Mantoloking, NJ Pest Control Services & Exterminator

During a routine service for a Home Protection Plan customer in Mantoloking, NJ, we noticed something interesting in the backyard - rat droppings! As we inspected the area we discovered that one of the exterior crawl space vents was broken. We took a look throughout the crawl space and found a ton of rat droppings. The rats were taken advantage of the broken vent and taking up residency in the homeowner's crawl space! We informed the owner who had no idea that the crawl space vent was even broken! We had mentioned that our Crawl Space team can replace the crawl space vent for her, but she wanted her husband to do it.

In the meantime, the first thing we did was carefully clean up all the rat droppings outside and inside the crawl space. Afterward, we installed several rodent bait stations throughout the crawl space and along the exterior of the home. The last thing we did was schedule several follow up visits to replenish the bait in the bait stations and to monitor the rat activity.

Recently, we were sent out to the home of a new customer in Mantoloking, NJ, to treat for bed bugs. The homeowner reported seeing them in her master bedroom. As soon as we inspected the bedroom, we found a massive infestation of bed bugs throughout the mattress, bed frame, outlets, end table, and even in the briefcase!

Bed bugs love to harbor in tight, enclosed spaces where they can feel pressure on both sides of their body. For treatment, the first thing we did was vacuum up all the live bed bugs and their eggs. Next, we treated the baseboards, bed frame, mattress, end table, and the surrounding areas with a bio-pesticide application. This product creates a barrier that infects and exterminates the bed bugs over a short period of time.

Next, we treated every outlet throughout the bedroom and the hallway with a residual dusting product. This treatment will eradicate bed bugs of all life stages, sex, and feeding status within a short amount of time. Lastly, we scheduled several follow-up visits to monitor the infestation and apply any additional treatments if necessary.

As we were treating this property in Mantoloking, NJ, we came across something interesting - a pile of dead cicadas right next to a cicada killer wasp burrow. Cicada killers are large wasps, approximately 2 inches in size, and get their name from killing cicadas in order to reproduce their larvae. Once the female finishes her burrow, which can be 8-16" long, they then go out and hunt for food, which usually is a cicada. The adult female will paralyze the cicada with her stinger, carry the cicada back to their burrow, and lay her eggs under the left or right second leg of the cicada. The eggs then hatch and the larvae begin to eat the cicada while it is paralyzed. 

Cicada Killers are solitary insects, meaning they nest alone. They choose to nest in well-drained, light-textured soils in full sunlight that are near trees harboring cicadas. During the burrowing process, female cicada killers can displace several pounds of dirt making a big mess and damaging the roots of plants. Additionally, they can dig in areas near walkways which can make some structures unstable. They may look deadly and dangerous, but in reality, they aren't aggressive and rarely sting unless they are grasped roughly, stepped upon with bare feet, or caught in clothing.

For treatment, we applied a granular bait throughout the landscape and injected a residual dusting application directly into each burrow. This product rapidly eliminates the adult cicada killers, their eggs, and the larvae inside the chamber.

As this homeowner in Mantoloking, NJ, was renovating his living room he discovered something that made his heart drop - extensive termite damage found behind the walls on the wooden beams. He was hoping that the damage was old and that there weren't any active termites infesting his home, so he gave Cowleys a call. When we arrived and inspected the area we, unfortunately, confirmed that there were active termites infesting his home, and a lot of them too! Termites are often called the silent destroyers of homes since subterranean insects do their damage hidden from plain view. It's easy for homeowners to miss the often subtle signs of a termite infestation until there has already been substantial damage to the home!

Since termites live beneath the soil, with the owners permission, we drilled into the flooring of the living room, as well as around the exterior home, and injected a liquid termiticide. Next, we drilled into the walls of the living room and injected a foaming version of the termiticide. Both of these treatments bind to the treated areas and creates a protective zone that the termites can't detect. They will then come in contact with the termiticide as they go about their normal routines and transfer it throughout their colony. The treatment then spreads like a virus throughout their colony and in a short amount of time, the termites are exterminated and the home is protected for years to come!

This homeowner in Mantoloking, NJ, was hosting a party and greeting her guests by the front door, when suddenly she and her guests were getting attacked and stung by several angry yellow jackets! Since one of her guests was a customer of Cowleys, she immediately called our office and we were sent out. 

After equipping our protective bee suit, we inspected the front porch area and noticed that the yellow jackets were going in and out of a tiny opening underneath the aluminum flashing by the front door. We treated the area with a knockdown dusting product, which rapidly exterminates the yellow jackets. Once they were exterminated, we then treated the area with a liquid residual to prevent any future yellow jackets from reinfesting the area. Now the homeowner can continue her party without worrying about yellow jackets stinging her or her guests! 

As this homeowner in Mantoloking, NJ was trimming her yard, she noticed a groundhog run across her lawn and then go underneath her shed. Since she is a Home Protection Plan client, she contacted our Nuisance Wildlife Division and we were sent out. 

First, we installed a heavy-duty retrieval device over the burrow and temporarily enclosed it with a portion of Dig Defense® in order to safely retrieve the groundhog. Next, we installed Dig Defense® around the entire perimeter of the except over the groundhogs burrow. We also placed a baited device nearby. Dig Defense® is a below-ground fence system that is 15 inches deep, 4 feet across, and protects structures against invasive nuisance wildlife and feral animals.

Once we safely retrieve the groundhog, we will relocate it to a new, humane location, fill in the burrow, and install another portion of Dig Defense® over the burrow.

As we were treating the property of a Home Protection Plan (HPP) client in Mantoloking, NJ, the owner had mentioned that she saw a few cave crickets (what many people call sprickets) in her crawl space, so we went to inspect and treat the area. As we examined the crawl space, not only did we find cave crickets, but also mice droppings in the insulation and throughout the area! We informed the owner and told her that, since she is a HPP client, we'll take care of the mouse issue.

First thing we did we look for an entry point, which was the broken crawl space window that lead into the crawl space. We offered to replace it for the owner, once the mice are gone, but she mentioned that her husband will buy a new one and replace it on his own. In the meantime, we installed several rodent bait stations in the corners of the crawl space, on the joists, and along the exterior of the home.

We then focused on the cave crickets and treated the area with a liquid residual that not only rapidly exterminates the cave crickets, but also prevents them from reinfesting the area. As a precaution, we also treated the entire exterior with another liquid residual and applied a granular bait to the landscape areas. We then scheduled several follow up visits to replenish the bait stations and monitor the activity. 

This homeowner in Mantoloking, NJ had a mice problem in her home. As we inspected, we found an abundance of mice droppings on the bottom and top of her staircase. We also noticed that there was a lot of cardboard containers, trash bags, and other items on the top and bottom of the staircase. As we took a look inside one of the trash bags we found a mouse inside of it! We recommended that the owner dispose of all the trash bags and cardboard boxes ASAP, sanitize or throw away the items inside them, and store the items inside sturdy, plastic containers. She agreed and her and her husband removed the items.

In the meantime, we carefully cleaned up the droppings and installed several Ready-to-Use rodent bait stations inside and outside of the home. Afterward, we inspected the exterior of the home and stuffed all exposed gaps around the utility pipes with chew-proof stainless metal mesh and then sealed them with a premium, waterproof adhesive. Lastly, we scheduled several follow up visits to monitor the infestation and replenish the bait stations until the mice are no longer infesting the home. 

After her husband was stung several times by hornets that were in the bedroom, this customer in Mantoloking, NJ called Cowleys for help. Once we inspected the room we identified these stinging insects as European hornets.  European hornets are social stinging insects, are much larger than yellow jackets, and, unlike most stinging insects, can be active at night. Their bodies are brown with yellow stripes on their abdomens, have pale faces, two pairs of wings, and six legs. Afterward, we went outside and saw that the hornets were entering the home by going underneath the trim board by the gutter.

For treatment, we injected a knockdown dusting application directly into the small opening. This will rapidly exterminate the European hornets. Once they're gone the homeowner will contact a roofer to repair the hole in the trim board. 

As we were treating a property in Mantoloking, NJ, we found something interesting on the front of the home, a portion of the roof near the gutter had a huge hole in it! We spoke to the homeowner and mentioned that this needed to get fixed ASAP or else he will have a big problem with nuisance wildlife, like raccoons and squirrels. 

He agreed and called his roofer to come out and fix it ASAP. It's imperative to conduct routine inspections around your home to make sure that your property is properly protected from pests and all nuisance wildlife.