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Cowleys Pest Services Videos - Page 5

How to Apply Insect Repellent - NPMA

Watch this video to learn the proper way to apply insect repellent when spending time outdoors. Video provided by the National Pest Management Association (NMPA).

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A homeowner in Farmingdale, NJ, was hearing animal noises in the attic for a few days and decided he better get the infestation resolved, and contacted Cowleys. He told us that he was hearing noises at sunrise and then just before dark. Upon inspection, we saw a squirrel climbing the brick wall and accessing the home through a missing brick. There was also a hole in the wooden soffit. Th soffit and fascia area of the roofline are common entry points for wildlife that find their way onto the roof. As far as the noises heard by the homeowner, squirrels are diurnal, meaning that they are active during the day. So, the the timing of the noises made complete sense. The home-invading squirrels started to become active at first light, and they exited the attic to forage for food, and then returned as the sun started to set. To resolve this wildlife problem, I custom-bent a piece of flashing to cover the brick entry, and then installed a one-way door. These one-way devises are hinged so that they allow the animal to exit, bu prevent their return. For these squirrels, it is a one-way trip. I then secured three baited traps on roof to capture and relocate the squirrels to a more appropriate habitat. It didn't take long. Within two days, all of the squirrels had exited the home and were successfully removed from the structure. After the squirrels were captured and relocated, other members of the Cowley team arrive to complete the final seal up and remove the temporary flashing and remove the temporary flashing and one-way. The homeowner was quite pleased that the squirrels were out of the attic and that there were no more disturbing noises from all their activity.
Squirrel exclusion in Farmingdale, NJ
Now that temperatures are starting to warm up, we are starting to see quite a number of insects waking up from their long winter slumber (technically called “diapause,” a period of insect dormancy). And boy oh boy, these guys are hungry and start foraging for food and water right away. Here, homeowners in Oakhurst, NJ, already found themselves with a pavement any infestation. These small, blackish ants are commonly called pavement ants because they often build their shallow nests under rocks, and in and under pavement cracks in man-made sidewalks, driveways, building slabs. If thy nest around your home, these ants, which can enter through the tiniest cracks around the foundation, doors, and windows, often wind up inside to forage for food that they bring back to the colony. These ants eat pretty much anything including meats, grease, bread, and, of course, sweets.    Ant colonies expand rapidly, so it’s essential that the infestation be addressed as soon as they make an appearance. Even if you just see a few ants, it’s only the tip of the iceberg. There are several ways to eliminate an ant colony and technicians have different products at their disposal depending on the particular circumstances of the infestation. Sometimes we use ant baits, and other times, a liquid non-repellant product is highly effective. To resolve any ant infestation, you have to eliminate the entire colony. Otherwise, killing a few foraging ants you happen to see won’t make a difference.   At Cowleys, we like to keep the customer in the loop, explain the options, and what would best suit their specific situation.Here, for this homeowner, he agreed that we should go forward with a liquid application. With this product, we lightly treat the trails established by the foraging ants. They come into contact with the product and carry it back to the colony where it then spreads because of their natural behavior. Ants are constantly touching each other from grooming and other activities. Ants will even eat other dead ants. For them, food is food and nothing goes to waste. With this application, it doesn’t take long for an entire colony to be eliminated. Within two weeks, this pavement ant infestation should be gone completely.
Ant colony expands in Oakhurst, NJ
Mice are one of many overwintering pests — these pests that enter our homes when temperatures drop to escape the harsh outdoor elements. They use our homes to find warm places to nest and reproduce, and to forage for food and water. Rodents infest our homes for their very survival. Just like humans, they are not equipped to handle cold temperatures for extended periods of time and do not have the mechanisms of other animals and rodents to survive the winter outdoors. We don’t welcome them into our homes because they are bad houseguests. They contaminate food and food surfaces and their droppings can spread a variety of serious diseases. Often, homeowners will find evidence of a mouse infestation, especially droppings, long before an actual mouse sighting. Mice are nocturnal and do their foraging in the quiet of the night.  Should you discover mouse droppings in your home (often in cabinets and under appliances) or food that has mysteriously relocated., the best thing to do is contact a pest control professional to perform a thorough inspection. Mice reproduce quickly and DIY interventions tend to be ineffective. A technician has the experience to find the often hidden access points around the home’s perimeter such as around gas lines, water lines, connections to air conditioning units, and wires that are entering the home. Because of their size, mice can enter through the smaller of openings — even an opening the size of a dime is enough. With a trained eye, we can spot problem areas relatively quickly and formulate a plan to resolve the infestation. Mice are a bona fide health hazard for a household and time is critical.  In this Toms River, NJ home, there were several pipes that entered the home directly beneath the bathroom. The homeowner found droppings underneath the bathroom sink. In the basement, she saw that an old exhaust line was wide open to the outside, and she shoved an old t-shirt in the opening until we could come out to investigate. For the basement inspection, I turned off all the basement lights to scan the perimeter in the dark. I was looking for any spots where daylight was entering. As a general rule, if a gap is big enough to allow light in, it’s usually large enough to allow rodents in as well, and it should be considered a potential rodent entry point.   With chew-proof steel wool and expandable foam, I methodically plugged each of the openings. After sealing the openings, I placed two exterior rodent bait stations were the pipes were entering the home and placed several interior bait stations along the sill plates. Pacing these stations both inside and outside will resolve the current infestation by eliminating mice inside the home and prevent any future re-infestations by blocking exterior entry points. I recommend that every home has an annual interior and exterior perimeter inspection to locate and seal these openings. Over time, caulk and clay used to seal these openings breaks down from exposure to the elements. If the homeowner does not have the mobility, time, or interest to do a thorough inspection, it is worthwhile contacting a pest control service. Preventing a rodent infestation is far easier and less anxiety-causing than treating one. 
Mice evidence found in Toms River, NJ bathroom.
For my final stop of the day, I was dispatched to one of the commercial properties that we handle in Asbury Park, NJ for their pest control needs. This building, a senior housing facility, has had periodic bed bug problems in the past. The property manager contacted us because he was concerned that there may be an infestation in one of the units and wanted us to inspect that apartment as well as the surrounding ones. Bed bugs hitchhike on people and their belongings and jump from host to host. In high density housing, it can make all the difference in treating these infestations early before they have a chance to spread. This property manager did exactly what should be done once a bed bug infestation is suspected. Because of the ability of bed bugs to squeeze through small openings, just like roaches and other insects, if a unit has a suspected infestation, it’s always best to inspect the units directly above, below, and to the sides of the unit where the infestation is suspected in order to make sure that it hasn’t yet spread. I first went to the unit where their was the suspected problem to inspect. I was greeted by the tenant, a very nice woman who invited me in and was quite grateful I was there. She showed me some bite marks on her arm that looked very much like typical bed bug bites. As a bed bug specialist, I’ve gained quite a bit of familiarity with the appearance of bed bug bites. It’s important to stress, however, that bed bug bites are not uniform in appearance. People has different reactions to the bites based on skin type and their own sensitivities. Some develop itchy welts, while others don’t. However, waking up with mysterious insect bites is a problem no matter what insect is doing the biting!  I started my inspection in the bedroom because bed bugs do not like to venture far from their host between their blood meals. I began by inspecting the sheets as I removed them from the bed, looking for speckled blood and fecal stains. I then carefully stood up the mattress and box spring to inspect underneath. That’s when I made the unfortunate discovery that this tenant had a bed bug problem. While it’s bad news to hear you have a bed bug infestation, it is still better than allowing the infestation to get worse. This tenant had a minimal amount of furniture, which means a minimal number of harborage areas, which makes the area easier to treat.   I helped her prep the apartment for an immediate treatment rather than returning later. My goal here was to immediately knock down the live population, especially the bed bugs I observed on the bottom of the box spring. I performed a light liquid application where the bed bugs were nesting. The formulation we use works wonders and gives an immediate knock down —killing them within seconds of coming into contact with the application. It’s gratifying to see.  While the application was drying, I inspected the living room couches. Bed bugs often hide in upholstered furniture where people nap, sleep, or rest.  Some good news. There were no signs of bed bug activity and the infestation was limited to the bedroom. I returned to the bedroom and vacuumed up any bed bugs I could find, dead or alive. I put encasements on the mattress and box spring to keep any hidden bed bugs sealed inside as well as prevent  bed bugs hiding elsewhere to make their way to the bedding. This will go a long way in stopping the nighttime bed bug bites.  The tenant was thrilled that I took care of the bed bug infestation then and there. I assured her that I’d be back for a follow-up visit shortly to re-inspect and do any follow-up treatments that were needed. I’ve had few customers who were as appreciative as this one. She insisted on giving me a hug and a chocolate bar for my work! It’s easy to forgot the human element of pest infestations,. At the end of the day we are not treating pests, rather, we are helping people get with a difficult problem that’s affected their lives. For me, that’s the most satisfying part of my job.
Bed bugs bite in Asbury Park
A very frustrated and concerned homeowner in Farmingdale, NJ, contacted Cowleys because of a rat and mouse infestation inside her home. Rodent infestations increase during the cold temperature months since these animals are seeking warmth and protection against the harsh outdoor elements. The rodents had made a mess in the home and the entire situation posed a serious health hazard because of their toxic droppings. When dried and disturbed, rodent droppings can become airborne, creating a serious health risk. Needless to say, the homeowner was more than ready to have this infestation resolved once and for all. A two-person pest control technician team was immediately sent to the residence to get it done. To successfully resolve a rodent infestation, it is essential to conduct a thorough, systematic inspection of the structure to determine possible points of entry. They don’t require much of a crack or gap to squeeze their way inside. A mouse can fit through an opening about the size of a dime, and rats need a gap about the size of a quarter. They typically enter homes around the foundation, and common entry points are spaces that have formed around where pipes and wires enter the home. Over time, from exposure to the elements, the cement or silicone used for sealant around the pipe erodes and openings appear. Rodents have poor eyesight and travel along the edges of walls that they can touch with their fur. They feel for openings and then find their way in. If the holes are sealed, it gives them a message that there’s nothing interesting to here, and they’ll often just keep moving along. Here, during our exterior perimeter inspection, we found several openings around the gas meter, a/c unit, and water line. We stuffed the openings with a chew-proof copper mesh and held it firmly in place with an expandable foam. This will deter rodents from entering, as well as keeping out insects and water. Water entering homes causes a host of problems. It damages building materials, can trigger mold growth, and is an attractant for pests.   Next, we conducted an interior inspection looking for ways the rodents were entering areas of the home, especially their entry into the kitchen where they forage for food and water. Rodents typically travel through the wall voids and do their foraging at night, so they are rarely seen. Rodents like the warmth of the motor housing underneath refrigerators and we always look behind that appliance to see what activity is going on. Here, there was a large opening that provided easy access to the kitchen. We sealed that opening with copper mesh and foam. We also installed exterior bait stations around the home’s perimeter. By feeding them tainted bait outside the home, most will die before entering the home and minimize the number of rodent carcasses inside.  Finally, we scheduled a 7-day follow-up appointment to re-inspect, check and replenish the bait boxes as necessary, and see that our exclusion work is holding up. Rodents are resilient pests, but we will stay on the job until the problem is resolved. The homeowner was appreciative of our efforts, and my partner and I were happy to help her! We understand the emotional toll that a rodent infestation can cause homeowners.    
Mice exclusion in Farmingdale, NJ home
Recently, I was sent to a home in Red Bank, NJ after Cowleys had received a call from a new homeowner who had found both carpenter ant and mouse activity in his newly purchased home. He was planning on extensively renovating the home, but in the interim, he wanted the property completely serviced for pest activity. He wanted his new home to start out completely pest-free and who could blame him!  These infestations were a prime example of how neglected home maintenance can often lead to pest problems. While treating the exterior perimeter of the home, I found several window sills that were water-rotted from years of exposure to the outdoor elements that were never repaired. Carpenter ants seek out soft, moist, water-damaged wood because it is easy for them to build their galleries and lay their eggs. Also, the holes from the carpenter ants further weaken the wood by allowing in more seepage. And with carpenter ants, it just gets worse year after year. As their colonies grow, they expand their galleries, eating and regurgitating more wood. Although carpenter ants do not actually consume the wood like termites, their nesting activities can still cause plenty of property damage. The homeowner was well aware of the carpenter any activity from the inspection report and was planning on replacing the sills as part of the renovation, but still wanted the ant activity resolved before starting.  While examining the windowsills, I actually saw a peanut stuck in a crevice along the sill! Apparently, either a mouse or squirrel lodged the peanut in their for safekeeping. Finding a hidden stash of food or food “magically” relocated to an area of the home is a good indicator of rodent or wildlife activity. Here, all of the basement windows were in poor condition and their were plenty of openings that would give mice or even rats easy access into the home. It was a good thing all of this was going to be fixed. I advised the homeowner that I would be setting up rodent bait stations along the home’s exterior perimeter. These stations attract the mice with their bait and eliminate them before gaining access to the home. Once the bait is eaten, it doesn’t take long for the mice to meet their demise.   The new homeowner was extremely grateful that this ant and rodent activity was resolved. He was anxious to begin the process of renovating this property into his dream home and did not want any ants or mice hampering the project. We were happy to help him start his renovations with a “blank slate” as far as pests are concerned. Also, this homeowner will be using Cowleys for preventative servicing through a homeowner protection plan to keep his home pest-free for years to come.         
Delayed home maintenance in Red Bank, NJ leads to pests.
Recently, a two-person bed bug treatment crew was sent to a senior apartment complex in Highland Park, NJ. Although bed bug infestations are common in any high density housing, they are especially frequent in senior housing. Unfortunately, tenants in these buildings are often unaware of these infestations in their early stages for many reasons from poor visual acuity and not noticing the bugs or signs of an infestation like bed bug fecal stains to taking various medications that happen to suppress the itch of bed bug bites. As a result, often, we are not notified until the infestation is severe.  With this bed bug treatment, as we usually do, we start by inspecting for activity in the bedroom, focusing on the mattress, box spring, and surrounding areas. Bed bugs do not venture far from the hosts between blood meals and they usually hide in cracks and crevices nearby. Also, they want the host to be stationary while feeding. That’s why those with bed bug infestations usually wake up in the morning with a new set of bites. Here, to our surprise, we did not find any activity in the bedroom.  With bed bug inspections, it is essential to be as thorough as possible and never assume that bed bugs can’t be hiding somewhere because often they are! We not only inspect and flip mattresses and box springs to insect very square inch, but we also inspect all upholstered furniture like sofas and chairs, and we even inspect the drapes and take pictures off the wall. If there is a potential bed bug hiding spot, we’ll check it out. Here, since we came up empty in the bedroom, we moved to the living room. Sure enough, it did not take us long to find where the bed bugs were hiding. Apparently, this resident napped and frequently slept on the living room couch, and the bed bugs patiently waited for her to come. Here, we found a “treasure trove” of bed bug activity — live bed bugs, nymphs, eggs, and fecal/blood stains in almost every seam and fold of the couch.   We vacuumed every nook and cranny of the couch and then applied a residual product to those same areas. We are confident that, with the infestation localized to the couch, this will resolve the problem. However, bed bugs are resilient insects, and we always return for a two-week follow-up to re-inspect for activity and apply additional treatments as necessary. We won’t stop treating until the bed bugs are gone and the residents are free of bites.   
Bed bugs found in senior center in Highland Park, NJ
Some very worried homeowners residing in Perth Amboy, NJ contacted Cowleys to request a bed bug inspection and to schedule a treatment if necessary. The couple became quite concerned when they both started waking up in the morning with a substantial number of bites that weren’t there previously. Often, unexplained bites (sometimes accompanied by itchy welts) are the earliest sign of possible bed bug activity. Their initial thought was bed bugs, and they did the right thing by having it checked out even if they weren’t sure. It’s far better to have a couple of bed bug specialists conduct an inspection and find out what’s going on than to wait until you actually see the bugs or determine what’s causing the bites. Bed bugs stay out of sight, and in an early infestation finding a live bed bug or other signs of an infestation can be challenging for the untrained eye.  During the inspection, I asked the homeowners if they had been anywhere recently since bed bugs hitchhike their way inside, usually in the personal belongings of their new hosts. These bugs don’t arrive on their own. Sure enough, they had just returned from a vacation only to find out that the hotel they were staying at had bed bugs. They were not alerted to the problem until after they had already left. As the saying goes, a day late and a dollar short. Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common. With hotels and motels (even five-star ones), you don’t know who was staying in the room before you, and more importantly, what unwanted surprises they may be bringing with them. Over the course of a year, hotel and motel mattresses are used by many occupants. You may not be sleeping with them, but you may well be sleeping with bugs they have brought with them!  As I began inspecting the top of the mattress, I did not detect any signs of bed bug activity. From my experience with these infestations, and I’ve handled many of them, bed bugs do not stay in plain view on the top of the mattress. Instead, they seek out-of-the-way locations like the underside of the mattress or the box spring below. Sure enough, as I stood the king-sized mattress up on its side, I found a pocket of bed bugs. Needless to say, the homeowners were horrified! All this time there were biting bugs hiding nearby waiting for their next blood meal.  They wanted the infestation handled immediately and I explained to them the treatment process. They gave me the go-ahead to start then and there. I plugged in my HEPA vacuum and went to work removing all live bed bug activity and any lingering casings (skins) and eggs. Vacuuming is a very effective tool for starting treatment once bed bugs are identified. Once the mattress and box spring were methodically vacuumed, I encased them in highly durable rip-resistant encasement that seals any hiding bed bugs inside and prevents other bed bugs from accessing the bedding. I then began a liquid application to all of the cracks and crevices in the bedroom. I scheduled a two-week follow-up to re-inspect and apply additional treatment as needed. I informed the homeowners that they should still be prepared for residual bed bug activity. Knocking their population down to zero is not immediate. Any live activity needs to come into contact with the application, and there is a winding down time. The homeowners understood and were thankful that the problem was identified and that we could treat the infestation so quickly.   
These bed bugs easy to find in Perth Amboy, NJ bedroom.
Recently, a visibly relieved homeowner in  South Toms River, NJ, greeted me and by bed bug specialist partner. Because of the detailed nature of bed bug inspections, Cowleys generally send out a two-person bed bug team. When we arrived for treatment at her home, the homeowner was physically and mentally exhausted. She said that she had been up for 48 hours straight, afraid to sleep in her bed and suffer through another round of bits. There is a psychological component of a bed bug infestation that is often not addressed. Unlike other pests, bed bugs can get into your psyche and cause extreme anxiety. It’s bad enough having a pest infestation, but having one in which the insects feed off your blood takes it to a whole new level. I reassured her that after we were done with our treatment she would be getting a good night’s sleep.  We began be inspecting the bedroom. Between their blood meals, bed bugs prefer to hide in areas nearby their hosts, so it is common to find them in and around bedding. A standard bed bug inspection always involves checking every square inch of the mattress and box spring as well as nite stands and any bedside furnishings. We carefully turn over items so as to not dislodge the bugs and then begin vacuuming all of the cracks and crevices where bed bugs can potentially hide — and they can be hiding anywhere, even in the stitching holes of a mattress. Our HEPA vacuums are one of the most valuable tools during a bed bug treatment, sucking up the nymphs and adults, the sticky bed bug eggs, and their skins (casings) that are left behind during their growth stages.  During this treatment, we found a healthy bed bug on the bottom of the box spring. It was a big and “juicy” one, engorged with blood from the previous few nights of feeding. After vacuuming up the bug, we installed a box spring and mattress encasements to ensure that no other bed bugs can get into the bedding, and none can leave. WE then vacuumed all of the surrounding areas of the bedroom and treated the area with a light liquid application to ensure that we had a good residual barrier. Especially with bed bug treatments, I feel it is important to explain in detail what was done so the homeowner is assured that the problem is resolved and can finally take a deep breathe, relax, and get some much needed sleep. She was relived that we located the offending pest, protected her bedding, and treated her bedroom. We will return for a follow-up but since this infestation was localized and treated in its early stages, I’m confident that the problem has been resolved.    
Bed bug found on box spring in South Toms River, NJ bed.
Recently, a very concerned homeowner in Asbury Park, NJ contacted Cowleys because of a likely roach infestation in her kitchen. Observing a roach in your home is a very alarming and unsettling experience. These insects are associated with disease and contamination (and rightly so!), and there is no such thing as just a few roaches. If you happen see a roach, there are many more hidden ones, and these insects breed at astonishing rates. There is no such thing as a “little” roach problem. Needless to say, the homeowner was very concerned and wanted this infestation to be eradicated as soon as possible. When Cowleys received this call, we were in the midst of the holiday season and many guests were invited to the home. She needed this roach problem to be taken care of NOW.  Upon arrival, I started my inspection in the kitchen where the roaches were first spotted. She was unable to determine where the roaches were hiding, which was causing her even more added stress. From my experience in pest control, there are certain areas in the kitchen where roaches often seek harborage,, including ovens and refrigerator motors. Roaches (and many other insects and rodents for that matter) are attracted to the warmth provided by a refrigerator’s motor housing. I used the refrigerator away from the wall, and just as I suspected, there was heavy roach activity on the back of the fridge. Finding roaches is unpleasant but knowing you have them and not being able to locate them is even worse! The most efficient way to handle this infestation was to apply a light liquid application followed by light fogging of the motor that would seep into all of their inaccessible hiding spots and flush them out. Once the roaches are on the run, they will come into contact with the liquid treatment that will be absorbed through their ouster shell, and soon thereafter, it’s lights out for these filthy insects. This two-part process yields excellent results and homeowners will see a decline in roaches almost instantly. After completing treatment, I vacuumed up all the dead insects and applied a long-lasting gel bait under and behind the kitchen cabinets and appliances. The homeowner was very happy to know that I located the source of the problem and eliminated this infestation with a one-stop visit. She knew enough that buying some other-the-counter roach spray and arbitrarily applying it would not work. Now, with family on the way to visit for the holidays, she won’t be nervous about roaches ruining the festivities.     
Cockroaches under fridge in Asbury Park, NJ
Some very concerned tenants who was renting an apartment in Oceanport, NJ contacted their landlord because they believed that they were getting bed bug bites. Usually, mysterious, unexplained bites are the first sign of a bed bug infestation, especially in their early stages. If bed bug activity is suspected, you should not wait until you have definitive proof. It is best to have a professional service perform a bed bug inspection so that, if there is a problem, the infestation can be resolved early while it is still localized and has not become entrenched. Here, the landlord did the right thing and contacted Cowleys for bed bug specialists to perform a thorough inspection of the apartment. And a bed bu inspection has to be just that — thorough. This bed bugs hide in the tightest cracks and crevices they can find, and a superficial inspection just doesn’t cut it. Upon arrival, the tenants told us that they were especially concerned about the couches in their living room. So, we began our search there. We methodically inspected the cushions as we carefully removed them from the couch one by one. It is important to handle furnishings delicately so that the bugs aren’t dislodged. The cushions were clean. Next, we looked into the couch seams with our flashlights to see if any pests were hiding. Still, nothing. We tipped the couches forward and inspected the bottom. Once again, nothing. During a bed bug inspection, it is just as important to determine where there is not bed bug activity as where there is in order to rule out areas where treatment is not necessary.  We then asked the tenants if we could inspect their bedrooms. They were happy to oblige. We went upstairs to the master bedroom, and slowly began to remove the linens from the mattress. There were no fecal stains on the sheets or pillows. Next, we lifted the mattress of the boxspring and inspected all of the mattress seams. Still nothing. We then lifted the box spring. Our persistence paid off. We found the evidence. There were blood spots as well as a live bed bug on the old encasement.   These particular tenants has a bed bug issue several years prior, so they knew the drill. Bed bug treatment is a cooperative effort and the effectiveness of the treatment depends on how well the areas are prepared prior to treatment. It is important to reduce as much clutter from the rooms as possible because clutter means more potential harborage areas. Fortunately, these tenants kept their place quite neat and orderly so there wasn’t much prep work to be done. We awere able to schedule treatment for the following day, and they were completely ready to go.    
Bed bugs on mattress in Oceanport, NJ
Recently, I was sent to a home in Monroe Township, NJ, to resolve a squirrel infestation, and made a video to show how a wildlife technician approaches a situation where animals take up residence inside the structure of a home where they can cause all sorts of damage and mischief. This was one of the more challenging access points to locate. The squirrel nesting area was well hidden, but there is usually some subtle clue that gives away their location. Here, I observed some nesting materials sticking out of the vent holes in the soffit. Oftentimes, squirrels won’t make their nesting area right next to the access because they want some distance between themselves and potential predators. However, in this case the access point is extremely close to where the animals were nesting. Here, there was a torn off loose piece of soffit in the corner of a common, generic roof return that builders often refer to as a “pork chop.” These roofline corners are relatively easy to build compared to other roof designs, but aren’t particularly elegant, hence the name. Sometimes, like we see here these roof corners are used by squirrels and other wildlife to gain entry by ripping right through the plastic. Squirrels are rodents with exceptionally strong teeth and claws and are able to make their way through vinyl or plastic building materials with relative ease. This particular hole was well hidden. I can’t get into the mind of a squirrel, but it often seems that they make hidden access points to help avoid detection. Here, the hole goes right into the soffit where the squirrels built a private nesting area. I’ll need to build a one-way around the hole that will allow the animals to exit but prevent their return and get dome traps on the roof.  We then set up traps for blocking access into the residence and, hopefully, trapping them for relocation to a more suitable habitat. Here, I managed to get the one-way set up as best as I could by wrapping some hardware cloth around the opening. Once the squirrels real that they are locked out of their home, they will often try to tear out a new hole nearby. It is important to discourage them from doing so. You can also see the traps that are properly secured to the roof. The most important thing is that everything is functional and properly secured. It doesn’t have to be pretty; it just has to work until the squirrels are removed since these structures are all temporary. With the set-up in place, these squirrels will be denied from returning to the nest after they come out to forage, and hopefully, they will step into the baited traps so I can safely and humanely relocate them.
Trapping squirrels in Monroe Township, NJ