Local Pest Control and Extermination in Toms River, NJ

Recently, we were sent out to a condo association in Toms River, NJ for a regularly scheduled Home Protection Plan service. As we were treating the backyard, we noticed that one of the trees had an active termite infestation in it! We informed the property manager and began our treatment.

The first thing we did was inject a liquid termiticide around the entire exterior perimeter of the entire condo. The termiticide binds to the treated area and creates a protective zone that the termites can't detect. The termites will unknowingly come in contact with this treatment as they go about their normal routines, bring it back to their nest, and transfer it throughout their colony. A short while after, the termites are exterminated.

Afterward, we installed Sentricon® termite bait stations around the exterior of the condo. When the termites come in contact with the Sentricon® bait system, they eat the cellulose material, unknowingly consuming an insect growth inhibitor. The termites then go on to share this "food" with their colony members. The growth inhibitor then takes over and prevents the termites from being able to molt. If they cannot molt, then the colony is eliminated. Now the property is properly protected from termites for many years to come.

This Home Protection Plan customer in Toms River, NJ, found a mouse underneath his kitchen sink and immediately called Cowleys for help! Once we arrived and inspected the interior of the home, we also found mice activity in the attic. In order to effectively eliminate the mice, we installed several rodent bait stations in the kitchen, the attic, and along the exterior of the home.

As we installed the bait stations, we found gaps around several utility pipes that the mice were using to infest the home. Once we finished installing the bait stations, we scheduled several follow up visits to replenish the bait and then properly seal up all the openings on the exterior of the home.

A customer in Toms River, NJ, was mowing her lawn one afternoon when she noticed a burrow on the side of her shed and that her flowers appeared to be "chewed up." As she shut off the mower and went to take a closer look at the burrow, a groundhog ran across her yard and went underneath her shed! She immediately went inside and called Little Rascals by Cowleys for help. 

Since the groundhog was harboring underneath the shed, that's where we set-up our retrieval devices. First, we installed a positive set over the main access point in order to safely retrieve the groundhog. A positive set is comprised of a nose cone that safely guides the groundhog into the two-gaited, heavy-duty device that is attached. It's called a positive set, because we are positive that the groundhog will enter our device.

Afterward, we installed Dig Defense® around the entire perimeter of the shed, except for that one area. 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 burrows, and install another portion of Dig Defense® over the access point.

As this customer in Toms River, NJ, was renovating his bathroom, he discovered something that made his heart stop - a piece of lumber from the wooden beams that appeared to be damaged by termites. He immediately called Cowleys for help and we were sent to inspect and treat. As we took a look at the wooden beam that was removed, as well as the entire wooden frame of the bathroom, we realized that the homeowner didn't have a termite problem, but an infestation of powderpost beetles! "Powderpost beetle" is a term used to describe several species of small (1/8-3/4 inch long) wood-destroying insects that reduce wood to a flour-like powder. Powderpost beetles lay their eggs in cracks of wood and the larvae tunnel into the surface. The larvae is what causes the damage to wooden structures.

To treat the infestation, we drilled into the wooden beams of the bathroom and injected a foaming termiticide application. Next, we drilled in the concrete surrounding the home and injected a liquid version of the termiticide under the stoops, the brick pavers, and into the soil abutting the foundations. Both of these applications create a protective zone that the powderpost beetles can't detect. Once they come in contact with either of these treatments and bring them back to their nest to share, they are exterminated. Now the home is properly protected from powderpost beetles, as well as from termites, for many years to come!

Recently, we treated a home in Toms River, NJ, for termites. The homeowner had reported seeing termite damage in her dinning room ceiling. Once we arrived and took a closer look, not only did confirm that the damage was inflicted by termites, but we found several subterranean termites inside the wooden beams in the ceiling! 

First, with the owners permission, we drilled into the walls and ceiling of the dinning room and injected a foaming termiticide. Afterward, we drilled into the concrete slab and around the exterior of the home and injected a liquid version of the termiticide. Both of these treatments bind to the treated areas and creates a protective zone that the termites can't detect. The termites will unknowingly come in contact with this treatment as they go about their normal routine, bring it back to their nest, and transfer it among their colony. The applications then spread like a virus and, in a short amount of time, the termites will be exterminated and the home will be protected from termites for many years to come.

While we were servicing this home in Toms River, NJ, we came across several active ant mounds in the front of the house. After we finished treating the exterior home with a liquid residual, we applied an ant gel bait and a granular bait to each of the ant hills. The worker ants are going to bring both these applications back to their nest where they will share the treatments with the other ants in the colony and their reproductive queen. 

They'll do this by grooming one another, feeding one another, or eating their own dead. In a short amount of time, the ants will be exterminated. 

We were sent out to a new Home Protection Plan customer in Toms River, NJ to handle a mice issue inside his home. Upon inspection, we found mouse droppings in the living room and the attic. We also discovered several openings around the downspout and around several utility pipes. Apparently, the homeowner tried to seal these openings using some sort of spray foam. Although this seems like a good idea, it doesn't work as the mice will chew right through it, which is exactly what they did here!

First, we carefully cleaned up all the mice droppings and properly disposed of them. Next, we installed several rodent bait stations in the living room, the two adjacent rooms, the attic, and along the exterior of the home. On our first follow up visit we will replenish the bait in the bait stations as needed, remove all the foaming adhesive from all the gaps, stuff them with chew-proof metal mesh, and seal them with a premium, waterproof adhesive.

A new customer in Toms River, NJ called our Wildlife Division with a huge vole problem in her front and back yard. Also called meadow mice or field mice, voles are rodents with small eyes and partially hidden ears. They are active day and night, year-round, do not hibernate, and their diet consists of plants, especially grasses and seeds, as well as bark, crops, insects, and animal remains. Voles can cause extensive damage to orchards, tree plantings, and field crops. Voles also can ruin lawns, golf courses, and ground covers.

In order to solve this major issue, we used our Burrow RX. The Burrow RX is a carbon monoxide device that uses a smoke-oil tracer that shows us where the majority of the carbon monoxide is going, how far we are reaching in the tunnel, and if there are any leaks. If we noticed any leaks, we fill them in. The gas isn’t toxic to humans because we are outdoors in a well-ventilated area. There’s also no residual that is left behind, so the family is in no danger of getting a residue on them and the vole situation is properly taken care of.

I went out on a service call for a homeowner in Toms River, NJ who was stung by several hornets as he was pruning a tree in his front yard. Once I arrived, I inspected the area and located several bald-faced hornets circling around a nest in the tree.

Bald-faced hornets are social stinging insects that have black bodies and a predominately white face. In the insect world, there is a distinction between “solitary” insects and the so-called “social” ones. Solitary insects go through life alone without the interdependent support network of a colony. The stinging insects responsible for the most pain and misery are “social” ones. They are territorial about their nests and if you get too close and they feel threatened, they will attack. 

I equipped an aerosol application to my extendable and began treating the bald-faced hornet's nest. The aerosol application immediately eliminates the hornets on contact. After a few minutes I removed the nest and the branch it was attached to and properly disposed of them.

We were sent out on a service call for a homeowner in Toms River, NJ. The homeowners are in the process of selling their home and on one of their visits, they noticed a raccoon entering their attic. Beginning our inspection we noticed small raccoon paw prints on the downspout. We followed them up to an area of the soffit that’s damaged. It was obvious signs of raccoon damage.

Raccoons use their shoulders to open flimsy soffits made from thin aluminum or plastic. Once the soffit is opened, they can easily gain access to the entire attic. They also have razor-sharp claws which makes it easy for them to rip apart the siding of a home. We continued our inspection around the side of the building and found another area that a raccoon has entered. After a thorough inspection of the area, we determined that this area was inactive of raccoons. 

We sealed up the inactive area which metal flashing and then set up a one-way device in front of the main access area and enclosed it with hardware cloth. A one-way device will allow the raccoon to safely leave the attic but prevent it from getting back in. We also placed tape on the end of the one-way to monitor the activity. We also set-up a placement on the roof as a back-up. Once we are certain that all raccoons have been removed from the home, we're going to sanitize the attic area and then repair and seal up the soffit to prevent future intrusions. 

A frustrated homeowner in Toms River, NJ was having a real problem with raccoons getting into his attic. I’m sure you’re asking, how did the homeowner know he had raccoons and why was he so upset? One afternoon, the homeowners neighbor saw a raccoon going through back yards on the block, climb up on the homeowners brand new gable vent and then ripped it apart.

A common misconception is that if you see a raccoon during the day, it’s rabid. This is not the case. Raccoons are nocturnal, but there are a number of potential explanations that would debunk this myth. For example, the raccoon could have been discovered by a homeowner when they went into their attic and spooked the raccoon, which left to find a safer location where it won’t be disturbed. Another example is that a trapped raccoon may have been just been released in the middle of the day and needs to seek shelter. 

After thoroughly inspecting the attic, I found evidence that there was a raccoon in the attic. In order to humanely catch the raccoon, I set up a one-way exclusion device over the gable vent. A one-way exclusion device is designed to allow a raccoon to safely exit the property and prevent it from getting back in. I placed a strip of metallic tape on the end of the one-way device to monitor the raccoon activity. If the tape is disturbed, we replace the tape and keep replacing it until it remains unbroken for a few days. 

This is how we ensure that the animals are out and we can seal up the access point knowing that we aren’t trapping the animal inside the house. Raccoons get what we call trap shy. If a raccoon has been trapped before, it will remember the experience and won’t go into the trap, regardless of how well the trap is baited. Once the raccoon is safely caught, our contracting team will come out and repair the gable vent. 

Recently, I was sent to a home in Toms River, NJ to treat a pest infestation of invading ants and centipedes. Ants are an extremely common nuisance pest for homeowners, and centipedes less so. Often, a centipede infestation is an indicator of another pest infestation since they eat a variety of other insects including spiders, silverfish, and ants. Also, centipedes require wet, damp humid areas since they don’t hold in moisture and easily dry out. Inevitably, centipede infestations are concentrated in wet, damp, and humid areas of your home like crawl spaces, basements, kitchens, and bathrooms. Centipedes often stay hidden because they are nocturnal and with their dozens of delicate legs, these guys are fast — moving a foot and a half in a second — across floors, up walls, and along ceilings. And by the way, centipedes can and do bite.

During my exterior inspection of this home, I saw that there were ideal breeding grounds for ants and centipedes. There were a number of mulch and rock beds around the home. These underground coverings retain moisture and are ideal harborage for these insects. Also, ants commonly nest under decks and paver bricks. For preventative outdoor treatments, it is helpful to spot treat these areas away from the foundation. Treating ground cover like ivy, under bushes, and around the base of trees can also make a big difference. For this home, I strapped on a backpack sprayer with an effective residual application to treat these areas. Residual products remain effective and keep working where they are applied for some length of time. Depending on the formulation, and the type and condition of the surface, these products can continue working for days or even weeks.

I was dispatched to Toms River, NJ to help a homeowner get rid of some nasty yellow jackets. Fortunately, no one had yet been stung, and I wanted to keep it that way. Yellow jackets cause more concern than most other stinging insects, and for good reason. They are highly aggressive and territorial. Yellow jackets are social insects that live in colonies with a reproducing queen and workers that forage for food to feed the larvae, build the nest, and protect it against threats. Because yellow jackets do not lose their stinger when they inject their venom, a single yellow jacket is capable of stinging multiple times. Also, a yellow jacket nest can grow to several thousand of these insects, so a yellow jacket attack can result in dozens and dozens of painful stings. Compounding the problem of a yellow jacket infestations is where they build their nests. Unlike many other stinging insects, especially those that live in colonies, they don’t build their nests above-ground where they are easy to spot, and hopefully, avoid before it is removed. Instead, yellow jackets prefer to dig their nests in hidden locations. We find these nests built anywhere and everywhere around homes including holes in the ground and in wildlife burrows. 

This particular homeowner wound up with a yellow jacket nest built right in the ground underneath a cable box in front of his home. Because of the location of this nest, it posed a huge risk to the home’s residents. There was no question that this colony had to be eliminated and eliminated quickly. Because these insects are so aggressive and will quickly attack anyone they deem to pose a threat, the first thing I did was to put on a protective suit. Just like everyone else, pest control technicians don’t like getting stung. It’s an occupational hazard of the job, but we do our best to avoid it.  With any stinging insect job, we always have our guard up to protect ourselves, and we take safety precautions such as wearing protective suits. 

After I was suited up, I injected a dust into the opening where they were entering and exiting the nest and marked the nest location with a flag to identify its location. This product is highly effective and will eliminate the nest within 24 hours.