Tag Archives: Summer Pests

Insect Control, News, Stinging Insects, Wasps

The Do’s and Don’ts of What to Do When In Vicinity of a Wasp

How to Deal With Living With Wasps as Neighbors
How to Deal With Living With Wasps as Neighbors

Surrounded by wasps in your yard? Don’t panic. There are ways to safeguard yourself and reduce the severity of a wasp attack. Learn the do’s and don’ts of dealing with wasps from the NJ pest control experts at Stern Environmental. 

What to Do If You’re Approached/Attacked by Wasps

– When approached by a wasp, keep calm and move slowly away.

– If you have to escape, leave in a straight line, be as quiet as possible, and try not to wave your arms.

– Do the best you can to protect your head and face. These areas are a frequent target of wasps.

What NOT to Do

When attacked by wasps, NEVER:

– Swat wasps or swing your arms, which makes wasps more aggressive.

– “Play dead” (wasps will just keep stinging).

– Use water for shelter (wasps will simply attack when you reemerge).

Ways to Reduce the Likelihood of Wasp Attack

– Keep your yard neat and clean.

– Keep food and drinks carefully contained/covered, especially sugary drinks.

– Wash your hands (and your kids’) free of sugars before going outside.

– Check for wasp activity before gardening, especially around fruit and sweet-smelling flowers, where wasps frequent. 

– Wear closed-toed shoes.

– Avoid wearing bright clothes and strong scents.

– Never approach or attempt to remove a wasp nest yourself.

Don’t get carried away. Deal with wasps quickly, avoiding large infestations and dangerous situations. Contact the NJ pest control pros at Stern Environmental today.

Ants, Insect Control, News, Pest Control

Keep Ants Out of Your Office this Summer

Is That an Ant Between Your Computer Keys? Here's How to Keep Ants Out of Your Office.
Is That an Ant Between Your Computer Keys? Here’s How to Keep Ants Out of Your Office.

Ants are common nuisance insects and NJ pest control experts know warmer spring weather means ants are likely to venture out into homes and offices. Luckily, however, with a few proactive steps you can prevent these pests from crawling across your floors and counters.

How to Prevent Unwelcome Insect Guests

Ants searching for food and water often infiltrate occupied spaces, and office kitchens are one of their favorites. They may also be found in bathroom spaces, basements, and near HVAC systems. You can keep ants away by limiting the attractiveness of these sites:

– Keep spills and crumbs contained.

– Store food in tightly-sealed containers.

– Regularly dispose of garbage.

– Seal cracks/holes on the building and around windows/doors.

– Ensure weather stripping is tightly fitted.

– Trim branches/shrubbery well away from the building structure.

– Call for professional help promptly if ants infiltrate the premises.

Know Trouble When You See It

Though most ants are simply bothersome, particularly Argentine ants, a few species of ants can pose a threat to the health of office workers, office property, and building structures, requiring prompt attention. These include:

– Odorous house ants, which can contaminate food sources with the germs and chemicals they emit.

– Fire ants, which inflict a painful sting. 

– Carpenter ants, which tunnel through wood, forming nests that damage building structures.

Ants taking over your office? Give them their marching orders with the help of the NJ pest control pros at Stern Environmentaltoday.

Animal Control, Pest Animal Removal, Pest Control, Pest Management, Pest News

Wet and Warm Winter Accounts for Spring and Summer Pest Problems

Last Winter's Mild Temperatures Will Lead to Increased Pests this Summer.
Last Winter’s Mild Temperatures Will Lead to Increased Pests this Summer.

Mild winters can be a great respite, but as NJ pest control experts will affirm – they’ll come back to haunt you in the summer. After the past winter’s exceedingly mild temperatures, a little evasive action may be necessary to weather this summer’s swarms.

What Can You Do to Fight Back Against the Burgeoning Pest Population?

• Be on alert.
Regularly inspect the perimeter of your home for pests, indoors and out, keeping food and habitat sources far away. This includes storing firewood 20 feet away, mowing the lawn, mulching, and keeping branches and shrubs trimmed and away from walls.

• Close-up shop.
Open garage and screen doors will allow both airborne and pedestrian pests like cockroaches, mice and rats easy access. Keep them shut out in favor of screened-in cooling options.

• Don’t be hospitable.
As soon as you notice even the smallest wasp or mud dauber nest, knock it down before it can become a dangerous nuisance.

• Don’t let water stand.
Stay on top of standing water to avoid hosting a mosquito breeding ground. Check your entire property, and improve drainage if necessary.

• Be repellent.
We can’t say this enough, from Lyme-disease carrying ticks to Zika and West Nile carrying mosquitoes, when you engage in outdoor activities use spay-on repellents and insect-repelling clothes to stay safe.

Picnic time? Beat bugs to the punch. Contact the NJ pest control experts at Stern Environmental today.

Commercial Services, Insect Control, News, Pest Control, Residential Services, Stinging Insects

Summer Pests in New Jersey

Summer Pests
Summer Pests

Summer in New Jersey doesn’t necessarily start on June 21. For a lot of commercial facilities, the season begins when the first summer pests start to appear.

Typical summer pests in the Garden State include some well-known names …

  • Wasps: Wasp stings are painful and can cause severe redness and swelling, as well as life-threatening allergic reactions.
  • Japanese beetles: These shiny green beetles with copper wings are deadly to roses, tress and 300 other plant species.

…and a few bugs that may be unfamiliar to you …

  • Scale pests: These tiny parasites suck the sap from landscape plants, killing the host.
  • Bagworms: These worms are recognizable the distinctive web-like nests they spin on tree limbs.
  • Stink bugs: True to their name, stink bugs emit a foul smell when captured – but the real danger is in the damage they cause to agricultural and landscape plants.

Fight back!
There’s no need for New Jersey summer pests to cause damage to your property, endanger your landscape and bother your staff and customers.

You can call on Stern Environmental Group, a fully licensed and insured full-service commercial pest management company. Our services are particularly significant to businesses like restaurants, hotels and motels, warehouses, office buildings, and any other facility where people do not want to encounter insects.

Contact Stern Environmental Group before summer pests turn into a year-round hassle.