Tag Archives: Flying insects

Insect Control, News, Stinging Insects

Why Do Yellow Jacket Stings Hurt So Much?

What to Know About Hornet Attacks
What to Know About Yellow Jackets

Most people have been stung by a wasp at some point in their lifetime.  Why does it hurt so bad? The NJ yellow jacket control professionals at Stern Environmental are here to explain a little behind the science of a wasp’s wrath.

Wasps Sting When Threatened

A single wasp, such as a yellow jacket, can and will sting repeatedly. A cousin to ants and bees, who also live in large colonies, a wasp sting releases a pheromone. This alerts nearby wasps to join in on the stinging/defense party, pursuing you over long distances.

Wasp Venom Stimulates Pain Receptors

Bee and wasp venoms contain an acid called melittin, which stimulates pain receptors. Wasp venom also contains acetylcholine, another pain receptor stimulant. Releasing histamine into your bloodstream as they sting, this combination of chemicals causes burning, itching, and misery.

Ways to Banish the Burn

Applying an ice pack to wasp stings can help reduce the pain and swelling of yellow jacket stings. A paste of water and baking soda can help neutralize the acidic toxins. Sprinkling meat tenderizer, which contains the enzyme papain, can also break down proteins in the venom. Taking an antihistamine immediately after the sting can also help reduce swelling and itching. Known allergy? Always carry an Epi-Pen, and understand its proper usage.

Put your wasp control concerns on ice. Contact the NJ yellow jacket control experts at Stern Environmental today.

Disease Carrying Pests, Insect Control, News, Pest Management

Restaurant Owners – Indoor Flies More Than a Nuisance

Don't Let Pests Get the Better of You in Your Business. We Can Help!
Don’t Let Pests Get the Better of You in Your Business. We Can Help!

Whether you’re dining at home or enjoying a delicious meal at a local restaurant, you don’t want a bombardment of flies to be on the menu. Even a solo bombardier isn’t a welcome guest. When flies are an issue, NJ restaurant pest control should be the first item being served.

Information About Flies

We see them all the time diving, flying, walking, and buzzing around various types of food sources. Indoors, flies are usually found in moist areas such as drains or even the garbage can where they breed and lay their larvae.

Flies range in size from small house flies to very large blowflies. There are also fruit flies, phorid flies, soldier flies, drain flies, moth flies, fungus gnats, and carrion flies.

If you aren’t certain what of pest you’re seeing, keep in mind each type of fly has its own distinctive body structure and coloring. For example, an adult fly has only two wings, while flies in the larvae stage – also referred to as maggots – are nearly translucent and legless. The lifespan of a house fly depends on the temperature, which can mean living for a week to several months. Avoid fly infestations by removing food sources.

NJ restaurant pest control is another professional service provided by Stern Environmental. Our pest control experts will inspect your property and seize the moment to clip the wings and eliminate the aerial acrobatics of fast-flying flies.

Commercial Services, Disease Carrying Pests, Insect Control, Pest News

Flies Landing on Food in a Restaurant Can Cause Serious Risks to Patrons’ Health

You're Not the Only One Who Liked Your Food. Flies do too.
You’re Not the Only One Who Likes Your Food. Flies do too.

Flies are a part of life, and they are generally considered nothing more than annoying little pests. This is especially true during the summer months during picnics, bar-b-cues, or even sitting around outside having snacks. Those pesky little critters love the food as much as you do, and it’s almost a constant ordeal shooing them away as they buzz around your food.

Flies Are Nasty

What you may not know, or may not want to know, is that flies have the potential to carry a host of bacteria and diseases in and on their bodies, and virtually every NYC pest control company knows this. From feeding on fecal matter, rotten food, dead animals or other yukky stuff, flies can transfer all of these disgusting tidbits to the food you’re eating when they land on it. That means flies are nasty every which way you think about them.

What Can You Do?

In many situations, not much. If you’re serving a party with a lot of food set out on tables, flies are going to zero in on the goodies. Your best tactic is to keep the food covered as much as you can, and if possible cut off any portion that a fly has landed on.

If you have any questions about flies and what to do about them, contact the best in NYC pest control, Stern Environmental. Serving the NJ and NYC area.