Residents in the towns of Bryam, Roxbury, Netcong, and Stanhope said that the mosquito problem has ruined their plans of having an enjoyable and relaxing summer at home. They cannot have barbecues in the backyards or do other outdoor activities. Kim Kelly, who lives in Stanhope, said that her 3-year-old son had so many mosquito bites that he suffered from a skin infection.

According to a member of the Lake Musconetcong Regional Planning Board, the mosquito population is increasing because of the conditions of the lake. Silt and weeds are making the lake water stagnant, and this provides the perfect conditions for mosquito breeding. The board is trying to solve the problem by cleaning up the state-owned lake, but the project may cost several million dollars. The Department of Environmental Protection of New Jersey is responsible for providing funds for such projects, but budget constraints are preventing them from doing so.

If you are experiencing mosquito problem in New Jersey or New York City, you can call ChemTec Pest Control to help you solve the problem.

Pigeon droppings are not only unsightly and foul-smelling; they can also cause significant damage to homes, buildings, monuments, and vehicles. They can deface and speed up the deterioration of structures and buildings, resulting in increased costs of maintenance. Pigeons also contaminate and consume large amounts of food that are meant for human and livestock consumption in farms and grain processing facilities.

It is also known that pigeons can spread diseases to humans and other animals through their droppings. Some of the diseases that are commonly transmitted through pigeon droppings are salmonella, ornithosis, encephalitis, toxoplasmosis, histoplasmosis, and cryptococcosis. Pigeons also carry parasites such as lice, fleas, ticks, and mites, which can cause health problems in humans as well.

In airports and airbases, pigeons are considered a threat to human safety, because their presence may obstruct the flight of airplanes. Bird-airplane collisions can contribute to a higher risk of airplane accidents. Pigeons are classified as a medium-priority hazard in US Air Force bases.

Some of the non-venomous snakes that are commonly found in New Jersey are the Milk Snake, Black Rat Snake, Black Racer, Eastern Ribbon Snake, Eastern Garter Snake, Northern Water Snake, and Scarlet Kingsnake. There are only two species of venomous snakes in the state, and they are the Northern Copperhead and the endangered Timber Rattlesnake. These are pit vipers that release haemotoxic venom when they bite. The Timber Rattlesnake is more dangerous than the Northern Copperhead because it has a high venom yield that can be deadly to humans.

It is not uncommon to find snakes in homes and buildings, especially those that are infested with rats or mice. Snakes usually enter homes through cracks and crevices, and the best way to keep them at bay is to seal out all holes that are found around the house.

If you find a snake in your home and you do not know whether it is venomous or not, the safest thing to do is to call a pest control professional.

Swelling and itching may develop as a result of bed bug bites, and the bite areas may become infected if they are scratched. Usually, the bites will take a week or so to subside, and no treatment is necessary. However, if severe itching occurs, oral antihistamines or steroid creams can be used to relieve the itching. It has not been proven that bed bugs carry infectious viruses, but they may be responsible for spreading the Chagas disease.

Some of the signs of bed bug infestation are the presence of fecal stains, egg cases, and shed skins in cracks and crevices, as well as areas around the bed. The best way to confirm the presence of bed bugs in your home is to seek the assistance of a pest control company.

If you need to detect or get rid of bed bugs in a New Jersey or NYC home, you can contact ChemTec Pest Control.

Contrary to popular belief that bed bugs can only be found in areas with poor sanitation, these creatures can also thrive in clean places. In fact, guests in many top class hotels in the US have complained that they were bitten by bed bugs while they were sleeping in their hotel rooms. Now, bed bugs are also a common problem in homes across the US, and many homeowners are finding ways to get rid of the dreaded creatures.

Although there are do-it-yourself ways for homeowners to eliminate bed bugs, these measures are not effective enough to eradicate infestations completely. Getting rid of bed bugs is a complicated process, and the best thing to do is to engage the services of a pest control company.

My sister, the gardener, had a suggestion for those of us who’s roses and other treasured plants get over-run with aphids during the growing season.  She suggested that when vacuuming the Lady Bugs, we use pantyhose to catch the lady beetles and then secure and store them (in the pantyhose)in a cool place for the winter.  They can then be released in the spring-time to be beneficial again.  I can’t attest to the success-rate of this, but I can sure use the help in the springtime!

Next week, we will be starting a question and answer thread on Bed Bugs.  On a daily basis, we get so many questions on bedbugs in the office from folks in our service area (Bergen County, Passaic County, Essex, Union, Hudson and Morris County).  We would like to provide you information and  get you real facts and answer the questions that are concerning you about bedbugs… How prevalent are they? How do I know if I have bedbugs? How and why did I get bedbugs? How do I get rid of bed bugs? Can I get sick from bed bugs? Can I get bedbugs from work? Is there something I can do to make sure I do not get bed bugs?  

We have perfomed hundreds of Bed Bug services and will give you expert bedbug advice from our bed bug specialist that are in the field dealing with bed bugs everyday.

If you have a question you would like answered, please respond to this post.

Bed bugs are usually found on clothing, bedding, furniture, and curtains, and they can spread to other parts of a room, home, or building by crawling. Generally, they live in areas where humans or animals sleep, and these include bed frames, mattresses, and box springs. Bed bugs can also be present in suitcases, boxes, and other items, and they may end up in other places when these items are transported.

Once they have found a suitable place to live, bed bugs can multiply at a rapid rate. With ideal breeding conditions, it usually takes just a few months for heavy bed bug infestation to develop. Bed bugs are hardy creatures, and they can survive without food for months.

Our advice for those being invaded….short term control should be no more than a vacuum.  The beetles are not wood destroying and should not be threatening you or your home (I have read that they may leak a liquid if they feel threatened, but have yet to experience this).  Remove your infestation of Lady Bugs by using no more than a broom or a vacuum. 

If this is not your first LadyBug invasion, it is time to tighten up your home. Caulk exterior cracks and crevices and make certain your screens, stripping and molding are all up to snuff.  Bottom line….even though they are unwanted in your home, and can be an overwhelming sight when they number in the hundreds on your front door, Lady Beetles are beneficial insects.

One of the most obvious signs of termite infestation is the swarm of winged-termites. The size of the swarm can be as small as 10 to 20 insects, or it can be as large as 50 to 70 insects. Discarded wings of swarmers also indicate that termites are present in your home.

Bubbling or cracked paint, mud tubes, and frass are signs of termite infestation as well. Frass, which is termite droppings, resembles sawdust, and it can be black or white in color. If you suspect that your home is infested with termites, you can knock on the surfaces of wood structures in your home. A hollow sound suggests that the inside of the wood is already eaten up by termites.

Termite infestation can result in irreparable damage in homes if it is not treated promptly. The best way to get rid of termites in your home is to engage the service of a pest control professional.

Carpenter ants are large, black ants that prefer to build their nests in moist wood. They often settle in kitchen and bathrooms. Some homeowners find that they can spray to no avail: the ants keep coming back. This is because the only effective way to rid your home of carpenter ants is to destroy their nests. Then you must correct moisture problems to avoid their return.

Carpenter ant communities operate through a system of parent and satellite colonies, with nests inside and outside of a home. So it is essential to find the nests because even if you are able to kill the ants you see, others continue to reproduce.

It is possible to bait the ants yourself using sugar or honey. Instead of killing them, you can feed them and follow them to their nest. Afterwards, the nest must be destroyed. This method takes patience and time. Late nights are prime time for worker ant activity, so you could find yourself sacrificing sleep to do some of this detective work.

If you find that trailing ants is not for you, or if your efforts to find and destroy nests are unsuccessful, then it is time to call in the professionals. Bear in mind that it may take more than one visit to complete the task, but it will be well worth it. Your walls will stop talking and you’ll sleep a lot easier.