Fall Pests

What are fall pests?

Fall pests are a group of pests that tend to become more problematic during the cooler fall months, as their name implies. In addition to the pests listed below, stink bugs fall into the category of fall pests as well.

• Lady bugs or ladybird beetles are oval, convex and are usually red in color with 6 black spots on each wing. They have tiny heads that point downward, short legs and their hemispheric shaped body is 1/2 the size of a pea. Lady bugs are predators and feed primarily on plant-eating insects.

• Boxelder bugs are 1/2 inch in length and black with red markings along the edge of its wings. Their main food source, the boxelder tree, is where their name comes from; although they can also be found feasting on ash trees, maple trees, cherry trees and many other seed-bearing plants. Boxelder bugs feed by sucking sap from the leaves, shoots and seeds of the plant.

• Cluster flies are slightly larger than common house fly and can range in size from 3/8 to 1/2 inch long. They are black with short, yellow hairs on their thorax and wings that overlap while resting. The eggs and larvae of cluster flies are very rarely seen as they are deposited into the soil near earthworm burrows. The larvae then feed on the earthworms.

Why do I have them?

As the temperatures begin to cool in New Jersey and New York, fall pests begin to search for a place to spend the winter. These pests can gain entry into your home through cracks and crevices in the foundation, attic vents, gaps in your exterior siding and any other small openings around your home.

Are they dangerous?

Fall pests are typically not dangerous to people or pets. They are considered a nuisance as they generally congregate in large numbers.

How do I get rid of fall pests?

Because fall pests tend to invade our homes in large numbers and can hide in wall voids, attic spaces and other concealed areas, they can be very difficult to remove from your property. A ChemTec pest professional will design a customized program to help you get rid of fall pests that fits the specific needs of your property, with the goal of eliminating all of these nuisance pests.  Contact us today to learn more.

Can I do it myself?

Getting rid of lady bugs, boxelder bugs and cluster flies is generally not an easy task and certainly not one many homeowners have much success with on their own. Many do-it-yourself remedies to rid your property of fall invaders simply do not work as the materials they use are not effective and can actually make your fall pest problem worse. Remember – if misused or mixed improperly, do-it-yourself pesticides can be very dangerous to people, pets or plants.

Is the treatment safe?

The pest professionals at ChemTec Pest Control will first correctly identify what species of fall pest is invading your home or business and then create a treatment plan that will eliminate your pest problem quickly and in an environmentally responsible manner. Before any treatments begin, our inspectors will consult with you regarding your children, pets and gardens and based on your current situation they will then customize a treatment plan specifically for you.

How soon can you get here?

ChemTec Pest Control is committed to helping you as soon as possible. In most cases, we can respond the same or very next day.

What is the guarantee?

Our guarantee is simple: if you are not completely satisfied, we will give you your money back. If you have a problem with the pest after our services, just call us and we will come back to re-treat for the pest at no additional charge within the warranty period. We want all of our customers to be completely satisfied with our services and we will always work towards that goal.

How can I prevent this in the future?

Many fall pest problems can be difficult to prevent, but you can do a few simple steps to help reduce the possibility of fall pests entering your home. These steps include:

• Keeping door and windows closed

• Repairing or replacing any torn screens

• Sealing any small openings around your home with caulking

• Apply weather stripping around windows and doors

If these do-it-yourself measures fail, many of our customers will choose a continuous Protection Program to help guard against future fall pest infestations.

Where does ChemTec Pest Control service?

ChemTec provides service in Saddle Brook, Franklin Lakes, Lyndhurst, and throughout Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Union Counties in New Jersey. We also provide service to Rockland and Orange Counties in New York.