Pests We Treat Before & After Photos

As this elderly homeowner in Monmouth Junction, NJ, was sitting on her back porch, enjoying the beautiful weather, she spotted a wasp nest in the corner of her home. Since she is highly allergic to wasps and is a current Home Protection Plan customer, she immediately called our office for help. When we arrived and took a closer look at these stinging insects, we identified them as paper wasps.

Paper wasps, also called umbrella wasps, are semi-social stinging insects that usually have brown bodies with yellow or reddish markings. They range in size from five-eighths to three-quarters of an inch long and are known for the long legs that extend out from their oval bodies. Due to their coloration and body shape, they are often mistaken for yellow jackets but have a slimmer waist and a triangular side view. Paper wasps received their name from the paper-like material out of which they make their nests. A sting from a paper wasp can be extremely painful and can cause allergic reactions in some people. 

We treated the nest with a knockdown liquid application, which will exterminate them almost immediately. After several moments, we removed the nest and treated the area with a liquid residual. This application will eliminate any returning paper wasps as well as prevent them, and any other stinging insect, from building a nest. 

During a startup treatment service for a new Home Protection Plan customer in Martinsville, NJ, we found a small but active paper wasps nest attached to the gable vent in the attic. Paper wasps are semi-social stinging insects that usually have brown bodies with yellow or reddish markings and received their name from the paper-like material out of which they make their nests. A sting from a paper wasp can be extremely painful and can cause allergic reactions in some people.

As we took a closer look, we noticed that there was a hole in the gable vent. Over time the gable vents get weathered and pests, as well as nuisance wildlife, take advantage of these openings and infest homes. For treatment, we grabbed our extendable pole, attached an aerosol product to it, and injected it into the nest. This treatment rapidly neutralizes the paper wasps. Moments later, we removed the nest, disposed of it, and applied a residual application to the area to prevent the paper wasps from returning and rebuilding their nest.

Although we offered to replace the gable vent for the homeowner, she mentioned that she will install it on her own at a later date. 

For years this homeowner in Dayton, NJ has been dealing with carpenter bees drilling into her fascia board and never paid much attention to them. It wasn't until her youngest son noticed some extensive damage to the area and informed her about it. After seeing us treat her neighbors home, she decided to give us a call and we were sent out to inspect and treat. As we inspected the area, we noticed that the fascia board wasn't just damaged, it was almost destroyed by the carpenter bees! There were multiple gaps across the fascia board and, if they aren't repaired or treated ASAP, this will lead to a potential squirrel problem!

Like carpenter ants, carpenter bees can cause significant property damage, as the female bees drill perfectly circular ½-inch diameter holes into fascia boards, porches, decks, siding, sheds, and other wooden structures. While the female creates a tunnel to nest, the male acts as a sentry protecting the female and nest. Those are the ones that dive bomb at you, but can't really do anything since they have no stinger. The females can sting but only does so if threatened. 

For treatment, we injected a residual dusting product into each gallery. This treatment rapidly exterminates the carpenter bees and leaves behind a residual that will eliminate any eggs inside their gallery as well as any returning carpenter bees. Once all the carpenter bees were eliminated, we returned and installed sturdy, metal flashing over the fascia board to prevent squirrels, bats, or any type of wildlife infesting the home. 

As we were servicing this property in Cream Ridge, NJ, we noticed a few European hornets swarming around the barbecue grill. As we got closer and opened the grill, we found a HUGE European hornets nest inside of it. The European hornets were actually nesting inside of the grill!

European hornets, also called giant hornets, received their name from its introduction from Europe into the New York area in the 1800s. They 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 and have pale faces. European hornets have long bodies and antennae and have two pairs of wings and six legs. European hornets have smooth stingers, so they can sting over and over again. Their sting also carry venom that makes the stings hurt, itch, or swell for about 24 hours.

First, we injected a knockdown aerosol application into the nest. We then waited a few moments, and then injected a knockdown liquid application. Both treatments rapidly exterminate the European hornets. A short while later, we removed the nest and disposed of it properly. The homeowner mentioned that he will dispose of the grill at a later date. 

As we were treating this home in Manalapan, NJ we found an interesting pest in the basement - cave crickets! In fact, it was a massive infestation of them throughout the area! Many people refer to them as "sprickets," because they look like a cross between a spider and cricket. Truth is, they aren't arachnids. They're also know as camel crickets because of their humpbacked appearance, which resembles a camel. They are commonly found in caves, as well as damp, cool areas underneath damp leaves, stones, and rotting logs. In homes, the most popular areas they like to invade are basements and crawl spaces (because they are dark and moist).

Camel Crickets do NOT bite, as they have no fangs, nor do they pose any health risks to humans. In fact, their only means to defend themselves is the ability to jump really high to scare off predators. To exterminate the cave crickets, we treated the entire with a granular bait and a liquid non-repellant. Both products will eliminate the cave crickets & prevent them from reinfesting the area.