Howey Pest Solutions Blog

Every late summer in Northern New Jersey—Newton, Andover, Vernon, Randolph, Kinnelon, West Milford—we see a surge in calls about “bees” under siding. Nine times out of ten, it’s actually yellow jackets or paper wasps. Knowing which one you’re dealing with helps you pick the safest next step and set expectations for removal.

Fast ID: Yellow Jackets vs. Paper Wasps

• Yellow jackets are stockier with bold yellow/black bands. They often nest in wall voids, soffits, or underground cavities. Flight is rapid, “busy,” and direct.
• Paper wasps are slimmer with long dangling legs in flight. Their nests are open and umbrella-shaped, typically under eaves, deck rails, and porch ceilings.
• Hornets (overview) are larger and build enclosed paper nests in trees or high eaves; the behavior and hazard profile differ, so the removal approach does too.

Why Nests Show Up Under Siding

Gaps around utility penetrations, soffit returns, and trim provide protected entry points. As colonies grow through July–September, they seek larger, warmer voids. Vinyl and aluminum siding can hide significant nest activity, so you may only see traffic at a tiny gap—but inside could be a large colony.

Stings, Safety & When to Call a Pro

• Nest is in a wall, soffit, or tight structural area (risk of indoors migration if disturbed).
• Entry near doors, walkways, play areas, grills, or dog runs.
• History of allergies or increased sensitivity to stings.
• Repeated rebuilds: prior store-bought sprays rarely solve hidden void colonies.

What Our Stinging Insect Service Includes

We perform a targeted treatment at the entry and nest zone, using precise applications that follow product labels. When accessible, we remove the nest. For yellow jackets we include a 30-day guarantee at the treated site. Our techs communicate clear re-entry times and simple post-treatment steps.

Prevention for NJ Homes

• Trim vegetation back from rooflines and fascia to reduce harborage and scouting.
• After the colony is eliminated, seal utility gaps and trim voids with appropriate materials.
• Use lidded trash cans; clean spills after outdoor meals, especially late summer.
• Schedule early-season inspections if your home had nests in previous years.

Northern New Jersey homes see several common ant species—each with different habits and best-fit treatments. Below are the ones we’re called for most: carpenter, odorous house (OHA), pavement, acrobat, citronella (yellow), little black ants, and pharaoh ants. Correct ID matters because the wrong product (or spraying baits) can make problems worse.

Quick Species ID & Behavior

• Carpenter Ants — Large (⅜–½″), black or black/red. Excavate moist/soft wood to create galleries. Look for frass (sawdust-like debris) and night activity. Often linked to moisture issues (leaks, wet trim, gutters).
• Odorous House Ants (OHA) — Small (~⅛″), brown/black; when crushed, smell “rotten coconut.” Long trails to sweets/grease; multiple satellite nests; can “bud” if stressed.
• Pavement Ants — Small (~⅛″), brown; nest in cracks in concrete/pavers/slabs. Sand/soil mounds along edges. Steady trailing on patios and slab edges.
• Acrobat Ants — Small (~⅛″), heart-shaped abdomen often raised over thorax when disturbed. Linked with foam board, under bark/trim, or prior wood damage.
• Citronella (Yellow) Ants — Yellow to light brown; lemony scent when crushed. Associated with soil/moisture; often seen near foundations during flights.
• Little Black Ants — Tiny (~1/16″), uniform dark. Persistent trails to sweets/grease. Multiple shallow nests in masonry and landscape stones.
• Pharaoh Ants — Very small (1/16″), yellow/light brown. Notorious for budding—improper sprays split colonies. Prefer warm interiors and wall voids.

Why Ants Show Up

• Moisture & warmth: Leaky plumbing, damp wood, clogged gutters, warm voids.
• Food access: Unsealed pantry items, pet food, sticky spills, grease traps, outdoor grills.
• Entry points: Utility penetrations, siding/trim gaps, slab cracks, door sweeps, vegetation touching the house.

Our Species-Specific Strategy

1. Inspection & ID: Track trails, map pressure zones, moisture checks (carpenter), and exterior conducive conditions.
2. Right tools, right places:
   • Carpenter: Target galleries/trafficked zones; moisture fixes; perimeter protection.
   • OHA, Pavement, Little Black: Non-repellent perimeter + compatible baits on active trails.
   • Pharaoh: Bait-first program; avoid disruptive sprays to prevent budding; patient follow-ups.
   • Acrobat/Citronella: Address wood/foam harborages and moisture; selective placements.
3. Follow-up & adjust: Confirm trail collapse; rotate bait matrices if preferences change.
4. Seal & sanitize: Close entry points, trim vegetation, manage food sources.

Guarantees (What’s Covered)

• Carpenter ants: One-year guarantee at the treated structure.
• Common nuisance ants: Program-based coverage with return visits during the service window.
• Pharaoh ants: Managed under a bait-focused multi-visit program due to budding behavior.

DIY Mistakes to Avoid

• Spraying over bait placements (repels ants away from the bait they need to share).
• Sealing active carpenter ant entries before treatment (can push colonies indoors).
• Skipping moisture repairs—activity often returns without fixing leaks/gutters.

As temperatures dip, mice look for warmth, food, and nesting materials. Homes in Sussex, Morris, and Warren counties with attached garages, older basements, or utility penetrations are particularly attractive. A little prevention in September–October saves headaches by December.

Three Pillars: Seal, Sanitize, Stations

1. Seal: Close gaps ¼″+ at utility lines, sill plates, garage weatherstripping, door sweeps, and dryer vents. Use rodent-resistant materials.
2. Sanitize: Reduce attractants—seal pantry items, clean spills, store pet food in bins, manage bird seed, declutter garages/basements.
3. Stations: Place safe, secure bait or traps in strategic locations. We tailor placements to pressure points found during inspection.

Our Approach

• Detailed inspection to map entry routes and pressure zones.
• Professional-grade stations/devices with documented placements.
• Follow-ups to monitor activity and tighten remaining access points.
• 90-day guarantee on interior baiting for our rodent service.

Subterranean termites are active across Northern NJ. We most often find issues at foundation cracks, sill plates, and moisture-prone zones. Because damage occurs quietly, early detection matters—especially during spring swarmer season.

Clear Signs of Activity

• Mud tubes traveling from soil to wood along foundation walls or piers.
• Soft/blistered wood or paint that appears bubbled over hollow sections.
• Swarmers (winged termites) in spring; discarded wings near windowsills or lights.

WDI (Wood Destroying Insect) Reports

Buying or selling a home? We provide WDI inspections and reports for real estate transactions across our service area. We examine accessible components for evidence of termites and other wood-destroying insects and document findings for your lender/attorney.

Our Termite Strategy

• Inspection: Identify conducive conditions and evidence of activity.
• Monitored baiting system: Included with our Gold and Platinum Home Service Plans.
• Moisture corrections: Gutters, grading, and ventilation recommendations reduce future risk.

Warm, wet summers in Sussex, Morris, and Passaic counties make backyards perfect for mosquitoes—especially if gutters clog or containers collect water. The fastest path to fewer bites is a mix of source reduction and precise treatment.

Myths vs. What Works

• Myth: Citronella candles solve the problem. Reality: They’re mild deterrents; they don’t address breeding sites.
• Myth: One heavy spray fixes a whole season. Reality: Weather and yard layout require a tailored schedule.
• Myth: Treating the lawn is enough. Reality: Adults rest in shady vegetation and under structures; treatments must target resting sites.

Source Reduction Checklist

• Empty containers and refresh birdbaths twice weekly.
• Clean gutters and repair sags.
• Trim dense vegetation; thin out shaded beds.

Our Yard Guard Mosquito & Tick Reduction

We design a barrier at resting sites (shrubs, shaded beds, under decks, fence lines). Natural option: ~21-day intervals during peak months. Standard programs: monthly April–September.

Ticks thrive along woodlines and shaded beds throughout Morris County and nearby towns. Reducing tick pressure takes yard hygiene plus timed perimeter treatments, especially spring through early fall.

Where Ticks Hide

• Leaf litter, thatch, and shaded mulch beds.
• Fence lines and stone walls used by rodents and deer.
• Overgrown edges along woodlines and trails.

Prevention Playbook

• Keep grass trimmed; remove leaf litter and brush piles.
• Create a clean buffer between play areas and woodlines.
• Discuss pet protection with your vet; check pets after walks.

Our Tick Management Service

We target the perimeter and habitat zones where ticks quest for hosts. For natural programs, plan on ~21-day intervals during peak months. Bundle tick with mosquito for comprehensive yard coverage.

Cave crickets (camel crickets) thrive in cool, damp areas like basements and crawlspaces. They don’t bite, but can damage stored fabrics. The fix starts with moisture control.

Why They Appear

• Humidity: Basement RH above ~55% encourages activity.
• Clutter: Cardboard/fabric piles create harborage.
• Gaps: Unsealed sill plates, utility penetrations, worn door sweeps.

Our Approach

1. Moisture audit (RH, drainage, gutters, cracks).
2. Targeted treatment in harborages.
3. Exclusion & cleanup to prevent rebounds.

As nights cool, “fall invaders” search for overwintering sites. Top four in our area: stink bugs, boxelder bugs, cluster flies, and Asian lady beetles. They slip through tiny gaps around siding, soffits, vents, and trim, then reappear on warm winter days—often inside.

Where They Get In

• Attic and ridge vents without fine mesh.
• Soffit-to-fascia joints and J-channels on vinyl siding.
• Gaps at window/door trim and utility penetrations.
• Chimney caps and loose flashing.

Prevention Timeline

1. Late Summer: Exterior inspection; identify gaps and sun-warmed elevations.
2. Early Fall: Proactive exterior treatment to high-pressure sides, soffits, vents, and trims.
3. Late Fall: Seal persistent gaps and upgrade vent screening.

From restaurants & bars to warehouses, auto shops, schools, and offices, pests can harm your reputation, risk health and safety, and trigger fines. Our commercial programs focus on prevention, monitoring, and documentation—so you pass inspections and keep operations smooth.

Industries We Commonly Protect

• Restaurants & Food Service: Sanitation, fly management, rodent prevention, and health code compliance.
• Daycares & Schools: Kid-safe IPM with scheduled, minimal-disruption service.
• Warehouses & Storage: Rodent monitoring, insect management, facility exclusion.
• Retail & Office: Ants, rodents, flies—fast response and discreet service.
• Auto Shops & Dealerships: Rodent protection; prevent damage to wiring and insulation.

Our Commercial Approach

1. Inspection & Assessment to identify risks and compliance requirements.
2. Custom Plan (monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly) based on pressure and industry.
3. Targeted Treatments that minimize disruption to staff and customers.
4. Documentation with service reports to support audits and health inspections.

Leaves, seed pods, and summer storms quickly turn neglected gutters into standing-water troughs. That invites mosquitoes and creates moisture problems that attract carpenter ants and other pests.

Seasonal Timing

• Spring: Clear winter debris before heavy rains.
• Late Summer: Prep for storms and reduce mosquito pressure.
• Late Fall: Remove leaves to prevent winter ice dams and wood rot.