Tag Archives: Bees

Bees, Commercial Services, News, Wasps

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.

Bees, Insect Control, Stinging Insects, Wasps

Tips to Preventing Customer Bee and Wasp Stings on Your Restaurant’s Patio

Identifying Hornets and Their Nests Can Help Reduce Stings.
Identifying Hornets and Their Nests Can Help Reduce Stings.

NJ restaurant bee and wasp abatement is a critical step in keeping your customers sting free. While patrons dining in the restaurant’s patio area might like a little “bite” to their meal, there’s no doubt they’d rather it be in their food than on their bodies.

Types of Stinging Pests

The following are known problem makers due to their attraction to nearby nesting places (eaves, trees) and accessibility to food, fragrances, bright colors, and proteins.

  • Honeybees
  • Bumblebees
  • Paper Wasps
  • Yellowjackets
  • Hornets

Single Stings versus Multiple Stings

Whether a customer is stung once by a honeybee or multiple times by a single aggressive wasp, it causes pain to the victim. In the case of those who are allergic to bee stings, it can be a fatal situation if an antitoxin isn’t administered within minutes of the incident. For restaurateurs with outside dining, the possibility of this type of situation should be avoided at all costs.

Bees and wasps usually stick to themselves, but if provoked, or their hunt for food takes them to your customers, stings may be part of your diner’s menu. Avoid attempting removal of hives or honeycombs yourself. Leave that to the professionals.

If you’re in need of NJ restaurant bee and wasp abatement service, Stern Environmental has the personnel and equipment to keep the buzz at bay. Give us a call if you have any questions or to schedule an appointment.

Bees, Insect Control, News, Pest Management, Stinging Insects, Wasps, Yellow Jackets

Hornets, Wasps, Yellow Jackets – What You Need to Know Part Two

Hornets, Wasps, Yellow Jackets - What You Need to Know
Hornets, Wasps, Yellow Jackets – What You Need to Know

In our last post we talked about how you can properly identify hornets, wasps and yellow jackets. We also discussed how you can avoid an encounter with them on your property. Of course, sometimes these insects just get out of hand. When that happens, you need the help of NJ & NYC pest control experts.

Taking NJ & NYC Pest Control Into Your Own Hands

Far too many homeowners and business owners make the decision to remove wasps, hornets and yellow jackets themselves. This is a dangerous decision that could result in painful stings.

Destroying nests early on in their development can be effective. However, usually nests aren’t spotted until they’re well underway. You want to avoid doing any of the following:

  • Trying to flood nests under the ground with water
  • Pouring gasoline or kerosene on nests
  • Vacuuming a nest

Also, commercial traps may be little more than a waste of money. Professional pest control keeps you safe, and it gets the job done properly.

The Methods of Experienced Pest Control Pros

Hive removal is the most effective way to take care of your hornet, wasp or yellow jacket problem. The professionals at Stern Environmental understand the best ways to do this. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a worry-free summer without fear of being stung by any of these pests? We can make it happen for you!

If you have questions, please contact us right away!

Bees, News, Stinging Insects

NJ Home Owners: Get Ready for Carpenter Bee Season

Honey Bees
Bee Season

When bee season is in full bloom, home owners can expect a variety of problems the biggest one being the carpenter bee whose favorite pastime is burrowing into wood.

As late spring blends into early summer, carpenter bees will make their presence known, one way or another. While the larger male bee may plan diversionary tactics and terrorize you, your friends and family, and outdoor pets should you approach their home base, it’s the females who get an attitude and provide the stinging action.

The sting is very painful and serious for those with allergic reactions to bee stings and another good reason to contact the professional technicians at Stern Environmental Group for assistance.

Carpenter bees love to create tunnels in wood that is susceptible to chewing such as damaged or weathered pieces. Once they create their network, the bees set up their burrows within the wood and set up household.

With all the chewing and tunneling, it is pretty clear by doing a visual inspection of the exterior portions of the wood on your home, garage, shed, or carport, that these flying, stinging insects can wreak havoc that can lead to costly wood replacements and repairs to the affected areas.

When bees begin to buzz, it’s time to contact the professionals at Stern Environmental Group for answers and help. During bee season, you’re going to need more than a fly swatter to tackle bee infestations.

Bees, Commercial Services, Insect Control, News, Pest Control, Pest Management, Residential Services

New Legislation May Save Bees from Pests

Honeybee Protection Legislation
Honeybee Protection Legislation

In keeping with watching legislation for pesticides, Stern Environmental is watching the news for you. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have recognized that the factors causing honey bee losses are complex. They include nutrition, pesticides, pathogens and genetics. However, the the USDA and the EPA have also stated that the Varroa mite is the most detrimental pest to honey bees in the United States.

About the Varroa Mite
The Varroa mite is a small reddish-brown parasite that feeds on the hemolymph of honeybees. The cuts it makes on the bodies of bees can cause infections. These mites enter the brood cells before they are capped and will lay eggs inside while also feeding on the growing bee.

Bee Health Legislation
A bill introduced by congressman Austin Scott, R-Ga., seeks to increase the availability of products that would help to control Varroa mites and other threats to bee health. The bill would expedite the EPAs review of products for improving the health of bees. Products designated as reduced risk pesticides would have review times shortened by three months.

Honeybees provide over $15 billion dollars in increased value to crops every year, which makes the control of Varroa mites extremely important. However, it is important to note that honeybees can infest your property. If this occurs, they should not be treated as pests; instead, their hives should be removed carefully. Although Stern specializes in pest bee control; we can put you in touch with the proper person to remove and relocate honeybees as they are protected by law and we do not exterminate them. Please contact us to get honeybee hives safely removed.