Keeping a home spotless will help prevent and/or reduce pest problems. By keeping a spotless home reduces food and water sources for pests. Unfortunately, environmental factors also play a major factor.

Here are some ways to prevent pests by understanding environmental factors:

Tip #1

Keeping trees and shrubs from touching your home will help prevent carpenter ants, spiders, mice, squirrels and wildlife (Racoons). By trimming trees and shrubs you eliminate a highway these pests can travel into your home. It will also reduce moisture and mold. Reducing moisture is a key factor in preventing carpenter ants, spiders, and bees. When shrubs are trimmed at least one foot from the house it allows air to get between the bushes and the house which allows the area to dry out. It also reduces harborage areas for mice and insects. Mice are small creatures and like to hide from people and potential predators. Insect pests also have predators. With lots of coverage, they can hide and multiply. By trimming trees you also allow the home to dry out after rains and high humidity. Moisture may be the biggest reason for pests entering homes.

Tip #2

Make sure gutters are clean and in working order. When gutters are not clean moisture accumulates. Moisture not only creates an excellent environment for carpenter ants but attracts bees, wasps, and hornets. Water is the number one thing pests need to survive.

Tip #3

Make sure mulch is not touching the siding. Three inches between the mulch and the siding of a home is preferred. Keep at least one inch. If the mulch is covering the bottom of siding the wood gets wet. When the siding is covered and gets wet it makes an extremely conducive environment for termites. Wet wood is also very attractive to carpenter ants, spiders, beetles, and numerous other pests.

Tip #4

Make sure mulch is not too deep. We see a lot of houses that have mulch multiple inches deep. The deeper the mulch the higher the moisture content. The higher the moisture content the more attractive to pests. Deep mulch will also create mold and mold spores. Many homes have little black/brown dots on the siding of there home. These are mold spores. The deeper the mulch equals more spores.

Tip #5

Storing firewood next to your home will attract mice, ants, crickets and other pests. It should be stored at least (minimum) twenty feet from the house.

Tip #6

Keep flour, grains and other processed food items in containers. Pantry pests are brought in from the store in these items. Tupperware, Rubbermaid and ziplock bags are great things to keep these pests contained. One of the most common problems we encounter with pantry pests is when one of these items gets stored in the back of the cabinet and forgotten.

Tip #7

Make sure stored items in garages, basements, attics and under decks are rearranged occasionally. If stored items are not moved every once in awhile pests may infest them. Pests like consistency. By moving these items you put pests under stress which causes them to look for other harborages. Mice can live in a bag of birdseed in a garage their entire life and not leave the bag. A box of dried flowers or Beanie Babies can create an environment in which pests never have to leave. Once the pest population grows these pests will migrate to the living areas of a home. Any of these stored items may attract pests. Mice, ants, pantry pests are common pests found in these areas.

Tip #8

It is impossible to totally seal my home to prevent pests from entering? Here are some simple things to do: Seal exterior openings. Seal openings around air conditioning hose, water spigots, gas lines, and cable lines. This will help stop mice, ants, crickets, spiders and other pests. Make sure screens are tight, have no holes and are in working order. This will help with mosquitoes, flies, bees, yellow jackets and other flying pests. Make sure the seal at the bottom of the garage door is pliable and in good working order. This will help with many pests. The most common way pests enter homes is when the garage door is left open for a long period of time. Closing the garage door will prevent mice, squirrels, ants, bees, spiders and numerous other pests.

Maintaining a clean home will definitely reduce pests. Cleanliness will place pests under stress. With little or no food or water creates an environment that pests do not want to inhabit. Cleanliness is a cornerstone of Integrated Pest Management. Employing Integrated Pest Management will lead to reducing the number of pesticides applied.

These are a few items that can help prevent pests. If you have any questions or want service regarding pest issues, please contact us!

Choosing a pest control or exterminating company can be confusing.

There are a few simple things to consider:

1. Make sure the pest control company you choose is a member of State and National Organizations. New Jersey (NJPMA) National (NPMA). Membership in these organizations shows theses companies are committed to continuing education. NJPMA and NPMA hold numerous continuing education classes during the year to help educate the pest control industry. At PermaKIll Exterminating we attend these meetings on a regular basis. This month we are attending NJPMA meetings on Integrated Pest Management in Schools and Controlling Wildlife. This winter we will be attending the NPMA Eastern Conference. We at Permakill believe that education is the best way to provide the best pest control service.
2. Ask friends and neighbors who have had a good experience with an exterminator. Most of our new customers come from referrals.
3. Make sure the pest control company is licensed by the State of New Jersey.
4. Make sure the pest control technicians that will be servicing are licensed by the State of New Jersey. Licensed pest control technicians indicate the company is serious about education.
5. Reviews are important. Remember sometimes reviews are not always accurate.
6. Ask about warranties. Sometimes to control a pest it may take more than one visit. Are repeat visits part of your agreement?
7. When interviewing a pest control company, explain exactly what and where is the pest problem. Many times when we perform an inspection the pest(s) are not visible at the time of inspection. Proper identification of the pest will ensure a successful treatment. If the prospective pest control company does not listen to you, don't choose them. Many companies will only offer contract agreements and not one time services. You are the customer so choose what pest control service you want.
8. Most of this information can be found on websites.
9. Does the exterminator return calls and emails? If the initial contact is difficult, the rest of the experience will probably be difficult. If you have to leave a message with the pest control company that should not disqualify them. It may mean that other people want to buy there service. What is IMPORTANT is they return the call or email. We return all calls and emails.
10. If all these items are followed and you don't get a good feeling go on to the next exterminator.
11. We are a locally owned and family operated company and we believe it is best to support local businesses.

PermaKill Exterminating would like to perform your pest control service. Contact us and we will be happy to answer any questions and provide an estimate. Give us a call or send us an email at info@permakillexterminating.com.

Horses are beautiful animals. In Morris County, when you drive through the country and see these majestic creatures grazing in a field, it is an amazing sight.

When the horses are brought in from the field they reside in a horse stall. This is where they are not so beautiful. The horses eat, sleep, and go to the bathroom in their stall. Horses are messy eaters, and the feed they spill while eating creates an excellent source of food for rats. The stalls are also a great place for rats to hide and nest. There are food and shelter inside a stall. Rats readily co-habitat with horses. The most common rat found at farms in Morris, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren counties is the Norway Rat. These rats live in the ground in burrows. These rat burrows can be found in horse stalls and adjacent areas. The reason why they live in these areas is because there is a lot of food.

How Do I Treat Rats?

Treating rats in this environment can be challenging. Since there is a lot of food available rat baits are not very effective. Think about it, if you were a rat would you eat rat bait or tasty horse feed. We use some rat baits but we primarily use a powdered rodenticide. This powdered rodenticide is applied directly into the rat's burrow. The reason why the powdered rodenticide works so well is rats are very clean creatures. They are constantly grooming themselves. Put another way, if someone put a powder in your home you would clean it up. The rat does the same thing and by cleaning the burrow they ingest a dose that will kill them. Another advantage of this method of rat control is the powder, when applied correctly, will not come in contact with the horses, pets or people.

The best reason to not have rats in your barn is the damage they create. We have a customer in Bedminster who built a beautiful barn. They brought a crew in from Kentucky to recreate a typical Kentucky horse barn. The barn has highly finished wood decorated with brass fixtures. When rats appeared they began chewing holes in the doors and wood siding. The customer was obviously upset. We developed a treatment plan that eliminated the rats. Once the rats were gone we put the farm on a monthly rodent treatment plan. Farms are going to get rats. We offer a maintenance plan so that rats will not get out of control. We offer advice on how to prevent rat infestations. Two simple preventative measures are to keep feed in metal containers and store the manure pile away from the barn.

If you need a rat treatment or have questions on how to reduce the chance of getting rats please contact us or email us at info@permakillexterminating.com.

It’s that time again – rodent season has arrived, and residents of northern New Jersey may soon be wondering how that mouse ended up in the house.

There are several ways mice can enter your home as winter approaches. Let's explore the most common entrance paths so that you can keep these furry pests at bay.

How Can Mice Enter a Home?

Mice can fit into tiny spaces, making them difficult to track. Their bodies are so flexible that they can even fit into an opening the size of a dime. Small holes or cracks in your home’s foundation, walls, or floors can be perfect entry points for mice seeking warm, dry shelter. But there are many more potential entrances for mice.

Some of the most common entry points include:

• Chimneys: Mice can easily climb into your fireplace and make their way into your home.
• Garages: Attached garages may be infested when mice spot gaps in the garage door or holes in the walling.
• Gutters: Mice are excellent climbers and will gladly scale your gutters in search of a hole in your roof. Some may even nest inside of clogged drains.
• Foundations: Cracks in wooden or stone foundations are like vacancy signs for mice.
• Corner Posts: These posts are attached to the corners of the home and are often hollow, making them an ideal choice for chilled and hungry mice.

What Attracts Mice to a Home?

As winter sets in, mice seek out warm, dry places to nest and breed. The fact that your home is sheltered and heated is enough to attract most mice.

However, several things may attract mice to your home. These include:

• Food: Any food or crumbs left out could be a tasty snack for mice.
• Water: Pet water bowls are the most common source of water for mice in the home.
• Warmth: Cold weather pushes mice toward warm areas, like your comfy house.
• Odors: The smell of a previous mice infestation may attract mice.

Where Do Mice Hide in a Home?

Because mice are so tiny, there are several places they could be taking up residence within your home. Often, mice will build nests near to their point of entry, as it allows them to venture outside for resources.

But mice may also hide in warm, darkened areas around your home. The space inside of walls, the insulation within your attic, and cramped warm spaces beneath refrigerators, dishwashers, and stoves can all be havens for mice.

They can also be found inside of clutter. If it's been a while since you've cleaned out your garage or basement, you're advertising a great winter home for mice. Ridding your home of clutter is a great way to eliminate at least one possible home for mice.

Mice may also find their way into the kitchen or bathroom cupboards. Typically, cabinets have a hollow space beneath them, allowing mice to slip by unnoticed.

How to Prevent Infestations

The best way to prevent an infestation is to identify the entry points for mice and seal them shut. For example, cracks in your home's foundation must be sealed with cement to prevent recurring infestations.

Checking your roof for holes or cracks is also an excellent way to prevent infestations. Cement may not be an appropriate material for all entry points. Caulk and steel wool can also be used to seal entrances.

Another way to prevent an infestation is to remove the things that attract mice to your home. You will need to keep your home warm during the winter, so warmth is not something you can remedy. The same is true for those with pets who need access to fresh drinking water.

However, ridding your home of open food sources and maintaining a high level of in-home sanitation can help keep mice away.

In addition to sealing possible entry points and removing attractants, you can also utilize pest control methods such as traps or poison to prevent mice infestations. Contact your local pest control providers today to keep that mouse out of your house!

There is an old saying that curiosity killed the cat. This may be true, but it definitely helps with controlling mice.

Mice travel next walls and basement sills regularly following the same trail. Mice do this because they have poor eyesight but an acute sense of smell. When mice follow the same trail they leave behind a scent. After following this trail over a period of time the mice will leave a brown stain. These stains are from the oils that mice have on their fur.

Mouse Traps

By placing mouse traps and mouse baits along these trails there, curiosity gets the better of them and they either get caught in a trap or eat the bait. Most of the time this treatment will eliminate a mouse problem. Sometimes when a mouse infestation is really serious, this curiosity is very helpful. If the mouse problem is still present after the normal treatment, moving stored items (in garages, attics, and basements) and furniture creates a new environment for mice to explore. At this stage traps and baits are rearranged. This exploration (caused by curiosity) will bring the mice out of there comfort zone (hiding areas) and into the new area where traps and mouse baits have been placed.

We place baits and mouse traps in areas where animals and children cannot reach them.

We hope you do not get a mouse problem, but if you do we can help. We offer a winter rodent program. This program will warranty your home for the winter. If mice reappear during the agreement we will retreat at no charge for the length of the warranty. We have customers who have this treatment every year so the mouse problem does not reoccur.

The federal government describes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as "a coordinated system of technological and management practices to control pests in a safe, environmentally sound, and economically manner". The ultimate goal of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is to create an environment where pests do not want to live. Sealing any entrances that pests may enter, making sure gutters are clean and in working order, cutting back trees and shrubs from touching homes and making sure screens fit tight and have no holes are some simple ways of implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Traditional pest control primarily focuses on chemical means by using pesticides. Many times treatments were only performed when a pest problem occurred. IPM utilizes methods of environmental changes and pesticide applications as needed. IPM also consists of using traditional pest control methods with scientifically designed treatments to lower pesticide usage and performing preventative treatments. Using less product is not only environmentally friendly, it is smart.

To put IPM in perspective, it can be as simple as closing a door or window to repairing or replacing a leaking roof.

What We Do

We at PermaKIll Exterminating have been using Scientifically Designed Pest Control Treatments (IPM) since we started in 1987. Pests are smart so we have to be smarter. We employ all the latest treatment techniques in conjunction with practices that have worked in the past. As Pest Control Professionals we are committed to the highest standards and being the best pest control company. The most fascinating by-product of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is even the “old-timers” can see the value in IPM because it may lower costs.

Many times homeowners can treat there own pest problems. Unfortunately, many homeowners think "if a little is good, more will be better." This is not the case. The products available today have been tested and tested again. If the label (directions) are not followed correctly the pest may not go away and over-usage may cause a safety concern. Depending on the pest, it is usually smart to call in a Pest Control Specialist and get the job done right the first time. We can buy all the tools and parts required to fix a car, but few of us have the knowledge to actually fix it.

If you need a pest control professional like PermaKill Exterminating, please contact us right away!

We at PermaKill Exterminating are always striving to make our pest control services better. All of our technicians regularly attend continuing education seminars to increase their knowledge of pest control. Many of these classes are an extension of Rutgers University. Yearly we attend an all-day pest control training seminar hosted by and at Rutgers. We receive credits for attendance that are used to keep our New Jersey State Pesticide Licenses valid and to remain in good standing with the state. These classes offer a variety of subjects for ants, mice, spiders, squirrels, rodents, ticks, and other pests. The class on mice was very interesting. The trainer explained that mice can enter buildings through any hole that is the size of the diameter of a pencil. We saw videos of mice climbing up the side of buildings to the second floor. Once the mice reached the second floor they entered the building through a hole in a gap in the mortar that was smaller than the diameter of a pencil.

The reason mice can enter such small openings is their bone structure is very flexible. If a mouse can get its head through an opening it can adjust its body to get in the opening. Another trainer explained that an important tool in controlling ants is to seal as many openings as possible. Some easy openings to fix for ants is seal gaps around water spigots, air conditioning pipes and wires, and cable wires that enter the home. Ants have a tendency to follow straight lines. Some of the most common lines ants follow are the items just described and cracks along the foundation of the home. Ants can also come from trees. There are numerous ways ants can enter a home or office.

We Keep Learning

The seminars on mice and ants are just two of the classes we took at Rutgers. One major pest control tool that was mentioned continually was inspections. Many times when we are dealing with a pest we are unable to recommend a treatment plan without actually inspecting the home or building. For example, with mice we will look for entry sites, mouse droppings and grease marks. With ants, we are looking for moisture, trees and shrubs touching the home, frass and clogged gutters. Inspections for mice and ants will determine the way for control and ways to prevent them in the future.

We are attending seminars at the end of this month on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in schools. When treating schools we have to use different pest control methods. When treating mice and ants in schools, we are required to try different techniques first without using pesticides. Once those measures are exhausted we have to try and use "green" products. If these methods do not work only then are we allowed to apply standard "Pesticides." The school is required to notify parents regarding treatments. These techniques for ants, mice, and other pests can take time to provide control.

We at PermaKill Exterminating will continue to expand our knowledge about Pest Control and Exterminating application methods by continuing education.

If you have a pest problem please contact us at info@permakillexterminating.com or give us a call!

It has been a few years since the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug has made its presence known in larger numbers in Northern New Jersey. Stink bugs have been around the last couple of years but not like this year. About ten years ago this strange-looking pest made its appearance in homes and building in our area. Stink bugs attack crops and have caused millions of dollars in crop damage. The stink bug gets its name because it emits a pungent odor that some people say it smells like coriander. The odor can be emitted by merely holding or capturing a stink bug. The stink bug population has been declining in the last few years because of the control techniques used by farmers. They use pheromone traps and insecticides. These control measures have dramatically reduced the stink bug population. For some reason this year the stink bug population is on the rise. We are not sure if it has to do with the weather or preemptive measures were not taken this year. It could also just be a fluke.

When stink bugs enter homes and buildings they can be an annoying pest problem. The presence of stink bugs can last a few weeks or all winter. Stink bugs enter homes and buildings in the fall to escape the winter. If a large number of stink bugs overwinter in a home or building they can emerge all winter long. They usually overwinter on the sunny side of the home. Unfortunately, during the winter bright sunny days cause the stink bugs to emerge. Once they emerge they will usually go to a light source. The stink bugs interpret the light as a way to get to the outside. That's why it is common to see stink bugs by windows and light fixtures. I just spoke to a customer in Califon last week and she said that the stink bugs will dive bomb the lamp next to her when she is watching television.

Trust the Professionals

Stink bug control in homes and buildings can be difficult. The best treatment for stink bugs is to treat the exterior of the home or building around Labor Day. The treatment applies a residual to the siding. When a stink bugs lands on the home or building looking for an overwintering site the applied residual will knock the number of stink bugs down so fewer will enter and overwinter. Once stink bugs have entered there are a few treatments that will help. Treating attics and chimneys will reduce the number of stink bugs. Liquid residuals in certain circumstances will also knock the stink bug population down.

The purpose of a stink bug treatment is to reduce the number of stink bugs. We offer various treatment options to control this strange pest. If someone tells you they can guarantee to get rid of stink bugs do not trust them. It is impossible. The good news for homeowners is stink bugs will exit the home or building in the spring. The bad news for farmers is when they leave a structure they are going to attack their crops.

We at PermaKill Exterminating offer plans to reduce the stink bug population. These treatments are scientifically designed for safety and effectiveness. We hope you don't have a stink bug problem but if you do please contact us at info@permakillexterminating.com or call us. We answer all calls and emails.

For most people, their home is the largest investment they have. So when it comes time to sell this investment, it may cause major anxiety. Usually, the first job is to find a realtor. The realtor will make recommendations on ways to increase its value. This usually costs money. Then they have to find a qualified buyer. Once the home goes under contract the buyer usually has a few weeks to acquire a home inspection. The job of the home inspector is to find things wrong with the home, this also includes pests.

In Northern New Jersey, the seller is required to sign a disclosure statement. Therefore, if a legitimate pest problem exists it must be disclosed. From a Wood Destroying Organism perspective, this includes Carpenter Ants, Carpenter Bees, Termites, and Powder Post Beetles. The results of the pest inspection must be disclosed in an NPMA-33 Form by the home inspector. The reason why this form is important is that all banks use it in the loan process. Usually, once Carpenter Ants, Carpenter Bees, Termites or Powder Post Beetles are observed and noted on the report you will have to treat them prior to closing. The treatment(s) must be performed by a Licenced Pest Management Professional. The treatment(s) usually require a year warranty. During the warranty, if the noted pests reappear the Pest Management Professional who performed the service will be required to treat again at no charge. This is one reason why some of these treatments may be costly.

Like all services, some home inspectors are very good and some are not very good. Some of the reports we have seen are extremely vague. If possible, have the inspector take pictures of any problems to avoid any confusion. It is important to remember that the job of the home inspector is to find things wrong and they work for the buyer.

Some home inspectors are now noting pests other than Wood Destroying Pests on their reports. These pests include, but are not limited to: grease ants, tiny ants, sugar ants, crickets, bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, mice, squirrels, and other rodents. The newest thing is evidence of rodents. This is especially true for mice and squirrels. The inspectors are looking for mouse droppings, grease marks (mouse runways), squirrel droppings, and insulation that may be disturbed from rodents. Remediation of rodents evidence may include the removal and replacement of insulation. Prior to the installation of new insulation, a disinfection treatment may be required. This process may be very costly.

What Can You Do?

This may sound scary, but there are some things you can do to reduce potential inspection problems. When it comes to ants, (especially carpenter ants) we all have had an occasional ant in our home. Every home may have a couple of dead ants in the basement. The best answer is to vacuum them up. If you have had an occasional mouse in your home and there a few droppings in the basement or attic vacuum them up. If you have a few spider webs in or around your home take them down. If you have bees, wasps, yellow jackets or hornets it may be best to treat them prior to the inspection. If you have had a previous squirrel problem in the attic and some of the insulation is disturbed replacing the disturbed insulation is probably a good idea.

It is important to remember that if you do have a legitimate pest problem you need to disclose it and probably fix it. By doing some simple cleaning you can save yourself a lot of aggravation and probably some money.

If you do have a pest problem arising from a home inspection with ants, mice, crickets, squirrels, bees or any other pest we can help. We can fix the problem and supply all the necessary paperwork for a smooth closing.

If we can be of help please contact us or email us at info@permakillexterminating.com.

Many of us store bird food and old grass seed in the garage. Unfortunately, we all have busy lives and forget they are in the garage. Bird food and grass seed are two of the favorite foods of mice. What normally happens is we plant grass seed in the spring or fall and have some leftover. When we are done, we take the leftover seed, store it in the garage, and forget about it. As time goes by, more "stuff" accumulates and the next thing you know the grass seed in covered up by other things. Mice like quiet places away from people. When mice enter the garage they naturally look for places to hide. After searching the garage, the mice find the hidden grass seed. This is a perfect environment for mice because there is plenty of food and away from people. In this environment, the mouse population begins to multiply. After the mouse population grows in the garage they begin to move into the home. At this point, the mouse infestation has left the garage and entered the home.

This scenario can also repeat itself with birdseed. Most people who feed the birds are very consistent with the feeding because they want the birds to return and watch them. If they stop feeding the birds, the birdseed that is left creates an excellent food source for mice. Another source of food for mice is spillage. When feeding the birds many times some of the feed spills on the floor. If it is not cleaned up, it creates an excellent food source for mice.

More to Worry About Than Just Mice

The bird food and grass seed also supply an ideal environment for Pantry Pests. Indian Meal Moths are the most common pantry pests. There have been so many times when we go to a home and they have moths, the source is in the garage from bird food or grass seed. To eliminate these moths, the food source needs to be removed. Once the food source is removed clean up any spillage. After the clean up we can perform a treatment to eliminate the remaining moths.

How to Prevent These Pests

A couple of easy ways to prevent this from happening is to store all bird food and grass seed in sealed containers. Clean up spillage. Dispose of any unused grass seed or bird food. As soon as mice or moths appear, take proactive methods.

If proactive measures don't work call a professional. PermaKill Exterminating has been servicing pest control customers since 1987. We have the experience to solve your pest problem. We are a locally owned family operated company that can supply you with the customized service you deserve. We also offer a Home Protection Plan that will solve your pest problems with a scientifically designed plan.

If we can be of service please contact us or email us at info@permakillexterminating.com