Rats and mice are known to infest in any place where they can get warmth, food and shelter. Nothing suits this requirement better than warehouses, commercial establishment and businesses. Warehouses tend to store large quantities of food grains, fruit, meat etc. It is not open all the time which means rats can operate uninterruptedly. The same holds for offices and restaurants. They all tend to be locked up for night and rats are largely nocturnal in nature. Getting to mice and rats when they’re behind stacked crates or inventory becomes an impossible job. They are also not so choosy about what they eat. They take what they can get starting from meat, fruit, eggs and even soap or leather. It is no wonder that a rat infestation can cause damage worth thousands of dollars to commercial outfits.

On August 25, 2011, reports of a rat infestation in a flour warehouse in the US caught people’s attention. This multi-million dollar company serves several thousands of US citizens. They had to get the warehouse fumigated and cleaned up to get the problem cleared. In yet another instance, an elementary school in Atlanta faced a rat infestation which professional exterminators came and sorted out.

In a third instance, a Manhattan post office faced a rat infestation which resulted in chewed boxes and envelopes. Financial implications of rat damage included:

1. Cost of disposing off all the damaged goods.
2. Getting the area fumigated or treated by pest control. Paying for a good pest control firm.
3. Purchasing the goods yet again. (Insurance providers cover damages by rats very rarely).
4. Facing any angry clients who might sue.
5. The final total may run into thousands of dollars very easily depending on the type of goods and extent of damage.

If you think your business is susceptible to a rodent infestation, call Horizon for a free inspection from one of our trained pest control pros. We’ll come visit your facility and identify where you may be at risk. Our trained eye may save your business thousands of dollars.

What are cockroaches?

Cockroaches are six-legged insects that have a brownish or even black in color and have two pairs of wings. They have lived on the earth for 350 million years. 60 different species of cockroaches are found in the US alone. Cockroaches actually come in 4000 different colors as well. Winged adults can grow to about two inches in length while the smaller cockroaches are usually wingless.

Attributes of cockroaches:

The female can produce egg-cases that can contain between 30 to 40 eggs. This is why cockroaches breed at astronomical speeds. The female carries this egg-case inside her body until one day before hatching is due. She then finds a dark ands hidden place to deposit the eggs. The nymphs take about 50 to 60 days to turn into full grown adults. The females tend to lay eggs in the warmer summer months between June to August. The life span of a cockroach is roughly two years. Females are able to lay about 10 egg cases during this life-time. The breeding rate reduces during winters.

Cockroaches are found in moist and warm places. They are highly attracted to food particles and are commonly found in places like the kitchen sink, boiler rooms and food stores. They are particularly attracted to dampness and water and like to live in sewers.

Habits of cockroaches:

Cockroaches are largely nocturnal by nature. They have wings but fly rarely but move by scurrying rapidly across the floor. They can actually move 12 feet in one second! They eat and mate at night. They can eat anything from food to toothpaste to leather to hair. They are known to live for at least two weeks without a head as their brains are situated in their legs. Their bodies secrete pheromone- a chemical secretion that produces a musty odor.

Bed-bugs found in movie theatre:

Bed-bugs can invade any snug and cozy environment. It is not necessary that they are only found in your home and it is becoming more and more common to hear about bed bugs at businesses. In August last year, the AMC Empire 25 found bed-bugs in the seats after receiving complaints from customers that they had been bitten. The theater was forced to close for two full days in order to complete a full inspection and extermination.

Bed-bugs creep into Google’s offices in New York!

The world’s favorite search engine Google had its headquarters on 9^th avenue in Manhattan raided by bed-bugs. Known for its perks and fun-filled work atmosphere, Google workers got a shock as they discovered that their offices had been invaded by bed-bugs!

Goldman Sachs gets a dose of bed-bugs!!

The famous financial company Goldman Sachs also had to call in professional exterminators to get rid of bed-bugs in their offices. In fact employees were evacuated from certain floors and areas when the pest control operations were going on.

These incidents go on to show that no place is bed-bug free. No matter how posh or exclusive is immune to the influence of bed-bugs. Bed-bugs are silent enough and resilient to slip into any public place and lie in wait for their next victim. The best way to prevent the spread of bed bugs from your business is to work closely with your pest control company and schedule consistent inspections. The trained eye of a pest control professional can help save your company thousands of dollars a year.

*If you’d like to understand more about pest control services for Commercial customers, please call us today. Horizon has specialized in Commercial Pest Control for over 40 years.  

Termite experts have predicted that New Jersey is going to be prime target for termites in the coming months as it gets warmer. New Jerseyis notorious for subterranean termites and since these termites cause about $5 billion worth of damage per year, they will definitely not leave New Jersey alone. The moist soil of The Garden State forms a perfect habitat for the breeding of subterranean termites. They then find their way into local NJ homes and buildings and begin their havoc.

The heavy rains in the falls and the warmer winter have made local soil more fertile then ever for termites. Specifically, these conditions have made it easier for subterranean termites to breed and build underground tunnels into the foundation of homes and buildings.

Experts say the changing weather patterns as well as expansion of human settlement into wooded areas in and around the state have made the imminent threat from termites much stronger than it used to be. The result is that homes and properties have much more chances of being infested by termites ten previous spring’s. Alertness and vigilance in checking the signs of termite invasions may prove very useful. If home owners contact professional pest control services on time, then they may prevent damage to their homes to the tune of thousands of dollars.

*For signs of Termite Infestation, please see our blog post from Feb. 23, 2012.

Since termites have been around for 2 million years, it is quite likely that as human population increases inNew Jersey, the termites increase too. After all the more damp wood they get to feed on, the faster they will breed. This is exactly what is happening inNew Jerseynow. Increase in moist wood and rainy weather has increased the chances of termite attacks. In fact, after March 2012, it is expected that termite attacks will be much more noticeable than before! Keep safe by having your premises in New Jersey inspected regularly.

Termites are incredibly sly and persistent when they decide to attack your home. The best part is that they remain effectively concealed until it is too late. But alert and vigilant house owners can prevent expensive restoration and damage control by calling for pest control early. However with all their precautions, there are some significant tell-tale signs that point strongly to a termite infestation. Here are some of the signs that signal termites:

Mud tunnels from woodwork to the ground or at the foundation wall

Tunneling- tunnels are a typical characteristic of termites. Both drywood as well as subterranean termites make tunnels. Drywood tunnels burrow out tunnels by feeding on wood while subterranean termites make mud tunnels. The general appearance of these tunnels is rough. These tunnels essentially resemble mud tubes. These tunnels are often built in an irregular pattern and consist of mud particles and fecal matter.

The presence of winged reproductives called swarmers

The other common sign is that of spotting winged swarmers in your house. These are winged termites that are produced when the colony has grown very big. They set out in search of new nesting places to set up satellite colonies. The winged swarmers can be most commonly spotted during the spring months of March and April. Occasionally they may also be spotted during a warmer autumn. People often mistake them for flying ants. The presence of winged swarmers indicates the presence of a large and established colony in the vicinity.

Termites breed in thousands and have an organized colony structure that is efficiency-oriented. When you spot any of these signs- either mud tunnels or winged termites at your window pane or near a light source, it is time to call in the termite experts to inspect your property.

We are expecting a heavy termite season in New Jersey for 2012. If you suspect Termites in your home, call and get a free inspection from Horizon Pest Control today.

Termite season is upon us and it’s vital that every home owner is aware of the signs of Termite infestation.

Basic warning signs of termite infestation

• Small piles of wings near wooden structures or windows – termites shed their wings often after flight.
• Damaged or destroyed wood that could not have been destroyed by old age or recent water damage.
• If tapping on solid wall sections like walls or ceiling gives a hollow sound, it may indicate termites inside your home’s structure.
• Evidence of mud tunnels near walls or window sills, and the outside around your home.
• Small pin-sized holes on walls or floor where the termites exit and enter.

A reputed pest control company will stamp their client’s service offerings with reliability, punctuality and efficiency. Keep your eyes peeled for these warning signs. If you suspect Termites are trying to claim residency in your home, call Horizon Pest Control today for a free inspection.

Among all the pests that may invade your home or business premises, roaches perhaps are the creepiest ones. There are hardly any human beings who will not give a convulsive shudder when they see a roach. There is good reason to feel repulsed by them. They are associated with filth and unsanitary environments. Though a very tenacious species, roach infestations can be controlled by prevention, detection and elimination.

Signs of a Roach Infestation:

Roaches are largely nocturnal and if the business premises are deserted at night, it may be impossible to spot any sign of them until there are thousands of them. Even if you spot a stray one scurrying in the day, try keeping sticky roach traps to see if there are more.

Eliminate hiding places:

Roaches love little cracks and crevices in which to hide. Caulking cracks and crevices discourages shelters for roaches.

Check to see if there are any leaky pipes

If there are leaky pipes that drip water, chances are that a roach infestation might start itself there. Take no chances, call the plumber and keep your pipes in sleek condition and prevent stagnant water pools from forming.

Keep food containers tidy

If your office has a cafeteria that caters to staff, make sure the utensils and the cooking area is completely clean of left-over food particles.

Examine boxes and cartons

If your office regularly gets consignments from other places, have them examined for roaches or roaches’ eggs. Roaches are fond of nesting inside paper or cardboard. Avoid keeping any unnecessary rags, boxes or old newspapers around.

Contrary to popular belief, roaches may be found in the cleanest places too. They may be eliminated by using insecticides, baits and dusts. If the problem is severe, then you could consider calling in professional pest control services.

Mold is a form of fungi that breeds in warm and moist places. While most forms of mold are harmless to humans and are very useful in decomposing dead matter, there are some unwanted forms of mold that find shelter in our homes. People may become very sick with breathing problems because of the presence of mold spores. Areas which are prone to condensation tend to attract the formation of mold. A common area where condensation takes place is air ducts. This makes it important to clean your air-ducts regularly to avoid mold formation.

How to check for the presence of molds in air-ducts

You can dismantle sections of the air-duct to check for mold. Mold signifies its presence by white or black spots and by a typical musty odor. Regular inspection of the air-ducts is a must as mold breeds at breakneck speed and will spread every time the air vents are turned on.

Air-duct cleaning to get rid of mold

It is best to request the services of a certified and licensed air-duct cleaning firm in your area. They will inspect your air-vent and suggest the right treatment for the mold. The normal course of treatment is a chemical based spray.

Some tips to keep your air-ducts free of mold:

• Keep the cooling coil of the air-conditioning system dry. It will usually drip water, keep wiping the coil regularly. Spray  disinfectant regularly.
• Opt for sloping drain pans instead of flat ones.
• Have your air-duct filter changed regularly. A mold infested filter may cause the mold spores to spread throughout the house.
• Fiber-glass insulation should be removed as it tends to become breeding colonies for mold infestations. Its better to opt for plain sheet metal minus insulation.

What are fruit flies and why do you get them?

Fruit flies are named after what they like to eat the most- fruits and vegetables. They are also known as vinegar flies. They are typically spotted around fruits and vegetables that are left out to ripen, vegetable gardens and trash cans. They are attracted to the smell of ripening and rotting fruits and veggies, then flock to the location of that smell. They are generally black in color and about one-eighth of an inch in size. They are known to hover over food that they’re attracted to, like a fruit bowl, and are known to be found most commonly in homes, gardens, supermarkets and grocery shops.

Why Fruit flies are considered pests:

Though fruit flies are usually just annoying more than anything else, they can also contaminate food with bacteria that can spread diseases. They also have the ability to breed at breakneck speeds and multiple into the thousands quickly, becoming even more annoying and unsanitary.

How to prevent fruit flies infestations in your home?

The best and most effective way to prevent fruit-fly infestations in your home or business is by keeping all vegetables and fruits neatly stored. Food that is left out and beginning to spoil will attracted these annoying insects. Even a small spillage of fruit juice under the kitchen sink might breed thousands of fruit flies. So, the best way to keep Fruit Fly’s away is to keep your house clean and free of rotting remains of fruit and vegetables.

How can fruit-flies be eliminated?

Certain chemicals are effective at eliminating breeding nests of Fruit Fly’s, but the first task is locating the breeding station. Finding the existing breeding stations as well as potential nests may be quite challenging. If you find your home invaded by fruit-flies, the best thing to do is call Horizon Pest Control to inspect your home or business and eliminate the problem swiftly and completely.

Angie’s List has again bestowed the honor of their Super Service Award for 2011 to Horizon Pest Control. The Angie’s List Super Service Award for 2011 was awarded for both Pest Control and Animal Removal!

This is the second Super Service Award won by Horizon – 2009 for the Pest Control category.

This was not awarded to Horizon because of a single individual or event, but awarded to a team of professionals who act to best service their customers needs every day. Great job team!

Thank you to our customers for letting our family take care of your family. We wish all the best in 2012!