Before & After Photos

This property manager of an adult community in Hamilton Township, NJ recently had an issue with squirrels destroying their main office building. Previously, we safely retrieved the squirrels and relocated them to a new, humane location, but the damage they did was quite extensive! They literally chewed out the crown molding on the window! Fortunately, we can not only safely remove the invasive wildlife, we can repair the damage they inflict as well!

First, we measured the crown molding and then cut sturdy, metal flashing to the measurements. Next, we installed it, secured it in place with screws, and sealed it in place with a waterproof, premium adhesive. We offered to paint the area so that the material blends in with the crown molding, but the property manager told us that his maintenance team will do that. Now that the area is repaired, the community will no longer have an issue with squirrels or any other nuisance wildlife invading the office. 

A new residential client in Highland, NJ contacted Cowleys after hearing birds chirping in his attic. We went out, inspected the attic and found starlings, their nesting debris, and droppings all over the insulation.

Starlings are an invasive species and have a negative impact on the US economy and ecosystem. They are stocky black birds with short tails, triangular wings, and long, pointed bills. They nest in holes and cavities and often exploit openings in buildings to build a nest inside the home. So how did they invade this home? Well, after a thorough inspection of the exterior we discovered that the home had a builders gap.

A builders gap is a gap between the fascia board (where the gutter is hung) and roof decking. This gap is caused when roof decking is stopped too short and is not flushed with the fascia. The gap is meant to help with airflow throughout the attic but also is a perfect place for nuisance birds and wildlife to enter your home. Because the roof shingles only cover the gap, birds and nuisance wildlife can wiggle under the shingles and slip right in — which is exactly what the starlings did!

First, we carefully removed all the nesting debris and the contaminated insulation and disinfected the entire attic. Next, we installed over 150 feet of Pest Blok Metal Roof Edge Cap to close the builders' gap. This material is constructed out sturdy sheet metal with a silicone protected polyester coating that will protect the area against a variety of nuisance birds and wildlife.

A Cowleys wildlife control team was dispatched to a home in New Egypt. This homeowner had a family of raccoons that had nested in his attic, apparently for quite a long time. 

Fortunately, there was no longer an active infestation — the raccoons were long gone. However, the attic was a toxic mess from all their urine and droppings. While the pungent odor of animal waste wafting through your house is a problem, the real concern is the health hazard.

Cowleys wildlife control technicians are trained not only in trapping and excluding wildlife from homes and commercial buildings, but also in safely sanitizing and deodorizing those areas that have been infested.

A commercial facility in Piscataway used extensively by the public was having issues with pigeons nesting on a ledge above its elevators. The pigeons were causing problems because of their prodigious droppings in an enclosed area. Pigeons are one of the most common nuisance birds that we deal with regularly. Unfortunately, pigeons have no fear of being in close proximity to people, and their populations have exploded  in cities and other high density areas where they enjoy  a virtually unlimited food supply. Unfortunately, nuisance birds are like bad evicted tenants. They shuffle from building to building, and when they are “evicted” from one location with deterrent devices, they become someone else’s problem.  

The situation here was unacceptable. Having pigeons circulating around in such an enclosed area was visually unappealing, noisy, bad smelling, as well as a potential health hazard from their toxic droppings. Something needed to be done, and done fast! A crew from Bird Solutions By Cowleys was called out to keep these nuisance birds from perching in the elevator area. 

BirdSlide completely protects ledges against pigeons, swallows, and all other nuisance birds. It’s called BirdSlide for good reason. These angled barriers completely block ledges. Birds can’t grip them, and they slide right off. Birds, unlike kids, don’t find slides much fun. After trying to land a few times unsuccessfully, they get frustrated and look for another less hostile location. 

BirdSlide works on any overhang-type structure where pigeons and other birds tend to congregate including ledges, eaves, angle irons, I-Beams, and most L-shaped ledges. Made from UV-stabilized polycarbonate, this deterrent is long-lasting and, best of all, it’s  unobtrusive. After it is installed, it look like it’s part of the building. BirdSlide can even be color-matched to the building, if necessary for aesthetic reasons, in areas of high visibility. The product comes in grey or beige, but can be painted to match any color. 

For this Highland Park, NJ homeowner, we installed an Everlast door for crawl space access. These vent covers prevent outside air and moisture from entering the crawl space through the exterior vents. They can be installed against wood framing or masonry. they also work exceptionally well, and are aesthetically pleasing. Made with a hard durable plastic, they stand up to the harsh winter weather conditions we see at the Shore. Unlike wood vents, these covers are completely maintenance free — they don’t rot, warp, or crack and they don’t need to be painted. 

Our home improvement specialists love them! We have been using them now for years, and from our experience, they hold up to anything and are virtually indestructible. Also, even though these vent covers completely seal the vents from the outdoor elements, they are easy to open should you need to access your crawl space. All you need to do is twist a few easy-to-grip knobs, and you’re in!