Category Archives: Stinging Insects

So There Are Wasps In Your House – Where, Why, and How They Got There

Stay Safe From Invasive Insects
Stay Safe From Invasive Insects

Warmer temperatures cause some pests to come out of hibernation, including paper wasps. These wasps might show up inside your home this spring, which can be alarming. Find out whether or not you’ll need professional Monmouth County pest control to deal with paper wasps if you have them around.

Wasps in Your Home

Why might wasps be in your home? The good news is that it’s unlikely that you have a nest inside your house. Paper wasps are simply using your home for overwintering. When spring comes, they come out of their hiding spots and try to find a way back outdoors to build a nest. The wasps you see in your home are likely to be ones that are looking for an opening to get outside. These wasps are usually sluggish and won’t sting unless you bother them or handle them.

Wasp Problems

While seeing several paper wasps in your home in spring usually isn’t a big problem, you should have pest control done if they start making nests inside or on your property. Paper wasps make funnel-like nests out of a papery substance. You might see these nests on building eaves and other outdoor structures.

If you have wasps in your home this spring, contact Allison Pest Control. We can provide you with reliable, high-quality Monmouth County pest control services to rid your home of wasps or other pests.

Stop Stings from Bees and Wasps with These Practical Tips

Nobody Likes Being Stung, So Take These Precautions to Avoid it!
Nobody Likes Being Stung, So Take These Precautions to Avoid it!

Bees and wasps aren’t hard to find during summer and early fall. When you’re outdoors this season, make sure you take steps to prevent these insects from stinging you, especially if you’re allergic to them. If you have any nests on your property, make sure you hire NJ pest control services to remove them safely.

Avoid Bright Colors and Patterns

Don’t wear clothing that has a floral pattern or bright colors, since bees and wasps are attracted to these. Instead, wear light-colored clothing that won’t draw them to you. Keep in mind that bees and wasps can’t see the color red, so this should also be a safe color for you to wear.

Stay Away From Scents

Wearing perfume or using strongly scented shampoos and soaps, especially those with floral scents, can also attract bees and wasps.

Don’t Swat

Swatting at bees or wasps could encourage them to sting you. If you see a bee or wasp near you, remain calm and don’t make sudden movements. Instead, move slowly and resist the urge to run.

Cover Food and Drinks

Wasps are drawn to food and drinks that are outside, especially those with sugar in them. Keep all food in containers, and cover open cans or bottles of soda and other sugary drinks.

If bees or wasps are causing you problems, call Allison Pest Control. We offer dependable NJ pest control services in Monmouth County.

Interesting Factoids on Bees, Wasps, and Hornets

Hornets Sting Repeatedly, so Watch Out.
Hornets Sting Repeatedly, so Watch Out.

The summer months mean that you’re likely to come across bees, wasps or hornets from time to time. Although some of these insects don’t sting, others can deliver a painful sting that can be dangerous if you’re allergic. Learn some interesting facts about these bugs, and count on NJ pest control services for help if you run into trouble.

Africanized Bees

You don’t have to worry about these aggressive bees in NJ . . . yet, but are you aware that they’re also known as killer bees? These bees get their reputation from their tendency to attack in large numbers and for considerable distances when they feel threatened. In fact, some have chased people for over a quarter of a mile.

European Hornets

European hornets differ from other hornets, bees and wasps by coming out at night instead of during the day. These hornets can form colonies that have up to 400 members.

Wasps

Wasps are more of a problem in late summer thanks to their taste for sweet liquids, which can cause them to become aggressive around humans. In fact, some wasps even get drunk when they have fermented juice.

Yellowjackets

Yellowjackets can form huge colonies that number in the thousands. These colonies can even build nests that are large enough to completely cover a car.

If you have a bee, wasp or hornet problem, contact Allison Pest Control for NJ pest control services.

Keep the Bugs Away from Your Next Picnic with These Tips

Everyone Wants to Enjoy a Picnic in Peace from Bugs... Here's What to Do.
Everyone Wants to Enjoy a Picnic in Peace from Bugs… Here’s What to Do.

If you’re planning an end-of-summer picnic in your yard, don’t let bugs ruin it for you. There are several ways that you can keep insect pests at bay, so you can have a fun and enjoyable time.

Keep Food and Drinks Covered Up

Ants, wasps, flies and other bugs are attracted to the scent of foods and drinks, especially if they’re sweet. Store food in tightly sealed containers, put leftovers away and place covers on open cans. Don’t forget to clean up crumbs and other messes right away to prevent an ant problem.

Get Rid of Standing Water

Standing water provides places for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. Getting rid of these sources of water helps reduce mosquito populations. Just to be safe, apply a bug repellent in the evening, so you won’t end up with itchy welts.

Fix Screens

If you’ll have guests coming in and out of your house during your picnic, make sure your screen doors don’t have any holes or tears. They can let bugs in, which could end up causing you to seek help from NJ pest control services before summer is over. Patch them up before your picnic, and you won’t have to worry about outdoor pests becoming indoor ones.

Whether you’re having backyard trouble with wasps, ants or flies, our NJ pest control services can help. Contact Allison Pest Control for more information on what we offer.

What Should NJ Residents Know About Hornets?

Hornets Can Sting Repeatedly So Watch Out!
Hornets Can Sting Repeatedly So Watch Out!

Hornets are among the most dangerous insects that NJ pest control services deal with during the summer months. These large stinging insects have painful stings and are known for being highly aggressive if their nests are threatened. Here’s some more information you should know about hornets in NJ.

Behavior

Hornets make nests with a mix of saliva and pulp that resembles paper. These nests are where they lay their eggs, which typically hatch in spring. Hornet colonies are led by a queen, who is the only one to reproduce. Other colony members include a few males and a number of females who help make the hive, feed the queen’s offspring and protect the colony.

Female hornets gather food and feed on tree sap and other insects, such as flies. Males only mate with the queen and usually die shortly afterwards. If hornets feel threatened, they’ll sting using stingers that don’t have barbs, which allow them to sting multiple times.

Life Cycle

Hornet queens usually find somewhere safe to spend the winter months, while the rest of the colony dies. They emerge from these safe places in spring, lay their eggs and have their young help build a new colony. After producing a new colony, the queen dies and a new one takes over.

Are hornets ruining your summer? Contact Allison Pest Control for safe and reliable NJ pest control services.

How to Know if You Have a Hornet Problem

Hornet Nests Spell Trouble!
Hornet Nests Spell Trouble!

Seeing bees around during summer is common, but how do you know if you have a hornet problem? Honeybees and other bees usually don’t cause problems, but hornets can be aggressive and inflict painful stings. You definitely don’t want to have a nest on your property. Use the following information to see if you have hornets around, and get help from professional NJ pest control services.

Look for a Nest

Hornet nests have a grayish color and an oval shape. They’re made from material that resembles paper rather than the honeycomb that bees use. Hornets usually build nests high above ground, such as under the eaves of your roof or in trees. The size of the nest can help you figure out roughly how many hornets it has inside. Larger nests can house hundreds of these bugs.

Watch for Hornets

If you don’t see a nest, keep an eye out for hornets flying around your property. These bugs differ from bees in a few ways. They have a thinner abdomen and black and white coloring, although some species are yellow and black. Hornets are also larger than wasps and have a head that’s wider behind the eyes. Both have smooth stingers, unlike bees whose stingers have barbs.

If hornets have invaded your property, give Allison Pest Control a call. Our NJ pest control services can eliminate these stinging pests from your yard or home.