Finding a pest in your home or business can be stressful on its own; then add on trying to find a pest control company, and you can quickly become overwhelmed. Even though your initial response might be to call the first number you see, it is key to evaluate your options.
- Select a reputable and experienced company
- Choose a company that aligns with the quality and value you require
- Choose a company knowledgeable and capable of handling the issues you have
- Learn what “certified,” “environmentally responsible,” and “pest expert” mean to each company
Choosing a pest control provider is a major choice and should be carefully evaluated. Inform yourself of what is recommended by organizations like the NPMA and other leaders in the pest control industry, and you will find that Batzner Pest Control is the right choice.
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Questions to Consider
Why Is It Important?
State licensing is the minimum required to practice pest control in Wisconsin. Does the company go beyond the basics? You can verify licensing by contacting your state pesticide regulatory office.
What Batzner Does
All of our Service Specialists are, at a minimum, federally certified commercial pesticide applicators by the Wisconsin DATCP. Most of our Service Specialists have additional certifications and some are Associate Certified Entomologists.
Employees can achieve increasing levels of training by using outside training courses offered by top universities and auditing bodies in addition to attending multiple company training sessions a year.
Why Is It Important?
Longevity and experience are two keys to providing superior pest service.
What Batzner Does
Since 1946, Batzner has provided a high level of trust and commitment by solving pest control issues in Wisconsin.
Why Is It Important?
Products and application standards can often change within the industry. It is important to stay up-to-date with these changes to ensure the protection of the environment, families, and homes.
What Batzner Does
All of our Service Specialists attend monthly training sessions and receive on-going job and safety training from senior management. We also maintain a consistent set of guidelines for all procedures and perform internal audits to ensure that we are delivering what the client is promised. Seminars are also provided to our employees that cover a number of topics to keep them up-to-date on the latest industry trends and standards.
Why Is It Important?
Ask any entomologist about the best practice for controlling pests and the answer will never be to cover your entire yard with pesticides. These “spray and pray” techniques are used by companies who are looking for the simplest strategy, not the most effective. Additionally, they often claim that their products are less harsh on the environment, when in reality they are either using a less potent pesticide or a watered down version of a high quality pesticide. This approach is preferable for the company because it is cheaper and easier to instruct an employee to simply spray a whole yard than it is to train a Service Specialist how to do what’s best for you, your family, and the environment. Such techniques can actually increase the likeliness of pesticide resistant pest populations. Put simply, a company promising to reduce your pests by drastically increasing pesticide use is not offering a treatment solution, they are contributing to a treatment problem.
What Batzner Does
Batzner invests large amounts of time and resources to make sure our service team provides the most effective pest control treatment possible. Pesticides are used in combination with inspections, exclusion methods, baiting, and consultations with homeowners on cultural practices to make homes less prone to infestations in the first place. Instead of an over-reliance on pesticides, we view them as a last resort; however, when pesticides are necessary, we use the highest-quality products in targeted areas for guaranteed results.
Why Is It Important?
Each home or industry we serve has its own special set of needs and requirements – we understand that by ensuring we are licensed to meet requirements you have and designing a treatment program to meet the unique needs of your property. It also provides you with highly effective, environmentally-responsible protection you can count on.
What Batzner Does
Batzner has a number of additional certifications including QualityPro Schools, QualityPro Food Safety, and GreenPro as well as the Green Shield Certification.
Why Is It Important?
The GreenPro certification standards are developed, reviewed, and governed by an independent advisory committee comprised of environmental advocacy groups, state and federal government representatives, education experts, and pest professionals. The main focus of these standards is to minimize pesticide exposure to humans, non-target animals, and the environment. To achieve this, GreenPro certifications require the following:
- Focusing on integrated pest management strategies such as habitat modification, exclusion, removal of food and water sources, sanitation, and making repairs.
- Providing and documenting thorough pest inspection and monitoring services, as well as follow-ups to ensure effectiveness.
- Regularly communicating with clients about pest infestations, conducive conditions, and ways to prevent pests.
- Requiring GreenPro training for all company employees who sell or perform GreenPro service.
Furthermore, companies whose services include any of the following will not be certified as GreenPro:
- Preventive pesticide applications that are based solely on the calendar, without linkage to the biology of the pest and/or regional data on pest pressure and patterns of infestation.
- Routine, high-volume pesticide applications without justification.
- Indoor pesticide applications without justification.
- Rodenticides placed in a manner in which they are accessible to children and non-target animals.
What Batzner Does
Less than 1% of pest control companies in the United States are GreenPro certified like Batzner.
Most commonly, companies are unable to become GreenPro certified because of their reliance on regular high-volume pesticide applications. These applications include whole-yard coverage and excessive applications around low-benefit areas such as the perimeter of the yard. When asked the purpose of these high-volume treatment solutions, many companies will say that it provides more effective pest control. This, however, is as fraudulent as their claims to be environmentally friendly.
Why Is It Important?
Some companies in the pest control industry train their employees very infrequently and are unaware of what happens out in the field. Companies should be continually educating their employees to ensure they are up-to-date on the latest industry standards and working with them out in the field to guarantee best practices are being executed.
What Batzner Does
At any point in time, a Manager can do an audit of an employee’s service performance. This ensures the Service Specialists is always providing the best service whether or not someone is “watching them”.
Why Is It Important?
Learn what chemicals the company uses and how they are distributed in your home or business. In most cases, you want to go for limited amounts and limited distribution. IPM is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of a variety of products to fight resistant pests.
What Batzner Does
Batzner uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques by evaluating the issue to determine if less toxic methods can be used first. We monitor pest activity and adjust the method of treatment over time based on our findings. Each Commercial Service Specialist has at least 3-4 different products in their truck and Residential Service Specialist typically have 2-3 products in their truck to combat adaptability of pests.
Batzner’s mastery of an IPM system allows us to provide the best results while also having one of the smallest environmental footprints in the industry. Other companies may say the same, but it is easy to see the gap between Batzner and the competition when you know what to look for.
Why Is It Important?
Entomologists study the classification, life cycle, and habits of insects. They also study insect’s relationships to humans, other organisms, and the environment.
What Batzner Does
Batzner has on-staff Associate Certified Entomologists ready to solve your toughest pest problems.
Why Is It Important?
Sometimes pest control companies specialize in certain pests. You will want to make sure you select a company that has expertise with your specific pest problem.
What Batzner Does
We treat all pests commonly seen in Wisconsin. Our employees are highly trained and certified with extensive knowledge of pest identification and treatment options.
Why Is It Important?
Your first point of contact with a company should give you some peace of mind about your pest problems. Whoever you speak to should be educated to help prepare you for your service appointment and answer any immediate questions you have.
What Batzner Does
Our Residential Service Consultant team are WDATCP (Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection) 7.1 Structural Pest Control certified, so they are able to discuss pest issues and recommend treatment programs over the phone. Residential Sales Consultants also attend biweekly meetings where they are prepped with seasonal information on pests.
Why Is It Important?
Some people that may be sent to your home or business for pest control may not be employees of the company they are representing. This can cause disconnect with the service promised and the service provided.
What Batzner Does
All Service Specialists are employees of Batzner. Anyone you talk to on the phone or in person are all employees of Batzner.
Why Is It Important?
Many pest control companies offer guarantees, even if it is as simple as “Guaranteed Satisfaction.” Be sure to read and understand the fine print behind this statement, know what your responsibilities are, and how to invoke the guarantee if needed.
What Batzner Does
Our pestfree 365 program guarantees continuous protection and focuses prevention for your pest issues. Our Service Specialists will develop and implement a treatment plan specific to the findings at your home or business. They will monitor the situation on a regular basis and adjust the treatment based on progress made over time.
How to Choose a Pest Control Company in Wisconsin
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