Humphreys Pest Library
In New Jersey, we have many insects and pests that invade our homes, gardens, and our businesses. They bite us, make us itch, destroy our home or business structures, kill our trees and plants . . . They scare us and stress us out. BUT Humphreys is here to solve these issues – “WE KEEP OUT THE UNWANTED GUESTS!”
Humphreys Insect & Rodent Control wants to share with you the most common pests that may require your attention. If you have an issue with any of these listed insects, bugs, rodents, or flying insects – or any other insects not listed please CALL US TODAY for help with all your pest control and extermination needs.
We have been successfully serving homeowners and business owners in Morris County, Somerset County, Union County, and the surrounding New Jersey communities for over 60 years! And we can help you too!
Library
Learn More About the Most Common Pests in Our Area
Various species of ants can invade homes and businesses in New Jersey, including carpenter ants, odorous house ants, and pavement ants.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are a common pest in New Jersey and can cause significant damage to wooden structures if left unchecked. These ants are known for excavating galleries and nesting in wood, including both natural sources like trees and man-made structures like homes and buildings. Carpenter ants do not eat wood but instead excavate galleries for nesting purposes. They prefer moist, decaying wood but will also infest dry, sound wood if conditions are favorable. Common nesting sites include wall voids, crawl spaces, attics, decks, and tree stumps.
Pavement Ants
These ants are typically dark brown to black and often build nests under sidewalks, driveways, and other paved surfaces. They may also invade homes in search of food.
Odorous House Ants
These small, dark brown ants emit a foul odor when crushed, hence their name. They are often found nesting indoors in walls, under floors, and near moisture sources.
In New Jersey these stinging insects can build nests in and around buildings, posing a threat to people who are allergic to their stings.
Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees are a common nuisance pest in New Jersey, known for their habit of boring into wood to create nesting galleries. While they are important pollinators, their nesting behavior can cause damage to wooden structures, including homes, decks, fences, and outdoor furniture. In New Jersey, carpenter bees are most active during the spring and summer months. They are often mistaken for bumblebees due to their similar appearance, but carpenter bees have a shiny abdomen, while bumblebees have a hairy abdomen.
Yellow Jackets
Yellow jackets are a common type of wasp found in New Jersey. They are known for their distinctive yellow and black markings and can be aggressive if their nests are disturbed. Yellow jackets are social insects that live in colonies, with each colony typically containing thousands of individuals. Some species of Yellow Jackets can be found nesting in underground burrows, hollow trees, wall voids, and other protected areas. Yellow jackets are scavengers and are attracted to sugary foods, meat, and other protein-rich substances. They can become a nuisance at outdoor events such as picnics and barbecues, where they are attracted to food and drink.
Hornets
Hornets are a type of large wasp belonging to the genus Vespa. In New Jersey, several species of hornets may be encountered, including the European hornet and the bald-faced hornet. European hornets are large, brownish-orange insects with yellow abdominal markings and can reach lengths of up to 1 inch. European hornets typically build their nests in hollow trees, wall voids, attics, and other protected areas. Bald-faced hornets, also known as white-faced hornets, are commonly found in New Jersey. They are black with white markings on their face and abdomen and can grow up to 3/4 inch in length. Bald-faced hornets construct large, paper-like nests that are usually attached to tree branches, shrubs, or buildings. Like yellow jackets, hornets are social insects that live in colonies and can become aggressive if their nests are disturbed. Hornets are known for their painful stings, and their venom can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Paper Wasps
Paper wasps are named for the papery nests they construct from wood fibers mixed with saliva. These nests are often found hanging from tree branches, shrubs, and building eaves. Paper wasps are generally less aggressive than yellowjackets but can sting if provoked.
Cicada Killers
Cicada killers are large, solitary wasps that hunt cicadas to provision their nests. They are often seen digging burrows in sandy or well-drained soils. While cicada killers are intimidating due to their size, they are not aggressive toward humans unless provoked.
Digger Bees
Digger bees, aka mining bees or ground bees, are a diverse group of solitary bees found in New Jersey. They are small to medium-sized bees with varying colors, often ranging from black to brown, with some species exhibiting metallic hues. They have robust bodies and are covered in dense hairs. These bees are generally docile and not aggressive towards humans. They are unlikely to sting unless handled or threatened, making them harmless and beneficial to garden visitors.
House Flies and fruit flies can be persistent pests, especially during the warmer months, contaminating food and surfaces.
Fruit Flies
Fruit flies, also known as vinegar flies or pomace flies, are small flies belonging to the family Drosophilidae. They are common pests in New Jersey and can be found in homes, restaurants, grocery stores, and other locations where ripe or fermenting fruits and vegetables are present. Fruit flies are attracted to the odors of fermenting organic matter, particularly fruits and vegetables that are overripe or decaying. They are also drawn to sugary substances like juice, soda, and alcohol. Fruit flies are capable of breeding rapidly, with females laying hundreds of eggs in fermenting materials.
House Flies
House flies are a common nuisance pest in New Jersey, as they are in many other parts of the world. These flies are attracted to decaying organic matter and can be found in homes, restaurants, farms, and other areas where food and waste are present. House flies are known for their ability to transmit diseases and pathogens by contaminating food and surfaces with bacteria picked up from garbage, feces, and other unsanitary materials.
In New Jersey, you may encounter various types of spiders that require us to come out to treat your home or business.
House Spiders
Several species of house spiders and cobweb spiders may infest homes or businesses in New Jersey, creating unsightly webs and causing nuisance issues.
Cellar Spiders
Also known as Daddy Longlegs – Commonly found in dark, damp areas like basements and crawl spaces, where they build messy webs to catch prey.
Mice and rats are common pests in both urban and rural areas of New Jersey, seeking shelter and food in buildings and homes.
House Mice
House mice are small rodents that commonly infest homes, businesses, and agricultural settings. They can contaminate food, spread diseases, and cause damage by gnawing on wires, insulation, and structural materials.
Norway Rats
Norway rats, also known as brown rats or sewer rats, are larger rodents that often inhabit urban and suburban areas. They can cause damage to buildings and infrastructure by burrowing, gnawing, and nesting in wall voids, basements, and crawl spaces.
Roof Rats
Roof rats, also known as black rats or ship rats, are agile climbers that are often found in attics, ceilings, and upper levels of buildings. They can damage property by gnawing on wires, insulation, and stored items, and they may also transmit diseases.
Ticks
Deer ticks are a concern in New Jersey due to their ability to transmit Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
Carpet Beetles
These beetles are indeed a common nuisance pest in New Jersey. These small insects can cause damage to various household items, including carpets, upholstery, clothing, and stored food products.
Silverfish
This common household pest can be found in New Jersey. These small, wingless insects are known for their distinctive silvery appearance and their preference for dark, damp environments. Silverfish are primarily nocturnal and feed on a variety of materials, including carbohydrates, sugars, starches, and proteins. They are often found in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and other areas with high humidity levels.
Cockroaches
German cockroaches and American cockroaches are prevalent in New Jersey, often infesting kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas with food and moisture.
Bed Bugs
These blood-feeding pests can infest mattresses, furniture, and other upholstered items, causing discomfort and frustration for homeowners.
Centipedes
These insects (with lots of legs) are common arthropods found in New Jersey. Most centipede species are harmless to humans and are beneficial because they prey on other pests like insects and spiders. Although harmless, if you’re experiencing a significant infestation or if centipedes are causing distress in your home or business they can be removed.
Termites
Subterranean termites are a significant concern in New Jersey, as they can cause extensive damage to wooden structures and homes.
Mosquitoes
With New Jersey’s humid climate and proximity to waterways, mosquitoes are prevalent during the warmer months, posing a nuisance and health risk due to their potential to transmit diseases.
Cave Crickets
Also known as camel crickets or spider crickets are a common nuisance pest in New Jersey, particularly in areas with damp, dark environments such as basements, crawl spaces, and garages. Cave crickets are light brown or tan, in color, and have long, slender legs and antennae. They are known for their humpbacked appearance and ability to jump when disturbed, resembling spiders in their movement and behavior. Unlike true crickets, cave crickets do not chirp. These pests are primarily attracted to moisture and organic matter, making basements and crawl spaces ideal habitats for them. They feed on a variety of organic materials, including decaying plant matter, fungi, and even fabrics, paper, and cardboard.
Click Beetles
Click beetles, also known as elaterid beetles, are a diverse group of insects that are commonly found in New Jersey. They belong to the family Elateridae and are characterized by their ability to produce an audible clicking sound when they flip themselves upright if they are placed on their backs.
Sawtooth Grain Beetles
Sawtooth grain beetles are a common “stored product pest” found in New Jersey. These small beetles are a significant concern in food storage facilities, homes, and other environments where grains, cereals, flour, pasta, dried fruits, nuts, and other stored food products are kept. They measure around 2 to 3 millimeters in length and are reddish-brown to dark brown in color. They are named for the distinctive saw-like projections along the sides of their thorax. Despite their small size, sawtooth grain beetles can quickly infest stored food products and cause contamination, making them unsuitable for consumption.
Indian Meal Moths
Indian meal moths aka pantry moths or grain moths, are a common household pest found in New Jersey. These insects are small, with a wingspan of about 3/4 to 1 inch when fully grown. They have distinctive coloring, with reddish-brown forewings and pale gray or cream-colored hindwings. When at rest, their wings are typically folded flat over their bodies. Indian meal moths infest stored food products, particularly grains, cereals, flour, nuts, dried fruits, and pet food. They are commonly found in kitchen pantries. Common signs of their presence include cocoons, silk webbing, and fecal pellets inside food containers or on pantry shelves. It is essential to store food items in airtight containers made of glass, plastic, or metal to minimize an infestation.
Stink Bugs
Stink bugs have become a significant nuisance in New Jersey. These brown marmorated stink bugs are shield-shaped insects, typically about 1.5 centimeters (0.6 inches) long. They have a mottled brownish-gray coloration with lighter bands on their antennae and darker bands on the edges of their bodies. When disturbed or threatened, they emit a foul-smelling odor, which gives them their name. Stink bugs are most active during the warmer months, typically from spring through fall. They become more noticeable in the fall as they seek sheltered locations to overwinter, often entering homes and buildings in large numbers in search of warmth and protection from the cold.
Boxelder Bugs
Boxelder bugs are common insects found throughout New Jersey. These bugs are about half an inch long as adults and have a distinctive black and red coloration. They have a flattened, elongated body shape with six legs and two pairs of wings. Here in New Jersey Boxelder bugs are most active during the spring and summer months when temperatures are warm. They become more evident in the fall as they gather in large numbers on sun-exposed surfaces such as walls, fences, and tree trunks.