Is the Pandemic Causing More Rodent Infestations?

Rodents infest Wisconsin homes during the pandemic - Batzner Pest Control

Here in Wisconsin, we are accustomed to rodent infestations in the fall. However, they are surging in number this year due to the pandemic. When restaurants and bars were put on restrictions, rodents were suddenly deprived of one of their top sources of food. This forced them to look elsewhere and to compete for the little resources available. Unfortunately, this has led to a direct increase in infestations. Rodents aren’t just a nuisance—they can be very dangerous if they infest your property. For this reason alone, it’s crucial to learn how to prevent them. This Rodent Awareness Week, the team at Batzner Pest Control is focusing on providing our customers with rodent infestation prevention tips.

Here’s How to Prevent Rodents in 2020

The best form of rodent control is prevention! Try out the following tips to make your property less attractive to rats and mice this season:

  • Store food properly. Securely store food in tight-fitting containers with lids.
  • Seal holes around pipes. Use caulk or wire wool to cover up gaps and openings near pipes and other openings.
  • Cover vents. Install mesh screens on your vents. Also, consider installing screens on doors and windows.
  • Use tight lids on trash cans. Rodents love to rummage in the garbage! If possible, keep your trash cans sealed and stored.
  • Protect eaves. Fix any damaged roofing and use wire mesh to seal gaps in your eaves.

Are Rodents Tied to COVID-19?

The shelter in place shutdowns caused an uptick in residential rodent sightings as rats and mice became bolder in their hunt for resources. This has since caused an uptick in infestations and rodent-spread issues. While their presence may be more prevalent than ever, you thankfully do not need to worry about rodents transmitting COVID-19 to you or your family.

That said, rodents still can spread other diseases including hantavirus, salmonellosis, and many more. They also can cause significant damage to your home. With rodents more aggressive in the current moment, they will not hesitate to make themselves at home in your home this winter.

Rodent Awareness Week 2020

With the pandemic, rodent problems have exacerbated. This makes it more important than ever to ensure your home and family are protected against rodents. The team at Batzner is ready to help. Our rodent exterminators will work with you to ensure your property is safe from rodents all year long.

Do Termites Hibernate in the Fall & Winter?

Termites can infest homes in the fall and winter in Wisconsin - Batzner Pest Control

Unlike other types of pests, termites remain active through the fall and winter. Rather than go dormant, termites continue to infest structures even in the colder months of the year. With our frigid winters in Wisconsin, these pests will simply tunnel deep into the soil for survival. Many assume termites are only active in the spring because that is when they will swarm, but the reality is these pests could be chewing their way through your home any time of the year. Because of this, it’s crucial to know how to look for signs of termites as well as how to protect your home from these pests. Keep reading for expert info from the team at Batzner!

Termite Life Cycle

Termites most often swarm in the spring or summer, but in rare cases, they can in the fall, too. Due to our Wisconsin climate, this is rare here. Nonetheless, a termite colony will remain active through the fall and winter inside whatever structure they’ve infested. The queen termite continues to reproduce and lay eggs all year long, which means a termite colony can grow at a constant rate.

This being said, termites need to stay warm in colder temperatures, which is why they will nest 25 to 30 feet down in the soil during the winter. This is why it’s unlikely to see termites this time of year. However, you can certainly still notice termite damage if you have a serious infestation on your hands.

What Does Termite Damage Look Like?

A termite problem can be ongoing for months before any damage begins to appear, which is one of the reasons why they’re so feared! The following damage manifesting in your property could indicate that you likely have a mature termite infestation on your hands:

  1. Mud tubes
  2. Discarded swarmer wings
  3. Termite frass (feces)
  4. Drywall discoloration
  5. Loose tiles or buckling floors
  6. Bubbling or uneven paint on walls
  7. Holes in drywall
  8. Crumbling wood
  9. Hollow-sounding wood
  10. Sagging sheetrock

Fall Termite Infestations

At all times of the year, it’s important to know how to look for signs of termites in your home. Just because they’re not swarming doesn’t mean you’re safe from an infestation. Contact us to learn more about how to keep your home protected from fall pest problems.

Boxelder Bugs & Stink Bugs in the Fall

Stink bugs are a common fall invader in Wisconsin - Batzner Pest Control

Here in Wisconsin, we are accustomed to seasonal pest problems. One of the most common ones we see in the fall months are boxelder bugs and stink bugs. These insects are primarily a nuisance, but they can be a problem when they make their way inside your home. During the short days we have during the fall months, these bugs will congregate on the sides of homes, particularly on the south- or west-facing walls. Both of these bugs emit a pungent odor when threatened—and you definitely don’t want your home smelling like them. Read on to learn all about the boxelder bug and stink bug, including tips to prevent them.

Fall pest prevention in Wisconsin - Batzner Pest Control

Fall Invaders in Wisconsin

Both boxelder bugs and stink bugs will take advantage of any available crack and crevice in your home’s exterior to gain access to the warmth of your home. Adult stink and boxelder bugs will search for cracks and holes in walls, in window trim and molding, and in your foundation. Both of these pests can multiply and feed at a rapid rate. Here’s how to identify these fall invaders:

  • Boxelder bug: These insects have dark brown bodies with unique red markings. They emerge out of hibernation in the springtime. True to their name, they live in boxelder trees as well as maple, ash, and fruit trees. Their feces can leave a stain.
  • Stink bug: Their backs look like shields, and they can blend easily within foliage. If threatened, these bugs release an odor. There are two main types we see in the states: the green stink bug and brown marmorated stink bug.

Tips to Prevent Stink Bugs & Boxelder Bugs

To avoid dealing with these odorous insects inside your home, it’s important to make your property less attractive to them. Some basic but tried-and-true prevention methods include:

  1. Cleaning out any debris around the foundation of the house.
  2. Trimming back trees and bushes to keep all vegetation away from the perimeter of the home.
  3. Cleaning and repairing the corners of fences, decorative rocks, old piles of wood, and patio furniture.
  4. Replacing torn screens on windows and doors.
  5. Checking the caulk around the molding of the windows and vents.
  6. Repairing any cracks in stucco and bricks.
  7. Sealing up cracks around roof soffits, windows, siding, and foundation.
  8. Considering using low-pressure sodium exterior lighting, as UV rays attract the insects.

Getting Rid of Stink Bugs & Boxelder Bugs

Already have an infestation in your home? If these fall invaders have made themselves at home in your Wisconsin property, the team at Batzner can help. Our residential exterminators will work to remove all current pests and prevent future ones from getting inside. Contact our team today!

Protect Your Home From Fall Rodents

Fall rodents can get inside through properties in Wisconsin - Batzner Pest Control

Rodents are one of the most dreaded pest problems. They are especially troublesome in the fall when the weather changes. Before wintertime, rodents come inside to escape cooling temperatures and to seek out shelter and food. Rodents are dangerous not only because they are destructive, but because they can spread germs and disease as well. At Batzner Pest Control, we know how important it is to keep your family safe from rodents. We also know you want to feel comfortable in your home and enjoy the fall season without worrying about rats or mice! Keep reading to learn how to protect your home from rodents this fall and all year long.

How do Rats and Mice Get Inside?

Rodents aren’t exactly subtle, and it can be easy to tell when you have a rat or mouse problem in your property. But where do rodents take shelter? Rats and mice will take shelter in the attic, basement, and garage. They also will infest kitchens, laundry rooms, and are highly likely to invade your trash cans if given the chance. Mice can scale walls, squeeze through tiny openings, jump, and build nests in just about any room you can imagine. A rat or mouse problem often begins when the rodents get in through your chimney, pipes, air vents, and more. This is why it’s so important to protect your property from rats and mice.

Tips to Prevent Rodents in Your Home

To avoid the frustration of rats and mice in your home, it’s important to learn how to keep them out in the first place. Our top tips for keeping rodents out are as follows:

  1. Cover vents. Install mesh screens on your vents. Also, consider installing screens on doors and windows.
  2. Use tight lids on trash cans. Rodents love to rummage in the garbage! If possible, keep your trash cans sealed and stored.
  3. Protect eaves. Fix any damaged roofing and use wire mesh to seal gaps in your eaves.
  4. Store food properly. Securely store food in tight-fitting containers with lids.
  5. Seal holes around pipes. Use caulk or wire wool to cover up gaps and openings near pipes and other openings.

Fall Rodents in Wisconsin

The last thing you want to deal with in the fall season is a rat or mouse problem in your property. Rodents can be a pain to deal with: not only do they spread germs and bacteria, but they also will chew wires in your home and make a mess while nesting. As soon as you suspect the signs of rodents inside, call the team at Batzner. Our rodent exterminators can help control current infestations and prevent future ones from happening.