that’s when the fun stops. These animals can cause a lot of damage, which is why so many people turn to a quality NJ groundhog removal service when they see them.

The Damage Caused by Groundhogs

Groundhogs are a nuisance because of the holes they dig. They’re quite large, and they can do a lot of damage to the areas around them. They prefer to dig their holes next to structures, such as your home, garage, or office building.

In addition to that, once they’re underground, they’re known to chew on any electrical cables that they find. They’re only trying to keep their teeth sharp, but this can result in serious electrical problems for the building.

When Should You Call an NJ Groundhog Removal Service?

Removing any possible sources of food is one way to discourage groundhogs from inhabiting your property. But sometimes that isn’t enough. If you notice them digging holes in your lawn, it’s wise to talk to a professional about removing them.

We use humane traps to remove wildlife from areas they shouldn’t be in. You’ll find our services to be quick, so you can get back to enjoying your yard the way you want to.

Contact us to learn more!

Animal Control, News, Raccoons, Residential Services, Wildlife Control

What to Do When Raccoons Move Into Your Attic

What to Do When Raccoons Move Into Your Attic
What to Do When Raccoons Move Into Your Attic

Furry freeloaders living in your attic? When raccoons move in, rapid NJ raccoon removal is the first thing on your mind. However, this task must be handled carefully to avoid compounding your problems.

What to Do with Raccoons Living in Your Attic

January to September, it’s wise to assume the raccoon in your attic is a mother with babies. Luckily, these devoted, protective mothers will move their babies if given the chance. There are a few ways to accomplish this:

1. Wait.

Raccoon families typically only stay for short periods. Some will move babies to another site during the nesting season. Others will vacate when babies are fully independent at summer’s end.

2. Humane harassment.

A top carrier of rabies and often vicious when cornered, never attempt to physically remove raccoons on your own. Instead, make your home inhospitable. Inside or outside the den, place a bright light and a radio tuned in to a talk station for a few days/nights. Place a bag of used kitty litter outside as a scent deterrent. Avoid ‘one-way doors,’ which often leave babies trapped inside. Use a ‘newspaper test,’ taping 2-sheets of newspaper over the entrance to verify eviction.

3. Professional assistance.

Short on time/patience? Professional NJ raccoon removal can speed this process, safely and humanely extricating animals and disinfecting the site.

Need to give furry bandits the boot, fast? Contact Stern Environmental today.