Tag Archives: NYC wild animal control

Animal Control, Commercial Services, Nuisance Wildlife Control, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Pest Management, Pest News, Residential Services, Rodent Control, Wildlife Control

The Opossum…Friend Or Foe?

Some people think that opossums are interesting creatures, some think they are frightening horrible looking rat-like creatures.  Most people do classify opossums as pests regardless if they are walking through their backyard or inhabiting their attic.

Opossums are the only marsupials that are native to the United States.  They are transient creatures that usually only stay in one area for a period of 2 to 3 days, unless a mother has a litter of babies to take care of.  They are commonly found in agricultural areas, woodlands, and neighborhoods with suitable living environments and food sources.  They are usually attracted to neighborhoods by pet food that is left outdoors, over-ripe fruit that has dropped from trees, and dense shrubbery that they can hide under.

Like other rodents, opossums carry a variety of different vector pests which are dangerous to humans.  Fleas, which transmit Typhus and ticks, which transmit Lyme disease should be of particular concern to homeowners as these diseases can cause lifelong illnesses.

Having opossums around outdoors is not always a bad thing as they are scavengers that feed off of a variety of things.  Being scavengers, their natural diet includes eating plant matter, rotting fruit, insects, snails, slugs, and rodents and other small vertebrate animals, as well as dead animals.  They will not hesitate to invade trash cans and pet food bowls for a tasty meal.

Opossums are very adaptable to the environment surrounding them.  When looking for a suitable nesting site, it is not uncommon for a resourceful opossum to climb a tree or bush that is touching a roof to gain access to a home’s attic space.  Attics provide ample space and shelter from the elements for opossums.  Not being good house guests, these creatures will use the attic as their own personal toilet causing extensive damage to insulation and wood sources.

Stern Environmental Group will be able to humanely remove any opossum that has taken up residence in your NY or NJ home.  Call us today to learn about our opossum removal and exclusion services.

Animal Control, Commercial Services, Nuisance Wildlife Control, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Pest Management, Residential Services, Rodent Control, Squirrels

Say Good-Bye To NJ Squirrels In The Attic

Squirrels are cute, but they are not the brightest critter in your backyard.  In fact, a squirrel’s brain is about the size of a walnut.  New Jersey pest control professionals find that squirrels are quite territorial.  They tend to distinctly mark their territory by urinating, chewing holes, and leaving chew marks for other squirrels to see.

Many New Jersey residents have found that do-it-yourself methods that attempt to keep squirrels out of their home was completely futile.  Adding additional boarding to locations where squirrels have already gained entry will not keep squirrels out.  Their strong teeth and nimble climbing ability allows them to be able to slip in and out of any type of location with the greatest of ease.

You don’t need to worry about squirrels that are rambling through your yard, but you do need to take notice of aggressive “marking” signs that occur on or near your home.  These signs are an indication that a squirrel will soon be calling your home…theirs!  Here’s what to look for…

• On the roof…look for roof shingles that are stained with urine.

• In trees near the home…Look for chew marks left on trees.

• Anywhere on the interior or exterior of the home:  Look for chew marks on electrical wiring.  This can be a very dangerous situation due to potential fire risks!

Like many other types of rodents, squirrels are always working to keep their front incisors in tip-top shape so they will not hesitate to chew on any substance to sharpen their ever- growing teeth.

A New Jersey pest control professional will be able to find the best solution to rid your home of pesky squirrels.  Call Stern Environmental Group for expert services in New Jersey and New York.  We specialize in humane squirrel removal services.

Animal Control, Commercial Services, Nuisance Wildlife Control, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Pest Management, Residential Services, Rodent Control, Squirrels

NJ Pest Control Pros Can Help With Squirrel Invaders

When squirrels invade your attic or any other place in your home, you have a major problem on your hands say New Jersey pest control professionals.  Squirrels may look cute and cuddly with their fluffy tails, pointy nose, and long eyelashes, but in reality, they are a troublesome pest once they decide that your home is good enough to be their home.

Preventing a squirrel invasion in our New Jersey home can be a difficult task.  Squirrels are cleaver critters that use low lying branches from trees to gain access to the roof.  Once on the roof, squirrels will often gain access to the attic by entering through a breach in the attic vent area.  They have even been known to use their strong claws or teeth to break attic vents to gain access.  Squirrels, being the nimble creatures that they are, can easily travel along the gutters and swing their body around under the eve of a home and slip inside under the soffits.  Once they have gained access to your home, that’s when the real trouble begins.

Squirrels choose human habitats for the same reasons that people do…food sources, water, and shelter from the weather.  Once they find a suitable location, they will not leave on their own accord.  In fact, squirrels will continue to return to their nesting location year after year once the nesting site has been established.

Evicting squirrels from your home is not an easy process.  Cornered wild animals feel threatened and will not hesitate to bite and scratch, putting homeowners at great risk.  Stern Environmental Group understands the importance of removing these nuisance pests from a home or business quickly so we offer 24 hour emergency squirrel removal services.

Animal Control, Commercial Services, Nuisance Wildlife Control, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Raccoons, Residential Services, Rodent Control, Squirrels, Wildlife Control

Rodents Invading Your Attic Mean Trouble

The winter months are fast approach on the east coast and humans are not the only ones that are gearing up for the cold months ahead.  New York City and New Jersey pest control professionals report that many other creatures that spend the warmer months outdoors are now looking for a warm spot to hunker down in to escape the upcoming blast of Old Man Winter.

It may begin as an unexplained bang here or there, or maybe some strange scratching noises, or perhaps you’ll hear scampering in your attic, ceiling or wall voids.  The threat of rodents entering your attic is a problem says pest control experts.  Raccoons and squirrels are common rodents that invade homes as the winter months approach.  These pests often cause serious problems for residents in New York and New Jersey as they chew through electrical wiring causing electrical shorts and a fire hazard.  Once these pests arrive, they send pheromones out to others of their species inviting them to join them.

Raccoons are extremely agile creatures that will gain access to your home by tearing attic vents, soffits, and even shingles and roofing boards up.  Their paws are strong and resemble those of a human with long claws attached. Raccoons are curious creatures and scavengers that leave a trail of destruction in their wake.  Raccoons use attics at a nesting site to raise their young and reside as a family.  They defecate and urinate at will, causing serious damage and health threats to humans.

Squirrels may seem fun to watch as they frolic in the trees and garden, but once they gain access to your home, they are a menacing pest to encounter.  Squirrels can squeeze into small openings and gain access to an attic.  If they opportunity presents itself, squirrels won’t hesitate to venture into the main area of the house, helping themselves to food and causing enormous damage as well.

Raccoon and squirrels should not be poisoned to be eliminated and should instead be trapped by a licensed pest control professional with experience in rodent removal services.  For expert services in New York and New Jersey, contact Stern Environmental Group.

Animal Control, Commercial Services, Nuisance Wildlife Control, Pest Control, Raccoons, Residential Services, Wildlife Control

NYC Pest Control Experts Say That Chilly Winter Weather Will Drive Raccoons Indoors

Raccoons look adorable when they are frolicking outdoors, but you never want to have a raccoon invasion inside your home or business.  Soffits, attic vents and even roofing materials are not always enough to keep New York City raccoons from coming in from the cold, warn NYC pest control experts.  As the winter chill continues to rage on throughout the east coast, creatures big and small are seeking warmer shelter.  Raccoons are cleaver and strong creatures.  Once they gain access to your home, it’s difficult to get rid of them.

Left to their own devices, raccoons are known to chew through electrical wires; which has caused serious fires.  They ruin insulation, stored items, and attic wood by leaving feces and urine throughout.  Raccoons do not make good house guests and should be removed by a NYC pest control expert immediately upon discovery.

Some people report receiving conflicting information when they call for help with raccoon removal services.  As a general rule, in New York, people should call the Department of Public Health’s general sanitation unit for help with dead raccoon removal.

If a raccoon appears to be sick or injured, residents should call their local Department of Public Health so that the raccoon can be trapped and euthanized to see if it has the rabies virus.  Raccoons that appear to be acting confused or agitated, are stumbling or falling, are frothing at the mouth, or are acting aggressively without provocation are all exhibiting potential signs of carrying the rabies virus.

Eileen Hagerman, who is the Executive Director of Volunteers for Wildlife, told the Times Beacon Record that “no member of the public should ever attempt to trap raccoons or any wildlife themselves” and “people should never approach or have any contact with the animals.” 

A raccoon’s behavior is naturally unpredictable and you never know if it may be carrying the deadly rabies virus.  If you have a raccoon in your attic, walls, or home, removing the raccoon should be left to a New York pest control expert.  Stern Environmental Group has trained technicians who can humanely remove raccoons from your home or business.  We offer professional raccoon removal services to Secaucus, New Jersey, the Greater New York City Metro and Connecticut Regions.