Pest Control in Emerson Hill, Staten Island
Emerson Hill is a small, secluded hilltop enclave just south of the Staten Island Expressway, between Concord and Todt Hill. Reached by a few narrow, winding roads, it feels worlds away from the traffic below, with large custom homes set on steep, heavily wooded lots. Many streets are privately maintained, and the dense tree canopy, rock outcroppings and long views toward the harbor give the area a rural atmosphere unusual for New York City. Residents rely on cars for most errands, heading down to Clove Road and Richmond Road for shopping, while the Greenbelt's trails are close at hand.
About Emerson Hill
The hill is named for William Emerson, a judge and the older brother of Ralph Waldo Emerson, who lived here in the 1840s. Henry David Thoreau spent time on the island in 1843 as a tutor to William Emerson's children, one of his few extended stays away from Concord, Massachusetts. For the next century the hill held only a few estates, and most of today's homes were built after World War II as the island suburbanized.
Common Pest Problems in Emerson Hill
Emerson Hill's thick woods, steep slopes and large lots put homes in direct contact with wildlife. Raccoons and gray squirrels are the most frequent intruders, entering attics through gaps at rooflines, chimneys and dormers, often by leaping from overhanging branches. Skunks den beneath decks, sheds and stone walls, and their digging for grubs can tear up lawns overnight. Because many homes sit close to undisturbed woodland, animals that are evicted tend to be replaced quickly unless entry points are sealed permanently.
The rocky, wooded terrain also supports snakes, most commonly harmless garter snakes and the occasional northern brown snake or milk snake, which bask on stone walls and sometimes slip into garages and basements. Large wood-framed houses with decks and retaining walls built of timber are attractive to subterranean termites, and mice move indoors every fall when the woods cool. Regular perimeter inspections are important for homes surrounded by so much natural cover.