Category Archives: Uncategorized

How to Get Rid of Ants in the Pantry

Ants waking across a rePantries are places to store dry food, dishes, utensils, spices, and other kitchen items. It certainly isn’t a place for ants, but these common pests often find their way inside in search of food, warmth, and shelter. Ants are a big problem for New Jersey homeowners, but help is just around the corner if you discover insects in this part of your home.

 

Here’s an overview of what attracts ants to pantries, how to prevent ants from eating your food, and how to get rid of ants in a pantry.

 

Why Ants Get Into Pantries

 

Like all creatures, ants are steadily searching for food and will do whatever it takes to fuel their bodies. Ants also need water and can often find moisture in pantries due to product leaks and spills. If you do not properly close and seal the containers in your pantry, ants can find their way in and access your food. Another cause of ants in a pantry is crumbs left behind from messy snacking. If you store a kitchen trash can in your pantry, ensure it is tightly sealed with a lid and not overflowing to prevent ants.

 

The Problem of Ants in Pantry and Cupboard Spaces

 

The idea of ants living among the food you eat is unsettling and may lead you to throw away everything in your pantry, resulting in lots of wasted food and money on those groceries. Ants are not known to spread disease like other pests, such as mosquitoes. However, they can cause cross-contamination by spreading bacteria from one place of your home to another. For example, ants can move from dirty parts of your home, such as the kitchen sink or trash can, to the pantry and bring bacteria into your food supply. It is also possible for ants to cause allergic reactions and bite or sting humans.

 

Preventing Pantry Ants

 

The best way to prevent pantry ants is to keep a clean pantry and eliminate open food sources. Promptly clean up any spills or crumbs, and wipe down pantry shelves with a non-toxic disinfectant to keep them away. If open bags of food do not reseal well, place them into containers with lids or Ziploc bags to reduce your ant risk. Another idea to consider is using natural deterring scents that ants dislike in your pantry, such as lemon, peppermint, and cinnamon. You can dilute these types of essential oils with water and spray them in your pantry for a non-toxic, natural solution.

 

Getting Rid of Ants in a Pantry

 

The process of how to get rid of ants in a pantry can be tricky because of the risk of contaminating your food supply with toxic products. Never spray pantry shelves with traditional ant-killer spray because you may accidentally ingest the chemicals and poison yourself when later eating the food inside your pantry. However, you can try using ant traps to kill pantry ants and also place the traps around other high-risk kitchen areas.

 

When to Call a Professional

 

Unfortunately, if you find ants in your pantry, chances are they can access other parts of your home as well. It is difficult to comprehend the extent of an ant infestation, which is why Northern New Jersey residents trust us with their ant control needs.

 

The exterminators at Precise Termite & Pest Control know the most effective ways of ridding a pantry of ants and can help you feel safer and more comfortable in your kitchen. Contact us for a free inspection at the first sign of ant activity!

Tips for How to Get Rid of Mice in Apartments

small mice in home near sneakersA mice infestation can be a massive headache in a large house when you aren’t sure where they are coming in from and where they are hiding at any given time. But it can also be frustrating to have mice in an apartment, especially if your small living space is packed with furniture from wall to wall and neighbors are renting space next to you on the other side of those walls.

 

This article covers how to get rid of mice in an apartment – fast, naturally, professionally, and affordably.

 

How Mice Get Into Apartments

 

Apartments are shared spaces that are especially prone to mice activity. Even if you have the most diligently clean and mindful household habits, mice can enter apartment buildings because of other tenants’ spilled food, unsecured containers, and open windows and doors. Mice commonly come into multi-unit apartment buildings through cracks and gaps in floors and hallways. They enter through doors and windows that people leave open, the building’s heating and cooling systems, and even from one apartment to another through ceilings and walls.

 

What Attracts Mice in an Apartment?

 

Mice come into apartment buildings in search of food, water, and shelter. Mice can easily enter your space if you or your neighbors leave out food, leave unclean dishes in the sink, or don’t repair holes in your private rooms. Mice activity tends to pick up in the fall when the weather cools off outside. Mice are attracted to clutter in apartments because it provides ample hiding spaces. They enjoy finding dirty floors that aren’t cleaned regularly, trash that isn’t covered or taken out frequently, and original food packages that are easy to chew through in pantry areas.

 

How to Get Rid of Mice in an Apartment Naturally

 

For a humane and eco-friendly approach to mice control, you may look for natural solutions for how to get rid of mice in a small apartment. You can place certain scents around your house to deter mice, such as vinegar, peppermint oil, and citronella. Mice tend to avoid areas with strong smells. You can also try placing aluminum foil in mouse-prone areas, try ultrasonic devices that make noises that mice hate, or adopt a cat to keep mice away. Keeping your house clean and tidy and sealing up entry points around your apartment can go a long way in preventing mice infestations in the first place.

 

Get Professional Help with the Mice in Your Apartment 

 

If you have tried your best but still cannot get mice out of your apartment, don’t delay calling Precise Termite & Pest Control. We know the safest, most humane, and most effective ways to eliminate mice from apartments, and we offer free inspections to help you determine the severity of the problem. Some landlords cover pest control as part of building management, while others expect tenants to find and pay for their own pest control services. So, check your lease or contact the person you rent from to assess your situation.

 

At Precise Termite & Pest Control, we are committed to helping you get rid of mice in your apartment fast so that you can get on with your life pest-free. Don’t hesitate to contact us online or at 866-971-2847 to get control over the mice in your apartment!

How Do Termites Spread Within and Between Homes?

Termite and fungus infested wood on the side of a house.Termites are social insects that live in colonies and work in groups. When you see one termite, it’s guaranteed that there are others nearby, which can lead to a full-blown infestation inside your house. Termites spread quickly and easily throughout a home and possibly even to other homes and buildings in the vicinity.

 

To help you stop termites before they get out of control, here’s a look at how termites spread and the warning signs of termite spreading.

 

Termites Spreading Between Walls and Furniture

As New Jersey pest control experts, we often get the question, “How easily do termites spread from walls to furniture?” The answer we typically give is “very easily,” because these insects can multiply to infestation levels within just a few days.

 

The spread occurs when winged, reproductive termites go out to mate and then come back to start new colonies. Termites also join existing infestations by building tunnels through walls as they hunt for food in a home.

 

Termites Spreading Between Neighbors

Not only can termites spread throughout your home, but they can also spread from one home to the next in your neighborhood. From the epicenter of an infestation, termites commonly spread out more than 100 feet in every direction. Other estimates put termite travel distances at around 230 feet from the epicenter. Therefore, it is very possible for termites to enter your home if you have a close neighbor who is battling a termite infestation.

 

Between houses, termites move through mud tubes in yards and then enter through cracks in the walls. Termites that have reproductive and flying capabilities move through the air to search for mating partners, an effort that may cause termites on a neighbor’s property to travel to your home.

 

Signs of Termites Spreading

One of the telltale signs of termites spreading in a home are droppings that look like wood-colored and rigid pellets that may fall from ceilings. You may also notice mud tunnels around the foundation of your home if subterranean termites are present. Damp stains on walls, chewing sounds behind the walls, soft floorboards, and dried mud accumulations around doors and windows are also signs of termite spreading.

 

If you don’t catch spreading termites quickly, the structural integrity of your home will be compromised and costly repair bills will be inevitable. Termite infestations don’t simply go away on their own, so you need to be proactive about stopping them and aware of how fast they spread from underground to the foundation, walls, furniture, other items in your home.

 

Stop Termites from Spreading Now

If you have termites in or around your home, you need Precise Termite & Pest Control on your side. We specialize in stopping termites from costing you thousands of dollars of property damage so that you can have peace of mind and save your hard-earned money. It is a smart idea to have your home regularly inspected for termites so that you can catch small termite populations early before they spread. If your neighbor has been having termite troubles, a free inspection by one of our professional exterminators can save you countless expenses and stresses in your own home.

 

Contact us today at 866-971-2847 to learn more about how we handle termite extermination and to schedule your free inspection.

How Do You Know When All the Mice Are Gone?

Wood Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus)If you’ve ever dealt with a problem of mice in the house, you know the desperate feeling of wanting to get them out as quickly as possible. But after you’ve caught one or more mice, is there any way to tell if that’s it or if more are lingering behind?

 

This article answers the question of how to know when all the mice are gone and also make sure that they stay away for good.

 

Trust Your Sense of Smell

Mice leave a certain foul odor behind that comes from their urine. When you have a mice infestation, you may smell this odor throughout your house. But when all the mice are gone, the smell should dissipate as well.

 

Inspect for Mice Droppings

Mice droppings are a sure sign that you have mice in the house. But are these new droppings you are seeing or old ones that you never discovered until now?

 

If you found mouse droppings but no mouse in a frequently used part of your house, chances are that you still have mice in the house that need to be taken care of. Also, keep an eye out for newly gnawed food containers in your cupboards that weren’t chewed through the last time you checked.

 

Listen Closely for Sounds

Turn off your stereo and TV periodically to listen for continued sounds of mice activity. It is much more likely that you will hear mice than actually see them. This is because mice scurry behind walls, under floorboards, in attics, and in closets. Your home should be silent once the mice have officially left your property. Mice are more active at night than in the day, so listen especially closely in the evening hours.

 

Leave Out Some Bait

There are also some clever ways that you can test if mice are still living in your home or if you have finally accomplished a mice-free residence. One simple trick that you can try is to sprinkle some flour on the floor where mice would likely travel before you go to bed. If you see tiny footprints in the flour the next morning, mice are still living in your home.

 

You can also leave out a sweet treat, such as a cookie, to see if any lingering mice find it and gnaw away at the delicious surprise. Setting mice traps with peanut butter or cheese can have the same effect.

 

Call a Professional to Check for You

While all of these mice investigation techniques can be effective as an amateur, the only real way to see if you still have mice in the house is to enlist the help of a professional. Precise Termite & Pest Control’s expert exterminators know exactly where to look for mice still hiding in your home and get them out so that they stay away for good. We’ll help you figure out how mice are coming into your home in the first place and the type of mice you’re dealing with. Then we can take the best course of action to get the remaining mice out of your home quickly and effectively so that you no longer have to worry about germs, disease, or unsanitary conditions.

Contact us at 866-971-2847 for your free mice inspection today to get the best results and peace of mind!

Natural Ways to Repel Mosquitos

Close up of Mosquito biting someoneMosquitos are part of our summer experience here in New Jersey, so there’s really no way to completely avoid these pesky insects. You can protect yourself with commercial mosquito repellent whenever you go outside or try natural mosquito repellent to limit your exposure to chemicals on your skin and that you breathe in.

 

Here’s an overview of natural bug repellents so you can make the best choice for yourself and your family. And if those solutions aren’t keeping the mosquitos away, Precise Termite & Pest Control can help.

 

Citronella

One of the most well-known solutions for DIY mosquito control is citronella. Citronella is a natural, herb-based essential oil that comes in the form of candles and sprays. Studies have shown that citronella can be as effective as DEET when formulated right and used every couple ours.

 

Lemon Eucalyptus Oil

Many people love the smells of lemon and eucalyptus, but mosquitos hate these scents. The CDC has proven that lemon eucalyptus oil can repel mosquitos, and this is a tried-and-true natural remedy that’s been around for generations.

 

Lavender

Lavender has a scent that is pleasing to humans but that mosquitos dislike. Plant some lavender around your yard to produce this natural fragrance to repel mosquitos in areas you spend time in. You can also apply lavender oil to mosquito bites that have already happened because lavender’s antiseptic and antiseptic qualities help soothe the skin.

 

Cinnamon

Cinnamon has been used in research studies and found to repel certain types of mosquitos. You can combine cinnamon oil with water to dilute it and spray the solution onto your skin or just in the air to help prevent mosquito activity.

 

Greek Catnip Oil

Another natural way to fight mosquitos in your yard is to grow Greek catnip in your yard or purchase the ready-made oil from the plant. The best part of the plant comes from the leaves that oil can be extracted from. Studies have found that this variety of catnip can actually be more effective than DEET for keeping mosquitos away.

 

Other Ways to Repel Mosquitos

In addition to natural solutions to protect your skin, there are also physical measures that you can take to keep mosquitos at bay. These include installing mosquito netting around your porch or patio and placing a fan next to you. These mosquito repellent ideas work to provide physical barriers between you and insects, while keeping the air moving and not stagnant. Eliminating standing water in your yard will also help deter mosquitos. You can also create an environment in your yard to attract the natural predators of mosquitos to let nature take its course, such as frogs and dragonflies.

 

How to Repel Mosquitos Most Effectively

Natural mosquito repellent options are definitely worth a try and work well for many people who love spending time outdoors. But if these natural bug repellents aren’t getting the job done and you still have stinging insects in your yard, it’s time to call Precise Termite & Pest Control. Not only are mosquitos a nuisance, but they can also transmit diseases and put your health at risk.

 

Contact us at 866-971-2847 to take back your summer and enjoy more mosquito-free days in your backyard.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs in Your House

Isolated earwigHere in New Jersey, we have to deal with many different types of insects on a regular basis. But one of the lesser-known (and stranger-looking) bugs here is the earwig.

This article addresses the topic of earwigs around the house and earwig infestations so you know how to handle these bugs when you see them.

 

What Are Earwigs?

Earwigs are insects with six legs, two antennae, and pinchers coming out from their abdomens. They are odd-looking insects that can be intimidating and are between 5 and 25 millimeters long.

There are at least 20 types of earwigs in the U.S. These insects live in large groups, and only some of them have wings. They prefer cool and moist places to live, often coming out at night to feed. Earwigs eat both plants and other insects and gravitate toward crawl spaces and damp basements. These bugs are also attracted to lights, so you might find them around your porch lights on summer evenings.

 

Risks of the Earwig Bug

There are some terrifying myths surrounding earwigs, such as that they lay eggs in humans’ ears and can eat through brain matter! However, there is no truth to these myths, as the risks they pose are quite mild by comparison.

Earwigs can use those pinchers to pinch humans, but they don’t bite. They are also not known to spread bacteria or diseases. However, earwigs are still a nuisance and not a bug you want living around your home. They can find cracks and gaps in houses and come inside where they aren’t welcome. Since they eat plants, earwigs can cause problems for gardeners by eating things you’ve planted to eat and enjoy looking at.

 

How to Get Rid of Earwigs

The rules for keeping your home free of earwigs are similar to those for avoiding most kinds of pests in our area. If you’re looking for answers about how to get rid of earwigs, make sure to fix any leaky drains and pipes to reduce the amount of moisture settling around your home. It’s also a smart idea to remove leaf and wood piles from the outdoor areas around the house because earwigs like to take up residence in these places.

Cleaning your gutters and drain pipes, as well as trimming bushes and trees, are great preventative measures to take when you want to avoid an earwig infestation. Avoid laying mulch down that’s over two inches deep and decorating your yard with stones for them to hide under. Always keep grass and bushes at least a foot away from the foundation of your house to serve as a barrier between natural insect habitats and your home.

 

Dealing with an Earwig Infestation

If you are already discovering earwigs around your property this summer, Precise Termite & Pest Control can help. Our highly skilled and trained exterminators are experienced with working with these specific types of insects and know the best ways to get them out of your home and keep them from coming back.

We offer free inspections and have decades of experience keeping our local communities earwig-free. Contact us at 866-971-2847 to learn more about our earwig extermination services or to schedule us to come out to your home to take care of an earwig issue.

The Many Types of Bug Bites and Stings & How to Differentiate Them

Getting bitten or stung by an insect is never pleasant, but some bites and stings are more serious and uncomfortable than others. Furthermore, if you didn’t see the actual insect land on your skin, you might not be sure exactly what caused symptoms like itching, pain, swelling, and redness.

Here is some information about the different types of bug bites and stings and how to differentiate them to pursue the best course of treatment.

Spider Bites

Many spider bites are harmless, but others are dangerous and require immediate medical attention. Spider bites typically look like two small puncture marks and have a single raised papule or pustule. Spiders, such as brown recluses and black widows, are very dangerous when they bite. Meanwhile, some people have allergic reaction to even the most common spiders. The symptoms of a spider bite may be unnoticeable at first but worsen after two to eight hours.

Tick Bites

If you’ve been bitten by a tick, you’ll likely notice swelling and pain at the affected area. You may also notice blisters forming, a rash, and a burning sensation. Since ticks can remain attached to skin for long periods of time, it is best to remove the entire tick with tweezers. A skin reaction at the site of a tick bite can be symptomatic for several days or even weeks.

Mosquito Bites

Mosquito bites appear as small, round, and swollen bumps that appear very soon after you’ve been bit. They may occur as a single bite or occur in clusters. Mosquito bites are usually very itchy, but the itch should subside within a few days.

Bee Stings

After being stung by a bee, the skin develops a white spot where the stinger went into the skin. You may experience itching, pain, swelling, and redness after being stung by a bee. The symptoms of a bee sting typically peak after about 24 to 48 hours and may last for several days after that.

Wasp Stings

Unlike bees that only sting one time, wasps can sting multiple times if they become aggressive. Wasp stings can be itchy and result in swelling, sharp pain, and redness. You’ll also notice raised welts around the place you were stung. With wasp stings, the redness and swelling will typically increase for two to three days after being stung and then subside after that.

One of the best ways to prevent these types of bites and stings (and many others too) is to keep your home and yard pest-free. At Precise Pest Control, we offer effective, prompt, safe, and affordable pest control solutions to help you minimize your risks. At the first signs of a pest problem or as a preventative measure, contact us for a free inspection.

How to Identify and Remove Carpenter Ants

Prevent Carpenter Ant Damage to Your House

Carpenter ants aren’t just a nuisance; they can cause serious damage to your home and cost you an extraordinary amount of money. Here’s what you need to know about these pests and where to find effective carpenter ant removal NJ.

Basics of Carpenter Ants

These are one of the most common ants in the U.S. and have large populations in New Jersey. Carpenter ants are typically between ¼ inch to 3/8 inch in length, and although most are black, some can be reddish or yellowish in color. These ants live in colonies with an egg-laying female, males with short life spans, and sterile female worker ants. One of the telltale signs of a carpenter ant problem is the “sawdust” left behind, which may lead to their nest.

Continue reading

What Are “Super Termites” and How to Prevent Them

As if termites weren’t bad enough, now “super termites” have appeared and are threatening parts of the country. Super termites are a relatively new hybrid species that are thought to be even more damaging and destructive than their counterparts.

These hybrids pose serious risks because they’re larger, more resilient, and live in fast-growing colonies. Let’s learn a bit more about the origin of the super termite and how you can prevent termite investigations of all kinds.

Super Termites in Florida

South Florida made headlines when an invasive species of termites surfaced here. Apparently, two separate termite species that originated in Asia mated and started giving birth to a stronger and more adaptable version of the termite. Scientists have hypothesized that the gradually warming climate could be impacting termites’ mating seasons and making them more temperature tolerant.

Super termites could cause large-scale environmental problems and destroy thousands of homes around the world. Other places that are home to the most destructive types of termites include Hawaii and Taiwan. Researchers fear that these hybrid termites could easily spread to other parts of the U.S. and the world as well.

Signs of Termite Damage

Termites aren’t inherently damaging to the natural environment because they help break down debris to allow nutrients to enter the soil. However, they can really wreak havoc on your home. Termites feed on wood and compromise the strength and safety of your home’s infrastructure. They can also impact laminate flooring, walls, and carpet.

These are some of the most common signs of termite damage.

  • Holes in cabinets, floors, ceilings, or anything made of wood
  • Buckling or swollen floors and ceilings
  • A scent that smells like mold or mildew
  • Tunnels near the foundation of your home

Termite Prevention Tips

To protect your home from costly and time-consuming repairs, here are a few termite prevention tips to keep in mind.

  • Hire licensed pest management companies to conduct regular inspections of your home for termites
  • Seal cracks and holes in your home’s foundation
  • Keep mulch, firewood, and sawdust at least 20 feet away from your home and stored on bricks
  • Make sure that your attic and crawl space are well-ventilated
  • Keep wood siding and stucco at least six inches from the ground
  • Promptly repair leaky faucets, roofs, and gutters
  • Avoid letting rain and leaves accumulate in outdoor gutters and drains

Termite Control in Bergen County

Pests are often a major cause of concern for New Jersey homeowners, so it’s important find reliable termite control in Bergen County. Termites, whether the super hybrid type or the standard variety, eat non-stop 24/7, causing up to $2 billion in damage per year!

And unfortunately, the damage is often not noticeable until you have a full-blown infestation. As soon as you notice any termite activity or telltale signs of damage, contact a local professional to stop the situation before it gets out of hand.

5 Ways to Protect Your Home from Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are pests that destroy homes, but in a somewhat different way than termites. They build smooth nests in both moist environments and in dry wood. Common breeding grounds are often found around windows, bathtubs, sinks, old tree stumps, and dead or dying trees near your home. They’re among the largest types of ants, averaging about ¼-inch to 3/8-inch long, and they’re typically black, yellowish, or reddish in color.

These little pests can cause tremendous damage in a home by burrowing tunnels through wood and insulation. Although they are a nuisance, you can do a lot to prevent carpenter ant colonies from forming in and around your home. Here are five ways to protect your house from carpenter ants.

Don’t Store Firewood on the Ground or Indoors

One big mistake that homeowners make is storing firewood on the ground for later use. This attracts carpenter ants, which are drawn to areas of wood-to-soil contact. Grab some bricks and elevate your wood off the ground before taking it inside.

Although it might be tempting to store firewood indoors on cold winter days, this is not a good idea either. Always store wood outdoors and inspect it carefully before bringing it inside.

Trim Near Trees & Bushes

Since carpenter ants thrive in both dry and moist wood, it’s important to keep trees, bushes, and foliage a safe distance away from your home’s exterior. Carpenter ants have a habit of using nearby tree and brush branches to make their way into your house.

As a general rule, no plants should touch your siding, windows, or roofing. This is also helpful if you hire a pest control professional to spray localized pesticides around your home to kill stubborn ant populations that remain after nests are physically removed.

Call for Help When You Identify an Infestation

If you experience a carpenter ant infestation, it’s a good idea to contact a professional pest control company to handle the situation. The quicker that you rid your home of carpenter ants, the less likely that your home will have serious structural damage.

If you are inexperienced with this species and only remove some of the ants, the colony could rebound and multiply. Queen ants lay about 15-20 eggs in their first year and up to 30 eggs in their second year. Find a trusted professional to collect and identify the ants and determine if physical controls are adequate or if chemical pesticides are needed to drive them out.

Carpenter Ant Removal and Prevention Tips

  • First find the nest and then determine your carpenter ant removal options
  • Look for “satellite” ant colonies about 20-40 feet from the parent nest
  • Regularly inspect your foundation for cracks and seal up openings to prevent ants from entering
  • Fix leaky roofs and chimneys to prevent wood from staying moist
  • Consider chemical pesticides as a last resort if ants cannot all be captured
  • After removal, seal access points and replace damaged wood