Pests We Treat Before & After Photos

A new customer in Freehold, NJ found some mice droppings in her basement. Nervous that she might have a rodent infestation, she called our office and we were sent out to inspect and treat. When we began our inspection, we noticed that the basement was getting renovated and their were portions of the walls that were missing. We inspected one area and found a large buildup of mice droppings and an old hole that was previously used for electrical wiring. We took a closer look and found mice hair stuck in it. 

For treatment, we carefully cleaned up all the droppings and installed several rodent bait stations throughout the basement and along the exterior of the home. Afterward, we stuffed the one hole, as well as several potential openings around the home, with chew-proof stainless steel mesh and then sealed them with a waterproof adhesive. Lastly, we scheduled several follow up visits to monitor the infestation and replenish the bait stations as needed. 

As we were treating this property in Sewaren, NJ, we discovered an opening around a utility pipe. Fortunately, the homeowner isn’t having an issue with mice or rats…but if this is left alone…it’s only a matter of time until he does.

So we stuffed some chew-proof metal mesh inside the opening. Rodents HATE the taste and feel of this material. Afterward, we sealed the opening with a waterproof premium adhesive and then smoothed it out. Now the area is properly excluded from rodents.

As this customer in Morganville, NJ was working out in his backyard, he noticed a rather large hornets nest on the side of his home! Since he is a Home Protection Plan customer, he called up Cowleys, and we were sent out. After equipping our protective bee suits we took a closer look at these insects and identified them as bald-faced hornets. Bald-faced hornets are social stinging insects that have white markings on their face. They're EXTREMELY aggressive and territorial. So aggressive that if anyone or anything comes within close proximity of their nest, they will attack! 

Using our extendable pole, we liberally treated the nest with a knockdown aerosol application and then a knockdown dusting product. Both of these treatments will exterminate the bald-faced hornets quickly. After some time had passed, we removed the nest and disposed of it properly. Lastly, we applied a liquid non-repellant residual to the area where the nest was. This will neutralize any bald-faced hornets that return to this area and prevent them, and any other stinging insect, from building a new nest.

We were sent out on a service call to a new customers home in Marlboro, NJ, to treat for mice. The owner was wondering why she had mice to begin with because she regularly deep cleaned her home. Well, about 30 yards away from the property was a heavy wooded area with a lot of water and, after a thorough inspection of the home, there were a lot of gaps around the basement vents. The mice were coming from the woods and, since it was getting cold outside, making there way into the basement!

As we inspected the basement, we found a ton of mice droppings and tunnels throughout the insulation. Mice will often tunnel in the insulation to create a warm nesting place. First, we carefully removed all the mice droppings. Next, we installed several rodent bait stations throughout the basement and along the exterior of the home.

Afterward, we stuffed all the openings around the basement vents with chew-proof, stainless steel mesh and then sealed them with a waterproof, premium adhesive. Lastly, we scheduled several follow up visits to replenish the bait in the rodent bait stations and to monitor the mice activity.

Cowleys handles all of the pest control needs of a community of homes in northern Howell, NJ. Recently, I was contacted by the property manager and asked to inspect and treat a resident’s home for ants, and did so. Whenever I am at a residence, I always perform an exterior perimeter inspection for pest activity. Often, we uncover a pest infestation that the homeowner had no idea was lurking right outside their door! 

Here, I came across an active bald-faced hornets nest. The homeowner was shocked that he missed their activity. These particular wasps are close relatives of yellow jackets and they are just as nasty and aggressive, singing anyone or anything that comes into the “danger zone” around their nest. These wasps, unlike bees, can sting repeatedly, so a swarm of them can pose quite a dangerous situation.

Bald-faced hornets often build their paper-like nests of chewed wood mixed with their saliva in shrubs, trees, and sheds, usually 3 to 4 feet off the ground. They also will attach their nests right onto homes. Here, the wasps built their nest in the overhang between the soffit and gutter. In late summer, insect activity is at a peak since they have been active for quite awhile and you’ll start seeing some large, mature colonies with potentially hundreds of workers. 

During the day, these nests are exceptionally active with workers hovering about the nest, flying in and out. It’s pretty much impossible to sneak up on them, so treating these nests must be done carefully. I did not want to take any chances and put on my protective bee suit. First, I sprayed the opening of the nest with a foam that kills the wasps almost instantly. It is important to quickly knock down the population as fast as you can once you rile them up. I waited a few minutes for the product to work. After I saw no more activity, I removed and bagged the nest, taking it with me off the property. It is important to remove all remnants of activity so that other insects are not attracted to the same area. 

The homeowner was thankful that I located and treated this wasp infestation before anyone was stung.