Tag Archives: Animal Pest Control

Animal Control, News, Nuisance Wildlife Control, Pest Animal Removal, Raccoons

What to Know About Raccoon Breeding Season in New Jersey

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

Raccoons can be amusing to watch when they’re outside, but they can be a nuisance indoors. Knowing more about their breeding habits can help you understand what to expect if these critters get into your home. Keep in mind that you’ll need professional NJ raccoon control if they’re living in your attic or walls.

When Do Raccoons Breed?

Raccoons typically breed in late winter and early spring from February to March. However, these animals can breed earlier in winter or later in spring. Raccoons in your home could be breeding as early as December in some cases. If this occurs, you can expect to have a litter to deal with as well.

Raccoon litters usually have between four and six babies, and mothers are known for being fiercely protective of their young. This could result in injuries to you or your pets if you come across these critters in or on your property.

What to Do About Raccoons

Raccoons can put you at risk of injuries or cause damage to your home. You might have raccoons in your attic or walls if they’re looking for a warm area for breeding and raising a litter. You should have professional raccoon control experts handle their removal, so that you won’t get hurt.

If you have raccoons in your attic or walls, contact Stern Environmental. We provide dependable NJ raccoon control services in NJ.

Animal Control, News, Nuisance Wildlife Control, Pest Animal Removal, Wildlife Control

University of Maryland Offers Tips on Groundhog Control

University of Maryland Offers Tips on Groundhog Control
University of Maryland Offers Tips on Groundhog Control

Remember the dancing groundhog that tormented groundskeeper Bill Murray in Caddyshack? Experts from the University of Maryland explain why NJ groundhog control is no laughing matter.

Characteristics and Habits of Groundhogs

While groundhogs are part of the squirrel family, they tend to be larger, nearly two feet in length and a weight of 10 pounds or more. The most distinctive feature of groundhogs, or woodchucks as they’re also known, is their powerful front feet used for digging burrows.

A groundhog’s burrow may reach as deep as five feet. There is often more than one entrance, and they are expanded to accommodate the groundhog’s growth. Eventually, a fully developed network of burrows can cover anywhere from eight to 66 feet.

Since groundhogs are herbivores, eating mostly vegetation, they can cause major damage to vegetable and flower gardens. Their burrows may also extend under sheds and other outdoor structures

DIY NJ Groundhog Control

Keep groundhogs out by surrounding gardens with a sturdy four-foot fence that reaches one foot below ground. Add an electric fence wire four to five inches off the ground to prevent groundhogs from climbing over. Live traps can be set with fresh fruits or vegetables as bait.

Experienced NJ Groundhog Control Services

Technicians from Stern Environmental Group will remove groundhogs from your property using effective and humane methods. Contact us for more information about our comprehensive pest control services.

Pest Management, Rodent Control

Incredible? Chocolate Being Tested as Rodent Control Bait

Incredible? Chocolate Being Tested as Rodent Control Bait
Incredible? Chocolate Being Tested as Rodent Control Bait

Who doesn’t love the luscious taste of chocolate? Apparently even rodents have a fondness for the sweet treat. Could chocolate become an effective tool in our NJ pest control treatments?

The Lure of Chocolate

In an effort to reduce use of poisons, the biosecurity team in Greater Wellington, NZ has been conducting a novel experiment using chocolate as bait in self-setting rodent traps. Testing is taking place at Te Ahumairangi Hill, a heavily wooded area running through the Town Belt of Wellington.

Results are being tracked by ink-covered cards placed in tunnels to capture footprints. So far the test has been a success, with the rodent population remaining at low levels.

Benefits of “Sweet” Traps

Senior Biosecurity Officer Paul Horton explains the benefits of using chocolate as a rodent lure:

– Birds aren’t attracted to the smell of chocolate, making them less likely to get caught in traps.

– Chocolate bait lasts for six months and traps can kill two dozen rodents before being replaced, reducing the need for staff to spend time checking them.

Urban Ecology Manager Daniela Biaggio adds that this innovative plan is a safe way to maintain diversity of wildlife in an urban environment.

State-of-the-Art NJ Pest Control 

Stern Environmental Group uses the most current and effective methods in our NJ pest control programs. Contact us today to get peace of mind with a pest-free home, office or business.

Animal Control, Pest Animal Removal, Residential Services, Squirrel Control, Squirrels, Wildlife Control

Don’t Poison Squirrels – Use Catch and Remove Instead

While squirrels may be fun to watch as they scurry from tree to tree or maybe you enjoy feeding them peanuts or sunflower seeds, they can become a nuisance and do damage to your home.

This is especially true during the winter when they prefer the attic in someone’s home where it is relatively warm versus facing the cold elements of the outdoors. They also look for cozy places to build nests and raise their young until they’re old enough to move outside.

Removing Squirrels

NJ squirrel removal is best left to the professionals who know how to find entry points and then trap the squirrels to be moved to another location. It’s best to remember that squirrels are wild and very agile. If cornered, they have the ability to jump, which may be on you, as well as bite and scratch.

Do not attempt to remove squirrels yourself as it could be dangerous and you should never use a poisonous substance as it isn’t effectual or humane. With a catch and remove approach, squirrels can be safely trapped in specially designed cages and removed by experts.

When NJ squirrel removal is necessary for the protection of your home, contact the professionals at Stern Environmental Group. Our services provide fast and efficient humane squirrel trapping and removal. Call us today about squirrels in the attic and let us take care of making your home squirrel-free.

 

Animal Control, Mice, News, Pest Animal Removal, Rats

Are Rat and Mouse Bait Stations Used for Rodent Extermination Safe?

When confronted with a rat or mouse problem, one option to consider is the use of bait stations. But the question is, are they safe?

Consumer Bait Stations

Four tiers have been created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for bait stations with varying protection levels. It’s up to the consumer which bait station(s) will work for their individual situation.

Tier 1 bait stations are resistant to children, dogs, outdoor weather, and indoor conditions.

Tier 2 is resistant to children, dogs, and indoor conditions.

Tier 3 is resistant to children and indoor conditions.

Tier 4 is only resistant to indoor conditions.

Environmental Protection Agency Criteria

When using bait stations, safety is important. In order to be considered tamper-resistant, stations must:

Be resistant to resistant to weather.

– Prohibit entry by children or dogs.

– Can be sealed or locked.

– Provides rodent entrances only.

– Can be anchored.

– Minimal spillage.

– Cannot be attractive to children in design or color.

– Capable of visual precautionary statements.

If you are experiencing a rodent problem and need help, hiring the professional services of a NYC rodent extermination company offers the best options for fast and efficient service.

At Stern Environmental Group, we have NYC rodent extermination specialists with the experience necessary to handle the job of removal safely from start to finish. Call, email, or use the convenient contact form to set up an appointment.