A-Academy Blog

The holiday season is one of the best times of the year. Seeing family and friends and spending time with them is something everyone enjoys. Unfortunately, time can also be spent with rodents and pests. Of course, the holidays fall in the cold, winter months leaving pest searching for a way into your home and finding warm shelter. They are annoying to see and oftentimes difficult to completely get rid of. Luckily, there are precautions you can take around your living space to limit or prevent a pest infestation. Cracks and Crevices Since pests are so small, they can fit through just about any opening they find throughout your house. That goes for both the interior and the exterior. Cracks in windows, ventilation, and crawl spaces will serve as entryways for pests looking to come inside. Patching these up with sealant, such as caulk, will limit how many pests come in....

Not only are crickets a pest from a visual standpoint, it can be annoying to hear them infiltrating your home. Especially if they’re in your basement, that environment can foster even more crickets multiplying within your living space. Here are a few tips to keep those pesky critters out of your basement and your house in general. Vacuum This is a solid first step to deter any pests in general from setting up camp in your house. Make an emphasis on keeping clean floors and crevices that would be otherwise attractive to crickets. They could be feeding on your scraps and crumbs that have fallen on the floor. Vacuuming would also suck up any eggs laid and the smaller crickets who are living in small areas. Clean Up Crickets love trash and clutter. Be sure to clear your area so that you don’t attract pests that feed off of trash and...

Everything seems to slow down in the winter. We’re slower getting out of bed in the morning, it takes longer for our cars to start, and when it snows, it takes longer to complete our daily commutes. But what about pests? Do they slow down as well in colder weather? The answer is...some of them do. Here are a few types of pests that become dormant during the winter and what you can do about the ones that don’t. Pests that Become Dormant Mosquitoes Mosquitoes are one type of pest that become dormant during the winter months. Actually, it’s only the female mosquitoes. They store up fat and go into a hibernation-like state. The males just die. Moths Also, many species of moths are able to do something similar. In fact, the arctic woolly bear moth spends most of its life in this state, creating a sugar called alcohol glycerol to...

Once summer is over and the colder weather starts to move in, many different kinds of pests can try to move in, too! All sorts of pests, from rodents to insects, will be looking for a warm place to stay, and your home will be at risk. Here are a few simple things that you can do to keep these pests out of your home. 1. Seal Off Any Potential Pest Entries Places like gutters, windows, and attic spaces are perfect entryways for pests. Many people don't realize that their homes have lots of small open crevices in unseen places. Rooftops are common places for pests to get inside your home, so you should definitely make sure there are no openings in and around your roof. You can check it out yourself, if you feel comfortable doing so, or get the assistance of a professional roofer. You can also purchase gutter...

Many people aren’t familiar with the characteristics that differentiate bees from wasps. When encountering one, your gut reaction tells you to jump up, run away or swat at the insect flying around your head and buzzing in your ears. However, knowing the type of pest circling your head is extremely important in determining how you should react. The most important things to do are to remain calm and stay safe when you encounter a bee or wasp. Natural Characteristics Both honey bees and wasps are capable of stinging you, however wasps are naturally more aggressive. Honey bees tend to sting only when provoked. Honey bees also die after stinging their victim once, while wasps can sting you multiple times. You should not provoke any type of bee, particularly wasps. Another dangerous possibility that accompanies being stung is the potential of an allergic reaction. Stings can be life threatening, so you should...

Summer is a great time for hiking, camping, rock climbing, barbecuing and other outdoor activities. As you enjoy the beauties of nature with family and friends, be sure to do so safely by always checking for ticks. These little critters are most commonly in trees, underbrush, bushes and can even be in your grass. Ticks Transfer Diseases Ticks transfer several known diseases to humans. Lyme’s Disease, the most common tick transmitted disease, is caused by the bite of an infected tick. If you are bitten by a tick, there are several symptoms to watch out for such as: fever, fatigue, aching muscles, swelling in the joints and a rash. Lyme’s Disease is treated easily through antibiotics. Considerably lessen your risk for getting Lyme’s Disease by learning how to exterminate ticks around your yard. Could Harm Your Pets You need to check yourself for ticks after spending time outside for your own...

How to Get a Pest Free Healthy Home Your area may be prone to pests of all types from ants and termites to rodents and much more. Unfortunately, these creatures and critters can find and creep through even the smallest cracks and openings in your home. Before you know it, it can feel like you have been completely overrun. In terms of home pest control, we always recommend that you have long and short-term plans and initiatives in place for preventing future pest incidents. If that is not the case and pests have already invaded your home, here are a few ways that you can work with our pest control experts to eradicate your pest problem and keep them out in the future. 1) Take a Walk Around of your Home There is a lot that you can do on your own to get a good idea of where your pests...

By the end of winter, we are all dreaming of the warmth of summer, sitting out on the patio and watching the sunset. We envision outdoor barbecues and picnics. And we daydream about camping trips and evening walks. When summer finally arrives, we end up hiding inside to stay away from the dreaded mosquitoes. Take back your summer with these tips on how to avoid summer mosquitoes! Dump the Water Look for any place in your yard and outdoor space where water collects. Mosquitoes will set up a baby nursery in just a ¼ inch of standing water. If you have a decorative pond, add some bug-eating fish to the pond or a fountain to keep the water moving. Do a puddle check once a week to keep any eggs from hatching. Dress to Repel Adopt the styles of outdoor lovers by wearing light-colored, loose clothing. Your little flying enemy can...

Most people are very familiar with common household pests. Roaches, ants, flies, bed bugs and spiders show up in houses all over the country, and much has been written or said about how to prevent these sorts of infestations. But there are also many other pests out there that can get into your home that you might not know as much about. Because of that, we thought we’d try to educate you a little about some of the lesser known or discussed household pests. Earwigs Earwigs are small insects with elongated bodies. Usually between one-quarter to one-half an inch in length, they are identified by dark, shiny bodies. Many species of earwigs have wings as well, although they do not fly very often. The most noticeable feature of an earwig are the pincers on the end of its body. These pincers look dangerous, and because of them, many people assume these...

The first warm breeze of spring is always a relief, as colder winter temperatures disappear and new growth starts appearing everywhere. While it’s always lovely to see the return of nature, it’s not just the flowers and baby animals that arrive. Spring heralds the emergence of something else - the creepy crawlies that like to find ways into your home and set up shop. In the spring, cockroaches, ants, rodents, flies, mosquitoes and bees make their appearance. Making sure your home is properly prepared for their arrival is much better than trying to deal with a problem once it’s taken root. Luckily, these common sense steps are quick and easy. Hire a Company to Deal With the Problem on a Year Round Basis Considering the structural damage and disease associated with many of these pests, keeping them out and managed is the smart option. In the same way a lawn care...

It is very important that you take care of pests as soon as you spot signs of them inside your home. If you choose to wait to take care of unwanted pests, you will end up having to do more work and spend more money when you finally do decide to act. Simply put, the longer it takes you to take care of a pest problem, the harder it is to actually do so. The Breeding of Pests Insects, as you know, lay eggs, and various pests that lay eggs lay an unimaginable amount of them each in their lifetime. If you think that one cockroach isn't that much of a concern, think about if there were 10 or 100. You might think that pests aren’t harmful, and will leave you alone for the most part, but with more pests, comes more trouble for you and your family. Pests lay eggs...

When we think of pests invading our home, we usually imagine this happening in the warmer months when insects and other types of wildlife are everywhere. But what about the winter? Most people don’t really think of winter as a time to worry about pests. After all, everything is hibernating or staying in warmer areas underground at this time, right? Not completely. While it is true that the colder temperatures do bring with them a reduction in wildlife of all sorts, this doesn’t mean our home is out of danger completely. Infestations can happen, even in the coldest of seasons. To help prevent that, here are some of our best methods to help manage potential pest problems in the winter. Seal it up Tight When it’s really cold outside, nothing feels better than getting into your warm home Well, animals and insects feel the same way. When your home is pumping...

The holidays are fast approaching, and you’re going to be really busy cooking and decorating. Make sure you leave some time to make preparations, so you don’t get any uninvited guests. No, we’re not talking about your relatives. We are talking about cockroaches! As the weather cools down, cockroaches will definitely want to come in for warmth and some holiday food. How to Spot Roaches German cockroaches are smaller in size. They don’t fly, but they do hitchhike, so they are likely to catch a ride home on holiday packages or groceries you bring home, and on boxes you have delivered to your door. They love water, and that’s why people call them “water bugs.” The larger cockroaches are American cockroaches. They breed outdoors but will come indoors during cold weather. There are many things that you can do to make sure these unwanted pests don’t spoil your holiday fun. Indoors,...

When it comes to pests, rats and mice are some of the nastiest. They can carry other insects in as well as disease. You do not want them in your home. One of the first things that you may think of is setting traps in order to get rid of the mice yourself. These traps are not as effective as you may assume. Many people make mistakes when using them and professionals should best handle an infestation. You need to have an understanding of trapping products, trapping methods, and an understanding of the habits of mice. Why Rat Traps Are Insufficient All types are not created equal. There are many options out there when it comes to mouse traps, but they are not all equally efficient. If you get the wrong one, you are definitely setting yourself up for failure. You're setting the trap in the wrong place. Even if you...

Many people decorate their yards during autumn, such as placing haystacks, scarecrows and pumpkins on their lawns and porches. Though these decorations may put you in the fall spirit, they attract many different pests. Pumpkins rot slowly over time, attracting various pests that feed on the fruit. Because the pumpkins sit near the front door, you give the pests numerous opportunities to come inside your home. Which Pests Do Pumpkins Attract? Rodents Rodents such as mice and rats enjoy nibbling on pumpkins, especially if they're cut open to reveal the soft and delicious fruit. Other rodents may also come to sample your pumpkins, such as squirrels and chipmunks. Outdoor pumpkin decorations lure rodents close to your home, which increases the risk of an infestation on your property. Squash Bugs Squash bugs look similar to stinkbugs and feed on the leaves of squash plants. Though they prefer to eat squash leaves and...

Just when you thought pest activity couldn't get any worse, the fall arrives and sends various pests into your home. Cooler weather puts insect pests and rodents on the move to find shelter before the winter weather blankets New Jersey. Some pests come indoors and hide in out-of-the-way areas; others pose a health risk to you and your family. A-Academy Termite and Pest Control has a few common pests for you to watch closely for this fall. 3 Common Fall Pests in New Jersey Stinkbugs It's apparent by their name that stinkbugs don't smell very good. In fact, these pests emit a foul odor when they're crushed. They can also produce an odor when they're simply flying around the room. These pests invade homes beginning in late August and remain active through November. Once they're inside your home, they'll find a place to hide out until the spring. However, some stinkbugs...

A-Academy offers an affordable chimney screening service. Our durable screens provide an assortment of valuable benefits. They can prevent dangerous chimney and roof fires in some situations. Screening also stops a variety of animals from entering your New Jersey home. Keep Wildlife Out Small birds might take up residence in your chimney during the warm months. They see it as a desirable nesting site because it protects them from predators and harsh weather. Unfortunately, birds may produce distracting noises and coat your flue liner with droppings. Bats could enter an unprotected chimney while pursuing mosquitoes. They might decide to live in it or attempt to infiltrate other parts of your home. These creatures become active at night and make bothersome squeaking noises that will keep you awake for hours. They can spread mites, bat bugs and potentially fatal illnesses. Flying insects also invade chimneys from time to time. If these bugs...

Your home should be a safe place for you to relax and unwind. Certain pests can definitely ruin the mood. Here are the top five pests that tend to plague New Jersey residents. Cockroaches Cockroaches have been around for millions of years. It comes as no surprise that these tough-nosed insects can be extremely difficult to get rid of. Once cockroaches have invaded your home, expect them to breed quickly. Not only do cockroaches expose your family to germs, but they are also known for exasperating allergy and asthma symptoms. Ants Don’t underestimate the trouble that can be caused by ants. Because ants are always on the search for new food sources, your kitchen remains a hot spot for these tiny insects. They can contaminate food and create an unsanitary cooking environment. Furthermore, some species can actually sting and bite. With the ability to tunnel through wood, carpenter ants are especially...

Termite swarms are common in late spring through the end of summer. When a colony reaches a certain size or food becomes scarce, adult reproductive termites develop wings so they can leave, mate and establish new colonies. The termites will pair off as they launch into the air. Each couple will look for a new place to build a nest. Falling prey to birds and other predators, most swarmers will die before successfully producing offspring that can chew through wood. These adult termites do not damage structures because they do not have biting, or chewing, mouthparts. To prevent or eradicate an infestation, you should take immediate action when a swarm occurs in or near your home. Tips on Handling a Termite Swarm A termite swarm can happen indoors and outdoors. In either case, do not panic. Even if a swarm occurs on your property, it does not mean that you have...

As more homes are built in previously rural areas, there is a greater potential for interaction between animals and homeowners. Animals build their nests in chimneys because the architectural feature resembles the hollow of a tree, which often serves as a natural den. The chimney provides a safe, comfortable nesting place for a variety of wildlife, including several types of birds, raccoons and squirrels. During colder months, animals are attracted to the warmth of the chimney. When the animals build their nest inside your chimney, you may hear telltale sounds like scratching, flapping or chirping noises. The nest blocks the flow of smoke and combustible gases. The obstruction prevents the safe use of the fireplace because it causes carbon monoxide and other harmful gases to accumulate inside your home. Nesting material typically consists of highly flammable materials, which could cause a chimney fire if it ignites. If the nest falls to...