Hello, New Jersey! We hope the new year is treating you well so far and that like us, you are thrilled to see 2020 in the rear-view mirror. Though we’re still dealing with COVID-19 and all the challenges that go along with the pandemic, it’s a great time to pause for a few minutes to reflect on the past and to make resolutions that are positive to our health in the new year including shedding bad habits and keeping our homes comfortable and safe. Of course, part of maintaining a home that meets those two parameters is ensuring that it is free of unwanted and potentially threatening insects and rodents.
Though change is inevitable, we think it’s safe to say that many of us maintain some sort of routine. Yes, it may fluctuate based on health, world circumstances, and other factors, overall, it follows the previous day’s, week’s, or year’s trajectory. And we’re not the only ones that follow a routine or rhythm. Insects and rodents in New Jersey are very similar. There are those springtime pests that start showing up when the temperatures start to climb out of the freezing range. And then there are the pests that plague us during the summer, those that annoy us in the fall, and then the ones that try to take over our homes during the winter season. With that in mind Arrow Pest Control, a locally owned company offering pest control services in Freehold, Brick, Chatham, and communities throughout our multi-county service area, has put together our 2021 pest forecast. In order not to overwhelm our readers, today we’ll share what pests are likely to be a problem during the first few months of the year.
As we mentioned in the post, Common Winter Pest Problems In New Jersey, the Farmer’s Almanac predicted a cold winter with plenty of wet and white precipitation falling from the sky. As was the case then and remains true now, rodent activity is a concern this month. Mice and rats are infesting homes in search of warm shelter and food. In fact, we’ve been getting many calls about mice in garages and basements as well as infestations in other parts of homes.
Spiders are another pest problem that may become more noticeable in your home in January and other winter months. It’s not that there’s necessarily an increase in the number of spiders infesting your home, only that they’ve become more active in their search for food and possibly a mate. Fortunately for us, New Jersey is not home to many venomous spiders that can cause us harm BUT there’s not a homeowner we’ve met that really enjoys sharing their space with arachnids, or minds the webs in the corners of their rooms, or finding these eight-legged pests in their tubs or elsewhere in their homes.
While our hearts should be overflowing with love in February, our homes should be free of cockroaches. Yes, vile disgusting roaches that DO NOT inspire any warm feelings but only sincere repulsion. Regrettably, cockroaches are a year-round pest problem in New Jersey and also very common during the shortest month of the year.
While March 20 marks the first official day of spring this year, it’s likely that pests we haven’t seen much of over the winter will already be on the move. And of that group, it is expected that termites, carpenter ants, and other wood-destroying pests will already be or on the verge of wreaking havoc.
In our area, termites typically start swarming as early as March. A termite swarm is evidence of two possibilities. One, your structure has an active termite infestation inside if you find these wood-consuming insects coming out of your walls, or two, there is a termite colony on your property or a neighboring property if you witness a termite swarm outside your home. In either case, termites are not a pest you want anywhere near your structure.
Though not as damaging as termites, carpenter ants are another wood-destroying menace that becomes more noticeable once spring has sprung and should be watched for and addressed as they are capable of inflicting damage. Not sure if damage is caused by termites or carpenter ants? Call us today to schedule an inspection!
Protecting people and property for over 45 years, we are a local pest control company that not only anticipates what pest pressures are on the horizon but has solutions in our arsenal that is ready to eliminate them. If you’re worried about rodents, roaches, termites, or another nuisance and potentially destructive pest, contact Arrow to find out how we can help!
This program includes everything from the Home Protection Program - PLUS carpenter ant control and our termite monitoring advantage. Arrow will install a passive subterranean termite monitoring system at critical or conducive areas along the exterior perimeter foundation of your home. This system will include up to 4 in-ground subterranean termite monitoring stations. These stations will be serviced and inspected as part of your routine service.
Should the monitors indicate termite activity or termites occur within the home, Arrow will provide you with a termite treatment proposal at a 50% discounted rate, and you will be upgraded to Arrow Premier at the current prevailing rate.
Pests targeted with Arrow’s Home Protection Program Plus includes all the pests included in the Home Protection Program PLUS carpenter ants, pharaoh ants, and acrobat ants.