Should Wisconsinites Worry About Kissing Bugs?

this side view image of a kissing bug shows their six legs, antennae, and oval shaped body

Every so often, news spreads of a devastating pest species expanding its territory across the United States. Often, these novel threats turn out to be much ado about nothing. But they’re still worth knowing about because pests can have a major impact on the environment – and that’s especially true of this newest example: the kissing bug. Although there haven’t been any reported sightings of kissing bugs in Wisconsin yet, it may just be a matter of time before that changes. So, just how dangerous are kissing bugs really? Are kissing bugs something that Wisconsinites should worry about?

What Are Kissing Bugs?

Kissing bugs are a species of insect that’s prevalent in the tropical regions of Central and South America. They’re known for biting people while they’re asleep and transmitting a dangerous parasitic infection called Chagas disease. And, yep, you guessed it: in recent years, they’ve been making their way northward. As of this writing, kissing bug sightings have been reported in 32 states.

Mature kissing bugs range in size from about ¾” to 1 ¾” long. They have an ovular abdomen and a cone-shaped head, which is why they’re sometimes called “cone-nosed bugs” rather than “kissing bugs.” They have six legs, two sets of wings, and coloring that’s reddish-brown to orange in color.

It’s not difficult to mistake other more harmless, more common pests for kissing bugs. Stink bugs, for example, have a similarly shaped abdomen but lack the kissing bug’s characteristic coloring. 

What Makes Kissing Bugs Dangerous?

Kissing bugs like to bite people while they sleep, especially on the face, near the mouth or eyes. That’s how they got the name “kissing bugs.” But it’s not the bite itself that’s dangerous. It’s what comes after the bite. Kissing bugs often transmit the T. cruzi parasite to people they bite, which goes on to cause Chagas disease.

Chagas disease occurs in two phases: acute and chronic. The acute form of Chagas disease has a lot in common with the flu. Fever, headaches, and malaise are common symptoms. Some individuals only experience very mild symptoms, and some have no symptoms at all. Very rarely, cases of severe acute Chagas disease can be life-threatening. Seek immediate medical attention for severe Chagas disease symptoms.

But also, you should seek medical attention for Chagas disease of any severity. Even if your symptoms are mild, or you have no symptoms at all, if you have reason to believe you have been exposed to Chagas disease, get treated. Doctors can prescribe antiparasitic medications that will prevent acute Chagas disease from developing into the chronic form.

Chronic Chagas disease can take 10 to 30 years from the time of biting to develop in an individual, but once it does, there aren’t any effective treatments. The disease attacks major organ systems like the heart, brain, and digestive system, gradually reducing the body’s function. It’s a terrible, debilitating disease that afflicts millions of people, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas.

No Need to Worry About Kissing Bugs Yet – Just Know What They Are

As of this writing, according to the Texas A&M Kissing Bug and Chagas Disease in the United States Community Science Project, kissing bugs have not been sighted yet in Wisconsin. However, they have been sighted in Illinois and Pennsylvania, which suggests they’re at least capable of reaching colder climates.If you do happen to see a kissing bug on your property, call the local pest control professionals at Batzner. We’ll send over an experienced insect expert who can inspect your whole property to confirm if it’s actually kissing bugs – and what the extent of the infestation might be. But it is unlikely you’ll find one because, fortunately, kissing bugs are still exceedingly rare in the United States.

University Struggles with Cockroaches

An unending supply of food and water, along with cozy dark areas to hide, breed, and overall, thrive. Welcome to roach heaven, in this case a university’s student dorm.

With 15 plus floors, kitchens located on every other floor and housing for more than 100 students, the university was struggling with a roach issue that had been ongoing for years, despite regular pest control service by another company. They turned to Batzner in desperation.

Batzner’s initial investigation turned up several issues. The roaches had spread to every floor in the high rise, requiring a multi-layered plan to address various harborage areas. The basis of the infestation appeared to be in the basement trash room, where trash was collected via trash chutes servicing every floor. The trash chutes themselves were also an integral part of the problem, as food stuck to the sides, fermenting and building up to provide a never ending feast as the roaches made their way from the bottom upward. This alone enabled each floor’s population to thrive.

Additionally, the previous company had been treating with only a broad-spectrum pesticide, applied without regard to the pest origin or sources of sustenance, making it impossible to do much more than eliminate a few individuals at a time.

“It was crucial to treat with not only an IGR (insect growth regulator) inside the opening to the trash chute on every floor, but also bait everywhere the roaches had been spotted, including access panels, kitchens, and the basement trash room, which was loaded with roaches and most likely the original source,” explained Batzner Operations Manager Dan Stawicki.

A thorough cleaning of each trash chute in its entirety was completed by a professional cleaning company, removing years of food buildup and eliminating a major roach food source. Stawicki noted, “It may be necessary to employ a professional company to clean areas like a multi-story trash chute because of the equipment required. It is not enough to just clean the opening and a few feet inside. However, the result is well worth the cost.”

It took several months to eliminate the roach population that had been thriving for years. Because every floor had them, and they could move from floor to floor via duct work, trash chutes, in bags and luggage, and even on people, Batzner was vigilant, with a Service Specialist initially treating every other week.

Stawicki is encouraging regarding pest issues in student housing. “Don’t assume that roaches are impossible to eliminate in areas such as trash rooms. Investing in the protocols your pest control professional prescribes, such as maintaining sanitation standards, is key to preventing a re-infestation.” In addition to continuing with the pest control program, the school continued with bi-yearly professional cleaning of the trash chutes, and consequently they have remained roach-free. “We find that clients that partner closely with us during the discovery period, implementation process and follow-up protocols see continued success with their pest control program.”

Turkestan Cockroaches Arrive Unexpectedly in International Shipment

Batzner’s expertise provided quick identification and effective pest control for a client struggling with an unusual infestation at a major brand’s manufacturing facility.

Pest control in manufacturing plants is usually not as eventful as in other industries like food plants and property management, but it occasionally presents unique situations. Many manufacturing facilities bring in parts from all over the country or all over the world and pests from those regions often tag along. In these situations, quickly and accurately identifying the pest is crucial to solving an issue before it grows into an even bigger problem. Fortunately for this client, Batzner excels at these out of the ordinary cases, and was able to swiftly recognize and deal with an exotic pest to protect the client’s brand.

The Issue

A manufacturer of machinery and electrical equipment began having complaints of cockroaches, which Batzner’s Service Team immediately recognized as an odd pest for their industry. Cockroaches are common when dealing with restaurants, food plants, and property management, but conditions in manufacturing facilities are usually not as attractive for them. The complaints began in the middle of summer, which made the situation even more unusual, as cockroaches usually look to enter buildings when the temperature starts to cool.

No matter where they are or when they are seen, cockroaches can become a huge problem very quickly. Roaches are notorious for their ability to reproduce rapidly, and a small population can snowball into a full-blown infestation in a very short amount of time. In one cockroach species, a single female and her descendants can produce up to 30,000 offspring in a year.

Identification

The first step in solving any pest issue is identifying the specific pest to be dealt with, as even closely related pests can have different behaviors and preferred habitats, which can affect the treatment plan. When dealing with cockroaches in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, this usually means identifying between two species, the German Cockroach and the American Cockroach.

In this situation, the roaches were being reported emerging from the plant’s trough drains. This led Service Specialists to initially expect to be dealing with American cockroaches, as the drains resembled the hot and humid sewer environment preferred by American cockroaches in northern urban areas, and German cockroaches are more likely to be found in the office areas. When a live roach was seen by a Service Specialist, however, he knew that it was neither of the two.

According to the Service Specialist, “I knew right away that this was a totally different species. It was too big to be a German cockroach and too small to be and American, and the coloring and markings were strange.” A few were brought in to the office and shown to Operations Manager Jason Ganas. “I had never encountered this species before, but after some research with other Service Managers we were fairly confident that it was a species called the Turkestan cockroach. We sent a sample to a contact at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture who confirmed that this was correct.”

Solution

With the pest identified, a treatment plan was able to be formed. Turkestan cockroaches necessitated a rapid response, as they are one of the fastest reproducing species of cockroach. Ganas explains, “Turkestan roaches mature very quickly, and they lay more eggs than most species of cockroach. This has allowed them to out-compete and replace other species in areas around the U.S., especially in the Southwest.”

Because of this, the areas around the trough drains and machinery were aggressively treated to significantly reduce the population. Increased sanitation and cooling the indoor temperature to encourage the roaches to leave the building was also implemented. When Batzner’s monitors suggested that these measures had been effective, the focus switched to improving exclusion to prevent the pests from re-entering.

Results

The infestation was cleaned-out quickly and completely, preventing what could have been a major issue for the manufacturing facility. The source of the infestation was found to be a shipment from China, which likely had originated from somewhere in central Asia in the Turkestan cockroach’s home range. However, it just as easily could have come from a shipment from the American Southwest, or anywhere else that the insect has spread.

Batzner retains a strong partnership with this client, and has educated them on the importance of inspecting incoming shipments and the proper ways to prevent future infestations.

Restaurant Suffers from Cockroach Infestation

Batzner’s expertise has helped many clients who had limited to no success with a previous pest control company. Here is one such occurrence, where thorough treatments and customer education is aiding in solving a difficult cockroach problem and instructing a restaurant owner on the practices necessary to prevent future infestations.

A pest infestation can be disastrous for restaurant owners. A health inspection revealing an infestation can cause your restaurant to close, and a customer seeing a single pest can result in lost business. Cockroaches, more than any other insect, are associated with an unclean environment. A fly buzzing around the bar or some ants on a back patio may be tolerated, but a cockroach sighting is almost guaranteed to send people running for the doors.

Unfortunately, cockroaches also happen to be one of the most resilient and difficult to treat insects in the world. For this reason, restaurant owners need the most dedicated and thorough pest control professionals working to protect their brand.

The Issue

The owner of a local restaurant was receiving multiple reports of cockroach sightings at his business. He had been using a national pest control provider who grew complacent and appeared either unaware or unconcerned that the roach issue was worsening. According to the owner, the response time was a major problem and the service was often provided during business hours, which can lead to a less effective treatment due to employee interference in addition to being unappealing for customers. The restaurant was originally receiving monthly service before the owner had to request switching to bi-monthly and finally weekly treatments in an attempt to resolve the growing infestation– nothing was recommended by the service provider.

After months of the problem worsening, a restaurant owner’s worst nightmare occurred. A cockroach walked across a table of fourteen on Christmas. The family got up and walked straight out of the restaurant. It was at this time that the owner decided to drop his service provider and give Batzner a chance to help him rebuild his brand.

Our Inspection

Upon the initial inspection, live roaches were discovered in the kitchen, on the service counter, and in the dish room, with evidence of cockroach activity present in other areas as well.

Keith Loewus, a Commercial Sales Consultant involved in the inspection, noted that, “The previous company didn’t use any type of monitors at all. Simple monitors like glue traps are helpful for identifying the type of insect you are dealing with as well as pinpointing the source of the infestation. We strategically placed monitors throughout the restaurant and the results allowed us to narrow down the source of the problem.”

Also during the inspection, serious problems were noticed that the previous provider had not pointed out to the owner. These included:

  • Missing baseboard/cracks in baseboard throughout kitchen allowing entry
  • Debris build-up (lots of food, paper, and cardboard provides food sources and harborage)
  • Standing water by dishwasher (water source)
  • Cracks in floor allow for food/grease/debris build-up
  • Damaged base wall tiles; allows for debris and mop water to accumulate under tile

All of these factors contributed to making the location an attractive residence for cockroaches, and educating the owner on the necessity of fixing them was the first step taken in stopping the infestation.

Our Service

To start, a team of four Service Specialists were sent in for an initial clean-out, including Dave Kusnierek, a District Manager and Associate Certified Entomologist with over thirty years of experience. They were able to assess the situation and reassure the owner that it was nothing they hadn’t seen and dealt with before. This took place after-hours when the restaurant was closed, which was important because it allowed our Service Specialists to fully inspect and treat all areas without having cooks or other employees in the way and prevented customers from witnessing the process.

Also involved in the treatment was Service Specialist Rob Van Willigen, who observed that, “The previous company was largely or even only using baits. This can be ineffective, especially if they aren’t mixing up the type of bait used. We, on the other hand, use the correct products appropriate for the situation. In this case, that is a mix of different products and Insect Growth Regulators, as well as a fog injection into wall voids to reach areas where the roaches hide.” Using a variety of products, in addition to being able to reach different areas, prevents populations from building a resistance to the bait or other treatment being applied.

During subsequent services, which always take place before the restaurant opens, monitor use and consulting with the owner on sanitation and exclusion have continued, in keeping with the Integrated Pest Management philosophy. The inspection and initial clean-out treatment had revealed the main source of the infestation to be the wall behind the grills, so services regularly include a dust product injected into holes drilled into the wall for this purpose in addition to normal treatment.

Results

Within a month of the initial service there was a drastic reduction in the cockroach population. While the situation is not yet perfect, it is definitely under control. Upkeep on sanitation and other aspects are necessary to completely eradicate the population, but the owner is already very happy with the progress that has been made.

Batzner’s dedication and attention to detail have impressed him the most. While his last provider was rarely there for a full hour, Batzner’s service calls routinely last approximately an hour and a half. Skie Gierach, Operations Manager, has experienced this as a common difference between us and national companies, “Many national providers pay their Service Specialists based on the treatments they perform in a day or as a percentage of the quoted price of a location, rather than an hourly wage. This incentivizes them to focus on doing their work as quickly as possible, rather than on the quality.”

With the extra time spent at locations like this one, Batzner Service Specialists are able to perform a more thorough treatment. This pays off against tough pests like cockroaches. As Rob explains, “The extra time and effort we spend on our treatments means we can get to every crack and crevice, even the very difficult to reach ones. This is important because those hard to reach places are where the roaches actually hide away. Getting to those places usually means being on your hands and knees, which other providers may not be willing or have the time to do. While it isn’t easy being that thorough, the results speak for themselves.”

Batzner looks forward to continuing to work with this client and solving any other pest problems that may arise. Both Batzner and the owner are confident that the thoroughness and dedication brought to treatments, as well as the education and partnership provided, will be enough to keep their brand protected.

Phorid Flies Cause Problems in Food Plant

Batzner’s superior knowledge and expertise has helped us provide effective pest control for many clients who had limited to no success with a previous pest control company. Here is one such occurrence, where our thorough inspections and interviewing led to the identification of the source of a phorid fly infestation in a food plant facility after their prior company failed to do so.

If you operate a food plant, you know the importance of pest control. Not all pest control companies provide the same level of protection, however, as one of our current clients discovered. While many companies can offer the basics like putting out bait stations and fly lights, they often fall short in trickier situations that require a more resourceful solution. Fortunately for this client, Batzner was able to step in and use our knowledge and experience to help them pass the high audit standards of the food plant industry.

The Issue

Brenda Borgman, Batzner’s Commercial Sales Manager, describes the problem that the client was experiencing: “The main issue facing this food plant was an abundance of small flies in a few of its production areas. Their old company provided the standard procedure of putting up fly lights and treating in the sump pump area, where the flies were breeding. However, when this proved to be ineffective and not the source of the infestation, they were at a loss for what to do next. This turned into a major problem for the client when a customer audit was nearly failed and they were put on a warning status.”

Step 1- Identification

Once the client realized that their provider at the time was unable to solve their problem, we were asked to examine the situation. Our team of Service Managers and Service Specialists arrived and performed an inspection of the entire production area in order to find the source of the infestation. David Kusnierek, District Manager, recalls that, “Almost immediately, we recognized that the previous company had misidentified the flies as black-eyed fruit flies. They were actually phorid flies, and while the two look very similar, their preferred environments and behavior are very different. Correctly identifying the pest we were dealing with was crucial to discovering where the problem was coming from.”

Step 2- Interview and Inspection

Our team then interviewed the facility maintenance staff to get a history of the building. They discovered that the plumbing ran underneath the floor of several areas that were heavily infested, and that a pipe had burst years ago. This information, combined with the phorid fly identification, made the contaminated soil around the pipe a prime suspect for the source of the infestation. To test their hypothesis, the team drilled strategically-placed holes through the floor slab and discovered that this was indeed where the flies were living and laying their eggs.

Step 3- Treatment

The last step was the treatment itself. Our team recognized that the extent of the infestation would necessitate multiple treatments, and that leaving the holes open would result in many more of the flies entering the production area. To solve this problem, PVC pipes were fitted into the openings in the floor slab with capped ends so that the insecticide could be injected into the infested area without leaving opportunities for flies to escape between applications.

Result

This creative solution not only solved the immediate infestation, but also proved to the client that Batzner is able to go far beyond simply setting and monitoring traps. They recognized the value of our expertise, as our service team had an organized plan of attack ready within a few hours after their inspection. Beyond the treatment, they were also impressed with our documentation processes. Our Client Portal, detailed service and trending reports, and Client Care Binder all vastly exceeded what their previous company had offered, and made the entire pest control process more structured and client-friendly. They have experienced an increased level of service through all aspects of a pest control provider.

Paul Matusiak, the Operations Manager in charge of the account, said that, “More than anything, this client was impressed with the level of partnership we strive to create. Initially, they weren’t used to the level of communication necessary for the best possible results. At first, they thought we were just there to apply products and leave, but they soon saw the benefits of our consultative and partnership approach; for example, we explained to them that some of their maintenance practices, like flooding the floors to clean them, were creating conditions that allowed pests to thrive. After listening to our recommendations, their pest issues have declined dramatically.”

Our partnership with this client continues over three years later. Our experience in all aspects of pest control has proven valuable in multiple ways since our initial visit, from small pest issues to handling the transition of part of their plant to organic processing. Most importantly, the client has not come close to a warning or failed audit since.

Rats Invade a Downtown Milwaukee Restaurant

The Issue

The building demolition and never-ending list of construction projects taking place downtown Milwaukee causes a disruption of habitat for rats living in the city. Because of this, a Batzner client started seeing a steady increase in rat activity, and a small rat population quickly turned into a massive infestation. In just one service visit, Batzner captured 15 rats. Knowing time would only allow this problem to get worse, Batzner got to work on an inspection right away.

The Inspection

Upon arriving at the client’s location, the initial inspection revealed heavy rat evidence along an exterior wall of the basement. The interior of this same wall was lined with a 40 foot walk-in cooler. There was a 4 inch gap between the wall and the cooler, creating an “alleyway” with plenty of room for rats to utilize and stay secluded and hidden from the human eye.

The Issue Discovered

While there was evidence that rats were using this area, it was difficult to do an in-depth inspection due to the size and length of the cooler. It was the perfect space for rats to run back and forth, but unfortunately, the same is not true for humans. However, with the help of a scope camera and a trail camera, Batzner was able to confirm the rats were using an opening in the floor about 10 feet into the “alleyway” created between the wall and the cooler. The views from both cameras confirmed heavy rat sebum and gnaw marks on the concrete.

The unsolved part of this case is knowing where the opening in the floor leads. It likely leads to a damaged sewer line or void underneath the alley next to the building. Brandon Myer, Batzner Lead Service Specialist assigned to the case explains, “Due to large amounts of snow at the time, the exterior inspection was limited. The most likely scenario is the rats are emerging from an underground entrance into the basement.”

Solution

Batzner continues to provide rat control as a part of our ongoing partnership with the client to maintain the rat populations. In order to completely solve this specific issue, the client will need to reach out to a contractor to find a way to access the area behind the cooler so that exclusion can be performed. In any downtown area, especially downtown Milwaukee, consistent rat control is a must.

Moth Fly Infestation at a Food Plant

The Issue

A food plant, serviced by Batzner, discovers a moth fly infestation in and around their plant. Never having experienced a moth fly infestation to this extent, the plant was forced to shut down for a week. As the moth fly population increased, so did their need for a solution. That’s when they called in Skie Gierach, one of Batzner’s Operations Managers, to perform a thorough inspection of the property and to locate the source.

The Inspection

Since moth flies are typically associated with sewage beds, where their larvae feed on sludge and organic matter, Skie first performed an inspection of the septic tank. Upon discovering the septic tank was not responsible for the massive swarms of flies, and knowing the facility used a lagoon down the road to hold water, Skie headed toward the water source. As he drove, Skie noticed the density of the moth flies increased as he closed in to the proximity of the lagoon and a nearby farm field.

The Surrounding Area

Holding more than 500 million gallons of water, the lagoon consisted of waste water from the plant. This water was recycled and used to irrigate the nearby farm field. Combined, the lagoon and farm field were approximately 600 acres.
The Issue Discovered
It was discovered, that due to a lack of aeration in the lagoon, organic matter began to buildup on the surface. The combination of stagnant water and warmth from the sun encouraged the organic growth, and in return, provided the ideal environment for the moth flies to flourish. However, the lagoon wasn’t the only site. The lagoon water used to irrigate the farm field, which was already saturated with water, provided even more organic buildup, creating a second location for the flies to reproduce.
Problems for the Food Plant

At night, the lights from the food plant attracted the flies to the building. The lights, in combination with strong winds, caused the flies to settle on the outside of the building, breeding in any organic water they could find, including puddles on the roof. Moth flies on the roof were sucked inside through the HVAC system.

Solution

In order to eliminate this infestation in the quickest way possible, two treatments of larvicide were applied to the lagoon to prevent hatching. A treatment, using a gas granular spreader, was evenly applied around the perimeter of the lagoon. The nearby farmers also contributed by treating their field, weekly. Eight insect light traps were added to the existing 20 that the plant already had. The weeds and organic buildup on the roof were treated and daily exterior treatments were applied around the doors to reduce the number of flies on the building and to prevent them from getting inside. The moth flies were eliminated in 30 days.

Black Widow Spider Surprise in Manufacturing Plant

Batzner’s superior knowledge and expertise has helped to provide effective pest control for many clients who encounter out of the ordinary pest situations. Here is one such occurrence, where the ability to identify a pest and quickly come up with a creative solution was crucial in preventing a potentially dangerous situation at an international brand’s manufacturing facility.

Many manufacturing facilities bring in parts from all over the country or world, and pests from those regions occasionally tag along. In these situations, quickly and accurately identifying the pest is crucial to solving an issue before it grows into an even bigger problem. Fortunately for this client, Batzner excels at these out of the ordinary cases, and Batzner was able to swiftly recognize and deal with a pest uncommon in this area to protect the client’s employees and brand.

The Issue

During a routine service visit, the Service Specialist came across a spider that is rarely seen in Wisconsin hiding in one of the large machine products. Jason Ganas, Operations Manager, remembers receiving the Service Specialist’s call from the location and being surprised. “He told me that he thought he was looking at a black widow spider. I’ve never had a black widow found in Wisconsin, so this seemed unlikely. They are mainly found in the south and don’t live here due to the temperate climate. I asked him to bring it in so we could be sure of what we were dealing with.”

Once he saw the spider himself, Ganas confirmed that it was indeed a black widow. Due to the combined circumstances of the pest’s rarity in the area and the fact that it was hidden away inside of a machine product, Ganas found it likely that the spider had been brought in during an outside shipment. All pest issues need to be handled quickly to avoid infestations growing exponentially, but this one was particularly urgent. Black widows like to stay hidden but will attack when their webs are disturbed, and the nature of the product (which is handled by people and has many ideal web-building areas) made bites probable. While very rarely fatal to people, black widow bites can still be extremely painful and cause a number of unpleasant symptoms.

Investigation

“We’ve seen these situations before where an uncommon pest hitchhikes to a manufacturing facility, so we know how to handle them,” says Ganas, “The first step is determining the severity of the problem, because it’s possible that this was a single pest that snuck into the shipment.”

Black widows are very shy and nocturnal pests, so finding more in a large manufacturing facility was no easy task. Within a week, however, two more adults and several egg sacs had been discovered in finished products, indicating that a bigger population was present and likely arrived in a similar way as the initial spider.

With this information, we moved on to the next step of identifying where the infested products had come from and which additional products were sent in from the same location. Ganas describes, “Through communicating and working closely with the client, we found that the products that the spiders and eggs were found in had just been returned from a distribution center in Arizona, where black widows are much more common. From talking to management at the distribution center, we also learned that the total of twenty finished products they shipped back had been stored outside on pallets for an extended period of time, further supporting that the infestation started there and was brought back.”

Solution

Because the identification and investigation of the infestation had been handled so quickly, it was unlikely that any of the black widows had spread from the 20 products in which the infestation initially occurred to the other approximately 180 products stored nearby. This allowed the treatment to focus on those 20 products.

Ganas explains, “Once we had gathered all the information, the treatment plan was very straight-forward. The products had intricate machine parts that offered tons of hiding spots for egg sacs and spiders, so we decided the best course of action was to put the 20 products in a trailer and fog the trailer. This allowed the product to reach all the hidden areas and ensure the pests were exterminated.”

Results

After the treatment, no additional black widow spiders were seen in any part of the client’s facility. The treated products were able to be moved back into normal storage within an hour after the application. The client was extremely impressed at how quickly and effectively such a unique situation had been dealt with, saying that everything was handled without interrupting or interfering with their normal business operations.

Most importantly, no employee or customer had to deal with a black widow bite, which would have been likely if the population had continued to grow or if the problem had not been dealt with so quickly.

Bird Deterrent Option for Sparrows and Barn Swallows at Businesses

In cases where birds are overtaking the outside of buildings by perching or nesting, bird deterrents may be the answer. There are several types of bird deterrents, including spikes, nets, and electrical tracks. When netting is not possible and spikes are ineffective, another option is Optical Gel™. Skie Gierach, Operations Manager, describes Optical Gel working “by creating an illusion to birds that the area is on fire, which prevents them from entering or landing on that area.” The product is a non-toxic, multi-sensory deterrent gel that emits a UV light appearing as a flame to approaching birds. Optical Gel may be used for the following reasons:
  1. Tricky applications where few other options are applicable including window A/C units, roll up doors, signs, balconies, and loading docks
  2. Less cost compared to other methods
  3. Quick, easy installation
  4. Works on all bird species
Below are two scenarios in which Optical Gel was used to deter birds from entering specific areas around businesses.
Effect on Sparrows
In the case of an office building where sparrows were flying up under the front entrance awning, leaving nesting materials and droppings around the entrance, windows, and doors, Gierach chose to use Optical Gel. “Because sparrows are so small and can land in-between spikes, it does not deter them, and netting was not in this customer’s budget,” he explained. “Optical Gel is an ideal solution for small bird deterrence.” In the video below, you can see the sparrows unsuccessfully trying to perch under the awning as they had done before.
Barn Swallows Overtake Loading Dock
The second case involved barn swallows at a food plant. They were nesting in the upper part of an entrance for a loading dock. “Each time a truck would back in, the birds would fly down and be unintentionally forced inside,” described Gierach. “Since there was nothing to net off in this situation, netting was not a possible solution.” The barn swallows, like sparrows, are too small to be affected by spikes, so Optical Gel was chosen for this case as well. It’s been two years since the Optical Gel was installed, and the barn swallows have not come back.
1. Optical Gel is placed above and around the entrance of the loading dock doors. 2. Optical Gel is placed in perching areas to prevent the birds from gathering above the loading dock.
  In both scenarios, Optical Gel successfully deterred birds from continuing to nest and perch in the areas. If you encounter issues with birds at your business, contact the experts at Batzner Pest Control.