Red Bank, NJ Bird, Wildlife & Pest Control Services

We were sent out on a service call for a new commercial account, a restaurant in Red Bank, NJ. Both the owner and several customers have spotted a raccoon traveling along the awning’s framework.  Once we arrived and began inspecting, we found the main access point located in the corner of the ceiling right above an outdoor seating area. 

Raccoons are about 2-3 feet long with stocky, round bodies that are covered in salt-and-pepper colored fur. They are known best for the “black mask” of fur around their eyes. Not all raccoons have rabies, however, raccoons are major hosts of rabies in the U.S. Raccoons are omnivores, meaning they will eat both plants and other animals and prefer to live/reside near a water source. In addition to rabies, there are other harmful diseases that raccoons can carry, including raccoon roundworm, which is an intestinal parasite. 

This type of situation is rather difficult because we can’t set traps anywhere near the access. We tried trapping it in a few different locations in its path but to no avail. So eviction is our only option. A one-way device was set over the access and then taped the end of the device. A one-way device will allow the raccoon to safely leave the attic and prevent it from getting back in. The aluminum tape helps us monitor the raccoon activity. If the tape breaks, we know the animal came out. In a short amount of time, the raccoon was safely evicted from the restaurant and we properly sealed up the access area to prevent future intrusions. 

Recently, during an inspection of the back storage room of a food store in Red Bank, NJ I found two dead mice in a “tin cat” mouse trap, a low profile baited trap that has the capacity, according to the manufacturer, of catching and containing up to 30 mice.  

I wanted to identify possible nearby entry points into the store. After further inspection, just three feet away, I saw that the back door had an opening not he bottom of at least 1/2 inch. This gap was more than enough for rat to gain entry let alone a tiny mouse. I showed the gap to the manager and informed him that he needed to door sweep on the bottom of the door to block rodents and other pests from gaining entry. from coming inside. Door sweeps also provide a weatherproof seal that prevents drafts from coming in under the door — a nice feature during these cold winter months! 

The manager asked me to purchase a door sweep for the store and install it for him. I was happy to do so, and I’ll return shortly. With any rodent infestation, it is critical to identify and seal and potential access points. Otherwise, there is always the risk of a re-infestation, especially when temperatures drop and mice are looking for warm shelter. 

I was called out to a Red Bank residence. The homeowner had called Cowleys after seeing a "pile of wood shavings on the porch" that she correctly suspected was caused by insects. Sure enough, as I was walking up the porch stairs while inspecting the property, I observed a large pile of “sawdust” wood shavings under the railing. I immediately recognized this as carpenter bee frass, the tell-tail sign of carpenter bees. This material collects below any holes where the bees have been boring into the wood.

Carpenter bees are large bees that resemble bumble bees in both size and appearance. Upon closer inspection (which generally isn’t such a good idea!), carpenter bees have smooth shiny black abdomens while bumble bees are fuzzy all over. Also, carpenter bees are not social insects. Carpenter bees nest alone while bumble bees live in small colonies. For homeowners, the most important difference is that carpenter bees cause property damage. These wood-destroying insects bore holes into wood to construct their nests. Unlike termites, they do not actually eat the wood. Rather, the female carpenter bees hollow out holes approximately 1/2 inch in diameter and bore out tunnels, usually at a 90 degree angle to the entrance. Once the tunnels are excavated, nests are made with pollen to feed the developing larvae.

If the insect infestation is not stopped, these bees tend to reuse the same tunnels year after year, continuing to extend the damage into the wood. Over time, this tunneling weakens the wood not only because of the drilled holes, but also because of accompanying wood rot due to rainwater entering the entrance holes. The male carpenter bee, which is unable to sting, is most often noticed hovering around the entrance hole.

I treated the bee burrows on this Red Bank patio with an application that quickly resolved the infestation. After, I caulked the holes so they would not be reused. The homeowner was grateful that I was able to resolve her problem so quickly. Even though the female bees rarely sting, no one likes buzzing bees flying around. Also, it is important to resolve carpenter bee infestations to ward off wood damage because of their nesting behaviors.

This formidable opponent is back!! This Red Bank home owner experienced natures clear warning that “You have termites in your house!!” Termite colony's swarm to expand their colonies into new colonies. Maybe you've experienced this before. Have you ever seen the classic Alfred Hitchcock film " the birds"?? Well a termite swarm can be a scaled down version of that. As they emerge from their swarm castle they find a mate to create more termites with, in doing so they discard their wings. And often times, homeowners will find discarded wings all over their foyer, or near a window. As these are not your "worker " termites. They are a clear indication that those little albino looking  buggers are certainly close, and more importantly; they are doing damage to your largest investment. 

When I arrived to the home, I found discarded wings and crawling swarmer termites all about the foyer. This particular homeowner already knew what may be happening to his largest investment. His Home!! While being moderately aware of the damage that is occurring, he was unaware of what his treatment options were. Or that he actually had, options. 

He was concerned about drilling his newly installed paver patio. He also didn't like the idea of gallons of pesticides be injected into the soil around his home. As this is an effective method, he was just a bit uncomfortable with that approach. 

This customer is the proud new owner of the Sentricon® baiting system by Dow agriscience.. Termites relentless search for food (wood) keeps going even after finding wood, and when the Sentricon® baiting system "always active" is found by the foraging termites. It's then ingested by the foraging termite and brought back to the colony. This is then fed to the rest of the termite colony by regurgitation. Delivering a lethal dose of the active ingredient to the colony.   

Henceforth this homeowner can relax knowing that his home will be termite free..

Today I found several bed bugs nesting behind the outlet covers in a bedroom. Seems like an odd spot but once you learn about bed bugs habits you will realize why they make a great hiding spot. Bed bugs love to have pressure on their back and stomachs when resting. It makes them feel secure and safe.

Signs of bed bugs include black spots near where they nest. Here, we saw black spots the outlet covers. After I discovered the visual droppings, I unscrewed the outlet cover and found several live bugs nesting.

When treating around electricity you need to be extremely careful and cautious of electrical current. I vacuumed the outlet, then I applied a thin layer of dust around the box and sealed the cover back up.

Always be on the lookout for black specks and call a professional if you are concerned that you have bed bugs.