Pest Control Tips For The Spring

Inside The Home Pest Control Tips

• Clean your doors and windows. Thoroughly vacuum and clean window and sliding door tracks to help prevent outside invaders such as carpet beetles, earwigs, silverfish and spiders.
• Store away wool and fur-trimmed clothing. During warm weather months, wash and store away wool and fur-trimmed or -lined clothing in sealed containers or plastic bags to reduce the chance of moth or carpet beetle activity.
• Time to organize the garage. Clean up and organize cluttered items along the perimeter walls of the garage, where rodents hide out. Now is an opportune time to install shelving or storage cabinets and get all your stuff off the garage floor.

Outside The Home Pest Control Tips

• Repair weather damage to vents and other access points to your home. It is a good idea to inspect your roof for missing or damaged shingles or tiles that may allow pests access or water damage that would contribute to pest infestation.
• Remove clutter from your gutters; which include twigs, leaves and other debris.
• Drain all standing water This serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes and a water source for rodents and other animals.
• Yard work – Remove unwanted weeds, leaves, twigs, branches, and other debris.
• Trim the trees. Trees provide insects and rodents access to your house, so limbs should be pruned back at least four feet from the roofline. Shrubs should also be regularly trimmed so they do not come into contact with the structure of the home.
• Move firewood outside. All unburned firewood should be taken outside so that insects residing beneath the bark do not infest the home. Firewood should be neatly stacked at least 18″ off of the ground to help prevent rodents and to help deter termite activity.

For more tips contact NJ Pest at (973) 540-9944.

Pest control tips for winter months

Ever wonder where the bugs go in the winter time? There are many different strategies insects use to survive the cold months. Some migrate to warmer climates, but most insects stay here year round. They employ a variety of tactics for survival. One is simply to move in with humans. So what can one do to keep their home safe through the winter months?

1. Make sure your pest control company maintains your exterior perimeter barrier. Most chemicals used for barrier protection breakdown in 3 to 4 months. Skipping a winter service leaves your home vulnerable when it needs it the most.

2. Inspection. Having someone look in on a home that is empty through the winter can save you a lot of hassle down the road. Especially in areas like the crawlspace, attic, storage rooms, garages, etc.

3. Rodents can be a big problem in the winter months, they could hardly ask for a better place to over winter than your home.

What can you do to stay pest free in the winter?

1. Be mindful of stored bird seed and pet food. Keep them in resealable containers.

2. Check your downspouts and insure they are working properly. All life needs water, don’t supply it to critters that might like to live in your crawlspace or basement.

3. Store firewood outside away from the homes foundation. Many insects overwinter in cracks and holes in wood. Bringing the firewood into the home can tell the hibernating insects that spring has come early this year.

We hope you find this information useful. Remember if ever you have question or need some help Alco Animal & Pest Control is here for you all year long. 

Effective Bed Bug Control

The Facts:
- In a recent survey, one in five Americans have had encounters with bed bugs personally or knows someone who has and the mere thought of them gives a majority shivers.

What Bed Bug bites look like

- Bed bugs are small insects that suck blood and may infest homes, hotels, movie theaters, or even public transportation.
- Female bedbugs can lay up to five eggs in a day and 500 during a lifetime.
- Only Pest Control Specialists can completely get rid of your Bed Bugs.

The Solution:

- Once Bed Bugs have entered your home, it is virtually impossible to get rid of them without calling a pest control company. 
- The best and fastest way to get rid of Bed Bugs is to call Alco Animal & Pest Control. We serve all of New Jersey. 
- All of our pest control and animal removal services are fully guaranteed. 

For more information about bed bugs and control services visit our website or call NJ Pest today at (973)-540-9944 or (201)-261-7566. 

The Dangers of Rodents And Raccoons

Did you know that the residue left behind by rodents can cause diseases and in some cases death? Well just in case you didn't here is some very important information that you must know. Rodents are known to leave behind droppings and urine after parading through those areas you are  frequent in the most- your home, yard and work place. The traces these rodents leave behind are not only annoying, but they are very dangerous!

Did you know that raccoons act as a reservoir in the United States? In fact, the majority of rabies cases in the U.S. are in wildlife, with raccoon cases predominating. Raccoons bring the terror of rabies to our backyard, making it a dangerous environment for us. Not only do they carry dangerous diseases, they  are also extremely territorial and aggressive. A raccoon living near a home with food, such as trash in a garbage can, will keep returning to eat.

Alco Animal & Pest Control provides full rodent and raccoon removal in NJ. We are more than happy to inform New Jersey and out of state visitors on these and other species that (might) cause dangers to their health. We offer great advice and solutions because we are well certified and informed when it comes to animal control and the safety of animals in New Jersey, that is our main priority.

Contact Alco NJ Pest Control:

Call us today at (973)-540-9944 or (201)-261-7566 for same-day pest control and animal services for homes and offices located in New Jersey.

Stink Bug!

What is a stink bug?

Stink bugs are considered to be agricultural pest insects that are reproducing and traveling at alarming rates.  They reproduce large populations and usually reside in warm places, like homes.  Stink bugs are enemies for croppers because they damage crop population, suck out the plant juices, and ultimately are resistant to most pesticides making them virtually terrors. 

Although they are hated by many they do serve a purpose.  One of the major benefits of a stink bug is that it is a predator for other unwanted insects, such as, Mexican Bean Beetles, Japanese Beetles, and many others. 

What does a stink bug look like?

A stink bug generally is shield-shaped and at adult size is usually an inch.  They are different shades of brown throughout its body surfaces, and bluish metallic punctures of color located on the head.  Stink bugs have antennae as well as wings. 

 

Why is it called a stink bug?

It is called a stink bug because of the odor it emits.  When a stink bug is disturbed, feels threatened, or is crushed it ejects a very foul odor that smells similar to a skunk's scent. 

“It’s an incredible hitchhiker.” “The adults are moving and looking for places to spend the winter,” said Tracy Leskey

Are you ready for a new roommate?  Well, if not, be prepared to take action because winter is here and our little unwanted stink bugs are looking for warm homes to shack up in.  Call ALCO NJ Pest Control today! 

(973)-540-9944 or (201)-261-7566

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentatomidae
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27stinkbug.html?_r=1

http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/brown-marmorated-stink-bug

The Dangers of Squirrels

They’re furry, soft and cute as can be, but make no mistake about it a squirrel is not to be confused for a household pet. Although they co-inhabit our living spaces and are constantly crossing our paths, it does not mean that they are friendly animals. First and foremost, attempting to feed a squirrel is strongly discouraged as they often miss the mark of where the food ends and the human finger begins- hence making their bites extremely painful due to their sharp and hook type teeth. However when it is out of your control, such as inhabiting your attic- it becomes even more dangerous for many reasons, two of which are: 

1) Causing a fire should they reach the electrical wires. Primarily known for their big teeth, squirrels are big chewers and they don’t discriminate what is chewed.

2) Although they invade your attic, it does not necessarily mean they will stay in the attic. Therefore they could end up in your living room and attack if they feel threatened.

Ultimately, the best way to eradicate squirrels from your home is to trap them. However, trapping should be conducted by professional animal removers who can handle it efficiently and safely.

Sources:

“The Dangers of Typical Neighborhood Animals You Don’t Think of As Dangerous (Squirrels & Raccoons & Skunks, Oh My!).

http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/06/02/16/the-dangers-of-typical-neighborhood-animals-you-dont-think-of-as-dangerous.htm

Accessed 16 October 2010
Dinger, Bruce. “How can cute squirrels be so dangerous?”

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Can-Cute-Squirrels-Be-So-Dangerous?&id=1179368
Accessed 17 October 2010

4 Things You Need To Know About Bed Bugs

Bed bugs…the word alone emits an abundance of emotions, none of which are positive. But known as parasites for thousands of years, 2010 marked the comeback year for the bed bug with an increase of complaints of over 5000%. Some key facts to keep in mind:

Their Look:
Oval in shape and reddish brown, these flat and wingless parasites are only 4-5 mm in length and 1.5-3mm wide, making them extremely difficult to detect.

Their Bite:
A real life vampire, they only feed at night with up to 5 minute intervals at a time. Two hollow feeding tubes are inserted into your skin- one injects its saliva while the other drinks your blood- all while you are asleep and barely feeling a thing.

The Symptoms:
Detecting symptoms is often tricky because it may look like a mosquito bite as it too can itch. The difference however, is that bed bugs create a pattern of bites (also known as ‘breakfast’, ‘lunch’ and ‘dinner’) that can lead to swelling and rashes.

The Solution:
Attempting to get rid of bed bugs on your own is a bad idea. Exterminators themselves consider the eradication of bed bugs difficult primarily due to their small size and the fact that they only feed on human blood, hence making poisoning their food not an option. But do call an exterminator right away and make sure they are specifically trained for bed bug infestations.


Sources:
Corea, Renee, 26 July 2010. “New York vs Bed Bugs”
http://newyorkvsbedbugs.org/2010/07/26/fy-2010-nyc-stats-update/
Accessed 14 October 2010

“Bedbug”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedbug
Accessed 14 October 2010

“Bedbugs”
http://www.badbedbugs.com/
Accessed 15 October 2010

“Bed Bug Bite Symptoms”
http://www.bedbuginfo.com/bed-bug-bite-symptoms.php
Accessed 15 October 2010