Prevent Asian Lady Beetle and Boxelder Bug Infestations – Service Required Before First Frost

Fall invaders probably aren’t the first pests that come to mind when you think of a pest infestation. Occasional, or fall, invaders are a group of insects that invade structures occasionally, often finding themselves inside your home. You’ll start to see this happening when weather conditions become threatening to their survival. The occasional invaders that get several complaints filed against them around this time of year, and in spring, are the Boxelder Bugs and Asian Lady Beetles.

As autumn approaches, these fall invaders are looking for a cool, dry place to hit snooze during the winter. In September and October, they tend to assemble themselves on the exterior walls of sunny, south-facing buildings seeking out warmth. Once they land on buildings, they make their way through tiny cracks and crevices looking for protected places to hibernate. Their favorite locations include cracks around windows and door frames, behind fascia boards, and behind exterior siding. Structures with many cracks make this very easy for them and are most vulnerable to infestation.

As temperatures warm in late winter and early spring, they start to wake up from hibernation. This usually occurs on the sunnier, southwest side of homes. Still sleepy from their winter naps, some fall invaders unintentionally make their way inside your home, emerging from behind baseboards, walls, attics, and suspended ceilings. This is why even though Frosty the Snowman may still be standing strong outside, pests can mysteriously appear in your living room in the middle of winter.

So why do you find piles of dead fall invaders collecting in your window sill over winter? Well, once inside your home, the pests realize “Hey, this isn’t right!” They will naturally gravitate towards the light, which is mostly likely going to be the closest window. Since the temperature in your home is cozier than the temperature outdoors, their metabolism starts to gear up for summer. A high metabolism combined with no source of food causes them to quickly use up their winter reserves and die. If you see any still alive, you can return them to the outdoors where cooler temperatures will slow down their metabolism until spring.

The best way to control Asian Lady Beetle and Boxelder Bugs invasions is to seal up and repair any cracks and crevices around windows, eaves, doors, insulation and siding in the fall. Pay close attention to places where pipes and wires enter your home. Batzner Pest Control offers a fall service that creates a protective barrier to treat the cracks and crevices the fall invaders are attracted to, controlling and minimizing the population. This service must be applied before the first frost, so call now (866-591-3519 ) or contact us online to ensure you don’t have fall invaders waking up in your home. If you are already on our pestfree365 program, the Asian Lady Beetle and Boxelder Bug treatment is included. You’re all set!

Tips for Keeping Pests out of Firewood

On a cold winter night, nothing beats curling up by the fireplace for a relaxing few hours of catching up on your favorite TV shows. For most of us, being able to do this requires maintaining a well-stocked pile of firewood. Unfortunately, firewood is the perfect Trojan horse for pests to invade your home!

Don’t let staying warm this winter open your gates to pests; use these tips to enjoy your fireplace without unwelcome guests.

DOs:

  1. Keep your firewood at least 20 feet from your home. Mice, ants, and many other insects can make their nests in wood piles and easily gain access to your home if the pile is nearby.
  2. Keep your firewood off the ground. Firewood placed on the ground is easier for pests to access, and often makes the bottom layer less likely to be used. Concrete blocks, bricks, or firewood grates can be used to keep the wood from directly contacting the ground. This also helps with the next tip.
  3. Keep your firewood dry. In addition to burning more easily, dry wood is less attractive to most pests. Maintaining airflow beneath the pile helps reduce moisture problems which attract insects, and placing a tarp over your wood pile is a cheap way to prevent rain or snow from adding moisture.
  4. Practice “First In/First Out” Rule. Use the oldest wood first, restacking the pile periodically if it makes it easier to access the older logs. This will help to keep pests at a minimum as you are not allowing infestations to build up. And it will help keep anyone from carrying infested firewood into your home.
  5. Inspect your firewood before bringing it inside. A quick look over each log for obvious signs of pest infestation can save you a lot of trouble later on. Before bringing wood into the house to use in a fire, inspect every log: look them over, shake them, knock them together. Get rid of the pests that are on the surface or beginning to emerge.
  6. Burn firewood immediately when brought indoors. Few insects are active outdoors during the cold winter months; rather they will overwinter in sheltered spots – such as within or between firewood piles. If the wood is brought indoors and not burned immediately, the insects can crawl out from the wood into the warmth of your home.

DON’Ts:

  1. Spray your firewood with pesticides. This won’t kill pests that have burrowed into the wood and can release harmful chemicals inside your home when the wood is burned.
  2. Buy your firewood non-locally. Buying firewood locally can reduce the chance of introducing invasive species to new areas.
  3. Never store firewood indoors. Firewood should not be stored indoors in any area – in the home, basement, or garage. Insects can emerge to take up residence within the structure, and the firewood pile can also provide attractive harborage for rodents or other wildlife or insect pests.

If you experience problems with pests, whether they have been brought in on firewood or otherwise, don’t hesitate to call us at (262) 797-4170 or contact us online!

Example of proper firewood storage:

As you can see, the firewood is away from the house, off the ground, and covered by a tarp to keep it dry. With an inspection before the wood is brought into the house, this will make it very difficult for pests to sneak in.

 

Example of poor firewood storage:

Here the wood is placed directly against the house, exposed to the elements, and directly on the ground. You can imagine how easy it would be for insects or mice to get inside, especially with that door open!

How Do I Know If I Have Bed Bugs? Learn About the Signs of Bed Bugs

It’s no secret that bed bugs are seriously creepy creatures. After all, they like to live near your bed and feed on your blood while you’re sleeping. Disturbing, right? If you think you may have bed bugs, you should look in two places for evidence: on your body and in your room.

Bed Bug Evidence on Your Body

The primary sign of bed bugs on your body are red, itchy bites, usually appearing on skin that’s exposed while sleeping. Bed bug bites are often mistaken for mosquito bites or bites from other insects, and some people show no reaction at all to bed bug bites. So it’s no wonder they go undetected for long periods. Bed bugs might be present if you are waking up with bites you can’t explain. The biting pattern is usually in straight rows, unlike the sporadic biting of other insects. Also look for:

  • Raised, red welts
  • Burning and itching
  • Bed bug bite rash across localized area

Bed Bug Evidence in the Room

Bed bugs are clever enough to hide during the day but leave behind the evidence of their blood-thirsty crimes. Their carelessness is one of the best indicators your room is overrun with bed bugs. You will often see evidence of a bed bug infestation without actually seeing any bed bugs. Below are secondary signs you can look for.

  • Fecal stains in the areas they inhabit
    • Fecal spots will not flake off if rubbed and will smear if wiped with a wet rag
    • Fecal stains will be black due to the digested blood that is excreted
  • Rusty or reddish stains on bed sheets or mattresses caused by bed bugs being crushed
  • A clear bed bug shell, or exoskeleton, which is shed as the bed bug grows larger
  • A live bed bug

I Have Evidence of Bed Bugs, But How Do I Find Them?

Bed bugs hide in a variety of places when they are not feeding. If you know the right place to look, you may be able to spot bed bugs. Adult bed bugs can be seen with the naked eye. Their favorite spots include around the bed, near seams and tags of mattresses and box springs, and in cracks on the bed frame and headboard. If the room is heavily infested, bed bugs may be found in these additional places:

  • In seams of chairs and couches, between cushions, in the folds of curtains
  • In drawer joints
  • Under loose wall paper and wall hangings
  • In electrical outlets and appliances
  • At the junction where the wall and the ceiling meet

If you think bed bugs have invaded your home, call 866-591-3519 or contact Batzner online today! Our team of specialists will discuss treatment options and recommend the right plan for your property. Sleep well again and get all the beauty rest you deserve.

Signs of Pest Infestations

Inspecting homes for pest infestations before buying - Expert extermination, pest control and removal service by Batzner Pest Control, serving Southeast Wisconsin

House hunting is an exciting yet nerve-wracking endeavor. Among the numerous concerns like a leaky roof or faulty electricals, pest infestations might take time to come to mind. Yet, overlooking the signs of an infestation can lead to significant issues. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help identify potential pest problems when considering a new home.

What’s the Difference Between a Pest Infestation and a Couple of Bugs?

While spotting the occasional bug or pest is common, a full-blown infestation involves a larger, persistent presence of unwanted critters. It’s about the frequency, the extent of invasion, and the potential damage or health risks they pose. Here are the top ten signs that you’re dealing with an infestation:

  1. Unusual Indoor Activity: Keep an eye out for erratic movements of insects, especially around food sources or warm, moist areas.
  2. Traces of Excrement: Insect or rodent droppings, especially near entry points or common hiding spots like cabinets, often signal an infestation.
  3. Rodent Nests: Discovering nests made of shredded materials or finding gnaw marks on household items indicates a rodent problem.
  4. Foul Odors: A musty or foul smell, particularly in hidden areas, could indicate that pests like bed bugs or rodents are nearby.
  5. Property Damage: Many pest species cause damage to structures or personal belongings. Chewed wires, torn fabrics, or damaged furniture might suggest rodents’ activity.
  6. Unexplained Noises: While you may not notice the sounds of pests while inspecting a home, it’s worth listening for. Scratching or scurrying in walls or ceilings often indicates pests.
  7. Grease Marks and Rub Marks: Rodents and other pest species tend to leave grease or rub marks along their regular pathways.
  8. Visible Pests: Spotting mice, rats, bed bugs, or other pests during daylight hours could signify a significant infestation. 
  9. Nesting Materials: Discovering shredded paper, fabric, or insulation in unusual places could mean that the property has a large population of rodents or other pests nearby.
  10. Gnaw Marks: Many pest species, including rats and mice, chew on items while nesting or burrowing. Look for chew marks on furniture, wires, or stored items.

Signs of an Outdoor Infestation

It’s normal to come across bugs in your yard or garden. But, there are some circumstances where outdoor pest activity is abnormal and could pose a greater risk to your home. Here’s what to look for when inspecting your landscape:

  • Nearby Breeding Grounds: Assess neighboring areas for unkept spaces or stagnant water sources, and potential breeding grounds for pests like mosquitoes or rodents.
  • Damaged Plants and Lawn Patches: Inspect plants for signs of insect trails or gnawing. Uneven grass lengths or circular brown patches can hint at lawn pest infestations or mole activity.
  • Mole Holes and Ant Hills: Mole activity might present as raised ridges across the lawn accompanied by dirt piles resembling mini volcanoes. Look for ant hills along fence lines or in pavement cracks.

What to Do If Your Home Has Pests

When inspecting your property for these signs, focus not only on the obvious but also on less frequented areas like ceiling corners, under furniture, and within cupboards or pantries. Professional pest control technicians at Batzner Pest Control can thoroughly inspect and treat your home to prevent or address any pest problems.

Why Are Bees and Wasps so Bad in the Fall?

Have you ever been at a fall tailgate and thought, “Wow, there seems to be way more wasps now than during summer?” This experience, combined with the increased interest in stinging insect treatments we see in the fall, prompted me to ask Batzner Associate Certified Entomologist Dave Kusnierek whether stinging insects really are worse in autumn or if it was just my imagination. Here is his response:

Population Size

Problems with stinging insects such as bees, hornets, and wasps do increase in the early fall, mainly because populations are at their largest size around that time of year. The size of the nest has been growing all summer, so in the beginning of fall you start to run into fully mature nests that simply have a higher population than earlier in the summer. The larger nests send out more foragers, increasing the chances that they become a bother to you.

Dietary Changes and Food Availability

During the fall, some species of stinging insects become more aggressive because they are preparing their queen for the winter, and are more protective near the hive. This aggravated behavior is made worse as natural food sources, such as flowers and insects, are depleted with colder weather, and they grow hungry. Many stinging insects also undergo a change in their dietary needs in the fall, switching from requiring proteins to requiring carbs. These factors cause stinging insects to seek out artificial food sources, leading them to become more of a nuisance around outdoor events like festivals and backyard picnics. Our own behavior can also increase run-ins with stinging insects, as doing fall maintenance around the house often leads to areas where stinging insects are likely to build nests.

The best way to stop them from becoming a major problem in the fall is by having an ongoing service to prevent the population from growing too large throughout the summer. The populations will decrease naturally once the weather gets too cold; however, it is still worth it to treat the nests in the fall. The queen will leave the nest to spend winter in a crack or void of a building, so treating the nest before this happens can reduce the likelihood of having a nest built on your property the following year.

If you experience an issue with stinging insects, don’t hesitate to contact us or call (262)797-4160 for more information on our year-round preventive or single treatment stinging insect services!

Four Wisconsin Cockroaches to Watch out For

Cockroaches are a common residential pest in New Berlin WI - Batzner Pest Control

In Wisconsin, there are four common species and four occasional species of cockroaches. Traditionally, cockroaches are oval-shaped, flattened, reddish-brown to black in color, and around 1 1/8 to 2 inches long. They hide in dark, damp, confined places during the day and are active at night. This pest poses severe health risks once indoors, especially as an asthma trigger in children.

  1. The most common cockroach in Wisconsin is the German cockroach. They have two dark stripes behind their head, and can be up to 5/8 inch long. They breed around three to four generations per year, making them the fastest breeding cockroach. This type of cockroach needs a source of water, and is often found in bathrooms and kitchens.
  2. Next up is the adult Brownbanded cockroach. They are light brown to glossy dark brown, as the name suggests, and are about 5/8 inch long. They prefer warm temperatures of at least 80 degrees, so they are often found in false ceilings and around appliance motors, light switches, and picture frames. They have lower water needs than German cockroaches, so they can be found in any room.
  3. The third most common cockroach in Wisconsin is the American cockroach. These cockroaches are reddish-chestnut brown in color with light markings behind the head and can be up to 1 ½ inches long. They are most likely to be spotted in large commercial buildings such as hospitals, grocery stores, and bakeries. They can also be found in warmer climates and is nicknamed things like “palmetto bug” and “water bug”.
  4. The final, most common cockroach in Wisconsin is the Oriental cockroach. These cockroaches are dark brown to shiny black and can be up to 1 inch in length. They prefer cool areas with high humidity, so they are often found in damp crawl spaces, basements, and floor drains. Nymphs are found in spring and early summer, while adults are found in late summer.

The only native cockroaches in Wisconsin are the wood cockroaches. They look similar to small American cockroaches, are dark brown and up to 1 ½ inch long. They live under bark of dead trees and can be brought indoors with firewood. Male wood cockroaches can actually fly, and are attracted to lights at night.

As for the occasional cockroaches, the light green Cuban cockroach is often found in bananas. The Surinam cockroach is a plant feeding species found in greenhouses and tropical plants. The Australian and smoky brown cockroaches arrive in various shipments and pallets from the southern United States.

It is important for people to take preventative measures to protect their families and properties from the health threats associated with cockroaches. Cockroaches thrive in conditions of poor sanitation and areas where there is a large amount of food available. Following certain rules and eliminating those attractive environments can help prevent cockroach infestations.

Cockroaches are more difficult to control in apartment buildings. Some sprays simply repel the cockroaches and drive them into untreated areas. All units may need to be treated to prevent reinfestation. Tenants should keep trash rooms clean, and allow free access to pest control professionals.

As always, if you are experiencing a pest problem, we are happy to help.

Why Do I Have Boxelder Bugs and How to Prevent Them in the Fall

Just because they don’t bite, it doesn’t make them less of a nuisance. Boxelder bugs can enter your home in large numbers during the fall, staining curtains, walls, and other surfaces with their excrement.

During summer, boxelder bugs feed on leaves, flowers, and seedpods of boxelders and silver maples, where they do minor damage to the trees. During fall, they search for protected areas for the winter, or overwintering areas, as they leave the trees from where they were feeding. They like warm areas and are attracted to buildings with large southern or western exposure, with lots of sun. They also like buildings standing isolated on flat ground, or buildings which are taller than surrounding structures.

Cool weather brings bugs in

Once the weather starts to cool down, boxelder bugs find their way into spaces and cracks around homes. This is usually how they end up around windows in the interior of buildings. They can also come in the building from overwintering areas such as attics or walls. They are typically inactive during winter, unless the weather is mild and sunny, which increases their mobility.

Boxelder bugs are most abundant during hot, dry summers when followed by warm springs. Wet weather promotes a fungal disease which controls the population of boxelder bugs. Since we have had a long dry spell in Wisconsin, we might see a lot of these bugs this fall. We have also had a longer, warmer weather season this year, which has caused the boxelder bugs from the spring to mature more quickly and sprout an early second generation. It is these second generation bugs that become a nuisance by congregating on the outsides of homes and buildings on sunny days in September and October.

The best way to manage a boxelder bug problem is to prevent it by taking steps to keep them from entering your home in the first place.

Boxelder bug prevention outdoors:

  • Repair or replace damaged window and door screens
  • Repair or replace damaged screens in roof vents, and in bathroom and kitchen fans
  • Seal areas where cable TV wires, phone lines, and other utility wires and pipes, outdoor faucets, dryer vents and similar objects enter buildings
  • Install door sweeps or thresholds to all exterior entry doors
  • Install a rubber seal along the bottom of garage doors

Depending on the construction of your home or building, different precautions may be taken. If boxelder bugs have already made their way indoors, you may physically remove them with a broom and a dust pan, or a vacuum. Check around the building exterior if they are found during fall, as they can be found congregating in warm or sunny areas.

If you are experiencing a pest problem, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 262-797-4160 or contact us. We are always happy to help.

What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

Batzner Pest Control prides itself on being an industry leader in innovative pest management practices. One practice that we particularly excel in is our use of Integrated Pest Management, a more effective and environmentally responsible alternative to traditional pest control methods.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) vs. Traditional Pest Control

The difference between Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and traditional pest control can be summed up as the following: IPM is devoted to finding the best solution to a pest issue, rather than the easiest. This means that IPM rejects traditional pest management’s “one size fits all” method of solving every pest issue with an excessive amount of pesticide treatments. Rather than routinely applying unnecessary chemicals, IPM takes into account the individual situation, and focuses on preventative solutions to pest problems. Karl Rowell, Batzner’s QA & Safety Manager, describes IPM as, “A holistic approach to pest control. It involves a number of control measures in combination with working with our clients in a partnership to provide a pest free environment. Both Batzner and the client play an equal as well as vital role in the ongoing prevention program.”

Service specialists trained in IPM employ a three-part approach consisting of inspection, identification, and treatment. The treatment determined by the first two steps typically focuses on treating the causes of pest problems, such as excluding entry points and eliminating food and water sources, and pesticides are only used when necessary.

How Batzner Utilizes IPM

Dan Stawicki, a Operations Manager here at Batzner, summarizes our use of IPM by saying that, “Batzner looks for mechanical and cultural changes to better improve chances of a pest free environment with limited use of chemical applications.” Our use of IPM is most apparent in our pestfree365 program, where we establish an ongoing partnership with the client founded on IPM principles. The BAN™ System includes service visits during peak times of pest activity and focuses on preventing pest issues from occurring through exclusion methods and educating the client on ways to reduce the attractiveness of their home or business to pests.

Your Role in IPM

For IPM to be successful, you need to have an active role in your pest control program and view it as a partnership with your pest control company. Monitor and communicate what goes on in between your service specialist’s visits, and keep up on the daily cultural practices that make your home or business less appealing to pests. The National Pest Management Association provides a few examples of these practices and things to keep an eye out for below:

  • Dispose of garbage regularly and store in sealed containers.
  • Keep basements and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.
  • Look for rodent droppings and gnawing marks, which indicate a pest problem; determine where the rodents are gaining entry and eliminate entry.
  • Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the condominiums, including entry points for utilities and pipes.
  • Keep tree branches and shrubbery well trimmed.
  • Repair decaying exterior wood on condominiums as some insects are drawn to deteriorating wood.
  • Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around basement foundation and windows.
  • Don’t overlook proper drainage at the foundation; install a drainage system, which will channel water away from the home.
  • Make sure that there is no standing water on flat roofs

More tips related to Integrated Pest Management that help prevent pests in your home or business can be found on our blog and on the National Pest Management Association’s website.

Integrated Pest Management is proven to be the most effective and responsible approach to pest control. Call 866-591-3519 or contact us online today for more information or to join an Integrated Pest Management partnership with Batzner Pest Control!

Don’t Let Pests Crash your 4th of July Party

Independence Day is a time for food and fun with family and friends. There are also some uninvited guests that will undoubtedly try crashing your party.

Common cookout-invading pests include mosquitoes, stinging insects such as wasps and hornets, pesky ants like carpenter ants and pavement ants. The combination of holiday cookouts and high pest activity can make for a less than enjoyable experience if you’re not properly prepared.

Before and during your 4th of July festivities, take the following measures for an enjoyable and pest-free celebration:

  • Check your screen doors and patch any holes to keep pests out of your home.
  • Eliminate any source of standing water around the outside of your home to reduce the threat of mosquitoes.
  • Stinging insects love sweet treats and drinks. Keep food and beverages covered.
  • Consider using clear plastic cups for beverages. Cans and bottles make for great hiding spots for stinging insects.
  • Trash cans should be covered and kept away from the party area.
  • If possible, it’s best to serve food indoors and keep the outdoor space for eating.
  • Clean up any food or drink spills immediately.

Keep the bugs away and have a safe and happy 4th of July!

A Guide to Carpenter Ants

In the busy summer pest season, there is one pest that stands above the rest. Carpenter ants are a nuisance pest that many home and business owners have come to know all too well. They are relatively large when compared to other ants, ranging in size from 0.3 to 1 in., and are dark in color. The most common species found in and around homes in the United States is the black carpenter ant. Carpenter ants are vital to the balance of nature because they nest in dead wood and aid in the process of decaying. Although the carpenter ants play this important role in the natural cycle, they can become pests to home and business owners when they make their home in the wood structures of buildings.

What are carpenter ants?

Carpenter ants, one of the largest ant species found in the United States, reside both outdoors and indoors. They need a constant water source to survive and their habitat consists of moist areas or decaying wood. The carpenter ants can create elaborate passageways in the wood for nesting and movement throughout the colony, connecting them to different food sources. Although carpenter ants make their homes in decaying wood, they do not feed on the wood. Rather, their diet consists of dead insects, sweets, meats, and fats. Carpenter ants forage for food around their nest, carry it back to the nest, and share the meal with the rest of the colony members.

Although most carpenter ants do not have the ability to fly, there are winged male and female members of the species. In particularly warm and humid weather, these winged ants leave their nests to mate in a process called “nuptial flight.” After mating, the female seeks out a suitable place to create her nest and grow her colony. If winged ants have been located, it is possible that a new colony will be forming soon.

Signs of a Carpenter Ant Infestation

There are several signs that homeowners can look for that may signal a possible carpenter ant infestation. Areas around and under windows, roof eaves, decks, and porches are common areas of infestations. The most common method to identify an infestation is the sighting of carpenter worker or winged ants in the home. Although worker ants (ants without wings) can be seen in a home without an infestation, the identification of winged ants often indicates a mature colony that is ready to reproduce and form new colonies. Additional signs of an infestation can include the location of sawdust-like wood debris (frass) from tunnels created by ants. A rustling sound can also be heard as the ants build tunnels throughout the wood in a home.

Pest Control Tips for Carpenter Ants

There are several steps that can be taken to avoid carpenter ant infestations. Be sure to trim all trees and bushes so that they are not touching the house. Additionally make sure to correct all plumbing and flooding issues as soon as possible. These issues create moist wood that can attract ant colonies. It is also a wise idea to store and wire wood off the ground and away from the home.

If you believe that you have an infestation, contact your local pest control expert to safely and effectively eliminate the problem.