Nuisance Household Pests To Know
New Jersey residents contend with a variety of household pests throughout the year. The state’s diverse landscape—from coastal areas to suburban neighborhoods and rural communities—combined with its humid subtropical climate creates ideal conditions for many pest species to thrive.
Understanding these common household nuisance pests in New Jersey, their habits, and effective control methods can help homeowners maintain pest-free environments.
Common Indoor Pests in New Jersey
Ants
Several ant species plague New Jersey homes, with carpenter ants particularly problematic. Carpenter ants (Camponotus spp.) are large and either black or red-and-black. They do not eat wood but excavate it to build nests, potentially causing structural damage.
Odorous house ants (Tapinoma sessile), pavement ants (Tetramorium immigrants), and pharaoh ants (Monomorium pharaonis) are common. They typically enter homes searching for food and water. Once they infest a house, these invasive species are tricky to control and can be a significant problem.
Ant infestations often begin in spring and intensify during summer, with colonies establishing satellite nests inside walls, under floors, or in moist, decaying wood.
Cockroaches
There are about 70 cockroach species nationwide. German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) dominate indoor infestations in New Jersey, followed by the American cockroach (Blatta Americana) and the Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis).
German cockroaches reproduce rapidly, with females producing up to 50 offspring per reproductive cycle. Though less common in homes, American cockroaches may invade from sewers or basements during colder months. Like American cockroaches, Oriental cockroaches are drawn to damp places.
Cockroaches are common nuisance household pests in New Jersey posing significant health concerns. They carry pathogens in their bodies and droppings that can trigger asthma and allergies, especially in children.
Bed Bugs
Bed bug infestations have surged across New Jersey in recent years. These nocturnal, blood-feeding insects hide in mattress seams, headboards, and furniture crevices during daylight hours. Contrary to popular belief, bed bug presence isn’t related to cleanliness—they hitchhike into homes on luggage, used furniture, and clothing from infested locations. Their bites cause itchy welts on many people, though others show no reaction.
Mice and Rats
House mice and Norway rats commonly invade New Jersey homes, particularly as temperatures drop in autumn. These rodents can squeeze through the smallest openings—mice need only a quarter-inch gap, while rats can enter through half-inch holes. Beyond contaminating food with urine and droppings, rodents damage property by gnawing on structures, furniture, and electrical wiring, creating fire hazards. A single female mouse can produce up to 60 offspring annually.
Stink Bugs
Brown marmorated stink bugs have become increasingly problematic in New Jersey since their introduction in the 1990s. While they don’t bite, sting, or cause structural damage, these shield-shaped insects emit an unpleasant odor when disturbed or crushed. They typically enter homes in the fall to seek winter shelter, gathering on sunny exterior walls before finding entry points around windows, doors, and siding.
Termites
Eastern subterranean termites cause extensive damage to New Jersey homes. These social insects build underground colonies and construct mud tubes to access wood above ground. Termites work silently, often causing significant structural damage before discovery. Swarming usually occurs in spring when winged reproductive termites emerge to establish new colonies, providing a warning sign of infestation.
Nuisance Household Pests Seasonal Patterns
New Jersey’s seasonal climate influences pest activity throughout the year:
- Spring: Termite swarms emerge, carpenter ants become active, and overwintering pests like stink bugs move outdoors.
- Summer: Ant activity peaks, mosquitoes proliferate in humid conditions, and cockroach populations expand rapidly.
- Fall: As temperatures decline, rodents, stink bugs, and lady beetles seek indoor shelter.
- Winter: Most outdoor pest activity diminishes, while indoor pests like cockroaches and rodents remain active in heated structures.
Prevention Strategies
Effective pest management begins with prevention:
- Seal entry points: Caulk cracks in foundations, install door sweeps, repair damaged screens, and seal gaps around utility lines.
- Reduce moisture: Fix leaking pipes promptly, ensure proper drainage around foundations, use dehumidifiers in damp areas, and maintain adequate ventilation.
- Eliminate food sources: Store food in sealed containers, clean up crumbs and spills immediately, rinse recyclables before storage, and keep pet food contained when not in use.
- Maintain exterior landscaping: Trim branches and shrubs away from buildings, maintain a vegetation-free perimeter around foundations and avoid excessive mulch that harbors pests.
- Regular cleaning: Vacuum frequently, reduce clutter where pests hide, and dispose of garbage promptly in sealed containers.
Integrated Pest Management
When preventive measures fail, an integrated pest management (IPM) approach combines multiple control tactics:
- Monitoring: Visually inspect vulnerable areas. Sticky traps sometimes work to detect the early signs of an infestation.
- Physical controls: We never recommend manually removing pests, as they carry diseases. We always recommend contacting pest control and removal services.
- Cultural practices: Modify environments to make them less hospitable to pests by eliminating harborage areas, food, and water sources.
- Biological controls: When appropriate, introduce or encourage natural predators and parasites, mainly outdoor pest management.
- Chemical controls: As a last resort, use toxic-free pesticides to target pests. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s label instructions.
When to Call Professionals
While many problems with nuisance household pests can be managed independently, professional intervention becomes necessary when:
- Infestations are extensive or persistent despite DIY efforts.
- Pests pose health risks or cause property damage.
- The infestation involves wood-destroying organisms like termites.
- Safe, practical pesticide application requires specialized equipment or expertise.
- Preventive treatment is needed to protect valuable assets.
New Jersey pest control professionals can provide custom solutions based on nuisance household pests, the various species, infestation severity, structural characteristics, and environmental considerations. Licensed professionals can access more effective control products and application methods than consumers.
Emerging Issues
New pest challenges continue to emerge in New Jersey—the spotted lanternfly, though primarily an agricultural and landscape pest, often invades homes in affected areas. Invasive mosquito species carry new disease risks, while pesticide resistance complicates control efforts for many common pests. Ongoing research and adaptive management strategies help address these evolving challenges.
Your Partner in Pest-Free Living
Maintaining a pest-free home requires vigilance, knowledge, and sometimes professional assistance. Homeowners can protect their families and properties from unwanted nuisance pests by understanding the pests common to New Jersey, their behaviors, habitats, how to implement preventive measures, and how to address infestations promptly.
If you have persistent problems with nuisance household pests or need preventive treatment plans for your specific needs, contact NJ Pest Control. Our licensed technicians provide environmentally responsible solutions to keep your home pest-free throughout the year.
