Pest Control & Exterminator Services
in the West Orange, NJ Area

Residential & Commercial Pest Control Issues in New Jersey

Nicknamed the Gateway City, Newark is one of the nation's largest and busiest air, shipping, and rail hubs. The most populous city in New Jersey, it's also one of the oldest. The city features an incredibly busy airport with 1,200 flights and 22,000 travelers daily. Over a hundred thousand people commute to work each day in Newark, while students from all over the world attend major universities in the area.

A dense population, older buildings, and international travel make Newark prime territory for many pests. Shipping containers can carry insects from other parts of the world into the state. Meanwhile, some rodents prefer the damp conditions of seaports. These pests affect the people of Newark from the industrial north to the bustling urban south.

Common Pests in New Jersey

By living in the state that has the most diners in the world, many Newark restaurant owners know that insects and rodents make undesirable guests. If you own a thrift shop in Elizabeth or rent an apartment in historic downtown Jersey City, be careful of these pests moving into your place:

• Ants - Large, black carpenter ants chew through wood, leaving tunnels that result in structural damage. They forage for food in kitchens, pantries, and dining rooms and are attracted to forgotten or missed spills and crumbs.
• Bed Bugs - Hard to detect, these tiny hitchhikers enter residences on furniture, luggage, and people's clothing. Bed bugs live in fabric and upholstery like bedding, mattresses, and the seams of sofas or office chairs. Their bites look like groupings of red, itchy welts and rashes.
• Termites - Unless you split open a piece of infested wood, you probably won't see termites right away. They can live in wall studs, window and door frames, fences, and floorboards. Most termites in the mid-Atlantic region eat through moist or rotting wood and leave hollow tubes. This can lead to costly structural damage.

Rodents in Newark

Rodents such as rats and mice are common in most cities. The house mouse can be a concern for Newark homeowners when temperatures drop and Nor'easter storms arrive in the fall. Enticed by food and a warm spot to nest, both mice and rats squeeze or forge their way into buildings and homes and can reproduce quickly.

Rats and mice gnaw on furniture, baseboards, pipes, and electrical wires. Their droppings, urine, and saliva are common food contaminants and can carry harmful diseases such as hantavirus and salmonella. Customers who see a mouse scurry across the dining room floor or hiding behind boxes on a shelf may feel frightened and will be hesitant to return.

Pest Control for Businesses in Newark

Every business in the Gateway Region from West Orange to Lady Liberty in Upper New York Bay could face an infestation. Office buildings, warehouses, daycares, bistros, and other commercial spaces should consider an annual or seasonal treatment plan. Frequent inspections are also key to keeping your Jersey City theater or fruit market in Union operating in the best shape.

Apartments, townhouses, and hotels should take special caution since bed bugs, mice, and ants spread quickly to other units. Sanitize all lobbies and rooms between guests and schedule regular upkeep. Sewer rats tend to live near water and might nest in crawl spaces or basements of buildings by the port.

Preventing an Infestation

Infestations happen for various reasons, but similar factors make them more prevalent. Every pest is different, but they all require some kind of food, water, and shelter. Take these steps to reduce the risk of an infestation on your property in the Newark area:

• Remove clutter - Rodents and other pests like to nest in clutter. This includes collected trash, piles of old papers, lawn debris, and clogged gutters. Reduce clutter in your kitchen or around the building and practice regular cleaning procedures. Keep bed bugs at bay by laundering bed sheets and towels at the highest heat setting possible.
• Clean up food messes - Crumbs, spills, stained napkins, and open garbage cans are prime spots for hungry pests. Always vacuum or sweep dining rooms at the end of the day or between customers and keep the kitchen clean. Store your ingredients and supplies in airtight containers, too.
• Make necessary repairs - Seal all gaps that lead to the outside. This includes cracks along the foundation, window, and door frames, plus broken screens and open crawl spaces. Protect wood from water damage by redirecting downspouts and replacing old or rotting beams.

The Gateway City is home to thousands of people. Reliable treatment plans for pest prevention keep your home and work environment safe. Contact Western Pest Services now for professional pest control for your Newark home or business.