Your home is your castle – and you don’t like unwanted visitors that bug you.
Pests are on the lookout for three main things: food, shelter, and water and will enter any home that might fit these needs if given the chance.
Pests are on the lookout for three main things: food, shelter, and water and will enter any home that might fit these needs if given the chance.
Did your neighbors share unwanted visitors with you?
Condominiums and apartments are the types of multi-family housing situations that can encourage unwanted pests to move in and make themselves at home.
Photo courtesy of Maxim Pierre on Flickr
We can treat a wide variety of common NYC pests for homeowners and renters including:
Ants
There are hundreds of ant species found in the U.S., although only about 25 species commonly infest homes. Ants are social insects that typically live in underground colonies, made up of workers and a queen.
Ants will eat practically any kind of food, but are especially attracted to sweets. Ants vary in overall appearance. Small or large ants and brown or black ants are common nicknames for different species.
If you do find signs of an ant infestation in your home, contact us promptly. We will be able to inspect your home, perform proper ant species identification, and recommend a course of ant control and extermination.
Anything less than perfect sanitation may lead to ant infestations. Leaving dirty dishes in the sink, food residue on countertops, crumbs on the floor and trash not frequently emptied provide food sources for ants. What starts with a few foragers entering a home can become a major problem if ants establish colonies in walls, lawns, or under home foundations.
Ants leave an invisible chemical-trail which contains pheromones for other ants to follow once they locate a food source. Soon, many more ants will be present.
Most “do it yourself” ant treatments kill only the ants you see. Some truly effective treatments can penetrate and destroy nests to help prevent ants from returning. Many home-remedies don’t account for the fact that different species of ants require different treatments.
Larger ants look much like termites, and the two are often confused – especially by nervous homeowners. However, ants have a narrow “waist” between the abdomen and thorax, which termites do not. Ants also have large heads, elbowed antennae, and powerful jaws.
Pest information and images courtesy of the National Pest Management Association.
Bedbugs
Bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed exclusively on blood. Cimex lectularius, the common bed bug, is the best known as it prefers to feed on human blood. The name bed bug derives from their preferred habitat: warm houses and especially near or inside beds and bedding or other sleep areas.
Bed bugs are usually active at night, but are not exclusively nocturnal. They generally feed on their hosts without being noticed, causing a slew of adverse health effects including skin rashes, allergic symptoms and psychological effects.
Bed bugs have been known as human parasites for thousands of years. At one point in the early 1940s, they were mostly eradicated in the developed world, but in the last twenty years pest management professionals have noticed an increase in bed-bug-related complaints, thought to be due to governmental bans on effective pesticides, and an increase in international travel.
Bed bugs can cause a number of health effects including skin rashes, psychological effects, and allergic symptoms. No study has clearly found that the insect is able to transmit disease to a human being. Bed bug bites may range from no visible effects to prominent blisters. Treatment involves the elimination of the insect but is otherwise symptomatic.
Bed bugs are extremely elusive creatures so professional help should be sought out when dealing with an infestation. Bed bugs are a very difficult pest to treat. In fact, 76 percent of pest professionals say they are the hardest bug to eradicate according to a recent NPMA survey. If you suspect or discover an infestation, contact us to address the issue…we have a Certified Bedbug Specialist on staff.
Finding a few bedbugs is not a reason to immediately dispose of your mattress. Chances are it is treatable. Call us to inspect. Bringing home a mattress from the street or discarded furniture, is unfortunately a common source of introducing bedbugs into a home and not worth the risk even if you don’t see anything on it. Also, the bedbugs may not only be in your mattress and throwing it away may give you a false sense of relief that you rid yourself of the problem.
For your protection and peace of mind, we can provide “mattress covers” which prevent bedbugs from nesting in your mattress. If you had a bedbug problem you’d be wise to get one – and for the box spring if you have one. Reach out to us for information. We can help.
Pest information and images courtesy of the National Pest Management Association.
Wasps & Bees
Stinging insects like bees and hornets send more than 500,000 people to the emergency room each year. These pests are especially active during the second half of summer and early fall when the colonies forage for food that will sustain their queens during the winter.
If you find a stinging insect nest on your property, contact us promptly. We will be able to inspect your premises, confirm the type of stinging insect and recommend a course of pest control treatment.
Pest information and images courtesy of the National Pest Management Association.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches have been long despised by homeowners due to their creepy appearance. Cockroach pest control and management are important for health and safety reasons, because cockroaches are known to cause allergic reactions and trigger asthma attacks, especially in children. They also spread nearly 33 kinds of bacteria including E. coli and Salmonella. Visit our pest resources to see various types of cockroaches, as well as find information on cockroach prevention and control.
Cockroaches are some of the most resilient pests in the world. They exhibit unique survival tactics, including the ability to live for a week without their head. This makes getting rid of cockroaches a difficult task for homeowners to do themselves. Experience has taught us how to deal with heavy cockroach infestations and several treatments of well-placed bait will bring this pest under control with time. That, along with proper sanitation will have a long-lasting effect.
If a cockroach infestation is suspected, contact us for advice on cockroach control and prevention. We will be able to recommend an appropriate treatment plan to control cockroaches and help prevent a future problem.
Pest information and images courtesy of the National Pest Management Association.
Fleas
Fleas – Siphonaptera – are small, flightless parasites that feed on the blood of various warm-blooded animals, depending on the species, and can transmit diseases to their host. Although most people think of fleas as a problem only the family pet has to deal with, they can also bite humans and are the most common transmitter of the rare bubonic plague. While pet owners are primarily at risk for flea infestations, these biting pests can also be brought onto a property via wild animals like raccoons or skunks and then make their way into a home. The most common species is the cat flea, which often feasts on cats, dogs and humans. If you suspect you may have an infestation, we highly recommend hiring a professional for flea extermination.
Flea control is an ongoing battle. Due to the flea lifecycle, it could take weeks or months to finally end the infestation. If you’re concerned you have a flea issue, it is important to quickly treat any pets who may have become a host. Comb your pets to remove fleas and then bathe them with effective flea treatments. It may be necessary to take your pet to a veterinarian if symptoms persist. To prevent any further infestations, keep dogs on a leash when outside, and be sure to regularly bathe and groom pets.
Prevent household infestations from taking hold by cleaning and vacuuming frequently to help remove flea populations and prevent the laying of eggs. Additionally, be sure to regularly wash bed linens. For serious infestations, you may need to apply heat with a steam cleaner to kill off eggs, or hire a flea exterminator.
Outdoors, make sure the lawn is well-groomed since fleas prefer to hide in tall grass. Since fleas typically travel via rodents, be sure to eliminate any rodent harborage sites on property such as overgrown trees or shrubs. If you suspect a flea infestation, contact us to help with proper and effective flea control.
Pest information and images courtesy of the National Pest Management Association.
Flies
Non-biting flies, such as houseflies, are not only nuisance pests, but they are also responsible for transmitting diseases and contaminating food. For instance, flies are capable of contaminating food and transferring more than 100 pathogens, including malaria, salmonella and tuberculosis. Food contamination is one of the main reasons that fly pest control is so important.
If you have a fly infestation in your home, contact us promptly. We will be able to inspect your home, confirm the species and recommend a course of pest control to treat and get the fly problem under control.
The house fly is the most common fly found in and around homes. It has a worldwide distribution and is prominent in the United States. House flies are not only nuisance pests while buzzing around homes, but they are potential disease carriers. House flies have short lifespans, but they can quickly reproduce in large numbers, leading to large house fly populations if not identified and effectively controlled.
House flies take advantage of structural issues, such as damaged weather stripping or torn screens, in order to enter a household. These pests are attracted to buildings by air currents and odors. Due to the fact that their preferred temperature is 83 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius), house flies are attracted to warm air currents coming from buildings on cooler days and vice versa on warmer days.
Pest information and images courtesy of the National Pest Management Association.
Fruit Flies
It’s not fun or easy dealing with fruit flies in your kitchen – or anywhere else.
These bugs seem to be present at all times of the year and are a frustrating pest to battle. For one thing, their small size makes them difficult to see until they’re buzzing by your face. They also seem to reappear even after you’ve cleaned everything you can think of that might attract them.
Adult females lay their eggs (average about 500) near the surface of fermenting fruits and vegetables or near any yeast bearing material. Adequate knowledge of the biology of the family Drosophilidae is required to properly locate harborage sites. However, not all breeding areas are readily located. Knowing the unique sites where infestations can occur in different types of accounts helps the pest management professional solve the problem more rapidly.
Mice & Rats
Rats have long been considered deadly pests. The Center for Disease Control lists nearly a dozen diseases directly linked to rats. Most urban areas battle rat infestations. Rats in New York City are famous for their size and prevalence. If you find signs of an infestation, contact us promptly. We will be able to confirm the species and recommend a course of rodent control treatment.
Rats can serve as zoonotic vectors for certain pathogens and thus spread disease, such as bubonic plague, Lassa fever, leptospirosis, and Hantavirus infection. One New York City resident died in 2017 from Leptospirosis, a disease spread by rat urine. They are also associated with human dermatitis because they are frequently infested with blood feeding rodent mites such as the tropical rat mite (Ornithonyssus bacoti) and spiny rat mite (Laelaps echidnina), which will opportunistically bite and feed on humans, where the condition is known as rat mite dermatitis.
Rodents can be difficult to keep out of structures. For instance, mice can squeeze through spaces as small as a dime and rats can fit through holes the size of a quarter. For proper rodent pest control, seal any cracks and voids. Ensure there is proper drainage at the foundation and always install gutters or diverts which will channel water away from the building. A rodent exterminator can also help you identify ways in which a rodent may be entering your home.
If you do find signs of an infestation, contact us promptly. A rodent exterminator will be able to inspect your home, confirm the species and recommend a course of rodent control treatment.
NYC Health page on rats
Pest information and images courtesy of the National Pest Management Association.
We specialize in Rat treatment in Manhattan... Rat treatment in NYC... Rodent baiting and proofing... Rat violations removal...
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are vectors of numerous diseases including malaria, yellow fever, dengue, encephalitis, Chikungunya, West Nile virus and Zika – the newest mosquito-borne disease of growing concern.
Wearing an insect repellent containing DEET or another EPA-registered ingredient is the best way to prevent mosquito bites. It’s also important to take steps to prevent mosquito breeding grounds around your home, since mosquitoes can lay eggs in as little as a half an inch of water.
Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Different species prefer different kinds of water sources in which to lay eggs, which grow and develop into larvae, pupae, and eventually flying, biting mosquitoes. Search your property for any source of standing water and remove it, or dump it out. Some species can breed in as little as an ounce of water. If the water is present for more than five days in a row, it is a potential mosquito breeding ground and should be eliminated.
Most types of mosquitoes are active around dusk and dawn, so avoiding the outdoors at those times will reduce the likelihood of getting a bite. If you’re outside, wear long sleeves, long pants and insect repellent to protect skin from mosquitoes. A small fan at outdoor gatherings may also reduce mosquitoes, as they are not strong flyers. It is especially important to wear effective insect repellents and protective clothing if traveling outside the U.S. Mosquito-borne diseases that may be rare in the U.S. are common in many foreign countries.
Most counties have a mosquito abatement program in place to minimize the local population and help keep the public safe. These programs typically involve trapping mosquitoes in different areas and testing them for known pathogens. This helps monitor the spread of diseases and warn the public of risks in the area. County programs may also include plans for periodic spraying or fogging to eliminate adult mosquitoes.
If you have a mosquito problem on your property, contact us to evaluate the situation and advise you on how to get your mosquito infestation under control.
Pest information and images courtesy of the National Pest Management Association.
Moths
Indian meal moths like to feed on dried fruits, grains, seeds, nuts, chocolate, candies, bird seed, dog food, powdered milk, dried red peppers and candy. These moths infest foods and can contaminate food products.
Dried food products should be inspected thoroughly for signs of Indian meal moth infestations. Discard infested foods in outdoor trash bins. Clean infested cupboards thoroughly with a vacuum and soap and water. Store food in sealed containers.
If you discover a pantry pest infestation in your home, discard all contaminated items and contact us for assistance in treating the problem.
There are two kinds of clothes moths encountered in homes. Clothes moths, more specifically known as either the webbing clothes moth or the casemaking clothes moth, are occasional fabric pests. Their larvae will feed on any animal fibers containing proteins, including fur, wool and wool blends, silk, hair, feathers/down, mohair, cashmere, and more. You could find damage (or the larvae themselves) on woolen clothing, carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, furs, stored wool, animal bristles in hair brushes, and even woolen felts on piano keys.
Synthetics or fabrics such as cotton may also be fed upon if they are blended with wool. Larvae may use cotton fibers to make their pupal cases. Damage generally occurs in hidden areas such as under collars or cuffs of clothing, in crevices of upholstered furniture, and in areas of carpeting covered by furniture. Fabrics stained by foods, drinks or perspiration, are usually more subject to damage.
Pest information and images courtesy of the National Pest Management Association.
