Oradell’s Ordinary, Extraordinary Existence

Gnawers, Water Searchers, and Cabinet Lurkers

Oradell, like the surrounding towns, is home to dozens of pest species. Some enter properties by accident, while others break in on purpose to seek food, shelter, and warmth.

Rats are common household pests with extraordinary athletic abilities, high intelligence, and obsessive gnawing tendencies. They’re also empathetic and often adopt a no-rodent-left-behind approach. If able, they’ll free their trapped peers even without reward. While they’re more commonly found in buildings, home invasions aren’t unheard of: Rats will go anywhere they can find crumbs, garbage, and safety.

Mosquitoes are commonly found in areas with rivers and ponds, as they need standing water to reproduce. This makes mosquitoes more problematic in lakeside locales, but they don’t need much to keep their species thriving; a bird bath, a kiddie pool, or a bottle cap full of water is enough to attract them. Even clogged roof eaves, which trap moisture, are a major attraction for these flying fiends.

Cockroaches are particularly gross pests known for their survival skills. They can evade danger, go for long periods without food, easily adapt their behavior, reproduce quickly, and beat just about any human at a game of hide and seek. There are many species that vary dramatically in size. The German Cockroach, roughly half an inch long, is more common in Oradell homes. The American Cockroach, roughly two inches long, is more alarming. 

Pantry moths are true to their title and infest pantries. They’re not gifted invaders, but they don’t have to be: You unwittingly bring them in with your groceries. They can chew through thin plastic and cardboard packaging to access stored food, something only the larvae do. Adult panty moths don’t eat; they’re on a perpetual hunger strike and put all their energy into reproducing.