Crawl Space Encapsulation & Pest Control Company in Somerset County, NJ

During a routine service of a commercial building in Gladstone, NJ, we noticed that underneath several pieces of kitchen equipment was a build-up of spoiled food and sugary liquids. All of these issues will eventually cause the owner to have a severe fruit fly problem. 

We informed the manager on duty and told him that sanitation is the best form of pest control. If these issues are properly addressed, then there will be no pest problem! We were happy to hear that the manager agreed with us and both he and his staff immediately started to clean the area and underneath the equipment.

As a precaution, we treated all the floor drains throughout the building with a liquid application and thoroughly scrubbed them out. This product removes the bad bacteria in the drain, which eliminates the fruit fly's breeding habitat. Afterward, we applied a bio-foam solution that removes the organic build-up, odors, and scum in the drains. With our treatments and a proper sanitation procedure in place, the building will no longer have any pest issues.

A business owner in Skillman, NJ called our office after his maintenance crew found a rat in the crawl space. As soon as we began our inspection, we immediately noticed that the door to the crawl space was broken and was hanging on by a small hook. First, we carefully cleaned up the droppings and then installed several rodent bait stations throughout the crawl space and along the exterior of the building.  We also scheduled several follow-up visits to replenish the bait stations as needed.

Although we offered to replace the crawl space door for the owner, he informed us that he will have his maintenance crew replace the broken door once the rats are gone. 

A new customer in Watchung, NJ called our office after noticing a large number of "fat bees" hovering around the fascia board area of his home. We were sent out to inspect and treat.

As we inspected the area, we noticed a large number of carpenter bees flying around and drilling into the fascia board on the sunny side of his home.  Carpenter bees are solitary, wood-destroying pests but they don't eat wood like termites do. What's unique about these pests is that they drill perfectly circular 1/2 holes in wooden structures to create galleries. An easy way to tell that you have a carpenter bee problem is, aside from them hovering around the sunny areas of your home, is to look for those yellow-brownish stains. That is actually carpenter bee feces!

If not treated, the carpenter bees will reuse the same galleries year after year and cause extensive damage to that area. So we grabbed our extendable pole, to reach the carpenter bees, and applied a residual dusting application directly into the galleries and gaps underneath the fascia boards. Not only will this treatment eliminate the carpenter bees, but the residual that is left behind will exterminate any returning and newly hatched carpenter bees in the galleries.

A new customer in Martinsville, NJ called our office after finding mice droppings in her home. After finding mice droppings in the basement, we inspected the exterior of the home and noticed a wide gap around one of the utility pipes. Upon closer inspection, we found more mice droppings by that area. This was how the mice were entering the home. 

First, we carefully cleaned up all the droppings and then installed several rodent bait stations throughout the basement and along the exterior of the home. Next, we stuffed the opening with chew-proof stainless steel mesh and sealed it in place with a waterproof adhesive. Rodents typically don't like chewing through metal because it's extremely uncomfortable for their teeth and gums.

The combination of the two materials makes for a great deterrent. We'll return for several follow-up visits to monitor the rodent infestation and replenish the bait stations as needed.

A new customer in Bedminster, NJ noticed a wet spot on the ceiling of her daughters bedroom. As she examined it, she heard buzzing noises on the other side. She then immediately called our office for help.

When we arrived and inspected the attic, we didn't find any signs of stinging insects at first. It wasn't until we lifted the insulation is when we found a massive yellow jackets nest. The nest was attached to the sheet rock of the ceiling and was so wet with the larva & saliva that the ceiling was ready to break open!

For treatment, we first injected a knockdown aerosol application directly into the opening of the nest. Several moments later, we treated the nest with a knockdown liquid product. Both of these treatments will rapidly exterminate the yellow jackets. Once they were eliminated, we carefully removed the nest, properly disposed of it, and then cleaned the area. 

After months of residing in his property, a new homeowner in Bridgewater, NJ recently noticed that his gutters were clogged with debris and filled to the brim with water! Since this was an ongoing issue, the overflowing gutters was causing erosion to his property and even causing a buildup of water in his crawl space! After we came out and encapsulated his crawl space to remedy the moisture issue, we returned to take care of the conducive condition, the gutters, by installing RainDrop® Gutter Guards.

This cutting-edge product provides maintenance-free, self-cleaning gutter protection for both new and existing gutters and is compatible with all roof types and gutter styles. Made of its own unique polypropylene blend, the RainDrop® Gutter Guard withstands severe storms, heat, and cold, is specially formulated to absorb heat from the sun, melting ice and snow quickly to keep water flowing, and blends seamlessly with your gutters. We also installed end caps that closes off the system to keep out birds, bees, squirrels, and other nuisance pests. Most importantly, the self-cleaning gutter guards prevent build-up, keeping pests away, and creating a safer, more enjoyable environment! 

As we were replenishing the rodent bait stations at this home in Far Hills, NJ we came across one that had a garter snake in it! Garter snakes are the most common snakes found in NJ, often making themselves comfortable around homes. These snakes often hibernate under the siding of a home. They are the first snakes to emerge from hibernation and can be seen as early as mid-March. Its color varies from olive brown to black and typically has three long stripes extending from head to tail. Garter snakes are relatively harmless to humans. In fact, they are often kept as pets. Although some species do possess a mild neurotoxic venom, it's not dangerous to humans.

We safely retrieved the snake, finished replenishing the bait in our bait stations, and then relocated the garter snake to a new, humane location. 

As this homeowner in Flagtown, NJ was cleaning out his crawl space, he noticed a number of yellow jackets flying around the area. Before he or anyone else in his family gets stung, he called Cowleys for help!

When we arrived and inspected the crawl space we noticed that a large number of the yellow jackets were hovering around a particular area, so we removed a portion of the insulation and BINGO! We found the, rather large, yellow jacket nest! We immediately treated the nest with a knockdown aerosol and liquid application. Both treatments rapidly exterminate the yellow jackets. Once they're gone, we removed the nest, disposed of it, and cleaned the area. 

As we were inspecting and treating a home in Watchung, NJ, we noticed that there was firewood stacked against the home by the front door and in the backyard. Firewood is a dream home for pests and they can easily hitch a ride into your home when you move it inside!

We spoke to the owner and mentioned that he moved the firewood at least 6 feet from his home and store it off the ground on a cement platform or rack. The owner agreed and immediately began to move the firewood. As we always say, being proactive is a lot better than being reactive when it comes to pest control!

A new customer in Basking Ridge, NJ called our office after finding a number of ants in her family room. During our inspection, we found the ants crawling along the baseboards and identified them as odorous house ants. Odorous house ants are tiny, fast ants that give off a rotten coconut smell when they're crushed or startled. After identifying them, we inspected the exterior and noticed that the ants were infesting the home by crawling underneath a small exposed section of the siding on the side of the building.

We treated the entire exterior of the home and, with the owners permission, the baseboards, cracks, & crevices in the family room with a non-repellant liquid application. The odorous house ants will come in contact with this application, return to their nest, and then transfer the treatment throughout their colony. A short while later, the ants will be exterminated. Once they're eliminated, the homeowner will contact a contractor to repair the siding. 

We were sent out to a new Home Protection Plan customer in Toms River, NJ to handle a mice issue inside his home. Upon inspection, we found mouse droppings in the living room and the attic. We also discovered several openings around the downspout and around several utility pipes. Apparently, the homeowner tried to seal these openings using some sort of spray foam. Although this seems like a good idea, it doesn't work as the mice will chew right through it, which is exactly what they did here!

First, we carefully cleaned up all the mice droppings and properly disposed of them. Next, we installed several rodent bait stations in the living room, the two adjacent rooms, the attic, and along the exterior of the home. On our first follow up visit we will replenish the bait in the bait stations as needed, remove all the foaming adhesive from all the gaps, stuff them with chew-proof metal mesh, and seal them with a premium, waterproof adhesive.

This homeowner in Fair Haven, NJ called Cowleys after her husband was stung several times by yellow jackets while he was pruning his landscape. Fortunately, he wasn't allergic. Once we arrived and started inspecting the exterior we noticed the yellow jackets were flying around a utility pipe. We took a closer look and discovered that the yellow jackets were nesting inside a small gap around the utility pipe.

For treatment, we injected a knockdown dusting application, which will exterminate the yellow jackets almost immediately. Once they’re gone, we removed the nest, dispose of it, cleaned the area, stuffed the opening with chew-proof metal mesh, and sealed it with a premium waterproof adhesive. 

A new commercial customer in Far Hills, NJ was having a big problem with an abundance of flies in one of the offices. To handle the heavy fly infestation, we installed a UV fly trap. The flies are attracted to the special UV light as well as the pheromone scented glue boards that are installed inside the light. Once the flies land in that area, they are captured. With this type of protection, flies with no longer be an issue for this business owner.

This homeowner in Gladstone, NJ has been dealing with a messy and costly attic for quite some time. One day, after seeing our Ad in the Home Improvement Magazine, she decided to give us a call about insulating her attic. After inspecting the attic and reviewing different options, the homeowner agreed to add TruSoft blown-in cellulose insulation to the attic!

The first thing we did was remove all the contaminated fiberglas insulation, air sealed all the gaps and cracks in the attic, and then installed Tight Shell Can Light Covers over the recessed lights in the attic. This will eliminate air flow between the living space and the attic, improving energy efficiency. Next, we added over 10 inches of TruSoft blown-in cellulose insulation. TruSoft blown-in cellulose insulation maximizes home comfort, has the highest Class-1 fire safety rating & is resistant to mold and pests. TruSoft is also eco-friendly and optimizes energy usage for year-round peace and savings for the homeowner!

Lastly, we installed an attic door insulation cover. This attic door insulation cover is made of high-quality fireproof materials and 2 layers of aluminum, which can effectively block heat transfer, make your indoor temperature more pleasant, and give you a comfortable and healthy environment.

After finding a rat in her dyer, this homeowner in Far Hills, NJ immediately called Cowleys for help! As we were about to begin our inspection we immediately noticed that the dryer vent was exposed. There was no cover over it and, as we took a closer look, we found a ton of rat droppings around it. This was how the rats were entering the home!

First, we carefully vacuumed up all the rat droppings inside and outside of the home. Next, we installed several rodent bait stations in front of the dryer vent, around the exterior of the home, the laundry room, and the two adjacent rooms inside the home. Lastly, we scheduled several follow up visits to replenish the bait stations and monitor the infestation.

We informed the owner that our Nuisance Wildlife Division can install a new and sturdy vent cover over the dryer vent to prevent any future rodent, pest, or wildlife intrusions. She was happy to hear that and made an appointment with our wildlife division. 

As we were servicing this property in Somerville, NJ we found an opening made by mice on the side of the foundation. How did we know it was mice? We found their droppings around the hole and found their hair inside it. Mice infesting your home is never a good thing as they are known to carry many diseases. These diseases can then spread to people through directly handling their feces or breathing it through the air!

We brought this to the homeowners attention and he mentioned that he will contact a foundation repair specialist to repair the hole. In the meantime, we carefully vacuumed up the droppings and installed several rodent bait stations near the hole and around the perimeter of the home. We will return for several follow-up visits to replenish the bait stations and monitor the infestation. 

After our Pest Control Technicians had removed all the mice from the crawl space of this customers home in Neshanic Station, NJ, we're here to remove all the contaminated insulation and encapsulate the crawl space. First, we removed all the debris and contaminated insulation and disposed of them. Next, we leveled the ground for proper draining and installed drainage matting, which is a dimpled plastic mat that allows all excess moisture to work its way over to the new sump pump we installed. Afterward, we installed a vapor barrier.

A vapor barrier is a heavy-duty, 20-mil 7-ply sandwich of high and low-density polyethylene with a polyester-cord reinforcement. The vapor barrier is extremely durable and is treated with an antimicrobial to prevent mold. Afterward, we installed SilverGlo™ on the walls of the crawl space, which is a waterproof foam insulation that seals the walls from outside moisture and humidity. Lastly, we installed a Sani-Dry Sedona commercial-grade dehumidifier to control the humidity levels in the crawl space.

The day after this client in Manville, NJ, had a party at his home, he was shocked to discover ants all over his kitchen counter. He then searched for a local & reputable pest control company, found Cowleys, gave us a call, and we were sent out to inspect and treat. As soon as we inspected the kitchen, we found the ants all over the counter. What was attracting them? The food crumbs and liquids that were all over the place. Apparently the homeowner forgot to clean up after the party!

After we helped the owner clean the area, we applied an ant gel bait along the corners and cracks on the kitchen counter. Next, we treated the entire exterior of the home and, at the owners request, the baseboards of the kitchen with a liquid non-repellant product. Once the ants come in contact with either of these applications, they'll return to their nest and transfer the treatments throughout their colony. A short while later, the ants will be exterminated.

After finding multiple bug bites all over his legs, this homeowner in Zarephath, NJ called Cowleys for help determining what pest was infesting his home. As we thoroughly examined the bed room, we discovered something interesting behind the dresser - bed bugs! Although their name suggests that they only reside in a bed, bed bugs will harbor anywhere close to where they can get a blood meal. This includes rugs, end tables, dressers, and even cracks in a wall.  

For treatment, the first thing we did was vacuum up all the live bed bugs and their eggs. Afterward, we treated the baseboards, bed frame, dresser, and the surrounding areas with a fungicide application. This product creates a barrier that infects and exterminates the bed bugs over a short period of time. Lastly, we scheduled several follow-up visits to monitor the infestation and, if needed, apply any additional treatments.

As this customer was cleaning the gutters on his roof, he noticed that his gable vent was damaged, so took a closer look at it. As he was surveying the damage, he peaked into the opening and saw a raccoon sleeping in the corner of his attic! He backed away very slowly and called Little Rascals for help. Nuisance wildlife infesting a home via the gable vents is very common. Over time, the gable vents get weathered and raccoons, squirrels, birds, and bats have no problem ripping away these vents to find shelter inside a home.

To safely remove the raccoon, we installed a one-way over the gable vent, temporarily enclosed the area with hardware cloth, and set-up several baited devices nearby. A one-way is a device that allows raccoons to safely leave an area, but prevent them from getting back in the same way. A short while later, we successfully retrieved the raccoon and relocated the it to a new, humane location.

Afterward, we disinfected the attic area, removed the broken gable vent and replaced it with a louvered vent guard. This material is made out of heavy-duty Galvannealed steel (which means it won't rust) and is customized to accommodate vents of all shapes and sizes. Now the home is properly protected from not just raccoons, but all nuisance wildlife and pests!

During a spring treatment for a new Home Protection Plan client in Raritan, NJ we noticed several piles of rat droppings around the shed that was about 20 feet from the home. We took a closer look and found even more fresh rat droppings around a hole that lead underneath the shed. We reported our findings to the owner who had no idea that he had a rat problem! For good measure, we thoroughly inspected the home to see if the rats made their way inside. Fortunately, after concluding our inspection, they did not.

To handle the rat problem, we installed several Ready-to-Use rodent bait stations near the hole and around the shed. Next, we installed several snap traps that are inside temper-proof, child resistant boxes near any opening underneath the shed. Lastly, we scheduled several follow-up visits to monitor the rat infestation, apply any additional treatments, and replenish the bait stations as needed.

A new client in Kingston, NJ called our office after her husband found a dead mouse and some droppings in the crawl space! They were afraid that there might be more of them and wanted Cowleys to inspect and treat. As we inspected the area, we did find several mice tunnels throughout the insulation. Mice will often tunnel in the insulation to create a warm nesting place. For a thorough examination, we removed a piece of fiberglass insulation. As we did, a massive amount of rodent droppings came falling out as well as a live mouse! Turns out that the mice were entering the crawl space through a tiny gap around a wire that lead outside. Unfortunately, after completing our inspection, we also discovered that almost all the insulation was contaminated with mice feces and urine and needed to be removed ASAP. 

We informed the owners and mentioned that our Crawl Space Division can remove all the contaminated insulation, properly dispose of it, disinfect the area, and replace the insulation with new, better quality insulation. The owners were happy to hear that and, once all the mice are gone, they will make an appointment. In the meantime, we cleaned up all the droppings and installed several Ready-to-Use rodent bait stations throughout the crawl space and along the exterior of the home. We then scheduled several follow up visits to monitor the activity and replenish the bait stations as needed. Once all the mice are gone we're going to stuff any and all potential openings with chew-proof metal mesh and then seal them with a premium, waterproof adhesive. 

As this homeowner in Manville, NJ was pruning his landscape, he saw a mouse running along the side of the home and squeeze through a small opening in a basement window to enter his basement! He then went inside and called Cowleys for help. Once we arrived and started inspecting the basement, there was an area that was being renovated. As we examined that area we found numerous mouse tunnels throughout the insulation as well as mice feces stuck in several pieces of insulation. Mice will use the insulation in your basement, crawl space, or attic as a nice, soft material for their nest. 

For treatment, we cleaned up all the mice droppings and installed several rodent bait stations throughout the basement and along the exterior of the home. We then scheduled several follow up visits to replenish the bait in the bait stations and monitor the activity. Once all the mice are gone, the homeowner will replace the exterior basement window. 

Recently, we were sent out on a service call to a condo in Raritan, NJ to treat for termites. The owner had reported seeing termite damage by the back sliding door. As we investigated, not only did we find termite damage by the sliding door, but we also found termite mud tubes. We also found more termite damage in the utility room.

Since termites live beneath the soil and enter your property below the ground level of the dirt, for an effective treatment, we must drill into the concrete in the utility room, by the back sliding door, and around the perimeter of the condo. When drilling, it's imperative that we space the holes at least 15-18 inches apart. This ensures that the liquid application has room to spread out and increases the chance that the termites will walk through the application. Next, we injected a liquid termiticide that binds to the treated area and creates a protective zone that the termites cannot detect. The termites will come in contact with this treatment as they go about their normal routine, bring it back to their nest, and spread it among the colony. In a short amount of time, the termites will be exterminated and the condo will be protected from termites for many years to come.

A new customer in Peapack, NJ, called our office after her young daughter noticed a large number of "ground bees" were all over her back yard. Once we arrived and began inspecting the property, we determined that these were digger bees. 

Digger bees, also called ground bees, are roughly 1/4 to 1/2 inch long and vary in color (mostly shiny metallic or dark, but some with markings of white, yellow or reddish-brown). They are commonly located in areas of the landscape where the grass is sparse or very thin. Female digger bees “dig” nests into the ground that are about 1/2 of an inch deep. 

The first sign of digger bees in lawns are little mounds of soil with a pencil-sized hole in the middle and digger bees flying over the area. Digger bees are solitary bees that live one colony per hole, but there may be many holes in an area creating digger bee communities. Although the venom from a digger bee sting is strong enough to cause a severe allergic reaction in some people, they are very non-aggressive and usually only sting if they are being stepped on. In fact, a sting from a digger bee is a lot less painful than the sting of a yellow jacket!

For treatment, we're going to apply a granular bait across the yard and then soak every single digger bee mound with a liquid residual. Both of these treatments will rapidly exterminate the digger bees.

This homeowner had a bad vole infestation in her front yard and backyard, so she called Little Rascals for help. Voles, also called meadow or field mice, are rodents with small eyes and partially hidden ears. They have stocky bodies, short legs, and tails and are about  4 – 8 ½ inches in length (depending on the species). Voles are active day and night, year-round, they do not hibernate and their diet consists of plants, especially grasses and seeds, as well as bark, crops, insects, and animal remains. You’ll know voles by the shallow snake-like tunnels that you’ll see all over your lawn. The tunnels are about two inches wide and very near the surface so they can eat their favorite food, grass stems, and blades. Voles construct tunnels with numerous burrows entrances and are especially manic in the early springtime. 

The best way to handle a vole infestation is to use our Burrow RX. The Burrow RX is a carbon monoxide device that is an effective way to eliminate voles, and moles too. It uses a smoke-oil tracer that shows us where the majority of the carbon monoxide is going, how far we are reaching in the tunnel, and if there are any leaks. If we noticed any leaks, we fill them in. The gas isn’t toxic to humans because we are outdoors in a well-ventilated area. This method is much more humane than using a pesticide or a trap and it guarantees that we are eliminating the voles. There’s also no residual that is left behind, so the family is in no danger of getting a residue on them and the vole situation is properly taken care of. 

After spotting a rat in her living room, this homeowner in Neshanic Station, NJ immediately called Cowleys for help and we were sent out. As we inspected the living room, we did find a few droppings near the glass sliding door. As we got closer, we came across a hole in the carpet that had rat hair stuck in it. Since the crawl space was below the living room, we inspected that area and found even more rat droppings as well as multiple gaps around several exterior utility pipes that lead into the crawl space. Turns out that the rats were using the gaps to enter the crawl space and crawling through that hole in the carpet to infest the living room!

First, we carefully cleaned up all the droppings in the living room and the crawl space. Next, we installed several rodent bait stations in the living room, the two adjacent rooms, the crawl space, and along the exterior of the home. Lastly, we scheduled several follow up visits to monitor the infestation and replenish the bait stations as needed. On our first follow up visit we will stuff all the gaps around the utility pipes with chew proof stainless steel mesh and then seal them with a waterproof, premium adhesive. The homeowner will also repair that hole in her carpet by the sliding glass door. 

A Home Protection Plan client in Far Hills, NJ, noticed a large number of "fat bees" hovering around one of his living room windows. Since his wife is highly allergic to bee stings, he immediately called our office for help. Once we arrived and took a closer at these pests we immediately identified them as carpenter bees. Continuing our inspection we found several 1/2 inch holes made by the carpenter bees in the wooden area by the window.

Carpenter bees are wood-destroying insects that prefer unfinished wood that they can bore into to create a gallery to lay their brood. Female carpenter bees drill perfectly circular ½-inch diameter holes into fascia boards, porches, decks, siding, sheds, and other wooden structures. The most common signs of a carpenter bee infestation are the round, smooth holes that carpenter bees bore into wood, the piles of sawdust ("frass") near where they are digging, and the yellow excrement stains on the wood below their holes.

For treatment, we injected a residual dusting application into each gallery. This treatment not only rapidly exterminates the carpenter bees, but it leaves behind a residual that will eliminate any eggs inside their galleries as well as any returning carpenter bees.

After spotting a mouse in her laundry room, this client in South Bound Brook, NJ immediately called our office for help. As we were inspecting the home, we discovered an exposed exhaust vent that had droppings around it. Turns out this was how the mice were getting into the home. We also found another two exposed exhaust vents with mouse droppings around it. 

For treatment, we installed a rodent bait station in front each exposed exhaust vent, in several other locations around the property, and inside the home in the high infestation areas. Once we were finished, we scheduled several follow up visits to monitor the activity and replenish the bait stations as needed.  Once all the mice are gone, our Wildlife Division is going to come out and install an exhaust vent cover over each exhaust vent.

After suffering from a hot and dirty crawl space for years, this customer in Belle Mead, NJ, called our Crawl Space Division to come out and encapsulate his dirt floor crawl space. The issue with dirt floor crawl spaces is that they attract and absorb moisture. Once the dirt dries, it causes humidity levels to rise and can lead to mold and mildew issues. Fortunately, after a thorough inspection of the crawl space, we didn't find any evidence of mold or mildew.

First, we removed all the debris and old insulation, leveled the ground for proper draining, and installed drainage matting. The drainage matting is a dimpled plastic mat that allows all excess moisture to work its way over to the sump pump. Next, we cleaned off all the beams and installed SilverGlo™ on the walls of the crawl space. SilverGlo™ is a waterproof foam insulation that seals the walls from outside moisture and humidity. Afterward, we installed a vapor barrier.

A vapor barrier is a heavy-duty, 20-mil 7-ply sandwich of high and low-density polyethylene with a polyester-cord reinforcement. The vapor barrier is extremely durable and is treated with an antimicrobial to prevent mold. By encapsulating the crawl space & installing the vapor barrier over the foundation walls and floor will create a continuous air and moisture barrier. Lastly, we installed a Sani-Dry Sedona commercial-grade dehumidifier. The Sedona directs the extracted water pulled out of the air directly into the sump pump and will control the humidity levels in the crawl space.

Recently, our Little Rascals Nuisance Wildlife Removal team went out to a home in Martinsville, NJ, to safely retrieve and relocate a fox that was harboring underneath the homeowners shed. 

First, to prevent the fox from continuously digging and harboring underneath the shed, we dug a 12 inch deep trench around the entire perimeter of the shed and then installed hardware cloth. The hardware cloth is installed 12 inches deep and 12 inches out from the bottom of the shed. This creates a sturdy "L shaped" perimeter that will prevent foxes, and other nuisance wildlife, from digging and nesting underneath the shed. Afterward, we cut a portion of the hardware cloth that was over the main burrow, installed a one-way device directly over it, and set up several baited devices nearby. The one-way device allows the fox to safely leave the shed, but prevent it from getting back in.

Once we retrieve the fox, we're going to relocate it to a new, humane location, fill in the burrow, and install another piece of hardware cloth over the opening. 

During a routine service of this customers home in Peapack, NJ, we found something interesting underneath the cement railing - an active yellow jackets nest! Yellow jackets are aggressive, territorial wasps, with distinctive yellow-and-black coloration, that are known for their propensity to sting anyone and anything that they perceive as a threat, such as those who venture too close to their nests or their food. Beyond being an annoyance at outdoor gatherings, yellow jackets can actually pose a significant threat to some people. Annually, over 500,000 people a year seek emergency room treatment due to stings from yellow jackets and other stinging insects. About 3% of the population has a severe, systemic reaction to bees and wasps. Even one sting, if not properly treated, could be fatal.

We injected a knockdown dusting application directly into the nest. This treatment exterminates the yellow jackets almost immediately. After several moments, we removed the nest, cleaned the area, disposed of the nest, and treated the area with liquid residual that will eliminate any returning yellow jackets as well as prevent the yellow jackets from rebuilding their nest. 

During a regularly scheduled summer service of Home Protection Plan customers property in Neshanic Station, NJ, we stumbled upon a basket-ball sized bald-faced hornets nest in the bushes about 15 feet from the home! Bald-faced hornets are territorial and aggressive stinging insects that can and will sting anything that comes within close proximity to their nest. Not to mention, their stings carry venom that makes the stings hurt, itch, and swell for about 24 hours! What makes them even scarier is they have smooth stingers, which means they can sting over and over again, can actually sense vibrations in the air, and remember their invader's face!

Needless to say, we needed to eliminate these hornets ASAP! After equipping our protective bee suit, we injected a knockdown aerosol application directly into the opening of the nest. This treatment exterminates the bald-faced hornets almost immediately. After a few moments, we removed the nest (and the branch it was attached to) disposed of it.

This homeowner in Far Hills, NJ contacted our Little Rascals Nuisance Wildlife Division to inspect her attic because she was hearing noises during the early hours of the morning. As we did, we saw several flying squirrels exiting the attic! Turns out, they were using the tree branches that were hanging over the home as a natural highway to infiltrate the attic. We also found chew marks made by the flying squirrels in the ridge vent. This was how they were getting inside the attic. Flying squirrels are rodents and like all rodents, they must chew and gnaw to manage their continually growing incisors.

To safely remove the flying squirrels, we set-up a one-way device, placed several baited devices nearby, and temporarily enclosed the main access point in hardware cloth. The one-way will allow the flying squirrels to exit the area, but prevent them from getting back in.

A short while later, we successfully retrieved all the flying squirrels and relocated them to a new, humane location. Next, we disinfected the attic and installed Ridge-Guard®. Ridge-Guard® secures and reinforces the ridge vent shingles so that no nuisance wildlife or nuisance birds can enter. 

A property manager of an office building in Basking Ridge, NJ, noticed an unusually large amount of yellow jackets hovering around a particular area on his building near the security camera. Since he uses our Pest Control services at his home, he decided to give us a call to come out and treat his business! 

As we closely inspected the area, we discovered that the yellow jackets weren't nesting around the security camera, they were nesting IN the security camera! This presents a dangerous situation for anyone coming into the office, as the yellow jackets were right by the front door and they're known to be quite aggressive and territorial. 

For treatment, we injected a knockdown aerosol application directly into the small gaps of the security camera. This treatment will rapidly exterminate the yellow jackets. Afterward, we treated the area, as well as the entire building, we a liquid residual product. This treatment will exterminate any remaining yellow jackets as well as prevent them from building a nest. 

As we were treating this home in Basking Ridge, NJ, we noticed a large amount of yellow jackets going in and out of a small gap up in the corner of the pergola in the front yard. To eliminate them quickly, we injected a residual dusting application directly into the gap. Once they’re gone, we’re also going to treat the area with a liquid non repellant. This product will exterminate any remaining yellow jackets that return to this area as well as prevent them from building another nest. 

This homeowner in Watchung, NJ, called Cowleys after her son discovered a large bald-faced hornets nest right underneath the soffit at the corner of the home! So we were sent out to eliminate these aggressive insects. 

Bald-faced hornets are social stinging insects that are a close relative to yellow jackets. The surface of their upper midsection almost looks triangular from the side, and they have white markings on their face. They build paper nests at least three or more feet off of the ground, usually in trees, shrubs, overhangs, houses, or other structures. One very important fact that you must know about bald-faced hornets is that they are EXTREMELY aggressive and will not hesitate to sting anything that invades their space. Their stings carry venom that makes the stings hurt, itch, and swell for about 24 hours. What makes them even scarier is they have smooth stingers, which means they can sting over and over again, can actually sense vibrations in the air, and remember their invader's face!

For treatment, we grabbed our extendable pole, attached a knockdown dusting application to it, and then injected it into the nest. This product will exterminate the bald-faced hornets almost immediately. Once they were eliminated, we removed the nest, cleaned the area, disposed of it, and then applied a liquid residual to the area. This treatment will neutralize any bald-faced hornets that return to the area as well as prevent them, and any other stinging insect, from building a nest in this location. 

This homeowner in Basking Ridge, NJ, was sitting outside on her back porch, enjoying the beautiful weather. Suddenly, she noticed a number of yellow jackets flying around the corner of her pergola. Since she is HIGHLY allergic to bee stings, she carefully went inside and gave our Pest Control division a call. 

Once we arrived, we equipped our protective bee suit and began our inspection. That's when we noticed that the yellow jackets were harboring inside a small gap between the top of the pergola and the siding of the home. So we grabbed our extendable pole, attached a knockdown dusting application to it, and applied it directly into the gap. This treatment will exterminate the yellow jackets almost immediately. A short while later, we applied a residual application to the area in order to eliminate any yellow jackets that return to this area as well as prevent them from building a nest. 

During a routine service of this commercial property in Bridgewater, NJ, we noticed something interesting in one of the trees - a group of bald-faced hornets starting to build their nest! It was quite small, but give it some time and that nest can grow as big as a basketball and have hundreds of angry stinging insects inside of it!

Using our extendable pole, we treated the nest (and the bald-faced hornets) with a knockdown aerosol application. This treatment quickly exterminates the bald-faced hornets. A short while later, we removed the nest, and the branch it was attached to, and disposed of them properly. 

During a treatment service for a customer in Far Hills, NJ, we came across something interesting in the backyard. A bucket that was filled with water and thousands of mosquito larvae! Any type of bucket, container, or even a flower pot that can hold water are all conducive conditions for mosquitoes. They only need a 1/2 an inch of standing water in order to breed!

The first thing we did was empty the container to remove the standing water.  Doing this will immediately eliminate the mosquito larvae. Next, at the owners request, we applied an adulticide and an insect growth regulator treatment to all the non-flowering vegetation areas around the home to target the adult mosquitoes. Once the treated areas dry, the treatment will knock down and exterminate any adult mosquitoes. This product is actually a 2-for-1 treatment as it eliminates ticks as well!

After getting stung by several angry yellow jackets, this customer in Belle Mead, NJ, contacted Cowleys for help dealing with these aggressive and territorial insects. As we examined the area where the homeowner got stung, which was on the back porch, we noticed several yellow jackets hovering around the soffit area. We took a closer look and found a rather large yellow jackets nest!

First, we injected a knockdown aerosol application. After a few moments went by, we then injected a knockdown dusting application. Both of these treatments rapidly exterminate the yellow jackets. Shortly after we removed the nest, properly disposed of it, and then treated the area with a liquid residual. This application will eliminate any yellow jackets that return to this area as well as prevent them from rebuilding their nest. 

After her children were attacked and stung by a group of yellow jackets, this Home Protection Plan customer in Warren, NJ, immediately called our Pest Control division for help. After a thorough inspection of the entire backyard, we found not just one, but two in-ground yellow jackets nest! One was located near the fence by the pool (where the children were hanging out and got attacked) and the other was located on the right side of the home!

For treatment, we injected a knockdown dusting application in both of the nests. This product neutralizes the yellow jackets almost immediately. A short while later, we dug up the nests, disposed of them properly, and then filled in the burrows. 

During a routine treatment service for an elderly homeowner in Bernardsville, NJ, we spotted a gigantic bald-faced hornets nest attached to the downspout! Since the owner had surgery recently and hasn't had the opportunity to go outside, she had no idea it was there! Good thing too because she is highly allergic to bee stings.

Since the nest was high up on the downspout, we grabbed our extendable pole, attached as knockdown dusting application to it, and liberally treated the nest. This will quickly exterminate the bald-faced hornets. A short while later we removed the nest, disposed of it, and then treated the area with a liquid residual. This application will neutralize any bald-faced hornets that return to the area as well as prevent them, and any other stinging insect, from building another nest. 

This homeowner in Somerville, NJ, was in his garage, organizing his holiday lights one day, when he noticed an opossum walk right into his garage and began eating his pets food! He quietly went inside and contacted Little Rascals for help! Opossums are a medium sized mammal that usually range in weight from four to six pounds. They're omnivores & are known to eat vertebrates (mice and rats especially), invertebrates, carrion (dead animals), plants, fruits, grains, and human garbage. Opossums are drawn to places that have both food and water, which is why leaving food and water out for an outdoor pet will often attract opossums at any time of the year!

Once we arrived, we spotted the opossum snacking on the pet food that was placed in the garage. We carefully and successfully retrieved it and relocated the opossum to a new, humane environment. Before we left, we advised the owner to clean up the spilled food, no longer keep the pet food in the garage, and to remove the pet food once his cat is done eating. Doing this few simple tricks will prevent opossums, and other nuisance wildlife, from infesting his home. 

A new customer in Neshanic Station, NJ, wanted our Attic Systems team to remove all the old fiberglass insulation and add blown-in cellulose insulation. First, we removed any and all debris in the attic and then air sealed all the gaps and cracks in the attic. This will eliminate air flow between the living space and the attic, improving energy efficiency. Afterward, we installed Tight Shell Can Light Covers over the recessed lights in the attic. These are made out of a fire resistant material and is specifically designed to stop unwanted air leakage through the recessed lights.

Next, we added over 10 inches of TruSoft blown-in cellulose insulation. TruSoft blown-in cellulose insulation maximizes home comfort, has the highest Class-1 fire safety rating & is resistant to mold and pests. After adding TruSoft, we installed several SilverGlo™ borders. This will prevent the insulation from overflowing onto the attic floor and makes the attic look more organized.

During an initial inspection for a new Home Protection Plan customer in Warren, NJ, we noticed something interesting while surveying the home - the crawl space door was missing! We decided to take a look and inspect the crawl space. It's a good thing we did, because we found a plethora of rat droppings throughout the area! We brought this to the owners attention and mentioned that our Crawl Space Division can install a new and sturdy crawl space door. She agreed and made an appointment.

In the meantime, the first thing we did was carefully clean up all the rat droppings in the crawl space. Afterward, we installed several rodent bait stations throughout the crawl space and along the exterior of the home. Lastly, we scheduled several follow up inspections to replenish the bait in the bait stations until the rats are no longer infesting the home. 

During a routine inspection of a home in Montgomery, NJ one of Pest Control techs noticed a few sparrows flying in and out of a small hole in the siding of the home just above the gutters. They took a closer look and found an active birds nest inside! The homeowner was notified and our Bird Solutions team were immediately dispatched to properly remove the sparrows.

To safely remove the sparrows, we customized a one-way device and installed it over the hole in the siding of the home. The sparrows can push this flap open when they exit, however, because the flap is weighted, they'll be unable to reenter the vent. The best part of this device is that, if there are young birds inside, the adult female will still be able to feed them through the flap, until they leave. After a short period of time, all the sparrows were safely removed from the home. Now we need to properly seal up the access point.

Before we begin, we carefully removed all the nesting debris inside the opening. Once it was all removed, we then sanitized and deodorized the area 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. The last thing you want to do is disrupt the mites that are crawling in and around the nesting material. Lastly, we sealed up the access point with sturdy, metal flashing to prevent any future intrusions from birds and nuisance wildlife.

This customer in Belle Mead, NJ, had a rather unique situation with sparrows infesting his home. They were actually able to infest the property by squeezing through a few missing bricks right underneath the fascia. First, we carefully removed all of the nesting debris and then disinfected the area with a solution that targets bird mites. When birds leave their nests, the mites are left behind without a suitable host for their next blood meal. They will enter a home and feed on the blood of humans. Bird mites are the main reason why extreme care is needed when removing a nest. 

We then returned to our trucks, fashioned several pieces of metal flashing, and installed them over the fascia. This will exclude all nuisance birds as well as bats, and all nuisance wildlife from this area!

During an initial visit for a new Home Protection Plan customer in Manville, NJ, we found multiple rat burrows against the foundation of the home. Rat burrows can be identified by their fan-shaped openings, smooth walls, and oily residue around the entrance. The openings are usually between two and four inches in diameter, and the walls are smooth and hard-packed soil surrounds the opening. The residue is due to the rodents' fur, and can look like brown marks.

Rats create these burrows to travel from their nest to a food source and to escape predators. Rat burrows usually contain a main entrance and 1 or 2 exit holes away from the main entrance. We installed several Ready-to-Use rodent bait stations near each of the burrows. Afterward, we installed several snap traps that are inside temper-proof, child resistant boxes near the burrows. Lastly, we scheduled several follow-up visits to monitor the rat infestation and replenish the bait in the rodent bait stations as needed.