Exterminators and Pest Control in Manasquan, NJ

After hearing some noises in his attic, this homeowner in Manasquan, NJ, called our Nuisance Wildlife division for help. After a thorough inspection of the attic and the exterior of the home, we determined that squirrels had invaded the attic. How did we know? We found a chewed out hole in the soffit as well as some squirrel hair stuck in it!

In order to safely remove the squirrels from the home, we installed a one-way device over the soffit and temporarily enclosed the area with hardware cloth. We also set up several baited devices nearby. A one-way device is designed to allow the squirrels to safely leave the area, but prevent them from getting back in. A short while later, we safely and successfully retrieved all the squirrels that infested the home! We then relocated them to a new humane location, disinfected the attic, and installed sturdy metal flashing over the access point. 

This homeowner in Manasquan, NJ, called Cowleys after his daughter saw a mouse in his garage. Once we arrived and inspected exterior of the home, we noticed an old exhaust wasn't in use anymore and was wide open. We took a look inside and noticed that is was loaded with mouse droppings! This was how the mice were infesting the home.

First, we installed a rodent bait station in front the exposed exhaust vent as well as in several other locations around the exterior and inside the home in the high infestation areas. Afterward, we scheduled several follow up visits to monitor the activity and replenish the bait stations as needed. The homeowner had mentioned that he is going to properly seal off the exposed exhaust vent on his own once the mice are gone. 

As we began the startup service for a new Home Protection Plan client in Manasquan, NJ we came across several rat burrows on the right side of the home. Rats create these burrows to travel from their nest to a food source and to escape predators. Rat burrows usually contain a main entrance and 1 or 2 exit holes away from the main entrance.

First, we installed several Ready-to-Use rodent bait stations near each of the burrows. Next, we installed several snap traps that are inside temper-proof, child resistant boxes near the burrows. Lastly, we scheduled several follow-up visits to monitor the rat infestation, apply any additional treatments, and replenish the bait as needed. 

This homeowner in Manasquan, NJ was having a serious issue with nuisance birds nesting on the girder of his back porch and defecating all over the area, creating a health hazard for him and his family. When we arrived, we carefully removed all the nesting debris and then disinfected the area. Afterward, we installed Bird Barrier Optical gel along the beams of the porch. The optical gel is a multi-sensory bird repellant that deters birds using sight, smell, and touch. To us, this product looks like a simple white gel, like some type of ointment or toothpaste. However, birds see something much different and much more frightening. Birds have much better sight than humans and they see a far broader spectrum of colors, so when birds see this gel, to them, it looks like a ball of smoke and fire.

As a smell deterrent, the optical gel gives off a cayenne pepper or peppermint odor that the birds hate; and as a touch deterrent, the optical gel has a tacky feel to it that the birds dislike. These optical gels will prevent the birds from returning to roost in these areas. 

As I was replenishing the bait in one of our rodent bait stations in Manasquan, NJ, I came across a little surprise — a bold jumping spider

Jumping spiders are sometimes confused for black widow spiders due to their similar size, but jumping spiders can also be brown, tan or gray in color with pale white, gray, yellow, red, blue or green markings. Adult jumping spiders range in size from about 1/8-3/4” and are covered in dense hairs or scales that are brightly colored. They are usually found around windows and doors because more insects are attracted to those areas.

An interesting fact about bold jumping spiders is that they have the best vision of any spider species! They can detect and react to movement up to 18" in distance. I applied a direct contact application to the jumping spider which will eliminate it almost immediately. I then replace this particular bait station, replenished the bait in the other stations and then applied a non-repellant liquid around the entire exterior of the home.

We went out on a service call for a homeowner in Manasquan, NJ. The homeowner was having an issue with birds roosting on the main beam of the deck in his backyard. We arrived, began inspecting the area, and found several bird nests in the area as well as deceased baby chicks.

Although birds inside your home are annoying the real concern is the contamination and damage caused by birds nesting. Birds will bring huge amounts of debris to their intended nesting area full of parasites that can crawl their way to and infest other areas inside your home. Bird feces, along with the possibility of dead chicks in the nest, is not only foul-smelling but can carry over 60 types of infectious diseases that can be spread to you, your family, and pets.

After carefully removing the nests, we sanitized and deodorized the attic and fascia with a solution that targets bird mites. Bird mites are parasites that feed on the blood of birds. When birds leave their nests, the mites are left behind without a suitable host for their next blood meal. They will make their way into a home, and once inside they will take over, climbing all over your walls, ceilings, and beddings. To make matters worse, bird mites are tiny and semi-transparent, so they are extremely difficult to detect.  Bird mites are the main reason why extreme care is needed when removing a nest. The last thing you want to do is disrupt the mites that are crawling in and around the nesting material.  

After removing all remnants of bird activity, we installed a bird netting which removes their landing areas. The birds will fly in, realize they cannot land or roost anywhere, and then fly back out.

I was recently sent to a home in Manasquan, NJ to deal with an odorous house ant infestation. Ants are the most common nuisance pest, and one of the most common ants that invade homes are odorous house ant. These small dark brown or black ants “earned” their name because they emit a foul odor that smells what many describe as rotten coconuts when crushed.  These ants construct shallow nests in the soil, usually under lawn debris, wood piles, and under brick pavers. Although they nest outdoors, they often move their nests inside homes, and they can be found almost anywhere including in plumbing traps and wall voids. Often, homeowners find ants inside their homes after heavy rains when their nests are flooded and they are looking for higher ground. Their colonies can be quite large, and in addition to the parent colony, we often find multiple satellite nests with more than one egg-producing queen. 

With this infestation, the ants had invaded the kitchen. During my exterior perimeter inspection, I observed a trail of ants that were crawling underneath the siding. Because of their size, they can enter homes through the smallest of openings around the foundation. I applied an effective treatment in the area of the ant trail. The ants will carry the product back to the nest where it will be distributed throughout the colony. It won’t take long for the colony to be eliminated and the homeowners will soon see a dramatic decrease in ant sightings inside their home.

I was recently sent to a home in Manasquan, NJ, to remove some raccoon babies (kits). Raccoons are extremely vocal creatures and make a wide variety of sounds. Kits, just like human babies, make all sorts of noise to get the attention of their mother. Homeowners who find themselves with a den of kits somewhere in or around their home often hear all sorts of animal noises — mewing, crying, whining, and cooing. Homeowners often mistake their cooing sounds for birds. 

Raccoon infestations are the physically largest nuisance wildlife that we regularly deal with. An adult can be as large as many dogs and can be quite imposing — especially when showing their razor-sharp teeth!  Many are well over 20 pounds and more than 2 feet in length (excluding the tail). They are very intelligent and resourceful creatures that will eat almost anything left behind in garbage. If your garbage cans are tipped over and ransacked night after night, there’s a good chance raccoons are roaming your neighborhood. 

Raccoons, as all nuisance wildlife, are potential carriers of diseases. Their droppings contain dangerous parasites like roundworm and other pathogens. In New Jersey, raccoons are the primary vector of rabies — and they can be carriers of rabies without showing any signs or symptoms. 

Raccoons have a prolonged mating season. Although mating commonly occurs during the winter months, it can extend until June. With a mating season that can span over half a year, I always consider the possibility that their may be a den of babies hidden somewhere inside a structure. If I am called to a home to resolve a raccoon infestation anywhere from early spring to early summer, I work under the assumption that there is probably a den of kits and a very protective raccoon mother nearby that you do not want to mess with. Raccoon litters are typically 3 or 4 kits.  

Raccoons have a relatively short gestation period. The offspring are born about nine weeks after mating. Raccoon mothers don’t plan far ahead like human moms and they’ll often make their den at the last minute right before giving birth. Raccoons will build their dens in any private location. In urban areas, they sometimes they choose our homes,  commonly building their dens in chimneys, attics, and crawl spaces, under shed and decks, and on roofs. 

But raccoon moms will look for any cozy, private cavity for their den. Here, I had to break a hole into a finished grill area in a spot that a little mini-fridge would slide into. I carefully removed four raccoon babies.

Recently, I was sent to one of our new commercial accounts, a bar/restaurant in Manasquan, NJ. The manager did not believe that there were any pest problems but wanted to set up periodic servicing and treatment as a precaution. It was a good thing he did. After my first spot treatment and gel baiting, as shown in the photo, all of my monitors were filled with nasty German roaches, which to me at least, are the dirtiest and vilest of all the roaches. Unfortunately, until there is a heavy infestation, it is easy for a roach infestation to go unnoticed since they are mostly active at night and stay hidden during the day when the lights are on. Treatments in the smallest cracks and behind appliances and certain areas is the most effective method to deal with a roach infestation along with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan that includes improving hygiene to reduce the chance of future infestations.  

I spoke with the kitchen manager about my findings and he agreed that a thorough clean out was a necessary first step to get this roach infestation under control. Once this infestation is dealt with, I’ll work with the manager and restaurant staff to set up proper sanitation and hygiene protocols that, along with periodic inspections and preventative treatments, will keep these pests at bay. I was pleased that this manager had a zero-tolerance policy when it came to roaches and other pests. I look forward to working with him to get his kitchen pest-free and in tip-top shape.

I was recently called to Manasquan residence involving a stinging insect problem, which typically means bees, wasps, or hornets. There are many different kinds of stinging insects and each have their own markings and distinct behavior. Upon arrival, the customer immediately let me know that she saw a nest in the peak of a gable in the back of her home. When I got to the back side of her home, I looked up, immediately recognizing the distinctive grey spherical paper nest. It was the beginning stages of a bald faced hornets nest. 

Bald-faced hornets are about three-quarters of an inch longs and are black with ivory markings on their faces and abdomens. They are highly aggressive and very territorial around their nest. They are a physically strong insect and more than capable of stinging through a layer of thick clothing. There is an old saying about not stirring up a hornet's nest when it would have been better to have left something alone. It's a great expression because when you don't want to be around when a hornet's nest is disrupted. You'll anger some ornery stinging insects that hate being bothered -- and they will let you know it in the worst sort of ways. Any loud noises or sudden movements around a nest can easily trigger multiple, painful hornet stings. Because an active hornet or wasp nest is so potentially dangerous, it's best to have an experienced professional remove active nests. 

From personal experience, even full body suits and face protectors are not impermeable barriers against stings. Wherever possible, I keep my distance and avoid getting too close up and personal with wasps or hornets protecting their nest. For this nest in Manasquan, I used my extension pole, attaching our top-of-the-line, professional use aerosol to knock down all hornet activity. Once the hornet activity stopped, I removed the nest, packaged it, and took it with me. There is always a chance of a few stunned hornets inside the nest. My goal with any stinging insect job is to give the homeowner peace of mind that, with the insects killed and the nest gone and off their property, the problem is resolved.