Alliance Pest Blog - New Jersey's Reliable Pest Resource

How to Control Mosquitoes in New Jersey Mosquito control in New Jersey has never been as important an issue as it is now. Rutgers University studies, studies by the Centers for Disease Control, and examination of mosquito populations in New Jersey counties have found that the species of mosquito that is most likely to carry the Zika virus is present in New Jersey. Women who are pregnant are more impacted by mosquitoes with Zika than anyone else. Birth defects can result from the Zika virus. The Zika virus can be transmitted sexually by a man that is infected. The virus usually causes flu like symptoms that disappear in a few days but older people and people who have lowered immunity can die from the virus. Zika is not the only disease that mosquitoes carry. The large numbers of ships from all over the world that bring trade goods to New...

General Information Regarding the Lives of Carpenter Bees Carpenter bees are a large family of bees with about 500 different subspecies, and about 31 sub genera. Their name comes from their tendency to excavate tunnels into wood for nesting purposes. They are most commonly noticed in late springtime or the beginning of summer. This is because they can be found hovering around the outside of homes. Usually these bees are searching for a suitable mate or looking for a good spot to build their next residence. The male carpenter bees lack a stinger, but make up for it with their aggressive personalities. Female carpenter bees on the other hand have very powerful and painful stingers but because of their docile nature will reserve its use for emergencies, such as when they are being handled or when they are making the pollen provisions for their eggs.  While they are easy to...

During the months of May, June or July, you may begin to hear bats or see bats around your property or in your home, garage and other buildings on your property. The truth of the matter is that bats are very plentiful in the state of New Jersey and therefore can indeed cause many problems for residents and homeowners. There are two species of bats in the New Jersey area which are the most common. They are the small brown bat and the large brown bat, which can have wing spans reaching as much as fourteen inches in width. They tend to be found in clusters of colonies. But despite the fact that they are considered by many to be unwelcome guests and bothersome pests, they do help the environment by keeping down the insect population since they feed on them. Though bats do have the positive side of controlling...

Camelback crickets or cave crickets are also known as “sprickets” since they look like spiders. They feed on fungi found on damp basement walls. Where fungus is unavailable, they eat carpet, wood, cardboard and even each other. There is even an Australian species of cave crickets that eats one of its legs when it’s hungry. They are found in caves as their name implies, but some species live in damp areas such as under stones, beneath rotten logs, and damp leaves. The crickets are wingless and have a brown color. They can measure up to about 5cm in length. They have a set of long antennae and large hind legs which guide them through darkened environments. The long limbs help them jump high and far, and their bodies are bent forward and humped at the back. There are so many different species of camel back crickets, but they can’t be...

  Despite their unattractive appearance, silverfish are actually harmless to humans and pets. Yet, large infestations can cause significant damage as silverfish stain fabric, paper, books, and wallpaper. They are flat, wingless insects with shiny silver scales that give them a metallic appearance. As nocturnal insects, you are most likely to spot silverfish in the evening and they are commonly found in attics, basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces. They like damp, cool locations, but they can be found anywhere in the house. Because of their flexibility, it can be very difficult to get rid of silverfish. Nevertheless, because they are generally regarded as unappealing, there is a wealth of information available on how to get rid of silverfish. Silverfish Elimination is probably at the top of your list if you have silverfish bugs in your home. When I realized I had a silverfish infestation in my home I was so...

Fleas also known as cat fleas are tiny, irritating parasites that not only feed off your pet's blood, but your own blood as well. It is possible to find that fleas have laid their eggs almost anywhere and everywhere they please inside or outside, for instant, in your carpets, furniture and bedding as well as your front and back yards. Therefore, it is likely that an infestation of fleas and their eggs is very high. To determine if your animal has fleas, you should look for the tell-tale signs of fleas on your dog, for instance the excrement of fleas are dark, specks of curly dots which are also called flea dirt. This flea dirt or excrement are black specks, which are the remains of digested blood that has a reddish brown appearance when wet, and are best found while having your pet lay on a white sheet or cloth...

You are taking a walk with your dog, and it very energetic and playful, as it has always been... and on the next day, your pet doesn't feel like drinking or eating a lot. Then, you find out the back limbs are paralyzed. You ask yourself, worried: "Could it be rabies?" Reluctantly, you take your beloved animal to a veterinarian, praying it won't be so (and that your dog won't bite you). Over the years, folklore has played a big role in defining what we believe to be factual when discussing ticks. It is important when discussing this pest to understand exactly how the parasite is a threat to us and our pets. Contrary to popular belief, ticks don't jump or flap around in the breeze till they find a host. They are however tiny spider-like creatures that exhibit a tremendous amount of patience waiting for the right prey. The...

Spring has arrived and with it come one of the most difficult pests to control. Ants are amazing creatures. There are over 12,000 varieties of any worldwide, they live practically everywhere on Earth except Antarctica and a few remote islands. They can lift up to 20 times their own body weight. They are a formidable opponent that will never give up on their efforts to invade your yard and home, collect whatever foodstuffs they can find, and reproduce at an unbelievable rate. While one or two ants may not appear to be a problem, you can be sure that where there are one or two, there are tens of thousands more. Ants are not only an inconvenience, they can trigger severe allergic reactions; and some species of ant can inflict a painful bite. It is worthwhile to enlist the skills of experts when ridding your home and yard of these...

When selling your home, Realtors will want you to improve your home's "curb appeal." If you suspect a carpenter ant or termite infestation in your home, curb appeal and location are going to be the least of your worries. There are things that can be done to prevent these infestations, but your best alternative when it comes to any pest problem is to consult with a pest management professional. Termites and carpenter ants can be differentiated by their antennae, waist, and wings. Termites also consume wood while carpenter ants tunnel through wood to build their nests. Once you have established what type of insect you are dealing with, you should take quick action. Carpenter ants have their primary nesting area outside, in wood piles, landscaping barriers, trees, and possibly old tree stumps. They require water and their diet is largely sugar and protein based. The ants leave the nest, mostly...

You don't have to be allergic to stinging insect, hornet or bee stings to want to avoid these buzzing hazards. Bee, hornet and stinging insect stings can be painful and if you are allergic, lethal. Of course, you never know how many stings it will take before your body's defense system kicks in and you do develop an allergy, which is a very scary thought, particularly if you have a nest of hornets or bees hanging by your front or garage door. It's even worse if you see any of these creatures flying out of a hole in the wall inside your home. That means there's a nest inside the wall and time for a professional to handle it, even if you're not afraid to do it yourself. Coping with any type of stinging insect, hornet or bee problem is dangerous, but allowing it to continue is just as bad....

Have you ever seen little piles of sawdust under wood that has perfectly circular holes in it? If so, you've seen the masterwork of a carpenter bee. No one likes bees. They sting, fly, and buzz and although they are beneficial to the environment, they can be harmful and a nuisance to humans. One type of bee, the carpenter bee, tends to drill into the outside of homes, ruining the wood. This article will help you learn how to identify them, what damage they cause on humans and homes, and how you can treat/prevent them. Female bees make their nests in wood and can do some major damage while doing so: some nests can be upwards of four feet long with many galleries that branch out like fingers. Carpenter Bees 101 Carpenter bees are really great to have around-as long as they're not getting too close to your house! They...

If you suspect that you may have an infestation of termites in your home, it is better to act as soon as you possibly can. The longer you wait, the worse the problem will get. Though this is true with most infestations, these critters are particularly troublesome. These insects can cause extremely devastating destruction to your home. They are not known to bite people, but they can eat through wood at a rapid rate. Because it is so crucial to act quickly in these scenarios, it is wise for homeowners to have an inspection regularly. There may be a number of signs that you have an infestation. You might come home one day and find swarms of termites flying around the exterior and even the interior of your home. This may be the worst case scenario, but there are a few other signs that you may have an infestation in...

Zika virus is not strange, as it has been largely confined in the tropics of equatorial Africa for a long time where it predominately circulated between wild primates and forest-dwelling mosquitoes. Actually, the virus was first discovered in a Ugandan forest called Zika in 1947. This was when it was discovered came from an encaged sentinel monkey.  Although the virus had been known to have been in existence since from that time, it has hardly affected the existing human populations even in areas that are believed to be prevalent. No doubt, the current reemergence of the virus around the world is truly extraordinary.  Generally, the greatest factor responsible for the spread of the Zika virus is human activities. This has led to rapid increases in the movement of goods and people due to the swift changes experienced in land use and globalization.  At present, the rate at which the Zika...

Bats are an important part of the ecosystem. They also are a very misunderstood species. Bats are not going to attack you and feed on your blood, and they are not a poor little creature that needs a cuddle. They are a nocturnal species which serves a great purpose, and the last thing you want taking up residence in your attic or home. How do you know if you have a bat problem in your home? -There are several indicators that you may have a bat problem. You may see a bat roosting in your eaves or overhangs. -You could see a bat leave at dusk and return just before morning. This is habitual. The bat will leave from the same spot and return to the same spot. -You may hear scratching noises in the attic or in the walls. -You could hear a high pitched chirping noise. -When you...

Having bats around your home is not only extremely frightening but can have terrible effects on your health if not addressed immediately. It is quite common to see bats in your attic if you leave in New Jersey, but it is also quite common that you may not have had the time or bravado to get rid of bats. Bats can give you and your household a lot of headache. Not to worry, you can get rid of bats if you live in New Jersey with the help of a couple bat removal companies... In this article, we would be providing reliable information about bats and tips to removing bats from your home.  Bat removal in New Jersey  You can get the help of professionals to remove bats from your home if you do not want to do it yourself. Here are a few things you should know about bats:...

Termite Swarmers for Subterranean Termites  Termites cause damage yearly which runs into billions of dollars. They mainly feed on wood, but can also damage paper as well and insulation, books, and even filtration systems and swimming pool liners. These insects can destroy shrubs and living trees, but mostly are a secondary invader of plants which are already in decline. Buildings can become infested at any time and termites are of specific importance in buying or selling a property as a termite inspection and infestation report is typically a condition of the sale of a property. Aside from the monetary impact of the pests, thousands of termites entering inside an individual’s home can be an emotionally trying experience. Also, the thought of these termites silently eating up a person’s investment can be heartbreaking.  Subterranean termites specifically, are harmful pests, whose control should be best left to the professionals. Termites and management...

Termites are a house’s worst enemy. They come in through cracks in your home’s foundation and eat away at the wood. Although they’re small, they can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to your home. It is important to keep your eye out for termite evidence or activity in your home so that you can get it taken care of right away, minimizing the damage. When homeowners do regular checks and inspections for termite activity, they protect their home and invest in the future of their house. Here are some signs of termite activity, which if spotted, should motivate homeowners to seek out professional aid.  If you begin to find dead insect wings in your basement or your foundation, there is a chance that termites are attempting to swarm, reproduce, and invade your house. Winged termites are perfect mating partners for ground termites, and the termites will use them...

Insect infestation is quite common is, but they may not necessarily be harmful unless they are wood destroying insects. Wood destroying insects damage the home and even make it unsafe for habitation. The common cause of this activity may be excessive wood moisture levels. The moisture can be caused by plumbing leaks, roof leaks, and construction defects like wood-soil contact, unvented spaces, and attics. Generally, homes which have been built for long are more susceptible to infestation of wood destroying insects. However, any other house, whether old or new, is a candidate for infestation if they meet the conditions which invite wood destroying insects.   Below are the different types of wood destroying insects:  Termites   These insects are the most prevalent and also the most destructive of all wood- destroying insects. Termites are most common in warm environments, but can also be found in few localized areas as well. Termites, just...

It is normal to call an exterminator if you hear the sound of chewing in your walls or you discover a winged ant in your basement. Termites, after all, are destructive pests, and they are found in 49 of the 50 states in U. S with Alaska the only state that has been spared this scourge of termites. According to studies in the United States, termites cause about $50 billion damage to buildings every year.  Termites are scary as they can cause substantial damage to before an individual ever realizes he/she has a pest problem at home. Termites usually feed on wood from the inside out; that is why their presence is difficult to detect except if you know where to look and what to look for. Everything will appear sturdy and stable until your porch starts shifting to the left and collapses completely. Termites work at a relatively slowly...

Damage Caused By Termites Termites destroy wood and are capable of damaging a house’s structural timbers, including floor supports, posts, ceiling supports, wall studs, and subfloors. Termites can also damage other non-structural components such as paneling, drywall paperboard, furniture, and carpet. The most prevalent species to invade and damage houses in the United States are the drywood termites. Dampwood termites are unlikely to invade homes because of their high moisture requirements. The damage from termites may range from small superficial damage to significant structural damage which can cause floors or ceilings to collapse. And early detection of this termite infestations is necessary to minimize the cost of repairing termite damage and the risk of living in a damaged and unsafe home. Yearly inspections by a termite professional could help homeowners detect early signs of termite activity, some of which might not be readily visible or detected. Signs of Termite Damage...