Tag Archives: Wildlife Control

Raccoons

Raccoons…The Houseguest That Never Wants To Leave

Raccoons are interesting animals to watch.  They are nocturnal, so being able to view them foraging for food, climbing a tree, or playing with each other is a special treat.  For many people, the adorable masked faces of a raccoon makes them look like they are an animal to make friends and cuddle up with, but in reality, they are wild animals that humans should not interact with.

Raccoons are intelligent critters that adapt well to human surroundings.  They enjoy nibbling on pet food that is left outdoors and any trash can that is not secured serves as an all-night buffet for a hungry raccoon.  They have extremely strong paws with five long skinny toes which are quite similar to human hands.

Because of their keen mind, clear-cut will, and strong paws, a raccoon will look for ways to gain access to a structure to escape the elements report NJ pest control professionals.  Female raccoons find crawl spaces, attics, chimneys, and under porches, to be great places to rear their young as they are well protected from the cold, wind, rain, and from predators.

Once raccoons have made your home or business their home, you cannot just chase it off and then seal off the entry hole.  Many have tried this tactic only to find in a short time that the raccoon has returned and has caused an even greater amount of damage than what originally occurred.

Convincing a raccoon that your New Jersey home or business is not a good place to be has proven to be useless.  You need the help of a licensed pest control professional like Stern Environmental Group.  Our technicians are trained to humanely trap raccoons so they are no longer a problem for you.

Nuisance Wildlife Control

Attics Make The Perfect Nesting Spot For Wildlife Mom’s To Be

Springtime warmth brings about beautiful flowers blooming and glorious green grass.  It’s a time of growth and renewal that is anticipated by everyone, especially those who have endured the cold blast from Mother Nature for months on end.  Humans are not the only ones that appreciate the onset of spring.  Insects begin to develop and emerge from their winter hiding places and some wild animals seem to appear out of nowhere.

Many types of animals tend to mate towards the end of the winter season. Female squirrels, rodents, and raccoons seek a safe location to have their babies. Homes may have been safe from wildlife during the winter months, but early springtime wildlife invaders are a common problem in New York and New Jersey report Manhattan Pest Control professionals.

For survival, all wildlife need the same things that humans do…food, water and shelter.  It does not take long for clever critters to discover a human home that would also be a suitable home for them.  Raccoons are extremely smart are will take advantage of the smallest breach that will allow them access to a home.  Raccoons are able to use their strong near human-like hands to tear open damaged roofing, soffits, or vents that are in disrepair.  Raccoons are also known to take up residence in the confines of a chimney which can have devastating results.  Squirrels are also clever with strong claws which are able to rip open a wide variety of materials. Small rodents such as rats or mice can easily squeeze into tiny cracks or crevices.

Angry raccoon Mom’s that have babies in the attic will become extremely aggressive and defensive if anyone tries to evict them.  Raccoons are not a good houseguest.  They cause significant damage to insulation with their excessive feces and urine. Additionally, raccoons are known to carry a wide variety of diseases and parasites that can be transmitted to humans.

Raccoons

Raccoons Are So Cute! Do I Really Want To Get Rid Of Them?

Who does not love a raccoon?  They look like they are sweet and cuddly creatures that would be fun to play around with.  Their sweet little masked faces, pointed nose, and long whiskers make raccoons stand out as a critter like no other.

Raccoons are nocturnal feeders, but they are occasionally seen during the daytime hours.  Sometimes raccoons are out during the daytime because their nesting site has been disturbed by a predator and they must make a quick retreat.  Other times raccoons might be found outdoors foraging for food or water during the daytime hours when food is in short supply or when drought conditions exist.

Raccoons prefer to live in areas where trees provide ample cover and a water source is nearby.  As human habitats have spread into raccoon territories, raccoons have become well adept at living alongside humans.  Gardens, unattended pet food, garbage cans, water bowls, and swimming pools have proven to provide ample food and water sources for raccoons.  Additionally, raccoons often find human structures to be a suitable nesting site during the cold winter months and a good place to raise their young.  They are more likely to come indoors during the winter or spring, but you can hear the pitter patter of raccoon feet any time of the year.

When raccoons inhabit an attic they have a communal site that they use as a latrine.  Raccoon feces are known to have roundworms and roundworm eggs which are extremely dangerous when transmitted to humans.  It is highly recommended that the cleanup of raccoon feces be handled professionally as it requires taking extreme caution and a high level of expertise.

Stern Environmental Group provides 24 hour humane emergency raccoon removal services in the New York City metro area as well as parts of Long Island and parts of New Jersey.  Call us for fast removal of raccoons, nest removal, feces removal, disinfection, and deodorization of the affected area.

Groundhogs

What Kind Of Damage Can A Groundhog Do?

For many people, groundhogs are interesting furry critters that are fun to watch scurry around to and fro.  Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks and whistle dogs.  Despite them being ground dwelling critters, they are members of the squirrel family.  Unlike other animals such as raccoons, they are not typically an aggressive species when they come in contact with humans or pets.

Although it can be neat watching these wild animals up close near our home, there is a danger to having them living on your property.  A single groundhog is capable of moving up to 700 pounds of soil as it completes its tunneling system.  Depending on where the tunnel runs are, the lack of soil can undermine the foundation of a home, shed, garage, deck, gazebo, or patio area.

Groundhogs are also known for their voracious appetites. Feeding in the morning and evening hours, it is not uncommon for one groundhog to consume two pounds of fresh vegetation each day.  To an avid gardener, this can quickly put an end to a vegetable garden or special landscaping.  Besides consuming various types of fruits and vegetables, groundhogs will also eat expensive ornamental plants if they find them to be tasty treats.

Homeowners often try groundhog repellents, which rarely work at keeping groundhogs away.  Once groundhogs begin to breed in April or May, there will soon be baby groundhogs to contend with as well.  Babies only stay with their mother for about five weeks before venturing off on their own.  They do not stray far though. Baby groundhogs often dig up nearby tunnels for their new den in the same area as their mother resides…and the cycle repeats itself.

NJ pest control professionals know that the only way to rid an area of groundhogs is to hire licensed pest control professional with experience in wildlife removal.  Stern Environmental Group has the expertise to properly remove groundhogs in a humane way.  Call us today for fast service.

Raccoons

Raccoons Are Cute But Dangerous To Handle

Raccoons are common creatures that live throughout all areas in North America. NJ pest control professionals report that they are in fact more commonly found in urban areas than in rural areas.

NJ raccoons are a difficult animal to deal with as adults will reach large sizes and weigh 50 pounds, often heavier than most household pets.  They are not afraid of any size dog or cat that they encounter near a home and will not hesitate to steal food that is left out, or enter a home to devour food that is left out for fluffy or Fido.  Because of their intelligence and resourceful hands, it is not uncommon for the cleaver raccoon to open stored pet food containers and eat until they are stuffed.  An exterior pet door is an open invitation for the raccoon to return each night for its daily meal.  If they don’t make a mess, many homeowners might not even know that they have been in their home.

Raccoons are crafty creatures that are primarily nocturnal critters.  Most people believe that a raccoon that is seen during the day is rabid, but that is not always the case.  Although it is true that raccoons with rabies do act erratic, and off of their normal routine, some raccoons and other nocturnal wildlife are found roaming due to the spread of suburbia.  As more homes, stores, schools, and restaurants are being built, wildlife is forced to find new ways of surviving in their new surroundings.  Often times that means a clash between home and business owners.

Raccoons may look adorable with their masked faces and ringed tails, but they are not an animal that any human should try to make friends with. Raccoons that have made their way into the attic in most instances have baby raccoons hidden in the attic as well.  Raccoon removal should only be handled by a licensed pest control professional like Stern Environmental Group.  We will be able to humanely remove raccoons that have invaded any space and collect any babies that are hidden as well.