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Are Ants Bugging You Already?

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:00:00 -0500

It may still may be a chill in the air and there may still be snow on the ground, but spring will be here before we know it. As the temperatures start to warm up and the spring season begins, many will find insects of all types waking up from their winter hibernation. But what if you are already seeing ants inside your New Jersey home? Does this mean you have an infestation? The NJ pest control professionals at ChemTec have a few tips to prevent ants from invading your home now, and when the spring arrives.

Carpenter ants may be spotted rummaging through your kitchen even in these colder months. We often assume that ant colonies are underground and outside, but the fact is that some ants form colonies inside of homes. Carpenter ants who carve their way through moist and decaying wood, could be carving paths in the beams, siding, rafters, and decks of your home. Although they do not eat wood like termites, carpenter ants can still cause substantial damage to the structures in your home. This time of the year is generally too cold for an entire colony of ants to be active so the ants that you have spotted could be from a satellite colony. Satellite colonies contain many worker ants, but do not have a queen laying eggs.

Any signs of ants spotted right now in your home are probably just a few workers looking for spills or sweets in your kitchen. These may not be a sign of a major infestation, but it is still a good idea to help prevent a big ant problem in the spring time. Here are a few ways to prevent carpenter ants from getting into your wood structures and your kitchen cupboards:

Replace any rotten or dead wood in your home
Seal exposed wood to prevent moisture from causing damage
Keep your property clear of rotten or destroyed wood
Stack your firewood away from your home and bring it in only as needed
Store your open shelf food in containers with tight fitting lids
Keep your kitchen counters and food surfaces clean and sanitized

Hopefully you will not have to worry about carpenter ants through the rest of the winter or when the weather heats up. In order to keep them from getting into your home and causing damage to any wood structures, follow the prevention tips listed above and be sure to call the NJ pest control experts if you do spot signs of ants. ChemTec Pest Control can help get rid of the few ants in your kitchen or remove the entire colony in the case of an infestation. No matter what time of the year, if the ants are bugging you, contact our NJ pest control company today!

How to Spot a Bed Bug Bite

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:10:00 -0500

We have all heard the haunting stories of hotels, homes, and businesses across the country running into bed bug infestations. As the problem of bed bugs continues to spread across the nation, knowledge is power as far as keeping ourselves at a distance from any bed bug problems. But what if you did happen to have a run in with the dreadful bed bugs? Would you know what the bites looked like, or how to treat them? The NJ bed bug experts at ChemTec want their customers as well as all New Jersey residents to be prepared just in case the bed bugs really do bite.

Bed Bug Bites 101

After being bit, it can take a week to nine days for the symptoms to show
Typically, you will find three bites in a line which is the formation of bed bug bites. Over the course of a few days, they will become swollen and then perhaps turn into a blister before they heal and disappear.
Hands, feet, and face are usually more susceptible to bites and to more severe reactions
Reactions vary person to person and many people may not ever show symptoms
Many doctors can misdiagnose bed bug bites as a skin disease or insect bites
Do not scratch the bites as it may lead to the spread of a secondary infection
Things such as warm baths and exercise may aggravate bed bug bites
Typically an anti-itch cream will be enough to treat the bites unless a severe reaction has occurred in which you may have to see your doctor.

For more information on bed bugs, refer to our previous blog to get the facts you may not have known already. If you do find yourself itching and you have identified what may be bed bug bites, you will want to thoroughly inspect your home immediately for any signs of an infestation. Bed bug removal is a job for the professionals. For residents in New Jersey and the New York service areas who have a bed bug infestation or would like more information on bed bug control services, contact the experts at ChemTec today.

Achieve A Pest Free Home In The New Year

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 08:00:00 -0500

As the New Year gets underway, it is a great time for New Jersey homeowners to adopt some healthy habits for a pest free home. There are many prevention tips that will leave you with a sense of relief that you are not going to be hosting any unwanted winter guests. It can be challenging to maintain order in your home over the busy holiday season, but the New Year is the perfect time for that fresh start. Stay ahead of the pests and avoid any unwanted infestations this winter by adopting the following healthy habits.

Keep a clean kitchen

With holiday parties wrapped up and the family visits over, your kitchen may be left in a state of chaos. This is the first room to focus on cleaning thoroughly because the left over crumbs and the piling dishes are a welcome party to mice and other pests. It is important to clean up any spills or crumbs, which will attract hungry insects and rodents. Also, check that your food is stored in containers with tightly sealed lids and that you do not bring home food in damaged packaging from the grocery store to avoid pantry pests such as Indian meal moths, sawtoothed grain beetles and flour beetles. Along with flour, pantry pests in Bergen County and throughout the region are attracted to most all dry, stored food items even birdseed and dog food.

Clean out attics, basements, garages, and crawl spaces

Your attic, basement, garage, and crawl spaces are great accommodations to pests such as mice and rats since they are not commonly visited rooms and provide plenty of harborages. During the cold winter months in New Jersey and New York, rodents and other pests are happy to find their way into your warm home on a search for shelter, food, and water. As the holiday decorations go back to their off season home, a thorough cleaning and inspection of these rooms is a good idea to make sure you are free of rodents scurrying around. Mice and rats can cause damage to your home by chewing through wood and walls or contaminating areas with droppings and urine so it is important to be on the lookout. Also moving stored items around will disrupt nesting spots.

Inspect the exterior of your home

A great way to prevent pests from infesting your home is to check the exterior of your house for small cracks or openings. Spiders, rodents and other pests require only the tiniest of spaces to walk right into your home. Do a thorough inspection of the exterior and ensure that any cracks or holes are properly sealed. If you enjoy time with your family by the fire, another prevention tip from our New Jersey pest control company is to keep your firewood stacked away from your home and also off the ground to keep spiders and other pests away. Inspect the firewood before you bring it into your home and always keep it stacked outside, bringing in only what you need for each fire.

A pest free home is a healthy home so make a habit of following these prevention tips and you will be on your way to a happy, healthy New Year!

Bed Bug Facts You May Not Have Known

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:45:00 -0500

Thanks in part to increased domestic and global travel and the decreased use of effective pesticides; bed bugs have become the most travelled insect in the world, despite the fact that they can’t fly. So how do they do it? These tiny, blood-sucking insects are incredibly sneaky and can hitch a ride in your suitcase, purse, backpack or diaper bag and quietly crawl out once you arrive back home and because of their elusive nature, you may not know you have a bed bug problem for several weeks. The most obvious clue that you may have a bed bug problem is waking up with bed bug bites on your skin, typically in a row of 3, but NJ pest control experts warn there’s more to bed bugs than just their bites. Here’s the facts:

The name bed bug comes from their tendency to remain close to resting, sleeping people otherwise known as their dinner
It takes a bed bug 3 to 10 minutes to feed
The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, prefers human blood, but can feed on all warm blooded animals
Bed bugs can live up to 1 year without feeding, so even if you have been away, like in the case of college dormitories, you may still have a bed bug problem
The eggs of bed bugs are the size of a speck of dust and extremely sticky; lay your suitcase down on them and they are going home with you
The nymphs of bed bugs are the size of a pinhead and light tan in color
In order to reach maturity, bed bugs molt their skin 5 times
In order to shed their skin, they must have a blood meal
Bed bugs are rarely seen during the day; if you do spot one in your home during the daytime hours, it may indicate that you have a severe bed bug problem and that the insect was pushed out of hiding due to overcrowding
If you have a severe infestation of bed bugs, you may notice a sweet, musty odor in the air

If you have recently traveled and suspect you may have brought home more than memories and souvenirs, it is important that you contact NJ pest control experts right away. Infestation of bed bugs can spread very quickly and the professionals at ChemTec Pest Control are ready to help. For more information on bed bugs and how to get rid of bed bugs, contact the NJ exterminators of ChemTec today.

Why You Should Worry About Mice In Your NJ Home

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:35:00 -0500

Despite their small size, mice are actually one of the most damaging and costly pests to invade homes throughout New Jersey and all across the United States and unfortunately, each fall these rodents make their way into New Jersey homes in search of food, water and shelter for the cold winter months. Last month, we told you how a good fall cleanup could help you prevent mice from invading your home, but with the busy holiday season upon us, you may not have found the time to do so. Unfortunately, now you may be one of the unlucky ones whose home has been targeted by mice or any other small rodents, a word of caution, do not leave them unaddressed, here is why:

Mice are prolific breeders. One or two mice scurrying around your basement or attic may seem harmless, but in just a few short weeks, those one or two mice can become a major infestation, moving then into your living spaces.
Mice and other small rodents have front incisors that continuously grow. In order to keep these front teeth short, rodents must chew; electrical wires are a common spot for a gnawing mouse trying to shorten its teeth, creating the potential for fires. Other items that can be damaged by gnawing mice include internet and phone cables, storage containers, boxes, sheetrock and many other personal items.
Along with the unpleasant smell, mice droppings and urine can contaminate your home’s insulation in attics and crawl spaces. Also, the odor of dead mice can be spread throughout your home easily through your home’s heating ducts.

If you haven’t done so yet, before the heavy snows arrive, there is still time to conduct that outdoor fall cleanup to help prevent mice from invading your NJ home, but if you have already noticed mouse droppings or have heard the pitter-patter of mice scurrying inside your walls at night, contact the NJ pest control specialists of ChemTec Pest Control. Available in Saddle Brook, Bloomfield and throughout our New Jersey and New York service area, our effective NJ pest control services are designed to eliminate and prevent mice activity.

New or Used…Beware of Bed Bugs Whenever You Buy

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:30:00 -0500

Gone are the days of driving by a person’s house and seeing a nice couch, table, loveseat, or easy chair, that has been placed on the curb with a sign stating…“FREE”. “If it’s free leave it be” is a good motto to follow when it comes to picking up used furniture off the street says New Jersey pest control professionals. In 2011, you simply never know if the furniture, which seems like such a bargain, will bring about a nightmare of massive proportions. Used furniture may look good on the surface but may be harboring bloodsucking bed bugs in the cushions and frame of your new find.

Bed bug infestations have hit Mom and Pop operations, donation sites, and major used goods distribution centers as well. Many of these establishments claim to look for the presence of bed bugs and in some states they are required to sanitize furniture products. The question remains as to the effective rate of the sanitation process.

Another hot spot for bed bug activity is rental furniture and appliances. There have been countless reports and subsequent lawsuits over the past few years from people who have received items that were “sanitized” before delivery and were quickly subject to creepy, bloodsucking bed bugs infesting their entire homes. There are always denials from the rental stores that the bed bugs did not come from the store, and always claims from the recipient that they were bed bug free prior to the arrival of the goods.

Because of their propensity to hitchhike, unfortunately, New Jersey pest control professionals report that even new goods are not immune from the wrath of bed bug infestations. To date, many retail stores have suffered through infestations, causing panic among some consumers. Additionally, buying new furniture also puts you at risk because many furniture delivery companies offer removal services to customers. It is not uncommon to have a delivery truck that contains both new and old furniture at the same time. If the old furniture contains bed bugs, there is a risk of cross-contamination and the transfer of bed bugs onto the new furniture.

The only way to be safe is to avoid buying used furniture when possible and to fully examine anything new for the presence of bed bugs. If you find any evidence of bed bugs, it’s important to contact a New Jersey pest control expert at the first sign to eliminate the infestation before it spreads.

Can NJ Bed Bugs Transmit Disease?

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:45:00 -0500

Bed bugs are known to harbor 28 pathogens, including hepatitis B and HIV; but because they are not known to transmit any of the diseases they carry to humans, they are classified as a nuisance pest. However, because bed bugs creep into our beds at night while we are asleep and feed on our blood, exposure to bed bug infestations can cause victims to experience extreme anxiety. Some bed bug victims even exhibit a severe emotional disorder similar to Post Traumatic Shock Syndrome in which they feel like bugs are constantly crawling on their skin.

As bed bug infestations have increased in number and spread throughout the country, bed bug experts have become concerned about the growing incidence of serious secondary infections that can occur when bed bug victims continuously scratch the insect’s extremely, itchy bites. National bed bug experts at the University of Kentucky have warned that secondary infection from bed bug bites could reach epidemic proportions within the next few years.

Now new research published in the June 2011 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases indicates that bed bugs may not be merely a nuisance pest, but could become a direct public health threat capable of transmitting disease to humans. Canadian research conducted at the University of Toronto and St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver discovered some bed bugs that tested positive for Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), two virulent, antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While researchers said that early study results did not provide conclusive proof that bed bugs can function as vectors for human disease, the results did indicate a strong enough possibility to warrant additional research.

Medical experts say there is no need to panic; but they do recommend that bed bug victims see their doctor if they develop a skin infection. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that bed bug infestations be treated immediately by pest control professionals.

Like Us On Facebook And Follow Us On Twitter!

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:35:00 -0500

Did you know you can now "Like" ChemTec Pest Control on Facebook and "Follow" us on Twitter? If the answer is no, we are excited to catch you up to speed. Along with our new website, we now have our social network pages up and running and we want to personally invite you to "Like" us on Facebook and "Follow" us on Twitter.

ChemTec Pest Control is a longtime New Jersey pest control company proudly serving several counties throughout New Jersey and New York and now you can keep up to date on the latest pest control issues affecting our region. We will also be able to provide helpful pest control tips and notices on upcoming events.

ChemTec has offered effective pest control services to both residential and commercial customers since 1931. We offer the most comprehensive pest control services in the industry including:

To find out more on all of the pest control services offered by ChemTec like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or simply click here to contact us today!

Fall Clean Up Can Help Prevent Mice from Invading Your NJ Home

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:35:00 -0500

Mice do not hibernate. They are active year-round. Even when it’s cold and snowy outside, New Jersey mice are scurrying around under and over the snow, nibbling anything they can sink their teeth into, including your favorite perennials. Mice will build cozy burrows in wood piles, under piles of leaves and mulch, underground, even beneath undisturbed snow. To keep warm, these small rodents line their nests with leaves, twigs, mulch and odd scraps scavenged from yard debris.

Naturally, mice consider your toasty home a much warmer and, therefore, much more desirable nesting site than any chilly outdoor burrow. NJ pest control experts warn that if mice can find a way to get in, they will invade your home in the fall and spend their winter in relative luxury, nesting under your cabinets, snacking on Rover’s dog food and spreading dangerous diseases and parasites with every step they take.

A thorough outdoor fall clean-up can help reduce the possibility that you’ll be sharing your New Jersey home with mice this winter. To help keep mice out of your home, NJ pest control companies recommend taking the following fall clean-up procedures

Clear fallen leaves and branches from your yard
Remove plant debris from gardens.
Trim branches and shrubbery away from walls and windows.
Scrape mulch away from the foundation of your house to discourage nesting.
Relocate wood piles away from the house and do not keep stacks of wood on your porch or deck.
Check sill plates on doors and add weather stripping if necessary to close any gaps.
Fill and repair any holes or cracks that could admit a mouse.
Check places where pipes and wiring exit your house and replace any damaged seals.

If you find signs of mouse activity in your home or garage, call a NJ mouse control specialist. And remember, mice are prolific breeders and very hard to get rid of.

Bed Bugs Roust X-Factor Contestants from Hotel Rooms

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:55:00 -0500

The competition on reality-television talent shows is stressful enough without the added horror of being nibbled on by bed bugs when you’re trying to rest up for your next performance. That was the uncomfortable reality for several contestants of the hit Fox TV show the The X-Factor who woke up covered with itchy, red bed bug bites. According to a report on entertainment gossip site TMZ, several X-Factor contestants were attacked by bed bugs in their Los Angeles hotel room last week and had to be moved to new quarters.

Bed bugs and hotels seem to go hand-in-hand these days, something holiday travelers should keep in mind, New Jersey pest control experts warn. Since bed bugs began returning to the U.S. in the suitcases of international travelers, hotels and motels have provided the primary path for the nationwide spread of these blood-feeding parasites. Adept hitchhikers, bed bugs hide in dark cracks and crevices between meals. As NJ pest control experts explain, suitcases, backpacks and laptop carriers make perfect hiding places for these noxious pests. Because bed bugs typically live on or near beds to be close to their human food source, the habit most travelers have of tossing suitcases and other items on their hotel bed makes it easy for bed bugs to crawl inside and follow travelers home.

As the recent X-Factor experience shows, bed bugs can be a problem in any hotel. Over the past few years, bed bug infestations have been reported at some of the country’s most luxurious hotels and resorts. Bed bugs are not attracted by food or filth. These equal-opportunity pests are carried from one place to another hidden in people’s suitcases, clothing or other possessions. With travelers constantly coming and going, hotels have become a common and convenient infestation and transfer site for bed bugs.

If you may be traveling this holiday season and you are worried about bed bugs, check out our Could I Have Bed Bugs page before you go.