Cowleys Pest Services Before & After Photos
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Paper Wasps Hanging Out by the Back Door in Monmouth Junction, NJ
As this elderly homeowner in Monmouth Junction, NJ, was sitting on her back porch, enjoying the beautiful weather, she spotted a wasp nest in the corner of her home. Since she is highly allergic to wasps and is a current Home Protection Plan customer, she immediately called our office for help. When we arrived and took a closer look at these stinging insects, we identified them as paper wasps.
Paper wasps, also called umbrella wasps, are semi-social stinging insects that usually have brown bodies with yellow or reddish markings. They range in size from five-eighths to three-quarters of an inch long and are known for the long legs that extend out from their oval bodies. Due to their coloration and body shape, they are often mistaken for yellow jackets but have a slimmer waist and a triangular side view. Paper wasps received their name from the paper-like material out of which they make their nests. A sting from a paper wasp can be extremely painful and can cause allergic reactions in some people.
We treated the nest with a knockdown liquid application, which will exterminate them almost immediately. After several moments, we removed the nest and treated the area with a liquid residual. This application will eliminate any returning paper wasps as well as prevent them, and any other stinging insect, from building a nest.
Stopping the Nuisance Wildlife From Getting into the Home in Monmouth Junction, NJ
This customer in Monmouth Junction, NJ had squirrels getting into her home through the gable vents. After searching for a reliable wildlife removal company, she came across Little Rascals, called the office, and we were sent out!
After we safely recovered the squirrels and took them to a new, humane location, we disinfected the entire attic. Lastly, to prevent any future intrusions from any additional squirrels, we installed a louvered vent guard over the gable vent. The louvered vent guard is made out of heavy-duty Galvannealed steel. It won't rust, is customized to accommodate vents of all shapes and sizes, and properly secures the gable vents from squirrels, birds, bats, and all nuisance wildlife!
Humid & Messy Crawl Space Gets Transformed in Basking Ridge, NJ
Our Crawl Space team was sent out to the home of a new customer in Basking Ridge, NJ, to help them out with their humid and messy crawl space. Due to the high humidity levels in the crawl space, the insulation was saturated and falling down. Fortunately, there wasn't any mold growing in the crawl space.
First, we removed all of the contaminated insulation, as well as other debris, out of the crawl space and properly disposed of them. Next, we removed the old vapor barrier and added a drainage matting. This is a dimpled plastic mat that allows all excess moisture to work its way over to sump pump. Afterward, we added a reinforced polyethylene plastic film on top of the drainage matting. The next thing we did was seal off all the exposed vents throughout the crawl space. This will prevent any outside moisture, as well as any rodents or pests, from entering the crawl space.
Next, we installed ComfortTherm® Insulation throughout the crawl space. ComfortTherm® Insulation is poly-encapsulated and is ideal for moisture-rich crawl space environments. The insulation also helps to preserve the air quality and reduce energy costs. ComfortTherm® insulation also provides excellent temperature and noise control, and comes with a vapor-retarder for use in hot, humid climates. Lastly, to control the humidity levels in the crawl space, we installed a Sedona dehumidifier. This is a powerful, energy-efficient, commercial-grade dehumidifier that outperforms standard household dehumidifiers by as much as 10 times while using the same amount of energy to run.
Foxes Go Under the Shed in Martinsville, NJ
One day, this homeowner was cleaning out his shed to get ready for the summer. As he was cleaning it out, he saw a fox stick its head out from under his shed and then go back underneath it! He immediately went inside and called Little Rascals Nuisance Wildlife Removal for help. Once we arrived and examined the shed, we found the main burrow that the fox was using to go underneath the shed.
First, we dug a 12 inch deep trench and then installed hardware cloth around the entire perimeter of shed. 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.
Beginnings of a Paper Wasp Nest Found in the Attic in Martinsville, NJ
During a startup treatment service for a new Home Protection Plan customer in Martinsville, NJ, we found a small but active paper wasps nest attached to the gable vent in the attic. Paper wasps are semi-social stinging insects that usually have brown bodies with yellow or reddish markings and received their name from the paper-like material out of which they make their nests. A sting from a paper wasp can be extremely painful and can cause allergic reactions in some people.
As we took a closer look, we noticed that there was a hole in the gable vent. Over time the gable vents get weathered and pests, as well as nuisance wildlife, take advantage of these openings and infest homes. For treatment, we grabbed our extendable pole, attached an aerosol product to it, and injected it into the nest. This treatment rapidly neutralizes the paper wasps. Moments later, we removed the nest, disposed of it, and applied a residual application to the area to prevent the paper wasps from returning and rebuilding their nest.
Although we offered to replace the gable vent for the homeowner, she mentioned that she will install it on her own at a later date.