Category Archives: Wasps

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. 

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.

EPA Recommended Integrated Pest Management Tactics for Bee and Wasp Abatement

EPA Recommended Integrated Pest Management Tactics for Bee and Wasp Abatement
EPA Recommended Integrated Pest Management Tactics for Bee and Wasp Abatement

With summer heat comes the inevitable arrival of buzzy pests. Bees and wasps, feared for their stings but relied upon for their pollinating capabilities, take over yards nationwide. How can you reduce the number of these pests in your yard to tolerable levels? With these bee and wasp abatement strategies from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Integrated Pest Management Tactics for Controlling Bees & Wasps

• Put food away immediately after mealtime. 

• Clean up spills of sticky, syrupy liquids and foods immediately.

• Keep trash cans and dumpsters tightly sealed, emptying them frequently.

• Eliminate standing water, which draws pests of all kinds, fixing leaky faucets and areas with poor drainage so that they remain dry.

• Plug holes in your building structure that could allow pests entry.

• Ensure the structural integrity of vents, and window screens. Preventing bees and wasps from entering your building is the best defense.

Other Tips for Reducing the Population of Bees & Wasps on Your Premises

• Consider composting indoors, as these pests can be drawn to open compost piles.

• Clean up rotten fruit and vegetables in the garden to avoid attracting pests.

• Don’t swat wasps. They release chemicals when squashed that can incite nearby wasps to attack. Learn what to do in the vicinity of wasps.

Integrated pest management strategies for bee and wasp abatement falling short? Alleviate the sting of infestations with the help of Stern Environmental today.

The University of Connecticut on Bee and Wasp Abatement – What to Know

The University of Connecticut on Bee and Wasp Abatement - What to Know
The University of Connecticut on Bee and Wasp Abatement – What to Know

Bees and wasps are valuable members of the food chain, but that doesn’t make them welcome house guests. The University of Connecticut shares helpful information about bee and wasp abatement.

Bee and Wasp Behavior

• Generally, bees and wasps won’t sting unless they detect a threat to themselves or their nests. Leave hives undisturbed unless they’re in close proximity to humans, such as near a building entrance.

• Yellow jackets, hornets and paper wasps don’t reuse nests from one year to the next. If it’s fall and the nest is in an isolated part of the property, leaving it there may be the safest course of action.

• Commercial sprays can be applied directly to the opening of a nest. Infestations inside the home may call for use of an insect bomb.

• Attic grates, vents and other small openings should be screened over or caulked to prevent bees and wasps from entering.

Treating Bee and Wasp Stings

• If the stinger is still embedded in the flesh, use a fingernail or piece of plastic to gently scrape it out.

• Apply a damp paste of table salt or baking soda to the wound and let it sit for 30 minutes.

• If the sting victim has a history of allergies, contact a doctor immediately.

Choose Stern Environmental Group for Effective Bee and Wasp Abatement

Our bee and wasp abatement services include round-the-clock emergency hive removal. Contact us for more information.

What Restaurants and Businesses Need to Know About Wasps and Premise Liability

What Restaurants and Businesses Need to Know About Wasps and Premise Liability
What Restaurants and Businesses Need to Know About Wasps and Premise Liability

The word “liability” can strike fear in the most seasoned of restaurant or business owners. Sometimes invasive species can bring liability to your door. Normally minor painful stings from bees or wasps can turn deadly when a person is allergic to them. Are stinging insects becoming a nuisance in your establishment? Hiring the Stern Environmental NJ pest control team makes the best sense!

Protect Your Business and Your Customers

Hundreds of thousands of people are sent to the hospital each year due to bee stings. Imagine the potential for liability from customers who may encounter life-threatening scenarios at your storefront because of pest infestations.

When the seasons change from summer to fall, bees become increasingly aggressive. They’re on a mission to forage for food to stock up for their queens and the encroaching chill. Swarms of stinging insects are frightening to experience, especially for vulnerable customers who may just be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

When you enlist the help of your friendly NJ pest control professionals, you’re reducing the threat of liability payments, lawsuits, and hospital visits.

Stern Environmental Keeps Your Interests in Mind

Contact Stern Environmental’s NJ pest control team today to keep bees away and business booming. Don’t be liable for some aggressive insects stinging your bottom line. Your business should run smoothly, without the threat of unpredictable liabilities.