TOMS RIVER, NJ – Ahead of the November election, Action Termite and Pest Control has turned heads by naming “Politics” as its Pest of the Month, as displayed on its new sign in front of its office in the old Church of Silverton.
The business, situated beside a historical cemetery, is no stranger to generating interest.
The company usually highlights real pests such as termites, roaches, and rodents on its sign. However, this month, the choice has strayed from the insect and rodent variety to focus on a topic that has increasingly been viewed as divisive and intrusive: politics.
As New Jersey residents prepare for the upcoming elections, many report experiencing a sense of fatigue surrounding political conversations, often labeling them as invasive and unwanted, much like household pests.
This sentiment is especially strong in politically diverse areas, where dialogues can become confrontational. And Toms River has had its share of confrontational politics over the years.
Community reactions to the sign have been mixed.
Some residents see the sign as a humorous way to highlight the state of modern political discourse, while others believe it oversimplifies a subject that demands serious attention.
Aside from real pests, a while back, during the holiday season, the sign said “shopping”.