Howey Pest Solutions Blog

Every late summer in Northern New Jersey, we get a surge of calls about “bees” going under siding, into soffits, or into holes in the ground. Most of the time, these are actually yellow jackets, paper wasps, or hornets.

Fast ID

• Yellow jackets are stocky, fast-moving, and aggressive. They often nest in wall voids, soffits, landscape ties, or underground cavities.
• Paper wasps are slimmer with long legs that hang down while flying. Their nests are usually open, umbrella-shaped paper nests under eaves, decks, and porch ceilings.
• Bald-faced hornets build large gray paper nests, often in trees, shrubs, or high areas on structures.

When to call Howey Pest Solutions

• The nest is near a door, walkway, deck, grill, or play area.
• You see insects entering siding, soffits, or a wall void.
• The nest is underground or difficult to access.
• Someone in the home is allergic or sensitive to stings.

Howey Pest Solutions provides targeted stinging insect treatments throughout Sussex, Warren, Morris, parts of Passaic, and parts of Bergen County. Yellow jacket services include a 30-day guarantee at the treated location.

Northern New Jersey homes can deal with several types of ants. Correct identification is important because different ants require different treatment strategies.

Common ants we see

• Carpenter ants: Large black ants that tunnel through damp or damaged wood.
• Odorous house ants: Small ants that smell like rotten coconut when crushed.
• Pavement ants: Often found around patios, driveways, sidewalks, and slab edges.
• Acrobat ants: Often associated with damaged wood, foam board, or old carpenter ant galleries.
• Little black ants: Tiny ants that trail to sweets, grease, and kitchen areas.
• Pharaoh ants: Very small ants that require a careful baiting approach.

Why ants come inside

• Moisture from leaks, wet trim, clogged gutters, or damp basements.
• Food sources like crumbs, pet food, grease, or sticky spills.
• Entry points around siding, windows, utility lines, doors, and foundation cracks.

Our approach

Howey Pest Solutions inspects the property, identifies the ant species, locates activity zones, and uses the right treatment method for the specific ant problem. Carpenter ant treatments include a one-year guarantee at the treated structure.

As temperatures drop, mice and rats look for warmth, food, and shelter. Garages, basements, crawlspaces, sheds, and attics are common rodent problem areas in Northern NJ homes.

Signs of rodent activity

• Droppings in cabinets, garages, basements, or utility rooms.
• Scratching or movement sounds at night.
• Chewed food packaging, insulation, or wiring.
• Grease marks along walls or baseboards.
• Nesting material such as insulation, paper, or fabric.

Rodent prevention checklist

• Seal gaps around utility lines, garage doors, sill plates, vents, and door sweeps.
• Store pet food and bird seed in sealed containers.
• Reduce clutter in garages, basements, and storage areas.
• Keep exterior doors and garage seals tight.
• Inspect exterior bait stations and pressure points regularly.

Our rodent services include inspection, strategic baiting or trapping, small gap sealing when appropriate, and recommendations for larger exclusion needs.

Subterranean termites are active throughout New Jersey. They often stay hidden behind walls, inside sill plates, or near foundation areas until damage is already present.

Common termite warning signs

• Mud tubes on foundation walls, piers, or basement walls.
• Discarded wings near windows, doors, or lights.
• Soft, blistered, or hollow-sounding wood.
• Spring swarmers inside or around the home.
• Moisture problems near the foundation.

When to get a WDI report

A Wood Destroying Insect report is commonly needed during real estate transactions. Howey Pest Solutions inspects accessible areas for evidence of termites and other wood-destroying insects and provides documentation for the transaction.

Prevention tips

• Keep wood, mulch, and firewood away from the foundation.
• Repair leaks and moisture issues quickly.
• Keep gutters working properly.
• Schedule inspections if you see swarmers or mud tubes.

Mosquitoes breed in standing water and rest in shaded vegetation. Around Northern NJ homes, mosquito problems often come from clogged gutters, buckets, tarps, toys, planters, birdbaths, low drainage areas, and thick shrubs.

Common mosquito myths

• Myth: Citronella candles solve the problem.
  Reality: They may help a small area briefly, but they do not stop breeding sites.
• Myth: One treatment fixes the whole season.
  Reality: Weather, shade, moisture, and neighboring properties all affect mosquito pressure.
• Myth: Treating the lawn is enough.
  Reality: Mosquitoes rest in shaded vegetation, under decks, and around protected areas.

What actually helps

• Empty standing water at least twice per week.
• Clean clogged gutters.
• Trim heavy vegetation and shaded resting areas.
• Improve drainage in wet areas.
• Use a professional mosquito reduction program during active months.

Howey Pest Solutions offers Yard Defense mosquito and tick reduction services, with standard and natural options available.

Ticks are active throughout much of the year in New Jersey, especially around wooded, shaded, and overgrown areas. Deer ticks, American dog ticks, and lone star ticks are all concerns around Northern NJ properties.

Where ticks hide

• Woodlines and leaf litter.
• Stone walls and fence lines.
• Shaded mulch beds.
• Brush piles and tall grass.
• Edges where lawn meets woods.

Tick prevention tips

• Keep grass cut short.
• Remove leaf litter and brush piles.
• Create a clean buffer between play areas and wooded edges.
• Check pets and children after being outside.
• Talk with your veterinarian about pet tick protection.

Our Yard Defense service targets tick habitat zones around the property and can be bundled with mosquito control.

Cave crickets (also called camel crickets) thrive in cool, damp environments. While they don't bite people, they can become a nuisance when large numbers invade basements, crawl spaces, garages, sheds, and utility rooms.

Why they appear

• High humidity
• Damp basements
• Cluttered storage areas
• Unsealed foundation gaps
• Poor exterior drainage

Our treatment approach

• Identify moisture sources
• Treat active harborages
• Reduce humidity recommendations
• Exterior perimeter treatment
• Seal common entry points

As temperatures cool, many insects begin searching for protected places to spend the winter. They often enter homes through tiny cracks around windows, siding, soffits, attic vents, and utility lines.

Common Fall Invaders

• Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs
• Asian Lady Beetles
• Boxelder Bugs
• Cluster Flies

Prevention Tips

• Seal cracks around windows and doors.
• Repair damaged screens.
• Seal siding and utility openings.
• Schedule an exterior treatment before temperatures drop.

Preventive exterior applications before fall are far more effective than trying to control these insects after they've entered the home.

Commercial pest control requires proactive monitoring, documentation, and rapid response. Howey Pest Solutions provides customized commercial pest management programs for businesses throughout Northern New Jersey.

Industries We Service

• Restaurants
• Schools & Daycares
• Medical Offices
• Office Buildings
• Warehouses
• Retail Stores
• Apartment Buildings
• Property Management Companies

Commercial Programs Include

• Routine inspections
• Rodent monitoring
• Exterior bait stations
• Glue boards & insect monitors
• Detailed service reports
• Monthly, bi-monthly, and quarterly service options

Clogged gutters trap leaves, debris, and standing water. This creates ideal conditions for mosquitoes while allowing moisture to damage wood around the roofline—making it more attractive to carpenter ants.

Benefits of Regular Gutter Cleaning

• Reduces mosquito breeding areas.
• Helps prevent carpenter ant problems.
• Protects fascia boards and roof edges.
• Improves water drainage.
• Helps prevent foundation water issues.