Invasive Fall & Overwintering Pests
Signs Fall has Arrived: Orange Leaves, Pumpkins & Invasive Fall Pests
As the weather cools, the sun sets earlier and the leaves turn beautiful shades of yellow, orange and red, we welcome fall and all of its changes. While it is a favorite time of year for many enjoying apple cider, pumpkin flavored coffee and hayrides, pests and bugs also very much enjoy this time of the year. Leaves, not to mention popular fall décor items like fresh pumpkins and gourds, are a breeding ground for pests. Common fall pests like spiders, crickets, cluster flies and stink bugs begin to migrate from your yard into your home in search of food and a place to overwinter. Read more about the 5 most common fall pests and easy prevention methods.
5 Common Fall Pests & Prevention Methods
Stink Bugs: These are by far the most common invasive pest you’ll see in and around your home once autumn arrives. Attempting to find shelter for the winter they gain entry through windows, door trim, exhaust fans or lights in the ceiling.
Prevention Tip: Inspect all entryways for cracks or gaps, these should be sealed immediately. Further, caulk around windows and doors and repair any tears in window & door screens.
Bed Bugs: As travel ramps up for the holidays beware of these opportunistic bloodsuckers! Not only do they infest mattresses, but also love hiding in baseboards, cracks in walls and electrical outlets.
Prevention Tip: Leave suitcase in the garage or away from the main house for 2 days before unpacking. Wash all clothes in hot water before returning to your closet & drawers.
Spiders: As with most fall pests, a variety of spider species are looking for a home to spend the winter.
Prevention Tip: Power spray treatment around the perimeter of your home and seal all cracks, especially in the foundation.
Squash Bugs: Fresh pumpkins and squash make great decorations for Halloween and Thanksgiving but turn into a feeding frenzy when they begin to rot. Squash bugs, beetles, slugs and snails love to feed on rotting pumpkins and squash.
Prevention Tip: Throw your fresh fall decorations away before they begin to rot.
Boxelder Bugs: After they’ve spent the summer feeding on tree leaves, boxelder bugs are in search of a warm place to spend the winter. They especially like homes with a lot of sunlight.
Prevention Tip: Exterior power spray treatment is necessary in the early spring then again right before fall starts, which is their most active life cycle.
Year-Round Bug & Rodent Control Services
Richmond Pest Control provides year-round prevention and control services for residential and commercial properties in Atlantic City, NJ and the surrounding areas. We offer power spray services, exclusion services, treatment and extermination. For an on-site consultation, call our Atlantic City, NJ office at 609-266-4200.
Household Fly Prevention Tips for Summertime
Fruit Fly & House Fly Prevention in the Summertime Season
Summertime is the prime season for flies and maggots in your home, backyard and swarming your garbage & recycling cans. While they cause little harm, it is unsettling and disgusting to have flies buzzing around your house, disrupting BBQs and social gatherings. While an open window and rotting fruit are the easiest ways for these pests to enter your home, there are many other factors that draw flies in the first place. Richmond Pest Control in Atlantic City, NJ is here to provide simple summertime fly prevention and control tips for your home.
6 Easy Summertime Fly Prevention Tips
Eliminate Breeding Sites: To prevent flies from invading your home you must first eliminate breeding sites. Breeding sites include spilled food and organic materials where flies feed, procreate and lay eggs.
Control Moisture: Flies require moisture to thrive in any environment. Be sure to clean spills quickly, fix drips and eliminate any areas with excess moisture – inside and outside the home.
Restrict Food Access: Fruit flies seek out over-ripe or rotting food to nibble on the fermenting sugars of moldy vegetables and to lay their eggs. Make sure fruits and veggies are regularly checked and discarded properly if rotten. Trash bin lids should be tightly closed.
Clean Up Outside: Keep your outdoor area clear of trash, piles of cardboard, dog feces, rotting fruit from trees and other fly attractants.
Regularly Disinfect Garbage/Recycle Bins: It is no surprise that flies are attracted to filth and your recycling/garbage bins are a major attraction! Especially in the summertime, garbage and recycling cans should be rinsed out and disinfected.
Repair/Inspect Window Screens: Even if your house is spotless, flies will still sneak in through even the smallest holes in your window and door screens. Inspect them regularly throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons and repair any holes you find.
House Fly Pest Control
If you find flies are persistent in your home no matter how much you clean, disinfect or spray insecticides, a professional pest control inspection is necessary. Our expert extermination professionals can identify where flies have been laying eggs, remove & clean breeding sites and apply bait, traps & commercial-grade insecticide.
Visit our Pest Library to see all the pests and rodents we can expertly eliminate and prevent in your home or business location. Richmond Pest Control serves Atlantic City, NJ and the surrounding areas. For more information or schedule your service call 609-266-4200.
Pest Control Tips for Winter & Cold Weather
Reasons to Invest in Pest Control During Winter Season
Almost all home and business owners associate pests, insects and rodent infestations with the warm weather. However, what people tend to forget is that when the weather begins to turn cold pests will seek shelter – usually in your warm home. For this reason, winterizing your residential or commercial property is a very important part of pest control. Richmond Pest Control has highlighted several DIY winter pest control methods that are very effective at keeping insects & rodents out of your property.
10 Easy Tips for Effective Winter Pest Control
Store Firewood 20+ Feet from Home: Termites, squirrels and other insects use wood piles to nest and mate. If this wood is close to your home, pests can easily gain indoor access through cracks & holes in your siding or foundation. Keep wood piles at least 20 feet from any entry point.
Frequently Vacuum Around Windows & Doors: This allows you to catch and trap spiders, silverfish, earwigs, beetles & pest droppings.
Eliminate Moisture: Cockroaches and other pests love moisture and will actively seek out damp spaces in your home or business. Regularly inspect for and fix leaking pipes, clogged drains and excess moisture throughout the property.
Store Food Properly: Uncovered or improperly stored food is the #1 reason bugs & rodents are attracted to your home. Leftovers should be tightly sealed & put away immediately. Further, daily vacuuming of your kitchen ensures there are no crumbs left behind.
Read More: 5 Reasons Pests are Attracted to Your Home
Keep up on Landscaping: Give your grass one last cut before the temperatures drop significantly. It also helps to clean up fallen branches and keep shrubbery & trees trimmed away from your home.
Regularly Inspect for Bugs & Rodents: The eye test never fails. Look for droppings, dead insects and the obvious signs that pests are present in your home.
Invest in Year-Round Pest Control: Don’t just call in the professional exterminators when there is a current pest problem. Invest in pest control & prevention services all year long to stop invaders before they take up residence.
Seal Cracks & Holes Outside of the House: Bugs and mice need only a tiny opening to sneak into your house. Cracks and holes in the foundation, windows, utilities and pipes leave your home susceptible to an infestation. A thorough inspection should be done yearly, using a high-quality caulk to properly seal all openings.
Screen Vents to Chimney: Chimney guards and screens stop persistent birds, squirrels and other pests from living in your exhaust vents.
Replace loose mortar around the basement foundation and worn weather stripping around windows.
Professional Exterminator Services in South Jersey
As the temperatures drop in the early fall months, bugs, insects and rodents are preparing for a chilly, frigid winter ahead. Winterizing your home in preparation for the cold is a vital part of pest control. Following the tips we’ve highlighted above will help reduce the chance of your home experiencing pest and rodent issues. When you put in the effort to keep winter pests outdoors, your home becomes a healthier, more comfortable space to host the holidays with your friends, family and loved ones.
If you suspect you have an issue with pests in your home, it is best to contact a pest professional right away. Richmond Pest Control provides year-round protection against pests for both commercial and residential properties. Our technicians proudly service Atlantic County, NJ and the surrounding communities. For winter pest control or any of our other prevention services, call 609-266-4200.
Tips to Identify a Residential Rodent Infestation
Rodent Infestation: How to Spot one in Your House
Rodents, including mice and rats, are known to fit through the tiniest holes, cracks and crevices to seek food and shelter. They almost always make themselves known and evidence of a rodent infestation will be very apparent. It is best to catch mice before they begin to nest and mate. Look for these six signs below to identify a rodent infestation in your home. If you think you have a problem, call a professional exterminator right away to identify the source of the issue and safely remove them and prevent future pest issues.
6 Sure Signs to Identify a Rodent Infestation
Gnaw Marks: Inspect your cabinets and pantry for bite marks on food containers and boxes. If you find any immediately discard the food and wash the container with hot soapy water. Pantry items like chips, cookies, grains and other items should be stored in a thick plastic container with tight fitting lids.
Fresh Droppings: This is the most common and easily noticed sign there are mice present in your home. Take notice of where these droppings occur and how often, if you see them daily call a pest control company immediately. Always wear gloves and a face mask when cleaning up rodent droppings and wash your hands afterwards.
Daytime Activity: When rodents freely move around your home during the day it means their nest is to the point where they no longer scavenge for food at night. If you see a mouse or hear scratching, scuffling noises during the day you have an infestation on your hands.
Smells: Usually your pet will pick up on the smell first, but over time you will start to notice a sour odor coming from a hidden location. This is a sign of either a dead rodent or the presence of urine/feces.
Holes in Walls or Flooring: Determined rodents will resort to chewing holes into your walls or floors to access a food source.
Rodent Nest: A nest is the largest and most obvious sign of a rodent infestation and must be addressed immediately. They are made using cardboard, packing material, fabric and other materials rodents can find. Look for these in dark secluded places like your attic or basement.
Mouse Prevention Tips
There are several DIY rodent prevention tips you can try including cleaning up any food debris & crumbs right away, laying down traps and sealing all holes and cracks throughout the interior & exterior of your property. Learn some interesting rodent control facts that might help you learn why your home is attracting these pests. Following our Spring Pest Control Tips can help safeguard your home through the warmer months. Finally, call in a professional pest control company to humanely remove the rodents and prevent future infestations.
DIY Pest Control Methods that Won’t Work
Common Pest Control Methods that don’t Work
If you’re facing a rodent or pest infestation issue in your home or business you’ll want to act immediately in order to quickly remove these unwanted bugs. Fast action usually requires a trip to the store in search of traps, baits, sprays and a plethora of other DIY pest control methods. While some of these can be temporarily effective, often times they are dangerous and can leave you in a worse situation than dealing with the unwelcome guests in your home or business. It is best to always call a professional pest control & extermination company at the first sign of an unwanted intruder. We’ve highlighted the most common DIY pest control methods that simply do not work against eliminating the problem.
3 DIY Pest Control Methods that don’t work
Setting off bug bombs: An age-old method for a variety of pest control problems, bug bombs are outdated and, quite frankly, extremely dangerous to your health and that of your pets & family. The sprays and methods used by a professional extermination company are eco-friendly, much more effective and safe to use with children, dogs & cats in the household.
Using bait & pesticides (but nothing else): While bait will lure the pests from hiding and the pesticides will destroy them, if you don’t find & resolve the root of the problem you will be spending money on these pest control methods for the rest of your life. There are many reasons pests are attracted to your home, these issues should be addressed to keep your space free of pests.
Thinking the problem will resolve itself: If you’ve been consistently dealing with the same pest or rodent issue for months on end and none of your DIY pest control methods are working you may be dealing with a much larger problem that needs to be resolved by a professional. Ignoring a pest control problem can not only lead to an infestation, but also severe damage to your home and can also negatively affect your health. The longer you wait, the more serious the issue will become.
Effective Extermination Solutions
Do not try to handle a pest control or rodent problem on your own. If you’re still on the fence, allow us to debunk common pest control myths. At the first sign, no matter how minor it may seem, we highly recommend a phone call to our professional extermination company. Serving Atlantic County, NJ for over 25 years, Richmond Pest Control provides a variety of safe and highly effective pest control methods for residential & commercial properties. Call 609-266-4200 to schedule your free inspection today.
Top Reasons to Hire our Extermination Company
Why you should Hire our Pest Extermination Company
If you suspect your home or commercial property has a pest or rodent problem, it is always a good idea to hire a professional extermination company at the first sign. But with so many options and competition, it is hard to know if you’re selecting the best & most competent business. Richmond Pest Control is based in Brigantine, NJ and boasts a long resume with thousands of satisfied customers over our 25 years in the industry. To offer you peace of mind about hiring our extermination company, we’ve highlighted the top 5 points that make us standout from other pest control businesses!
5 Reasons to Hire our Extermination Company
Extensive Treatment Plans Provided: After our free initial inspection, our professional exterminators will provide a detailed treatment plan for your approval. The plan includes our findings, extensive treatment plan information and suggested follow up appointments.
25 years of Professional Experience: With over 25 years of professional industry experience, we’ve seen and successfully treated a wide variety of pest and rodent problems. From relocating wasp nests to removing a termite colony or eliminating bed bugs, our exterminators are highly trained in all areas of pest control.
Safe & Highly Effective Treatment Methods: At Richmond Pest Control we only use the highest quality, industry standard products to ensure their effectiveness in eliminating your pest problem. Furthermore, many of our products and methods are natural and eco-friendly, safe to use around your family and pets.
Utilizing IPM: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques are long-term, eco-friendly strategies that focus on biology and habitat manipulation for effective pest control solutions.
NJ Licensed & Insured: Never hire an extermination company that does not the proper licenses and insurance papers – don’t be afraid to ask and see them. All of Richmond Pest Control’s technicians are EPA and NJ DEP certified and we will present proof.
Professional Pest Control Services
There are many things to consider when choosing a quality pest control company, from years in business to Google reviews, personal referrals and more. At Richmond Pest Control we offer each of our clients superior and highly effective solutions for their unique pest problems. For more information on how we can help, visit our pest exterminator services page. Similarly, our pest control FAQ guide is helpful to answer your most common questions. To schedule your free, no obligation pest inspection call 609-266-4200 today!
Bed Bug Prevention Tips and Tricks
Bed Bug Infestation Prevention Steps
Bed bugs remain one of the most difficult pests to treat. Therefore, bed bug prevention is much easier to handle than a full on infestation. Once your home has a bed bug outbreak, it takes a professional pest control company several treatments in order to manage and fully stop the spread. To protect your home and family from these creepy invaders, there are several steps you can take to prevent a bed bug outbreak. Richmond Pest Control has outlined the 5 best prevention tips to stop bed bugs from invading your home.
5 Easy Bed Bug Prevention Tips
Avoid Curbside Furniture: While that free loveseat sitting on the side of the road may seem like the perfect addition to your apartment, chances are it is already infested with bed bugs. Curbside and secondhand furniture are common breeding grounds for bed bugs and when you bring it inside your home an infestation will quickly grow out of control. If you really cannot resist, Richmond Pest Control recommends treating furniture with an insecticide thoroughly, a few treatments is best.
Encase Mattresses & Box Springs: Invest in a high quality bed cover with a zipper to prevent bed bugs from infesting your mattresses and killing any that are currently there.
Be Diligent While Traveling: The most common way a home becomes infested is bringing these nasty pests home with them from a vacation. In order to prevent this from happening to you, be diligent while traveling. Inspect the mattresses, don’t leave anything on the floor and thoroughly wash & clean everything as soon as you get home.
Know how to Spot Them: While following the above bed bug prevention steps will offer protection, it is important for you to be able to identify these pests so you can quickly stop an active infestation. An adult is usually reddish-brown, flat and oval shaped, while the eggs are small, over and white.
Call the Professionals: Finally, call for professional pest control services if you suspect your home has been invaded by bed bugs. Store-bought treatments and DIY methods are not strong enough to handle these pests. Read more about why DIY pest control methods don’t work.
Pest Control Services in Atlantic City NJ
With over 25 years of professional experience, Richmond Pest Control is equipped to handle all of your bed bug pest control needs. From infestation treatment to bed bug prevention & maintenance, we’ll safeguard your home & protect your family. For bed bug and other pest control services in Atlantic City, NJ – call 609-266-4200 for an appointment today! For pest control services in Staten Island, NY, click here.
Tips to Selecting a Pest Control Company
How to Choose a Quality Pest Control Company
If you discover a pest infestation in your home or business, you’ll want to hire a quality pest control company you can trust to take care of the job quickly and efficiently. There are many tips to consider when searching for the company you’ll hire to take care of your pest problem. Richmond Pest Control of Brigantine, NJ has highlighted what we feel are the most important tips to follow and questions to ask when hiring a pest control company. To learn more about our professional pest control services, call 609-266-4200 today!
7 Tips for Choosing a Pest Control Company
Licensed & Insured. First and foremost, if you need to hire a pest control company they must be state licensed and insured. All of Richmond Pest Control’s technicians are EPA and NJ DEP licensed and certified. If asked, we will present proof.
Years in Business. Next you’ll want to consider the number of years the company has been operating. Are they a fly-by-night company? Or have they been operating for many years with a good reputation. Richmond Pest Control has been working in Southern NJ for over 25 years.
Quality, Industry-standard Products. Not only must the quality of the pest control product by of the highest industry standard, but it must also be eco-friendly. We use natural, eco-friendly products and methods for our pest control services. Our products are safe for your family and pets.
Treatment Plan Provided. Proof of a treatment plan assures you the company has done its research and a full evaluation of the extent of your pest problem. We’ll provide a thorough treatment plan before any work is done and it must be approved & signed first.
Ask about Guarantees. Full guarantees are hard to commit to in the pest control industry. But providing treatment plans and follow up appointments ensures the work is done efficiently and the problem is eliminated.
Integrated Pest Management Techniques (IPM). IPM is a long-term, eco-friendly pest management strategy that focuses on biology & habitat manipulation for pest control. All reputable pest control companies should be utilizing the IPM strategy.
Responds promptly. If you’re dealing with a pest control issue, you need a company who will respond to your inquiry, get to your home and treat the issue quickly. At Richmond Pest Control, we respond to all service requests within a timely manner and always set time aside for emergency appointments.
Check referrals & recent testimonials. Richmond Pest Control has thousands of positive testimonials from recent clients that we can provide for new customers using our pest control services.
Pest Services in Atlantic City, NJ
With over 25 years of professional pest control experience, Richmond Pest Control and our team of professional pest exterminators will get rid of pests in your home or business quickly & efficiently. Read more about the top reasons to hire our extermination company. For pest control services in the Atlantic City, NJ area, call 609-266-4200 today.
11 Simple Ant Control Tips for Keeping Ants Away
Simple Ant Control & Prevention Tips
Ants are a problem almost everywhere in the Garden State, especially during the warmer months. They march right into your home and invade all of your favorite, precious spaces in the kitchen, bathroom and even bedrooms! Richmond Pest Control has outlined our 11 best ant control tips below, which are simple and many are environmentally friendly! Call 609-266-4200 to schedule an appointment with our Atlantic City NJ pest exterminator today!
Ant Control Tips for a Pest-Free Home
Keep it Clean: Properly store all food and be sure all surface areas and floors are free of crumbs.
Keep it Dry: Ants are also attracted to moisture, be sure to wipe up all leaks and spills.
Empty Trash: Overflowing garbage bins are a surefire way to attract ants.
Caulking: Continuously seal all windows, doors and cracks that ants could crawl through.
Vinegar-based Cleaning Solution: Mix 1 part water with 1 part white distilled vinegar for a DIY cleaning product. Ants hate the smell of vinegar and will be sure to leave your kitchen alone.
Citrus: Ants do not like citrus smells. Save and dry the peels of oranges and lemons, then grind them and spread at entry points.
Coffee Grounds: Sprinkle used coffee grounds in your garden and the perimeter of your home.
Move Leaves, Lumber, Rocks & Mulch: Ants will quickly build nests in these piles; make sure to keep them away from your entryways for easy access.
Keep Shrubs Neat: Trim trees and shrubs so that branches do not touch your home letting ants easily crawl inside.
Mint: Place a few drops of peppermint essential oil on a cloth and wipe down surfaces in your kitchen and bathroom.
Call a Professional: If the above ant control tips do not seem to be working, it is time to call in our professional pest control company. We have proven pest control methods to eliminate and keep ants and many other bugs away!
Ant & Bug Extermination Company in Atlantic City NJ
Besides ants, Richmond Pest Control offers a variety of extermination services for homes and business in Atlantic City, NJ and the surrounding areas. Our most frequent pests include fleas, bed bugs, cockroaches, wildlife pests and much more. If you’re dealing with any of these bugs or rodents, call our professional pest control company today to eliminate and prevent further pest problems quickly.
5 Reasons Pests are Attracted to Your Home
Why your Home is Attracting Pests
Pests and insects are not only disgusting nuisances to homeowners, they’re also destructive. Once they’ve decided to settle into your home they can spread diseases, ruin the foundation, eat 
through your electrical wiring and more! Richmond Pest Control of Brigantine, NJ has come up with 5 common reasons your home is attracting pests and how to keep your space pest free.
5 Reasons your Home is Attracting Pests
Reason 1: Food Lying Open – Open food is probably the most obvious reason for pests and insects to feel welcome in your home. All food, including dirty dishes in the sink, should be discarded and cleaned immediately. The smell of food in the open attracts a variety of bugs such as mice, ants, cockroaches and more. Even a minor crumb can attract pests.
Reason 2: Holes & Cracks in the Wall – Hiding places in your walls become a safe haven for insects and pests, especially since they can go unnoticed for long periods of time. The inside walls of your home can become a breeding ground and home to many insects and if the holes are large enough, rodents will make their way inside too!
Reason 3: Water – Leaking pipes and dripping faucets provide just enough moisture to keep insects alive. Standing water in your backyard from buckets, bird baths, etc. can become a breeding ground for mosquitos.
Reason 4: Clutter – Clutter such as paper and boxes make great homes for rodents and many insects. Rodents love living in dark spaces, so those boxes lying around your home can become a haven for rats and mice. Similarly, piles of paper draw in silverfish and even cockroaches.
Reason 5: Still Air – Keeping those ceiling fans running during the warm months are not only great for your air conditioning bill, but they can also keep away unwanted bugs. The turbulence created by the fans will discourage flies and other insects from entering your home.
Simple Pest & Insect Prevention Tips
Now that Richmond Pest Control has highlighted the reasons your home is attractive to pests, we’ll leave you with some simple tips on how to prevent critters from entering your home. First and foremost, make sure your house is as clean and tidy as possible. Always clean up your food and dishes, discard any useless clutter/paperwork and regularly clean the still water around your home (inside and outside). Fill all holes and cracks around your home to prevent bugs and rodents from making a home out of your foundation. Lastly, call our professional Atlantic City, NJ pest control company for a home evaluation and extermination service.