Milltown, NJ Pest Control & Bird, Wildlife Services

During a routine summer treatment of this customer's property in Milltown, NJ, we noticed a lot of frass (sawdust) at the bottom of one the trees in the front yard. We took a closer look at it and found out that the tree was getting destroyed by a massive amount of carpenter ants. Carpenter ants are wood-destroying insects and got their name from excavating wood in order to build their nests. They don't eat wood, like termites do. Carpenter ants typically nest outdoors in damp, decaying wood like tree stumps, logs, or hollowed-out trees (like this one).

For treatment, we injected a residual application into the gaps and openings of the tree. Next, we applied some granular bait around the base of tree as well as throughout the landscape. Lastly, as a precaution, we treated the entire exterior of the home with a liquid non-repellent residual. The worker carpenter ants will come in contact with these applications, bring them back to their colony, and then share the treatments with their queen and the other ants. In a short amount of time, the carpenter ants will be eliminated.

We were sent out to a new Home Protection Plan customers home in Milltown, NJ, to treat and exterminate a bald-faced hornets nest. When we arrived, we immediately spotted the bald-faced hornets nest, as it was attached to the light fixture by the back door! Bald-faced hornets are social stinging insects that are a close relative to yellow jackets, and they are EXTREMELY aggressive! 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. 

After equipping our protective bee suit, we injected a knockdown aerosol application directly into the opening of the nest. This treatment eliminates the bald-faced hornets almost immediately. After a few moments, we removed the nest, disposed of it, and then applied a residual application to the area. This product will exterminate any returning bald-faced hornets as well as prevent them from building a new nest. 

While servicing this home in Milltown, NJ, we noticed that some of the utility wires on the side of the building appeared to be "chewed" through. As we took a closer look, we found a few mice droppings around the area. Turns out mice were nibbling on the homeowners cable wires and he had no idea!

For treatment, we installed a rodent bait station near the damaged wires, in several other locations around the exterior of the home, and, as a precaution, inside the attached garage and the laundry room. Once we finished, we scheduled several follow up visits to monitor the activity and replenish the bait stations until the mice are no longer infesting the home. 

As this homeowner in Milltown, NJ was cleaning his yard, he saw a rat run across his garden and hide in the mulch bed. He then went inside, found Cowleys online, called us for help, and we were sent out to inspect and treat. As we inspected the property, we found a ton of rat burrows throughout the mulch bed. 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. Next, 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, apply any additional treatments, and replenish the bait as needed.

Recently, we were sent out to a home in Milltown, NJ to handle a mice problem. When we arrived, we inspected the home and found an abundance of mice droppings in the crawl space. As we inspected the exterior of the home we found a small opening in the crawl space vent. This was how the mice were able to infest the home. 

For treatment, we carefully cleaned up the mice droppings and installed several rodent bait stations throughout the crawl space and along the exterior of the home. Next, we plugged the opening with chew-proof stainless steel mesh and sealed it in place with a waterproof, premium adhesive. Lastly, we scheduled several follow-up visits to monitor the infestation and replenish the bait stations as needed.

We received a call from one of our property managers in Milltown, NJ in regards to hornets getting into one of their tenants' homes. We were sent out to inspect the situation and treat it as needed. After speaking to the tenants, we learned where they have been seeing the hornets — on the second floor coming from the attic door. We then began to inspect the attic and Bingo! We found the hornets' nest lodged into a cell attached to the ceiling and insulation.  They were able to keep warm in this particular area.  

We treated the nest with a knockdown aerosol application which will rapidly exterminate the hornets. A short while later, we carefully removed the nest and properly disposed of it.

Usually, with wildlife infestations in the attic, we are only dealing with one species of animal at a time. Whether its larger animals like raccoons or squirrels or smaller ones like mice, they usually live alone. During our inspection we look for clues to determine the type of animal if we aren’t fortunate enough to catch the animals red-handed. The usual clues are the type of noise and the time of day when the noises are mostly heard, the size of the entry hole, the identification of the feces, animal tracks if there is dust in the attic or there are muddy prints, the type of damage left by the animal, and finally, experienced wildlife technicians can identify the trademark scent of the animal and the fur that is left behind. 

Very rarely do we come across a situation where squirrels and raccoons are entering and occupying the same space at the same time. Raccoons, by far the larger, stronger, and more vicious of the two species, would simply not allow a squirrel to be in the same location, especially a mother raccoon caring for her young. Raccoons tend to be nocturnal, sleeping during the day. They would not appreciate the noise of squirrels, which are active during the day. 

However, situations can sometimes present themselves where the two animals can manage to occupy the same space “without stepping on each other’s toes,” so to speak. When the weather is warm, raccoons will not necessarily return to the attic every day to sleep. Instead, since they don’t need to escape the harsh outdoor elements, they can sleep outside when the weather is accommodating (just like we do when we go camping on warm summer nights!). 

With this home in Milltown, NJ, there was evidence of both squirrel and raccoon activity. The access point into the attic was more than enough to accommodate a raccoon, so either animal could have entered. Identification of animal feces indicated that bother animals were, at one time or another, present there. However, I wanted to see which animals were activity using the area in the home. i placed tape across the access hole. First, I wanted to see if any animals were actively using the space, and if so, what animal species was trespassing. When I returned to check the tape, sure enough, there was BOTH squirrel fur and raccoon fur stuck on the now-broken tape. Somehow, this odd couple of animals were able to tolerate each other’s presence. 

Ince I determine the particular animal I am dealing with, I can then strategize the best solution to resolve the animal infestation and set the right traps with the right bait. In these very rare situations where I am faced with different animals, the process may take little longer, but rest assured, the end result will be the same for the homeowner — we will evict the animals from the attic and then seal the entry points to prevent a re-infestation.