"A Family Occupation for 4 Generations"
NJ License # 93828
Call for Service: 732-308-1070
Serving Central New Jersey
919 Route 33 Unit 23 Freehold, NJ 07728
Pest Guide
Pest Guide
Do you want to know about the different kinds of pest that can infest your property? Freehold Pest Control has an exhaustive pest guide only for you. Click below to learn more about each pest.
For 24/7 emergency pest control services, call us at 732-308-1070
"Shawn was great. Came out twice to fix our ant problem now we are ant free. Took the time to find where they were coming from. Will continue to use them!!"
Eric Gross
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Freehold Pest Control
ANTS
form colonies that range in size from a few dozen to colonies which may consist of millions of individuals. Their ability to exploit resources brings them into conflict with humans, as they can damage crops and invade buildings. They carefully select their nest sites and will avoid sites with dead ants, as these may indicate the presence of threats or disease. They are quick to abandon established nests at the first sign of threats. Populations are controlled using insecticide baits, either in granule or liquid formulations. Bait is gathered by the ants as food and brought back to the nest where the poison is inadvertently spread to other colony members. Boric acid and borax are often used as insecticides that are relatively safe for humans.
BATS More than 40 species of bats live in the United States. Bats are the only mammals that can fly. Instead of arms or hands, they have wings. The wings have a bone structure similar to the human hand. Between the bones are flaps of skin. Bats are very light weight to make it easier for them to fly. Bats have fur on their bodies, sometimes including their head. Their wings, however, do not have fur. Bats can be a range of colors, including red, tan, brown, and gray. A bat's ears are very important because bats use them to hunt for food. The ears tend to be large and noticeable, many times sticking up on the side of the head. The Allen's big-eared bat has ears so long that they make up two thirds of its body length. Bats are mainly nocturnal, most often flying at dawn and dusk. They fly very quickly and can make fast maneuvers. Bats congregate in large roosts during their winter hibernation and migration. In the fall and winter months, many species breed so that the offspring are born in the late spring. The births are timed with the return of insect prey.
BEDBUGS
are small, elusive, and parasitic insects that live strictly by feeding on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals. The name 'bed bug' is derived from the insect's preferred habitat infesting house, especially beds or other common areas where people may sleep. Bedbugs are mainly active at night and are capable of feeding unnoticed on their hosts. Most observed bites consist of a raised red bump or flat welt, and are often accompanied by very intense itching. The red mark is the result of an allergic reaction to the anesthetic contained in the bedbug's saliva. Reactions to bedbug bites may appear indistinguishable from mosquito bites, although they tend to last for longer periods. Bites may not become immediately visible and can take up to nine days to appear.
BEES are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, known for their role in pollination and, in the case of the best-known bee species, the western honey bee, for producing honey. Bees feed exclusively on sugary nectar and protein-rich pollen from flowering plants, unlike the carnivorous wasps from which they evolved. As they forage, bees perform the critical act of pollination. As a bee enters a flower to feed on nectar and gather pollen, some of the pollen sticks to the bee’s body. When the bee flies on, it deposits some of that pollen on the next flower it visits, resulting in fertilization, allowing the plant to reproduce and to generate the fruits and seeds so many other wildlife species rely on as a food source.
BIRDS are vertebrate animals adapted for flight. The bones and muscles of the wing are also highly specialized. The main bone, the humerus, which is similar to the upper arm of a mammal, is hollow instead of solid. Birds have a unique digestive system that allows them to eat when they can—usually on the fly—and digest later. They use their beaks to grab and swallow food. There are more than 10,400 living species unique in having feathers, the major characteristic that distinguishes them from all other animals.
BOX ELDER BUGS
are about ½ in long with a dark brown or black coloration, relieved by red wing veins and markings on the abdomen. In autumn, they can become household pest by seeking winter hibernation locations and find their way into buildings through crevices. They remain inactive inside the walls and behind siding while the weather is cool. When the heating systems revive them, they begin to enter inhabited parts of the buildings. In the spring, the bugs leave their winter hibernation locations to lay eggs on maple or ash trees. Groups of 50-200+ bugs may gather on house siding or brick, usually in a sunny spot. Insecticides have been proven to be very effective in killing these bugs.
CARPENTER ANTS
are large wood-destroying ants indigenous to many parts of the world. They prefer dead, damp wood in which to build nests. Sometimes carpenter ants will hollow out sections of trees. The most likely species to be infesting a house in the United States is the Black Carpenter Ant (shown). Carpenter ants can damage wood used in the construction of buildings. They can leave a sawdust like material behind that provides clues to nesting location.
CARPENTER BEES
are large, hairy bees that get their name comes from the fact that nearly all species build their nests in burrows in dead wood or structural timbers. Male bees are often seen hovering near nests, and will approach nearby animals and people—however, males are harmless since they do not have a stinger. Female bees do have a stinger, but are not aggressive, and will not sting unless directly provoked. Carpenter bees make nests by tunneling into wood, vibrating their bodies as they rasp their mandibles against the wood, each nest having a single entrance which may have many adjacent tunnels. The entrance often is a perfectly circular hole.
CENTIPEDES are sometimes called house centipedes or "hundred-leggers" because of their many pairs of legs. They are widely distributed throughout most of United States and the world. Centipedes are rarely seen by humans due to their nocturnal activity and the speed in which they move. Most centipedes live for more than a year and some up to six years. House centipedes are easy to spot by their elongated, worm-like body with their many pairs of leg. The most effective way to prevent a centipede infestation is to reduce areas of moisture in and around your home.
CLOVER MITES
and other types of mites can become a nuisance in and around houses. They generally enter houses close to thick vegetation and can infiltrate houses in very large numbers through cracks and small openings around windows and doors. Whether indoors or outside, clover mites are found more commonly in sunny areas than in darker areas. Chemical control of mites generally involves pesticides that are specifically developed for mite control. Because most miticides do not affect eggs, a repeat application is usually needed for control. Since an egg can develop into a mature mite able to lay eggs of its own in as little as 9 days, more frequent application may be required in hot, dry conditions.
COCKROACHES
adapt readily to a variety of environments, but prefer warm conditions found within buildings. Cockroaches leave chemical trails in their feces as well as emitting airborne pheromones, which other cockroaches will follow to discover sources of food and water. They are among the hardiest insects on the planet—some species are capable of remaining active for a month without food and are able to survive on limited resources like the glue from the back of postage stamps. Some can go without air for 45 minutes. They can also passively transport microbes on their body surfaces, including those that are potentially dangerous to humans. Cockroaches have been shown to be linked with allergic reactions in humans, such as asthma.
FLEAS
are external parasites that live off the blood of mammals. They lay 500+ eggs over their life, allowing for phenomenal growth rates. Flea bites cause an itching sensation and some people and animals suffer allergic reactions to flea saliva, resulting in rashes. Bites generally result in the formation of a slightly-raised swollen itching spot with a single puncture point at the center and often appear in clusters that can remain itchy and inflamed for up to several weeks afterwards. They can also lead to hair loss as a result of frequent scratching and can cause anemia in extreme cases. Fleas can also act as a vector for disease, transmitting between rodents and humans by carrying Yersinia pestis bacteria (bubonic plague), endemic typhus fever, and in some cases tapeworm.
FLIES These pests get their name from being the most common fly found around homes. Adult house flies can grow to one-quarter of an inch long and usually live between 15 and 25 days. Flies taste with their feet, which are 10 million times more sensitive to sugar than the human tongue. Flies do not have teeth or a stinger. Their mouths absorb food like a sponge. Flies tend to stay within 1-2 miles of where they were born but will travel up to 20 miles to find food. They breed in garbage cans, compost heaps and pet areas.
FRUIT FLIES Fruit flies get their common name from their small size and fondness of some fruits. Small fruit flies are nuisance pests, but may transmit diseases. Fruit flies feed on decaying fruits and vegetables. Fruit flies are commonly found in homes, restaurants and other facilities where food is processed. They are especially attracted to garbage that has just been sitting around.
GNATS are small flying insects that include fungus gnats, fruit flies, and drain flies. Fungus gnats are dark and have long legs, fruit flies are brown and round, and drain flies have moth-like wings and are attracted to water. Because gnats breed frequently, addressing an infestation promptly is crucial for successful treatment.
GROUND HOGSare also referred to as woodchucks or whistle pigs. They are a member of the squirrel family. There are six species of woodchucks and marmots that occur in the United States. These animals commonly invade cropland and vegetable gardens, eating or destroying vegetables and landscape plants. These animals commonly invade cropland and vegetable gardens, eating or destroying vegetables and landscape plants. Although groundhogs are slow runners, they scurry quickly to their dens when they sense danger.
HORNETS are wasps of the genus Vespa, closely related to yellowjackets. These social insects construct hives by chewing wood into a papery construction pulp. They defend their hive with potent stingers. Though these insects do not sting humans unless provoked, some people are allergic to their venom and can have very dangerous reactions to a sting. Hornets are often considered pests, particularly when they nest near humans, because they will defend a nest aggressively if they feel it is threatened.
MICE
can at times be harmful rodents, damaging and eating crops, causing structural damages and spreading diseases through their parasites and feces. In North America, breathing dust that has come in contact with mouse excrements has been linked to hantavirus, which may lead to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). Baiting procedures are commonly used as an effective rodenticide. An effective rodenticide must be tasteless and odorless in lethal concentrations, and have a delayed effect. This is because mice will often taste a small amount of the bait and then continue eating if they do not get sick.
MILLIPEDES are cylindrical or slightly flattened invertebrates. They're not insects—they’re actually more closely related to lobsters, shrimp, and crayfish. The word “millipede” translates to “a thousand feet”—but while millipedes have many feet, none of them quite have a thousand. Most species actually have fewer than a hundred. Millipede bodies are split into a number of segments, and each segment has two sets of legs that attach to the body's underside. Millipedes look very different from their centipede cousins, which have one set of legs per segment that stick out to the body's sides. Millipedes move slowly through soil and organic matter, breaking down dead plant material and rejuvenating the soil, much like earthworms. When they become overly abundant, they sometimes damage seedlings in gardens.
MOLES are small mammals adapted to a subterranean lifestyle. They have cylindrical bodies, velvety fur, very small, inconspicuous ears and eyes,[1] reduced hindlimbs, and short, powerful forelimbs with large paws adapted for digging. Moles are known pests to human activities such as agriculture, lawncare, and gardening.
MOSQUITOES
lay their eggs in water, which can be a salt-marsh, a lake, a puddle, a natural reservoir on a plant, or an artificial water container such as a plastic bucket. In some species of mosquito, the females feed on humans, and are therefore vectors for a number of infectious diseases affecting millions of people per year. During the heat of the day most mosquitoes rest in a cool place and wait for the evenings, although they may still bite if disturbed. Mosquitoes are adept at infiltration and have been known to find their way into residences via deactivated air conditioning units
POWDERPOST BEETLES
spend months or years inside wood in the larval stage. Their presence is only apparent when they emerge from the wood as adults, leaving pin hole openings behind and piles of powdery frass below. The term "powderpost" comes from the fact that the larvae of these beetles feed on wood and, given enough time, can reduce it to a mass of fine powder. They are therefore considered pests. If wood conditions are right, female beetles may lay their eggs and reinfest the wood, continuing the cycle for generations. Heavily-infested wood becomes riddled with holes and rooms or basements packed with a dusty frass — wood that has passed through the digestive tract of the beetles.
RACOONS are round, fuzzy creatures with bushy tails and a black mask of fur that covers their eye area. These animals may look like cute, cuddly bandits, but they can be quite fearsome when approached. Raccoons are about as big as small dogs. Though raccoons are more than happy to make human areas their homes, they can be vicious when approached by humans. Humans should be particularly cautious of approaching raccoons because they are common carriers of rabies, roundworms and leptospirosis. They are nocturnal and sleep during the day. During the winter, they tend to sleep more, but they do not hibernate in the traditional sense. As omnivores, raccoons eat vegetation and meat.
RATS can make a home almost anywhere. They infest homes, agriculture, and foodstuffs, and they easily adapt to their surroundings. Despite poor eyesight, rats are active at night when they explore and learn about their surroundings. They memorize pathways and landmarks. Rats are active throughout the year and an infestation can start at any time. Controlling rats can be difficult because they avoid new objects, including traps and baits. If you notice rat damage or see droppings, consider checking your entire property for other signs of rats.
SILVERFISH
are called such because of the insect’s silvery light grey and blue color, combined with the fish-like appearance of its movements. Silverfish consume matter that contains polysaccharides, such as starches and dextrin in adhesives. These include glue, book bindings, paper, photos, sugar, coffee, hair, carpet, clothing and dandruff. Silverfish are considered a household pest, due to their consumption and destruction of property. While responsible for the contamination of food and other types of damage, they do not transmit disease. They prefer humid conditions and can be found in basements, bathrooms, garages, closets, and attics.
SKUNKS With their bold black and white patterning, bushy tails and wobbly gaits, skunks are easy to recognize. Of course, it’s often their smell that precedes them. The striped skunk occupies a variety of habitats, including fields, woodlands, and suburban and urban locations, where they feel quite at home under porches, decks, and sheds. The skunk may excavate its own burrow. Skunks are normally nocturnal. They spend the day sleeping in dark locations, such as burrows or under porches, and exit in the evening to search for food.
SPIDERS Spiders are air-breathing arthropods. They have eight legs, and mouthparts with fangs that inject venom. Most make silk. The arachnids are seventh in number of species of all animal orders. Almost all spiders are predators, and most eat insects. They catch their prey in several ways. Some build a spider web, and some use a thread of silk that they throw at the insect. Some kinds of spiders hide in holes in the ground, then run out and grab an insect that walks by. Others will make web 'nets' to throw at passing insects. Or they go out and simply attack their prey. Some can jump quite well and hunt by sneaking close to an insect and then jumping on it.
SPRINGTAILS are tiny, wingless, moisture-loving creatures that seek dampness outdoors and in. They are frequently found clustered together in dense swarms. When disturbed, they spring into the air, as high as several inches, creating easily visible clouds. Outside, they’re found in wet soil, decaying straw, rotting leaves and other damp organic material. They feed on molds, fungi and algae. As soils dry, the insects search out more moist conditions, a move that often brings them inside homes where they gather in garages, basements and greenhouses as well in damp floorboards, carpets, under kitchen sinks and in the soil of potted houseplants.
SQUIRRELS are nimble, bushy-tailed rodents found all over the world. They belong to the Sciuridae family, which includes prairie dogs, chipmunks and marmots. Tree squirrels typically live in wooded areas, since they prefer to live in trees. Ground squirrels live up to their names. They dig burrows, a system of tunnels underground, to live in. Some squirrels also hibernate in burrows during the winter to keep warm.
SQUIRRELS (FLYING) Flying squirrels might more appropriately be called “gliding squirrels” because they aren’t capable of true powered flight that a bird or a bat can do. Flying squirrels glide. Thanks to their superb gliding abilities, flying squirrels are great escape artists. Once a flying squirrel lands on a tree trunk following a flight, it promptly scurries to the other side of the trunk to avoid any predators that may have followed it. Flying squirrels are omnivores. They eat a variety of foods, including seeds, nuts, fungi, fruit, and insects. Flying squirrels are common rodents in many parts of the country, but because they are nocturnal, few people ever see them.
TERMITES
live in colonies that, at maturity, number from several hundred to several million individuals. Termites are widely known as an economically significant pest that can cause serious structural damage to buildings, crops or plantation forests. Their habit of remaining concealed often results in their presence being undetected until the timbers are severely damaged and exhibit surface changes. Once termites have entered a building, they do not limit themselves to wood; they also damage paper, cloth, carpets, and other cellulosic materials. When termites have already penetrated a building, the first action is usually to destroy the colony with insecticides. Regular inspection by a competent, trained and experienced inspector is the best defense.
TICKS
are blood-feeding parasites that are often found in tall grass and shrubs where they will wait to attach to a passing host. Young ticks have six legs, and mature ticks have eight legs. They vary in size and appearance depending on the species. Ticks are vectors of a number of diseases, including Lyme disease, Q fever, Colorado tick fever, tularemia, tick-borne relapsing fever, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis and Tick-borne meningoencephalitis, as well as anaplasmosis in cattle and canine jaundice. Frequent grooming and chemicals for control may control the spread of ticks.
VOLES are small rodents that are relatives of lemmings and hamsters, but with a stouter body; a shorter, hairy tail; a slightly rounder head; smaller ears and eyes; and differently formed molars. Voles are small rodents that grow to 3–9 inches. Voles outwardly resemble several other small animals. Voles thrive on small plants yet, they will eat dead animals and, like mice and rats, they can live on almost any nut or fruit. Voles often eat succulent root systems and burrow under plants and eat away until the plant is dead.
WASPS make up an enormously diverse array of insects, with some 30,000 identified species. We are most familiar with those that are wrapped in bright warning colors—ones that buzz angrily about in groups and threaten us with painful stings. Wasps are distinguishable from bees by their pointed lower abdomens and the narrow "waist," called a petiole, that separates the abdomen from the thorax. All wasps build nests. Typically, wasps are most active during the day and usually return to their nests at dusk. These pests are often seen flying around during the second half of summer and early fall when the colonies search for food that will sustain their queens during the winter.
WEASELS are any of various small carnivores with very elongated slender bodies. Weasels are bold and aggressive predators. They are nocturnal animals, they sleep during the day and are active at night. Most of a weasel's time awake consists of hunting, storing excess food and eating. Weasels are usually brown, grey or black with white or yellowish markings. All weasels become all white in the winter.
About Us
Freehold Pest Control provides full-service residential and commercial pest control services in Central New Jersey.
Freehold Pest Control is a family owned and operated fourth generation business that prides itself on quality and caring. Our office staff is competent, friendly and can do. Our technicians are fully licensed, experienced and uphold our high standards. All of our work is fully guaranteed and exceed industry standards. We treat our customers the way that we want to be treated.
We are associated with the Better Business Bureau, National Pest Management Association, and the Greater Monmouth Chamber of Commerce.
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Freehold Pest Control
919 Route 33 Unit 23
Freehold, NJ 07728
Phone: 732-308-1070
Serving Central New Jersey
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