Alliance Pest Blog - New Jersey's Reliable Pest Resource

Cold Weather and Pests - What to Look Out For Pests are generally undesirable in the home (or anywhere else for that matter) for more reasons than one, they are eyesores and they create one. They bring in their wake, diseases, destruction of different scales and we always look for ways to get rid of them. As the seasons change, different situations begin to play themselves out and pests are one of these situations. Typically, during cold weather, people usually intend to spend more time indoors than outdoors so they are pretty much increasing their exposure time to these pests. Due to their nature, most macroscopic pests find it hard to thrive properly during cold weather and as such they either go into hibernation while the season lasts and some of them do not even survive it. While it is true that pests tend to die off when exposed to...

How to Avoid Bringing Bed Bugs Back Home When Traveling We all love a good vacation, but few things are more annoying than returning home, only to find out that you have brought some unwanted guests home with you. When you are traveling, it is easy to forget certain helpful tips and when we forget these tips, bed bugs are able to latch onto our luggage and receive a free ride home. If you would like to make sure that your next trip out of town or overseas is bed bug free, it is time to follow these useful steps. Bed bugs are typically invisible to the naked eye and those who do not follow these easy tips for avoiding bed bugs are doomed to experience all of the annoyances that they have been known to provide. Read on to learn more. Inspect Your Hotel Room There is no law...

Insects You Can Expect to Meet in New Jersey Insects are some of the most annoying and difficult pests to control. They fly, crawl, bite, sting, chew, cut, pollute, deface and much more. I’d there was, insects would belong to Class A among pests.  Insect populations vary with location all around the world. Some species thrive better is some areas than they do in others. This occurs due to differences in climate, terrain, lifestyle and so much more across the places worldwide. New Jersey is not left out.  There are insect populations who choose this area as their location of choice to settle and breed – and like every other insect population, humans continually seek to control them.  This is a guide to insects peculiar to New Jersey, since it is easier to fight what you know, this should make it easier to combat them.  Bees The only good thing...

Stink Bugs and Their Need to Migrate Stink bugs are what is known as an agricultural pest. They are typically found on the exterior of the home and do not typically make their way indoors. When they first arrive on your property, stink bugs take refuge in your gardens, farms and orchards, waiting for the moment when they will migrate to another area of your residence. Stink bugs will also make their home in residential neighborhoods, where they live in local parks and landscaping. They are commonly found in most areas of the United States, especially in warmer climates. When they find a warm climate to reside in, stink bugs will continuously reproduce throughout the year.  Adult stink bugs spend the colder months of the year hiding in secluded areas, forever in search of warmth. Stink bugs hide in your weeds, underneath stones and boards and anywhere that provides ground...

Ant Infestation, Damage and Health Risk to Homeowners One of the Earth's most efficacious species, the ants have populated nearly every part of the world, adjusting to thrive in all environments except the Antarctica's ice fields. Out of over 12,500 identified species identified, the ants account for about 15% to 25% of the Earth's entire animal biomass. This makes them a part of the Earth's most productive species. Evolving from the ancient wasps over 120 million years ago, researchers attribute the ants' success to their exceedingly developed social organization, extraordinary adaptability as well as their highly-honed survival instincts. Like other insects, the ants play a significant role in nature. The creatures pollinate plants, ventilate the soil, eat other insects and recycle deceased organic material. It is when the ants overrun our homes that they are problematic. Human habitats give ants everything they need to survive including shelter, food, and water,...

Signs That Show You May Have a Flea Infestation Fleas have become a cause for concern in many homes today especially households that have pets. They are tiny insects that feed on both pets and humans. Spotting a flea infestation can be simple, but eradicating the insects can prove difficult. This article addresses ways to identify and eradicate fleas from your home.  Identifying Fleas  Fleas are 2.5 mm in length and have flat bodies without wings. They have six legs that allows them to jump great distances. Siting fleas on your pet’s fur doesn't reveal the real extent of the infestation. Larvae, eggs, and pupae can also thrive in your home as they are difficult to see.  If your pet scratches excessively, try to check his or her fur. Animals that infested usually have reddened skin and can lose hair (the head and neck of cats and the hind quarters...

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...