Cowleys Pest Services Before & After Photos

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. 

Now that we safely removed all the squirrels from this home in South Bound Brook, NJ and relocated them to a new, humane environment, we're going to prevent them from getting back in. The squirrels were able to infest the home through the builders gap. A builders gap is the gap between the fascia board, where the gutter is hung, and the roof decking. It's caused when roof decking is stopped too short and isn't flush with the fascia. The gap is meant to help with airflow throughout the attic, but also presents an opportunity for squirrels, as well as raccoons, birds, and bats, to infest the attic.

To exclude the squirrels, as well as any other nuisance wildlife or nuisance birds, we installed Pest-Blok over the builders gap. Pest-Blok doesn't restrict airflow, undergoes a silicone-protected polyester coating process that makes it last longer, and guards the home against squirrels, pests, birds, and all other nuisance wildlife.

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 this client in Cream Ridge, NJ, was heading to his car, he spotted several birds going in and out of a small gap in his soffit! He searched for a reputable bird removing company on Google, found Bird Solutions by Cowleys, and we were sent out.

As we inspected the property, we determined that the birds were infesting the home via the soffit-return. We even found a ton of nesting debris inside the soffit! First, we carefully removed all the nesting debris out of the soffit. Next, we disinfected the soffit 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.

To prevent the birds from reinfesting the area we installed Ridge Vent under the soffit-return and then installed sturdy metal flashing over the soffit and the soffit return.

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.