Winter Insect Alert | NY Pest Control

Posted on October 4, 2012 with No Comments

The purpose of overwintering is to create or find warmth in order to survive the cold. In overwintering, the insect goes into diapause, in which its development and growth is halted. The insect either has means of avoiding the cold or it undergoes physiological or biochemical changes to survive it, until a specific period passes or the insect begins to sense the lengthening days of spring.

Instead of surviving the winter winds in place, however, some insects head to more conducive lands through migration.  Some insects, such as the Monarch butterfly, cannot survive the harshness of winter, thus it makes its annual migration south to spend the winter in warmer temperatures, then return to its northern homeland when the weather eases in the spring.

Although most insect remain in their shelters until spring, insects that chose the shelter of a home’s eaves, siding, cracks or crevices will often emerge into the warmth of the home at various times throughout the winter.

We offer an Overwintering Insect program that is designed to prevent these pests from gaining access to your home. Please contact us today for more information.

Pest Alert: True Armyworm Infestations Reported in New York

Posted on June 14, 2012 with No Comments

True armyworm (aka Common armyworm) larvae are being found across New York State. They do not overwinter in New York, but fly north from states to our south in the spring. Armyworm moth migrations are somewhat sporadic, cyclic from year to year, and difficult to predict. Our last notable infestations in New York occurred in 2001 and 2008. True armyworms are primarily a pest of plants in the grass family: forage / pasture /grasses & lawns, small grains and corn.

True armyworm larvae appear smooth, cylindrical, pale green to brownish when they are still small. Mature larvae are smooth and marked with two orange, white-bordered strips on each side. Larvae range in size from 1/8 inch to 1 1/2 inches long.

Read more about this pest alert here by Cornell University

Stink Bugs Are Still A Pest Problem in New York

Posted on March 22, 2012 with No Comments

Stink Bug

The news has been riddled with stories of bed bug infestations around the New York in the past few years, yet this time of the year the pest that has most people worried about stink bugs. While they do not cause notable physical harm, they can destroy crops, smell when crushed and they will find a way to get into your home. Stink bugs (aka Western Conifer Seed Bug), like other pests, are going to find refuge from the cold harsh climate of the winter season…and your home is a perfect place. The significant difference is that stink bugs usually try and start finding a warmer spot about a month earlier than other bugs. This means that as the temperature drops during late September and October the amount of stink bug complaints will be on the rise. If you spot a stink bug make sure u do not commit the cardinal sin of crushing them. They release a foul odor, hence the name “stink bug,” therefore, one should gentle pick the insect up with a piece of paper of some tissue like substance (paper towel, toilet tissue, etc…), or vacuum them up. Stink bugs have a very similar lifestyle to Lady Bugs as well, the most common room that you will find these bugs are in the bathrooms.

We offer an Overwintering Insect program that is designed to prevent these pests from gaining access to your home. Please contact us today for more information before it’s too late.

DIY: How To Seal You Home From Pests In The Winter

Posted on November 11, 2010 with 1 Comment

The key to getting rid of pests and rodents (Mice & Rats)  during the winter seasons is to not even allowed to enter your place of shelter.  Pest-proofing consists of many different prevention techniques for different types of pests.

1. Install door sweeps: Installing sweeps under exterior doors prevents insects and rodents from entering your living quarters. A gap of just 1/16^th of an inch allows small incects including spiders to enter. A gap of around ¼ of and inch will allow mice to enter into your warm cozy house.
2. Get rid of those Cracks!: caulking any crack either in the exterior or interior will help prevent pests from entering your home. Cracks on the exterior include: siding cracks, any cracked pipes or around electrial work. In the interior, close up cracks in windows, doors, baseboards etc…
3. Use ¼ inch wire meshing to areas of concern where rodents may find there way in. These areas include; the attic, chimney roofing, crawl spaces etc.

JP McHale Pest Management’s inspectors are professionals at sealing homes. Give us a call to get a free consultation on all of our services.

Picture source

Stink Bug Season is Here

Posted on November 8, 2010 with No Comments

With the cold approaching stink bugs are looking for somewhere to stay warm, and in Georgia the stink bugs are hitting hard. A University of Georgia researcher has determined that stink bugs are now present in at least 80 of the state’s 159 counties.  These critters are experts in being able to get into the smallest of crevasses to keep their tiny bodies warm and away from the winter conditions.

Yet, when they do find themselves inside your residence, do not bother swatting or stepping on them.  Their nickname, Stink bug, comes from the foul odor that is excreted when they are crushed.  According to WSB news in Georgia, these bugs find themselves in the craziest of spots.  “The stink bugs are showing up in the oddest places. They’ve overtaken a kudzu patch across the street from Gwinnett County’s Parkview High School.  And a woman who lives on the 30th floor of a Midtown high rise found them in her rooftop garden and inside her condo.” Other areas include bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms.

If you do find yourself looking at a stink bug(s) get a vacuum out and suck them up, again crushing them will excrete a terrible smell. JP McHale Pest Management offers an Overwintering Insect program which will ensure these pests will not be staying in your home over the winter. Contact us today for a free needs analysis.

Sink Bug Season Is Back

Posted on October 1, 2010 with 1 Comment

Remember the MASSIVE lady bug swarm in Colorado? Well don’t let it happen to your home!

This summer’s news has been riddled with stories of bed bug infestations around the New York area yet this time of the year the pest that has most experts worried about stink bugs. While they do not cause notable physical harm, they can destroy crops, smell when crushed and they will find a way to get into your home. Stink bugs (aka Western Conifer Seed Bug), like other pests, are going to find refuge from the cold harsh climate of the winter season…and your home is a perfect place. The significant difference is that stink bugs usually try and start finding a warmer spot about a month earlier than other bugs. This means that as the temperature drops during late September and October the amount of stink bug complaints will be on the rise. If you spot a stink bug make sure u do not commit the cardinal sin of crushing them. They release a foul odor, hence the name “stink bug,” therefore, one should gentle pick the insect up with a piece of paper of some tissue like substance (paper towel, toilet tissue, etc…), or vacuum them up. Stink bugs have a very similar lifestyle to Lady Bugs as well, the most common room that you will find these bugs are in the bathrooms.

We offer an Overwintering Insect program that is designed to prevent these pests from gaining access to your home. Please contact us today for more information before it’s too late.

Calls Pour In For Ladybugs In New York

Posted on April 5, 2010 with No Comments

Today in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, our office experienced large call volume for Ladybug infestations. Ladybugs are an overwintering insect, and as most of you know, today was a beautiful day. In the late fall, overwintering insects such as ladybugs and western conifer seed bugs will enter the cracks and crevasse of you home, and call this home for the winter. On warm days (like today) these pests will think that the season is over, and start appearing. Usually this happens in high volume in 1-2 weeks, and today was the start of it.

Lady bugs

Western Conifer Seed Bug

JP McHale Pest Management has a solution to all these overwintering pests invading your home. Our Over-Wintering Pest Prevention program will prevent these pests from coming back in your home. It is also recommended that you give our offices a call in the late fall to prevent this probem from happening again!

Please call (800) 479-2284, if you want to avoid waiting…talk with one of our representatives over the internet with our live chat, or shoot us an email!

Stink Bugs Make Their Appearance in Brooklyn

Posted on January 31, 2010 with No Comments

The stink bug has been receiving a lot of press lately now that they are popping up in Brooklyn. Stink Bugs are common in China, Korea and Japan. They found their way to America by means of suitcases and products that are shipped from those countries. The Stink bug gets its name from the foul odor it emits when they are crushed. These stinky bugs are overwintering, which live in the cracks and crevasses of your home in the winter months, and will reappear when the weather becomes warmer. It’s not uncommon to see these pests in your home during these months. Rutgers Professor George C. Hamilton first knew about the stink bug entering America back in 1997, now  this pest can be found all over the east coast, especially in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

The stink bug is similar to the western conifer seed bug.

Check out the New York Times article from 2007, and the New York Post’s article from earlier today.

Picture source.

Over Wintering Insect Calls Trickle In (Lady Bugs and Western Conifer Seed Bugs)

Posted on January 11, 2010 with No Comments

During the months of September, October and November, insects that cannot survive in the cold will attempt to enter your home through the cracks and crevasses in your home. The two most common over wintering insects are Ladybugs and Western Conifer Seed Bugs. Neither of these pests are harmful, they are a nuisance. Back in October, New York had a huge ladybug swarm which left hundreds of people calling our office asking what to do. Homes were invaded with ladybugs because of the sudden increase in temperature, it tricked these pests into thinking it was spring!

Even though the temperature has stayed a steady 35 degrees, we are still receiving calls of people seeing Ladybugs and Western Conifer Seed Bugs in their homes and offices. Our Over Wintering Insects prevention program will solve all of these issues. Our technicians will come out and inspect your entire home, inside and out. They then will make a determination to where the insects are entering your home, and treat the necessary areas. This will prevent a swarm when the weather does increase, and keep these little flying creatures out of your home!

Bug Identification: The Stink Bug

Posted on January 4, 2010 with 6 Comments

Over the weekend, we had someone email us regrading the identification of a bug they found in their bedroom. We have provided the pictures below to show you what the bug looked like. This pest is a Stink Bug, closely related to the Western Conifer Seed Bug. The Stink Bug is an overwintering insect that will make their way into your home when the weather gets cold. Typically around this time of year we see a large increase in these pests.

All of these pictures are from a Flickr photo album by njvarsity.