Pest Control Bridgewater NJ involves the prevention, suppression, or eradication of unwanted organisms. Prevention involves keeping a pest from becoming a problem; suppression involves reducing pest numbers to an acceptable level, and eradication involves eliminating a pest population completely.

Natural forces like climate, competition from natural enemies, and availability of food and shelter influence pest populations. Accurate identification is important for planning an effective pest control program.

Insects are part of the phylum Arthropoda, which also includes crustaceans (crabs and lobsters) and arachnids (millipedes and centipedes). They are small, boneless creatures that buzz, scuttle, flit, and, yes, creep and crawl. They are the most numerous of all animals—an estimated 10 quintillion insects are alive at any given time, a billion for every person on Earth.

Some insects are continuous pests, such as plum curculio, flea beetles, striped cucumber beetles, plant bugs and gypsy moths. Others appear sporadically as nuisances such as aphids, mites, thrips and caterpillars. These pests can defoliate crops, damage fruit orchards, ruin wooden building materials, destroy grain and tainted wine products, and cause disease in people and domestic pets.

A pest is any organism that reduces the availability, quality or value of a natural resource important to humans. This resource may be food, fiber, timber, water, or a human health benefit such as medicine or beauty. Insects have a major impact on the profitability of agriculture, destroying crops, reducing their yield and causing disease in livestock, people, and pets.

Many pest species can be controlled using non-chemical means. These control methods can include predatory insects, biological controls and physical barriers. Predatory insects, such as the aphid-eating lacewings Chrysopa or Chrysopa-E and the gall midge Gallowaytes aphidimyza, effectively reduce aphid populations without the use of chemical pesticides. For thrips control, the predatory beetles Orius insidiosus and Orius laevigatus can be used.

Physical barriers are fences, nets and tree trunk guards that prevent pests from entering an area. The use of these control methods minimizes the need for chemical pesticides and protects human, livestock and wild animal life.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach that evaluates all of the available non-chemical control strategies and uses them in a balanced way to produce the best results for your particular situation. Ideally, these control tactics are all augmentative of each other, with the use of chemical pesticides as the last resort. The goal of an IPM plan is a sustainable system that requires little or no follow-up maintenance.

Rodents

Rodents are a common pest in many buildings. Their presence is a nuisance and can damage property. They also carry diseases that can cause harm to people and animals.

Rodents are wild animals that will naturally invade buildings in search of food, water and shelter. Invasions can lead to significant structural damage and safety hazards. Signs of rodent activity often include rodent pellet-like droppings and gnaw marks. Regular inspections are critical for identifying these signs early. Look for these markings along corners, walls and less frequented areas like behind cabinets or in utility rooms.

In addition to structural damage, rodents chew on electrical wires and plumbing causing fire hazards and leaks. They can also transmit disease to humans and other animals in a variety of ways including through their droppings, urine, saliva and nesting materials.

Both rats and mice can enter buildings through surprisingly small openings. The most effective way to prevent rodents from entering is by depriving them of their primary needs for survival. Keep outside garbage cans, dumpsters and storage areas clean and free of debris that could provide rodents with food or shelter. Inside, keep kitchens and pantry areas clean and organized, remove trash regularly and keep dishes, utensils and pet food in sealed containers. Regularly sweep and vacuum floors, especially near stoves and sinks. Also, ensure that the attic, crawl spaces and interior wall voids are properly sealed with steel wool or caulk.

Report problems such as puddles, leaks or holes in the exterior and around floor air and dryer vents to your building manager and request that they be fixed immediately. Also, keep outdoor areas free of weeds, litter and other debris that provides shelter for rodents and other wildlife. Keep gutters, heating and cooling units, and ice machines free of standing water to reduce moisture that can attract rodents.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are not only difficult to get rid of, but they can spread rapidly. This makes them an extremely difficult pest to control for the homeowner. It is important to educate yourself about the behavior of these insects, take precautions for prevention and find a professional bed bug control expert should an infestation occur.

Infestations of bed bugs are more likely to occur in homes, apartments and other places with frequent human occupancy than in office buildings, schools and similar places with fewer people sleeping in them. Bed bugs are good runners and hitchhikers and can travel from one location to another on clothing, shoes, bags, backpacks, purses, and other items. Precautions include checking shoes and bags upon returning from an infested site, changing clothes before going home, placing suitcases on raised stands, and putting clothes in a dryer when arriving at a hotel room. Bed bugs can survive several months without a blood meal and can grow to adulthood in as little as a month under favorable conditions.

When a home is infested, it requires thorough treatment of the infested areas and nearby rooms. The best choice for treatment is an insecticide applied by a professional. This is the most effective way to prevent re-infestation, but it can disrupt household life and requires some preparation.

Immediately before treating, remove all bedding and stuffed furniture covers to allow inspection of the contents for evidence of an infestation. Place these in a plastic bag and keep sealed until they can be treated, cleaned or discarded (see steps 3-6). Double bag all other clothes, toys, books, papers and other personal belongings to contain any insects that may be in them and to protect them from dislodgement on their way to the trash container or dumpster. Label or deface any discarded items to discourage others from taking them home.

Be sure to follow the instructions on all pesticides carefully. Failure to do so can result in poor control and/or injury or death to family members and pets. Be especially careful to avoid spraying anyone directly with any product and always use a face mask when applying chemical products in the house.

Fleas & Ticks

Fleas and ticks are external parasites that feed on people and pets, causing irritation, itching and transmitting disease. Both live and breed in yards, where they can be carried inside the house on clothing or pet fur. Although they are most common in homes with pets, all families should be on the lookout for these pests and take steps to prevent their infestation.

Fleas are small, wingless insects that can jump incredible distances. They live in most climate zones and are commonly found in wooded areas, shrubs, weeds and tall grasses. They are often brought onto properties by wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, squirrels and deer. They are also carried by birds and rodents.

When a flea finds a host, it will usually leap on them and begin sucking blood. They can stay attached for several days, consuming as much as three times their weight in blood. A typical flea bite causes itching, scabs and irritated skin, but more serious symptoms such as fever, headache or paralysis may occur if the flea remains attached for too long.

Unlike fleas, ticks cannot jump and must instead crawl until they find a suitable host. They have a flat body that can be dark reddish-brown to black, and they become quite visible when fully engorged with blood. Like fleas, ticks also carry bacteria and pathogens that can be transmitted to their hosts during the course of feeding.

Both species can be very difficult to eradicate. Keeping your yard free of brush and weeds, removing bird feeders and preventing wild animals from entering your property can help. In addition, year-round flea and tick prevention is important. There are a wide variety of products that can be used, including baths, powders and specialized collars. Some products target only one of these parasites while others, such as pill and topical medications, kill both fleas and ticks.

In addition to year-round prevention, it’s also a good idea to ask your vet about flea and tick preventatives for your pets. Most veterinarians recommend a combination product that will kill all stages of fleas and ticks.