What Spring Pests to Expect: Ticks, Boxelder Bugs, Mosquitoes and Ants

As the weather warms and the ground thaws, spring pests will start to emerge from their winter hiding places to enjoy all the good things that the season has to offer. The additional pest activity can be a nuisance for homeowners, so be sure to keep an eye out for signs of infestations. Insect infestations can cause issues inside and outside the home that can be annoying and expensive to fix. Here are some common springtime insect pests to watch for, and the potential damage that can be caused by letting their populations get out of control:

  • Japanese Beetles– Japanese beetles begin the spring in their grub stage, nibbling away at your lawn’s root system. This can lead to dead spots and bare areas in the lawn which require reseeding. When the temperature gets warm enough, the grubs emerge from the ground as beetles and feed on the leaves of plants and trees, including ornamentals like roses.
  • Ticks– Ticks start appearing in the spring, and can cause a number of problems if they are hanging out in your yard. Their bites, while occasionally very painful to people or pets, are usually just a mild annoyance. However, being bitten should be taken seriously, as ticks are known for spreading diseases such as Lyme Disease.
  • Boxelder Bugs– Boxelder bugs don’t typically cause extensive damage to homes or foliage during the spring. They spend their spring and summer feeding and reproducing on a select few kinds of trees, primarily female box elder trees, and only occasionally cause minor damage to fruits and leaves. Crushing them can release an unpleasant odor, and their feces can stain light colored surfaces. Allowing their population to go unchecked does create a nuisance in the fall, when they reenter the home in preparation for winter.
  • Mosquitoes– Mosquito eggs begin hatching in the spring, and reach their adult stage in less than two weeks. As with ticks, mosquito bites are mostly an annoyance, but they can also spread diseases such as West Nile and yellow fever.
  • Ants– Ants also emerge from their nests in the spring, and are often drawn into your home in search of a meal. In addition to crawling all over any food that has been left out, research has shown that ants can cause or exacerbate asthma, allergies, and other respiratory issues for those sensitive to such problems.

More information on these pests, including signs of infestations, can be found on the National Pest Management Association’s website. As with other pests, spring insects are best handled by a professional. If you see any signs of an infestation in your home or workplace, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

5 Reasons Your Home Needs Pest Inspections Each Year

Home maintenance isn’t just about checking for repairs and keeping your home clean and organized; it should involve regular pest inspections too. At a minimum, you should have your home inspected for pest infestations or threats every 12 months. And here’s why:

  1. Proactive Prevention – Properly taking care of your home and family often times means being proactive in home maintenance. Operations Manager, Dave Markee, explains “Because we live in a cold weather climate for part of the year, the foundation and building products of our homes expand, shift, and crack during colder weather. This creates openings for pests, especially rodents.” It is important to catch any pest activity before it gets out of hand and major damage is caused to your home.
  1. Financial Security – By using our pestfree365 program, you can feel secure that an infestation isn’t going to set you back financially. With BAN, a Service Specialist comes to your home once a quarter to perform services and keep your home pest-free. Some commonly unnoticed pests are carpenter ants, which can cause damage to window frames and foam board in siding without you noticing. Regular pest inspections can prevent your budget from taking a hit by catching pests like carpenter ants early.
  1. Value Preservation – If you are thinking of selling your home, you may want to consider having a pest inspection done before you put it on the market. If any pest problems are found, you can have them solved before you put your home up for sale. This will help preserve the value of your home with early detection and treatment. On the flip side, it is fairly common for people to call us and have an inspection done before they decide to buy a house. Better to be safe than sorry!
  1. Health Concerns – Health issues associated with household pests are wide-spread and range from chronic allergies to asthma. Cockroach allergens are common culprits for asthma in children. Making sure your home is free of pests can reduce or eliminate health issues you or your family may have.
  1. Peace of Mind – Pests are very small creatures, but they can cause headaches and impact your quality of life. At the end of the day, we all want to know that our family is safe in our own home and are protected from the effects of pests. Your home is one of your most valuable possessions and it should be protected from anything that could cause damage to it.

Spring into Residential or Commercial Pest Control

Spring is a great time to consider the benefits of pest control. Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or facilities manager, the last thing you need in your busy schedule is a nasty pest invasion. Luckily, Batzner Pest Control has solutions for a long list of pest control issues.

Residential

The pestfree365 program is a great solution for ongoing pest maintenance. Seasonal visits during peak times ensure your home is continually pest free. The pestfree365 system covers 36 pests, including the usual culprits listed below.

CommercialIf you’re struggling with a particular pest, Batzner is here to help. Specialized services are tailored to identify, treat and prevent pest invasions in the future. A few typical pests we encounter are bed bugs, cockroaches and Asian lady beetles, but our team of experts can take care of just about every pest you might come across in Wisconsin.

Batzner Pest Control has been a trusted business partner for decades. If you’re looking for emergency services, or ongoing care with the BAN™ Brand Protection, Batzner is a cost-effective and environmentally responsible pest control partner.

A few benefits of becoming a valued commercial client of Batzner’s include:

  • Recurring service program reviews
  • Thorough documentation including a Client Care Binder, scanned equipment, pest logs, detailed service report and special service requests
  • Standard Operating Procedures that outline best practices in pest control and sanitation
  • Ongoing communication with your Batzner Service Team
  • Rapid response times with additional service visits, as requested
  • Pre-audits and onsite pest control representation during audits such as FDA, USDA, and more
  • Commitment to continuing education in advanced pest control practices

If your business requires, or is committed to environmentally-friendly practices, Batzner’s Green Services is a great solution. Third parties GreenPro and Green Shield have certified Batzner, and continue to audit our practices to ensure we follow the strict guidelines each organization has set forth.

A new season has begun, and it’s a great time to consider your pest control needs. Call 866-591-3519 or contact Batzner online today to get a free estimate to protect your home or business.

Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Home to Keep Pests Out

Spring is just around the corner, which means it’s time for homeowners to start planning their spring cleaning schedules. Whether you’re a fan of getting everything done in one weekend-long marathon or prefer to spread it out over the entire season, it’s important to keep pest control on your to-do-list. The warmer weather encourages greater pest activity, and a lack of preventative care could lead to potential unwanted activity inside your home. Some preventative pest control measures may already be part of your spring cleaning agenda, or you may try out some of these suggestions:

For inside your home, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), recommends you do the following:

  • Remove all items from kitchen cabinets and pantry; discard any stale or dated items.
  • Wipe down the insides of kitchen cabinets and install fresh shelf paper.
  • Pull out kitchen appliances and vacuum behind them.
  • Scrub all kitchen surfaces including floors, countertops, and appliances.
  • Clean out the bathroom medicine cabinet.
  • Wash the shower curtain and liner.
  • Check around the sink, bath, and toilet to make sure there is no excessive moisture; fix any leaky pipes or faucets that could be causing the moisture.
  • Inspect common storage areas such as the basement, closets, and garage; eliminate clutter wherever possible.
  • Transfer stored items from cardboard boxes to plastic bins with sealed lids.
  • Caulk any potential pest entry points.

For outside your home, the NPMA suggests:

  • Seal cracks and small openings along the house’s foundation, as well as entry points for utilities and pipes.
  • Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around the foundation and windows.
  • Trim tree branches and shrubbery to keep them away from the house.
  • Keep mulch at least 15 inches from the foundation (stones are a great alternative).
  • Eliminate sources of standing water around the house, including birdbaths and in clogged gutters.
  • Clean out gutters and downspouts.
  • Screen all windows and doors.

Making sure that these tasks are on your spring cleaning checklist will help reduce pests from entering your home for the spring and summer seasons. If you see signs of an infestation during your cleaning and don’t want to spend your valuable time solving the problem, contact the professionals at Batzner Pest Control. We are always happy to help!

Carpenter Bees Make Their Presence Known In WI

Carpenter bee in Wisconsin - Batzner pest control

The current favorite for “Rookie Pest of the Year” has to be the carpenter bee. These bumble bee look-a-likes have generated a lot of buzz this summer, as most homeowners in Wisconsin previously had little to no experience with them.

Identifying Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees’ appearance differs from bumble bees slightly, as they are of a similar size but with a shiny black abdomen instead of a hairy abdomen with yellow markings. Their behavior, however, is much different. Carpenter bees get their name from the way they excavate tunnels in wood to build their nests. Nests usually consist of tunnels half of an inch in diameter and 6-10″ deep and may include several brood chambers. Many homeowners notice the small holes across the sides of wooden surfaces around their home. This can become problematic to the aesthetic appeal of a home, deck, or fence, and in some extreme cases can even threaten the structural integrity of the wood. They prefer the wood from redwood, cedar, pine, and cypress trees and target wood that is unpainted, untreated, and weathered. Male carpenter bees are also very aggressive and, despite not having a stinger, will dive-bomb the heads of people who come too close to nesting sites. Female carpenter bees can sting in defense if provoked.

Why are they here?
Carpenter bees’ expansion into northern states is explained as a natural progression of their territory as populations become more acclimated to colder weather conditions. The amount of inquires we have received from current and potential clients is proof that carpenter bees have arrived in strength, and their arrival offers a new challenge for homeowners in Wisconsin.

What can you do?
The carpenter bee emergence reminds us that the pest control industry is always evolving, and of how important it is to receive quality service and consultation from experienced professionals.

Incorrect treatment of carpenter bees can actually cause them to do further damage to the wood, so we recommend giving us a call at (262) 797-4160 or requesting a free estimate!

7 Tips for Preventing Ants from Entering Your House

Spring is approaching and the temperature is on the rise. That always lifts your spirits after the long, cold winter. But green grass and flowers aren’t the only thing on its way. ANTS!

You may have begun to spot a few ants in your home or business. Don’t stress out! Here are a few simple prevention methods, and a solution if you believe you might have an ant infestation.

  1. Clean up any food or liquid spills immediately. Ants will most likely come into your home or business to look for foods, so you’ll find them most frequently where food is kept.
  2. Sweep up any crumbs or food particles under kitchen appliances. You know that toaster oven on your countertop that always seems to have crumbs hidden underneath? Or those mystery food particles lurking under your refrigerator?
  3. Store food in airtight containers. Believe it or not, ants certainly do have a sweet tooth. Leaving items like baking sugar or sweet cereal boxes barely closed is like a written invitation to ants and other crawling critters.
  4. Clean up any leftover pet food. Pet food dishes may also be the culprit of any ants that may have taken up residence in your home. If Fido hasn’t finished his meal, or made a mess, be sure to clean it up immediately.
  5. Seal up any cracks or crevices in doorways, windows and any other access points to the outside. That draft does more than raise your energy bill and give you a chill, it may also be an open walkway for ants into your home or business.
  6. Keep compost and garbage bins enclosed. Compost is an amazing source of nutrients for your growing garden, but it’s also a dream food source for ants.
  7. Inspect mulch, remove leaves in gutters and downspouts. On the exterior of your home, landscaping may play a role in any ant activity you may see in your home. Keep trees and shrubs from directly touching your home.

Keep in mind that once an ant has found a food source, they leave a pheromone trail behind them, alerting other ants within the colony that they’ve located food. It’s a strong possibility that if you’ve seen one ant, others aren’t far behind.

If you suspect an ant infestation, contact Batzner Pest Control as soon as possible to speak with an expert.

Prepare for the Height of Stinging Insect Season in Wisconsin

Stinging insects, such as wasps, hornets and bees, can easily ruin your outdoor fun. Most active and aggressive in late summer and early fall, these pests are frequently uninvited guests at many outdoor cookouts. Their stings contain venom capable of causing allergic reactions that send over half a million people to the hospital each year and result in painful swelling even for those without an allergic sensitivity. Severe allergic reactions can involve shortness of breath, dizziness, hives and even anaphylactic shock.

If you have been stung by a bee or wasp and are experiencing any of the above mentioned signs of allergic reaction, proceed to the hospital for immediate inspection.

Differences Between Bees and Wasps
Bees, including honey bees and bumble bees, feature hairy bodies and play a vital role in pollination. They are generally non-aggressive, though will attack if provoked or threatened.

Wasps are more aggressive than bees and often attack whenever someone invades their space. Yellow jackets, paper wasps and hornets are all wasp subspecies. Yellow jackets are particularly aggressive. Typically building their nests in the ground, they can easily be spurred to attack if stepped on or disturbed in anyway.

Honey bees can sting only once as they have a barb that detaches during the process, causing them to die shortly afterward. However, yellow jackets and paper wasps can sting targets repeatedly. Whether in the presence of bees or wasps, it is important to remain calm and vacate the area slowly to help ensure you are not perceived as a threat.

Avoiding Insect Stings

  • Cover up with pants and long-sleeved shirts when gardening or working outdoors.
  • Avoid walking barefoot in the grass.
  • Take caution when eating or drinking anything sweet. Cover up desserts and sodas.
  • Don’t wear sweet smelling perfumes, hairsprays and deodorants when heading outdoors.
  • Avoid brightly colored clothing; especially clothes with floral patterns.

The best defense to stings is simply to limit exposure to stinging insects, so any nests near your home should be removed. If you attempt to remove the nest yourself, use great caution as this will be perceived as a direct threat on their space and can provoke them to attack. It is best to hire a professionally trained exterminator who is equipped and trained to eliminate any dangerous hive and ensure the infestation does not reemerge in the immediate area.

Batzner Explains Mysterious Appearance of Ants in the Basement

Have you ever seen ants in your basement and wondered what in the world they were doing down there? And how they could have gotten there without you noticing them moving throughout your house? This situation is especially perplexing when it’s an unfinished basement with none of the crumbs and spills that usually cause ants to be present. In these cases, what you’re most likely seeing are pavement ants. Here are some common questions we receive regarding pavement ants and their basement-invading behavior:

How do they get in?
Pavement ants get their name from their tendency to make nests in the cracks of and underneath slabs of pavement. Unfortunately, many areas in close proximity to your home are prime places for pavement ants to colonize (if you have seen large groups of ants having territorial wars on your sidewalk or driveway, it is likely two rival pavement ant colonies). When the nest is close enough to your house, the ants will inevitably find entry points in your foundation. Usually, these entry points are either cracks in the basement floor or walls, which are present in houses of all ages as a result of the house settling over time. There are also many unavoidable cracks and crevices created during the construction of the home. Under front porch slabs is a hotspot for these points, which is why pavement ants in the basement are often concentrated directly beneath the front door. Pavement ants, being only 2.5 to 4 mm long, are easily able to navigate all these cracks to enter directly into your basement.

Why do they want to be in my basement?
When people see ants in their house, it is usually assumed that they are foraging for food – and in many cases this assumption is correct. With pavement ants, however, food is almost never the primary driving factor. Paul Matusiak, Associate Certified Entomologist and Batzner Operations Manager, explained, “Environmental stressors are the main causes that bring pavement ants into a person’s basement. When we get a lot of rain, they will seek out a dryer environment, and when we go through extended dry periods, they look for the damp conditions of a basement. The same goes for fluctuations in temperature and humidity as well. Additionally, in the late summer pavement ants may expand indoors simply because their current nest is not big enough to sustain the number of ants in the colony.”

How can I keep them out?
By far, the most effective method for keeping pavement ants out of your basement is regular inspection and treatment. There are simply too many cracks and crevices in your basement for you to caulk them all, and new ones will form as the house continues to settle. Pavement ants can also chew through most sealants instead of finding another route into your home. Paul explained, “Unfortunately, for newer houses, this will likely be a recurring issue due to the construction methods of the last roughly thirty years. The only real solution is to be extremely thorough, both in your inspection and treatment. This includes pulling away insulation and other barriers so you can be aware of the full extent of the problem and treat it as effectively as possible.”

This level of thoroughness is best achieved by a professional, so please don’t hesitate to call us at 866-591-3519 or contact us at the first sign of pavement ants in your basement!

Batzner Solves Cluster Fly Problems Six Stories High

It’s a unique time of year at Batzner, as we are currently under way with our annual Cluster Fly Week. While no two weeks of work in the pest control industry are the same, this week is exceptional as it is the only time we offer our specialty cluster fly treatment. This service involves equipment and treatment methods different from any other service we perform; specifically, it involves a lift truck and sending a Service Specialist up to six stories off the ground!

Cluster Flies- a nuisance on many levels!

Cluster flies merit this extra effort due to their ability to enter the upper floors of multi-level buildings. Similar to boxelder bugs and Asian lady beetles, cluster flies gather in large numbers around the sun-exposed sides of structures in the fall, and seek entry to spend the winter indoors. Once inside, they are a major nuisance pest, emerging from void spaces inside of walls and buzzing around windows on sunny winter days. They can also be problematic as dead flies will attract other pests.

Our Solution Goes Right Up to the Source
To combat them, Batzner applies a preventative treatment around a building’s windows, which are the cluster flies’ main entry point. For larger scale clients with buildings too large for treatment from the ground (most commonly hospitals and office complexes), the lift truck is necessary to reach the upper floors. Service Specialists performing treatment with the lift truck work in pairs, with one operating the basket from the ground and the other doing the actual application. The Service Specialist on the ground is also in charge of several safety precautions, like warning the applicator if anyone is walking underneath the basket or if he or she is approaching power lines.

A Service Specialist’s Perspective from High Up

Some Service Specialists love the thrill of being sixty-plus feet in the air on a small platform. Service Specialist and Cluster Fly Treatment expert Brandon Myer says that, “I’ve never had a problem with heights, so I thought I’d give it a try, and found that I really enjoy it. Our work always varies from week to week, but no other treatment gives me the opportunity to go eighty feet high.” For others, the experience is not as exciting. Quality Assurance and Safety Manager Karl Rowell was one such individual, and said, “I made sure to show the Service Specialists how to operate the machinery and do the job safely and effectively, but after being up in the basket for five minutes I realized that I’m very glad we have other professionals to take care of this job.”

Odd Hours/Hectic Schedule
To make the treatment as convenient as possible for our clients, the Service Specialists work around normal business hours, with Cluster Fly Treatment shifts going from 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., or immediately after the business closes for the day. These odd hours and hectic schedule are well worth it, as Training and Development Manager Steve Counsell explains that, “Cluster Fly Week is a great way to maintain integrity with our large scale clients, and proves that we are willing to go above and beyond to solve their pest control needs.”

If you are experiencing any pest issues at your home or business, please do not hesitate to call us at 866-591-3519 or contact us online. We can’t wait to prove to you as well that we will go to great lengths, and heights, to keep you living pest free!

Experts Warn Cockroaches Pose Serious Health Concerns

A pest that causes one of the strongest reactions when discovered in a home, is more than just an unwelcome house guest. The cockroach poses severe health risks once indoors.

Many people consider cockroaches as merely a household nuisance, but this pest is a hidden danger in homes. They can also spread food-borne disease like Salmonella by picking up germs on the spines of their legs. Their waste and body parts can aggravate respiratory systems by causing significant allergy problems in some people.

Cockroaches are known to spread 33 different kinds of bacteria, six parasitic worms and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. The saliva, droppings and decomposing bodies of cockroaches contain allergen proteins known to trigger allergies and increase the severity of asthma symptoms, especially in children.

We encourage homeowners to take preventative measures to protect your families and properties from the health threats associated with cockroaches. Cockroaches prefer warm, moist places with available food sources, so eliminating those attractive environments can help prevent cockroach infestations.

We recommend the following steps homeowners can take to avoid cockroach infestations:

  • Vacuum frequently and remove garbage from around the home on a routine basis.
  • Do not allow dirty dishes to accumulate in the sink and remain there overnight.
  • Keep food in the refrigerator or in containers with tight-fitting lids to prevent contamination.
  • Periodically check and clean the evaporation pan under the refrigerator or freezer.
  • If you suspect you have an infestation, contact a licensed pest professional to identify the species and recommend a course of treatment.
  • Seal cracks around the outside of the home to prevent pest entryways
  • Properly ventilate basements and crawl spaces to eliminate harborage points.

As always, give us a call if you are having a pest problem and we will be happy to help.