Everything you need to know about pests

9/22/2022 0 Comments

What Happens In The Fall To Ticks?

You're not the only one who thinks that ticks will start to go away in a few days. In fact, many people in New Jersey, including Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, and beyond, think that ticks aren't a big problem or health risk in the fall. That is not the case, though. Some ticks in New Jersey are a problem all year, not just in the spring and summer.

What Kinds of Ticks are Active in New Jersey During Fall?

The American dog tick, the brown dog tick, the Lone Star tick, and the black-legged tick, also called a deer tick, are the most common types of ticks in the Garden State. Dog ticks and the Lone Star tick will stop moving when it gets colder, but this is not true of deer ticks.

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9/17/2022 1 Comment

New Jersey's Stink Bug Season

Fall means cool mornings, pumpkin spice on EVERYTHING, and stink bugs.

Back-to-school photos are all over social media, Pumpkin Spice is back at Dunkin', and you can buy fall decorations anywhere. Friends, yes, fall is almost here. Some of us will cry on September 22 as we say goodbye to summer, while others will be happy to welcome fall and all its beauty. Whether you like or dislike fall, we have to remind you that it also stinks bug season in New Jersey.

What are stink bugs, first of all?

Great question. Few people like the brown marmorated stink bug and farmers in New Jersey and other states hate it. The Stop BMSB website says that stink bugs are voracious eaters that hurt fruit, vegetable, and nut crops. The BMSB was brought to the United States by accident in the late 1990s. It came from Asia and quickly spread to the mid-Atlantic states, where it did a lot of damage to crops.

Stink bugs are called that because a gland on their thoraxes makes them smell bad. Their smell is a defense mechanism to keep away predators, and stink bugs are not dangerous to human health. They just stink, and not just in one way.

What do stink bugs look like

Here's what you should look for to find stink bugs in and around your house:

Shield-shaped bugs that vary in color from gray to brown
Those with dark and light bands on their bellies
White bands on the antennae and legs

Why do I have stink bugs in and around my house and yard?

When it gets cold outside, we put on our favorite sweatshirts, coats, and beanies to stay warm. Stink bugs look for places that are warm and safe to spend the winter. As the weather starts to get cooler in Jersey City, Hoboken, Union City, Weehawken, and other places in New Jersey, these pests will move inside in large numbers to find shelter. What do they do to get in? Here are a few possible ways:

Spaces around pipes and other utilities
No covers on the vents
There are cracks and holes around the foundation, the windows, and other parts of the building.
Gaps under doors where weather stripping isn't there or isn't working

On a side note, stink bugs aren't the only ones who get inside through the ways we just talked about. Ants, spiders, termites, and other house pests all use these same paths to get inside.

But why are stink bugs coming to my house?

Most likely, stink bugs are drawn to places with light, water, and food. Keep outdoor lighting to a minimum, get rid of moisture buildup inside and outside your home, fix clogged drains and leaky pipes, and keep your kitchen clean and food in containers with tight-fitting lids. These are all great ways to keep stink bugs (and a lot of other bugs and a couple of types of rodents in New Jersey) out of your home.

If you kill stink bugs, they won't come back.

We know it sounds strange, but a lot of people ask us if killing a stink bug will bring more stink bugs. You'll be happy to hear that the short answer is no. Even though stink bugs stink to attract other stink bugs, killing one stink bug won't bring more stink bugs to your home.

How to keep stink bugs from coming into your home

People say that essential oils like mint will naturally keep stink bugs away, but it won't kill them. Diatomaceous Earth is another thing you can do yourself. It is a natural sedimentary rock that contains chemicals that break down the waxy layer that stink bugs use to protect themselves. It works by drying out stink bugs.

If you have stink bugs, the best way to get rid of them is to hire a professional. It's best to plan ahead of time before these bugs become a problem. Jersey City Exterminator starts making stink bug control appointments in the middle of summer BEFORE stink bugs start looking for a place to spend the winter. This service includes both an outside treatment that keeps stink bugs from getting inside and work to keep them out. In simple terms, pest exclusion is the act of making something pest-proof. A licensed Jersey City Exterminator worker will seal off places where pests could get in.

Should you get rid of the stink bugs?

You can certainly live with stink bugs. They don't bite, and they don't have babies inside. But they're bugs... in your house. Uninvited. Jersey City Exterminator can help you avoid stink bugs in and around your home this fall if you live in Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Somerset, or Union County. Contact us today to set up a treatment for your stink bugs, or visit our stink bug control page to learn more.

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9/12/2022 0 Comments

Making Your New Jersey Home Pest-Proof For The Winter

How to keep pests away in the winter

We know it seems too early to think about winter, but Tuesday's cold morning temperatures were a good reminder that, whether we like it or not, winter is coming and will bring higher heating bills, colder weather, and snow/ice storms. This is also the time of year when bad weather sends mice and rats inside to find a warm place to stay and food to eat. Rats and mice may love your home because it's a warm place where they can hide from the cold and get food from your kitchen. And you don't just have to worry about rats and mice. Once bugs figure out that the cold weather is here to stay, they will start coming inside. We've put together a list of tips that New Jersey homeowners can use to keep mice, rats, and other pests out of their homes this winter.

Don't worry, you don't have to be Bob Villa to use these methods to keep bugs and rodents away.

Seal your home so mice and rats can't get in.

Rats stink bugs, spiders, and other bugs may be able to get into your home through small holes and cracks on the outside. Stop the invasion by sealing off possible entry points along the foundation and other outside surfaces with a mixture of silicone-based caulk and steel wool.

Limit time on screens

No, we don't mean that limiting the time you spend on your phone and other devices will keep pests away. However, there are personal benefits to spending less time on devices, but that's a whole other topic that we don't know much about. Rather, fixing the screens on your doors and windows will make your fortress more like a fortress that keeps rodents and bugs out.

Vents, chimneys, and other openings that should be there should not be forgotten.

There have to be some openings that go from the inside to the outside. Your laundry wouldn't be able to vent right without vents. Without a chimney, smoke or worse could get into your house. Instead of closing off these vents, closing down chimneys, or sealing up other openings, we suggest installing materials that let them do their job but keep pests from getting in through those ways. You can put mesh or other things that rodent teeth can't get through over vents and other holes. We also recommend putting chimney caps on.

Get rid of the problem with water.

Insects and other pests can't live without water. When basements, crawl spaces, and even attics are damp or have a lot of water buildup, bugs and rodents like to live there. In order to keep rodents and insects out, you must fix any leaky pipes, run dehumidifiers, and make sure that places with a lot of humidity and moisture have good airflow and are dry.

Remember to clean out your gutters.

Over time, leaves and other things get stuck in gutters. Even though it might not seem like much, it is. Pests love to live in gutters that are full of leaves and other debris. This fall, clean your gutters (watch for falling leaves) and ensure that rainwater can easily flow through the channel and that the downspouts point away from the foundation.

Demolish the bridges

The bridges we're talking about are the tree branches that reach across the space between the tree trunk and the house to land on the roof. Pests won't use branches to get to your home if you trim them so they are at least 7 to 10 feet away from the roofline. In the same way, we suggest keeping shrubs from touching the outside of the house and putting crushed rock around the whole thing.

Store your firewood away from your house.

We know it's convenient to keep your firewood close by on cold winter days, but you should resist the urge. In fact, we don't recommend keeping firewood on, in, or near your house because it could be full of carpenter ants and other pests that could damage your home. The best place to store firewood is at least 20 feet away from the building and up on a raised platform.

Keep your home clean.

The best way to keep common areas clean and less appealing to mice, roaches, and other pests are to clean and disinfect countertops, sinks, and appliances. We also suggest cleaning the cabinets, vacuuming and mopping the floors, and taking out the trash often. If you let dishes pile up in the sink or leave crumbs on the floor or counters, there will be more people living in your home than just your family.

Trust the experts in pest control for your home

If you're great at fall cleaning and your house is always spotless, but you're still seeing pests inside and/or outside, call Jersey City Exterminator to set up a FREE home evaluation. Our team has the tools and knowledge to keep pests out of your home during the winter and all year long.

The Home Protection Program

Service takes care of your current pest or rodent problem and protects the inside and outside of your home all year, with three visits during the different seasons. The program covers your whole property, including attics, mailboxes, playsets, sheds, and fences.

Ants (except carpenter, pharaoh, and acrobatic ants), bees, boxelder bugs, carpenter bees, carpet beetles, centipedes, cicada killers, clover mites, crickets, digger bees, earwigs, fabric & paper pests, fleas (inside only), ground beetles, hornets, mice, pillbugs, milli.

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9/6/2022 0 Comments

Why Are There Ants in My Kitchen

Kitchen Ants

Tiny black ants have a propensity for appearing in kitchens and toilets, where they will trail about and seem to appear out of nowhere. Don't freak out if you go into your kitchen and see several little black ants there! These are the kind of ants that are most likely to be found indoors, and they are also known as "odorous house ants" or "nuisance ants."

The unfortunate news is that you have an ant infestation that has to be eradicated before the colonies can grow any larger. The good news is that ants that create a nuisance in your house are not capable of causing structural damage or boring through the wood. They, like humans, are much more concerned with eating and drinking than they are with any other aspect of life.

It's quite probable that you have a problem with carpenter ants if you see giant black ants in your kitchen. These ants tend to nest in wood. Carpenter ants are distinguished from nuisance ants in both their biology and behavior. If you believe you have carpenter ants in your home, you may learn more about them by going here.

Where Do Ants Nest in My Home

Ants do not often inhabit inside spaces, despite what you may see. They establish colonies close to your home and send out individuals known as "scout ants" to search for sources of water and food that they can bring back to the colony. Have you ever pondered the question of why you may only observe a single ant at a time and at other times hundreds?

If you observe only one ant, that's the scout ant looking for food and water and sending a message to the rest of the colony to follow it. Because they leave a pheromone trail behind them to signal the rest of the colony to follow them, you may notice that the ants are traveling in a single file from time to time.

Household ants, which are commonly found in bathrooms and kitchens, may show up almost anywhere. These ants emit an unpleasant stench when crushed. They are able to forage across a large area due to their capacity to climb walls and move freely between the levels of your house. Do you observe ants in other areas of your house as well?

They are also attracted to basements because of the naturally higher amounts of humidity that are found there. In fact, you could stumble upon some little black ants in any room of your house. There is no foolproof method available for completely and reliably protecting your house against infestations of tiny ants.

What Draws Ants to the Kitchen

The most likely spot for you to encounter ants that are a nuisance is in your kitchen. They are drawn to resources such as food and water, which are necessary for the continued existence and expansion of the colony. Your household will, without fail, unknowingly leave behind a few stray crumbs after meals and snacks, no matter how careful you are.

Crumbs are unavoidable on your floors even if you are meticulous about cleaning and sweeping them, but it is possible to minimize their presence. Even if you take the utmost precautions and keep your kitchen floor spotless, ants may still be drawn to alternative food sources, some of which you may not even be aware of.

The presence of pet food bowls in your kitchen makes it an ideal environment for the growth of little ants and other types of pests. At the end of each day, either dispose of any pet food that has not been eaten or transfer any food that has been left on the floor into a container that can be sealed. Insufficiently airtight containers, such as the huge paper bags that the food often ships in, make it simple for ants and other insects to get pet food.

Ants may be discouraged even further by routinely emptying the water from the basin they use. Because dogs and cats aren't always the cleanest when it comes to eating and drinking, and because they create crumbs and water droplets that attract ants, you should make sure to also clean the area around the bowls. Ants are drawn to the crumbs and water droplets that are left behind by dogs and cats.

The presence of water is yet another factor that draws in little house ants. Ants may be brought into your home by places like your kitchen counter, leaking pipes beneath your sink or in your dishwasher, or standing water.

Put a lid on your trash can at all times to prevent ants from getting into the food leftovers and crumbs that you toss away. Food that is placed in your cabinets and pantry that is not properly sealed might be another reason why ants are finding your kitchen to be appealing. Food that is stored in your cabinets and pantry could be forgotten about since it is out of sight.

You may avoid pantry pests such as Indian meal moths and saw-toothed grain beetles by shifting loose food or readily penetrable containers such as cereal boxes. This will prevent the bugs from entering your pantry. When you are vigilant about the foods that are within easy reach, you should throw away any fruit that has been left out on the counter and may have reached its peak ripeness. Keep in mind that ants are drawn to delicious things.

Why Can’t I Get Rid of the Kitchen Ants

If you aren't addressing the cause of the problem, getting rid of ants might be difficult. If you don't go after the nest, the only ants you'll be able to eradicate are the ones that are in plain sight.

Ant colonies are almost never seen inside homes or other buildings. The ants that you are seeing are now engaged in the pursuit of food and water, which they will bring back to the colony. If you make your house less appealing to ants, there is a lower chance that they will try to move in.

Ants are notoriously tough to eradicate, not to mention that there are a lot of them. Odorous house ants may form colonies that can include thousands of individuals and can be found all over your property.

Odorous house ants have been found to make their homes under the earth, beneath rocks, in potted plants, and among piles of wood when they are not invading homes. Because their nests wander from place to place, it is exceedingly difficult to completely eliminate the issue without the assistance of a professional who specializes in pest management. This makes the situation much more challenging.

Can DIY Vinegar Treatment Kill Ants

If you spray vinegar on ants, you will most likely be able to kill them on contact. The difficulty with this method is that you are only killing the ants that you can see; as a result, you are not eliminating all of the ants in the area.

You won't be able to put a halt to the ongoing activity even if you stay up all night in your kitchen and spray every ant that walks by. Reaching the colony is the one and only certain method to solve your predicament and put an end to it once and for all. Read this article on our site to get more information on how you may get rid of ants on your own.

If you want to protect your home against odorous house ants on your own, the National Pest Management Association has supplied you with a few pointers that you should keep in mind.

Get rid of any standing water to stop smelly house ants. Pests like smelly ants are drawn to wet places.
Keep tree branches and other plants from growing too close to the house. These branches are sometimes used by smelly ants to get into homes.
Make sure that the bottom of the foundation doesn't have any cracks or small holes.
Make sure you don't store firewood or building materials next to your house because smelly house ants like to nest in stacks of wood.

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9/1/2022 0 Comments

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Home in the Fall

Even though it's getting colder, getting rid of pests should still be a top priority. Even though some bugs and rodents are more common in the summer, pest control should be done all year long. In New Jersey, there are many bugs, like bed bugs and termites, that could come into your home in the fall and winter.

Of course, this could make your home environment uncomfortable. Some pests can also be dangerous, so keeping them away or getting rid of them can keep your family safe. Here are some good reasons to get rid of pests in the winter and some easy ways to do it.

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Pest Control / Exterminator Blog from JCE

Everything you need to know about pests

What Happens In The Fall To Ticks?

New Jersey's Stink Bug Season

Fall means cool mornings, pumpkin spice on EVERYTHING, and stink bugs.

What are stink bugs, first of all?

What do stink bugs look like

Why do I have stink bugs in and around my house and yard?

But why are stink bugs coming to my house?

If you kill stink bugs, they won't come back.

How to keep stink bugs from coming into your home

Should you get rid of the stink bugs?

Making Your New Jersey Home Pest-Proof For The Winter

How to keep pests away in the winter

Seal your home so mice and rats can't get in.

Limit time on screens

Vents, chimneys, and other openings that should be there should not be forgotten.

Get rid of the problem with water.

Remember to clean out your gutters.

Demolish the bridges

Store your firewood away from your house.

Keep your home clean.

Trust the experts in pest control for your home

The Home Protection Program

Why Are There Ants in My Kitchen

Kitchen Ants

Where Do Ants Nest in My Home

What Draws Ants to the Kitchen

Why Can’t I Get Rid of the Kitchen Ants

Can DIY Vinegar Treatment Kill Ants

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Home in the Fall

Archives

YOUR CART

Pest Control / Exterminator Blog from JCE

Everything you need to know about pests

What Happens In The Fall To Ticks?

New Jersey's Stink Bug Season

Fall means cool mornings, pumpkin spice on EVERYTHING, and stink bugs. ​

What are stink bugs, first of all? ​

What do stink bugs look like ​

Why do I have stink bugs in and around my house and yard?

But why are stink bugs coming to my house? ​

If you kill stink bugs, they won't come back.

How to keep stink bugs from coming into your home ​

Should you get rid of the stink bugs? ​

Making Your New Jersey Home Pest-Proof For The Winter

​How to keep pests away in the winter

Seal your home so mice and rats can't get in.

Limit time on screens

Vents, chimneys, and other openings that should be there should not be forgotten.

Get rid of the problem with water.

Remember to clean out your gutters.

Demolish the bridges

Store your firewood away from your house.

Keep your home clean.

Trust the experts in pest control for your home ​

The Home Protection Program

Why Are There Ants in My Kitchen

​Kitchen Ants

Where Do Ants Nest in My Home

What Draws Ants to the Kitchen

Why Can’t I Get Rid of the Kitchen Ants

Can DIY Vinegar Treatment Kill Ants

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Home in the Fall

Archives

Fall means cool mornings, pumpkin spice on EVERYTHING, and stink bugs.

What are stink bugs, first of all?

What do stink bugs look like

But why are stink bugs coming to my house?

How to keep stink bugs from coming into your home

Should you get rid of the stink bugs?

How to keep pests away in the winter

Trust the experts in pest control for your home

Kitchen Ants