Tag Archives: Wildlife Control

Nuisance Wildlife Control

Opossums…Harmless Or A Nuisance?

There is no other animal that is quite like the strange looking opossum.  This marsupial is a somewhat slow moving creature but is known for its cunning ability to outsmart even the smartest animal that is hunting it down.  It faces its doom by looking death straight in the eyes.  The opossum will gladly play…opossum…in an effort to avoid being attacked by other creatures.  The cleaver display is often enough for many animals to leave the “dead” opossum alone.  Once alone the critter will scurry off to safety.

Opossums are pretty docile in that you won’t find them attacking your dogs or cats while they are in the backyard.  They are scavengers that roam around and eat a wide variety of food sources.  They typically make their beds in dense bushes or hollow trees.  When the weather is harsh, the resourceful opossum will seek new living quarters for itself and it’s young in a more sheltered environment.  Attics and crawl spaces provide the perfect habitat for a cold opossum.

Opossums are always on the hunt for food no matter the time of year as they do not store food for energy like some other critters do.  Depending on the time of year, opossums will eat fruits, plants, grain, insects, earthworms, and deceased animals that it happens upon.  During the winter months when food is scarce, opossums are attracted to the scraps of food and garbage that humans create.  Once they discover a food source, it won’t take long for them to try to gain access to a nearby house.

Opossums will bring a host of unwanted parasites into your home.  They are known carriers of fleas, ticks, and even lice.  These unwanted guests will damage insulation as they build their nests and their urine and feces will quickly permeate the ceiling of a home that an opossum has invaded.

For fast removal of unwanted opossums, contact Stern Environmental Group.

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.

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

Squirrels Listed In The “Top 100 Invasive Species”

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Personally, I think that squirrels are cute.  They frolic through the yard without a care in the world.  I found a baby squirrel that was lost or abandoned by its mother a few years back. That baby was soft as silk and sweet as can be.  A short time of rehabilitation and it was ready to live in the wild once again.

Here’s an interesting fact…the Eastern Gray Squirrel is listed as one of the Top 100 Invasive Species in the world by the Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).  How can a critter that looks so sweet be considered “invasive” you might ask?…probably for a variety of reasons!

The Eastern Gray Squirrel has been successfully thriving from coast to coast in all types of environments in Northern America report New Jersey pest control professionals.

Because of their ability to multiply and expand their horizons, and the damage that they cause to crops, landscaping, as well as all types of structures, the Eastern Gray Squirrel is feared in some parts of Canada.  About 100 years ago, the Eastern Gray Squirrel was introduced from the United States to Stanley Park in Vancouver Park in Vancouver, BC.  Since then, the squirrels have spread throughout the region, and entomologists and wildlife professionals are concerned about the impact that the squirrels have already caused as well as what they will cause over time.

The problem with squirrels is that they are one of the most destructive pests once they enter into your home.  NJ pest control professionals report that once squirrels make their way indoors and make a nesting site, they are unlikely to leave on their own.  Sealing up entryways while the squirrels are out searching for food each day may help, but squirrels have strong claws and teeth that enable them to rip and chew their way through many types of material.  Because of their constant need to file down their continually growing teeth, squirrels constantly gnaw on items.  Squirrels have been known to cause electrical wire damage which has caused fires in homes and businesses.

If your home becomes infested by squirrels it is time to call a New York or New Jersey pest control professional.  Stern Environmental Group has experience with humanly capturing wild animals from homes and businesses in New York and New Jersey.

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.