Tag Archives: NYC rats

Disease Carrying Pests, News, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Rats, Rodent Control

What’s That Smell? Critter Cologne Is NYC’s New Rat Strategy

What's That Smell? Critter Cologne Is NYC's New Rat Strategy
What’s That Smell? Critter Cologne Is NYC’s New Rat Strategy

Could a cologne be the key to solving NYC’s rat problem? Scientists have been looking into using male and female rat pheromones to deter rats from going to certain areas. While this critter cologne is still being studied, keep in mind that you’ll need to rely on professional NJ pest control if you have a problem with these rodents.

Rat Pheromones

Pheromones are scent hormones given off by male and female rats. Researchers found that rats tend to avoid visiting areas that are filled with the scent of male rat pheromones. Instead, they typically visit areas where female rat pheromones are more distinct.

Using male-scented rat pheromones could end up being a way to keep rats away from certain areas. One problem with this approach is that it attracted more cats than usual, which could lead to other problems.

Dealing with Rats

Pheromone critter colognes aren’t on the market yet, so it’s important to have pest control experts handle rat infestations for you. Relying on professionals helps ensure that your rat problem is under control, which helps lower your risk of disease, property damage, food contamination, and other issues. Pest control experts can also help reduce your risk of having more rat problems in the future.

If your property has a rat problem, contact Stern Environmental for NJ pest control services. We can safely eliminate rats or other rodents and pests from your property.

Disease Carrying Pests, News, Rats, Rodent Control

Wild Norway Rat Behaviors Impact Commercial Businesses

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Wild Norway Rat Behaviors Impact Commercial Businesses
Wild Norway Rat Behaviors Impact Commercial Businesses

Norway rats weren’t always a problem for business owners in the NJ and NYC areas. However, these invasive rats have become a big issue in our region. Knowing more about their behavior can help you understand why they’ve been so successful at building large populations and why they’re such a menace to local business owners.

High Birth Rates

Norway rats don’t have a long life span. In fact, they only live for about a year in the wild. However, these rodents make up for that short life span by having a high rate of birth. Norway rats were found to have a birth rate that falls between one and six percent per month when conditions favor their reproduction. This allows them to maintain larger populations in many areas even if individual rats don’t live very long. These large populations also make professional NJ rat control a must for business owners who have an infestation of these rodents.

Food Access 

Norway rats in the wild sometimes live completely apart from humans, but this usually doesn’t last long. These rats have learned that food is easy to find around human dwellings and businesses, causing them to hang around dumpsters or get into restaurants, homes and other buildings.

If Norway rats are invading your building, Stern Environmental can provide prompt help. Contact us to learn more about our NJ rat control services.

Animal Control, News, Pest Animal Removal, Rats, Rodent Control

Incredible? NYC Says “We Are At War!” – Against Rats That Is

Don't Let the Next Ratatouille Movie Go Down at Your Home!
Don’t Let the Next Ratatouille Movie Go Down at Your Home!

Climate change isn’t just fueling wacky weather patterns. In recent news, it has been pinpointed as the likely cause of New York’s rising rodent epidemic. Buoyed by warmer temperatures, the rat population in the Big Apple is burgeoning, leading to a rise in rat-related complaints.

Surge in Rat Activity Nationwide

Warmer temperatures are lengthening the breeding season, with rat populations rising as the absence of cold temperatures fails to slow reproduction. While NYC and NJ pest control companies have seen an increase in rat-related calls to the city, up 10% in 2016, they are far from alone.

Other big cities, including Boston, Houston, Philadelphia, and Washington are also witnessing a surge in rat activity and subsequent complaints. Service requests are through the roof, and beleaguered pest control professionals are struggling to keep up.

This Means War

To combat the pestilence, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a $32-million plan in 2017 aimed at eradicating the rodents. In addition to sanitation and building improvement initiatives, city exterminators can now gas rats to death in their burrows in heavily-infested areas rather than resorting to ecologically-damaging poisons.

Despite such tactics, de Blasio fears rodents will prevail, taking advantage of a city that is highly-populated, laden with old, holey-buildings and a wonderland of waste.

Battle weary? Don’t give up yet. Turn the tide against rats with the help of the NJ pest control veterans at Stern Environmental today. 

Animal Control, Commercial Services, Disease Carrying Pests, News, Pest Animal Removal, Pest Control, Pest News, Rats, Rodent Control

What Do New Jersey and New York City Rats Eat?

What Do New Jersey and New York City Rats Eat?
What Do New Jersey and New York City Rats Eat?

Rats are survivors in the wild. They have to be like any other wildlife species that must fend for itself, which means their diet is diverse from day to day depending on what’s available.

Feeding Behavior

Rats eat just about anything when the opportunity arises. Outside, they’ll climb trees to get to the fruit, invade vegetable gardens, enjoy a feeding buffet bonanza at bird feeders, and forage through garbage cans. If you feed squirrels, they’ll eat the nuts and if you feed a pet outdoors, they’ll finish off what’s left in the bowl.

The fast-footed rodent is also a hoarder. They may eat a portion, then, like a squirrel, hide the rest for snacking later. They’re also careful about what they eat since the menu isn’t always the same. To make sure something they aren’t familiar with won’t make them sick, they do a taste test.

When rats get access to the inside of your home, a rat exterminator is the best approach to eliminating these pests. They’ll continue to forage for food scraps in the garbage, pet food bowls, and will eat through food packaging when the opportunity arises.

When a rat exterminator is next on your list of priority things to do, Stern Environmental is just a phone call away. We’ll schedule one of our professional technicians to dispatch rats quickly and efficiently. Call today and send the rat pack on its way.

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

NYC Rats: Where Do They Go When It Gets Cold?

Where do Rats go During the Wintertime?
Where do Rats go During the Wintertime?

When you own or operate a commercial business, one area that can be problematic is dealing with unwanted rodents entering the building. This is a year-round issue but especially troublesome during the winter months when rats are looking for warm places to hunker down.

What are Rats Looking for in a Hiding Place?

Like other outdoor residents, their primary concern is finding a warm place to inhabit followed by access to food sources and water.

Garbage cans inside and outside of a building are prime targets for food; standing water and dripping faucets provide hydration.

If there are areas inside their targeted building where food is stored, cooked, or eaten, then any opening, crack, or crevice left unattended will allow them to access to these areas.

Where are Prime Hiding Places Located?

Do a visual inspection to find sources of access such as split screens on windows or doors, gaps around doors and windows, behind air conditioning vents, behind the walls, and in the ceiling.

Rats are masters at managing their way into what may seem like an impossible opening. Being aware of popular hiding places allows you to repair/secure these areas.

What Should You Do?

The answer is to schedule an inspection with NYC rodent exterminator specialists. Professional technicians are adept at ferreting out hiding places and eliminating unwanted rodent residents.

If you need the assistance of NYC rodent exterminator experts, contact Stern Environmental.