Preparing for Stinging Insect Season

a close-up of a bee stinging a person's wrist

Summer in Wisconsin is the best time to enjoy the sun, fresh air, and time with friends and family! Nothing can ruin your outdoor gathering quicker than a sting from a bee, wasp, or hornet. They will not only leave you with a painful sting but can also send those who are allergic to the hospital. Don’t let these stinging insects keep you from enjoying your yard this summer. Follow these few simple steps to keep your yard stinging insect free!

Identifying Common Stinging Insects

Wasps

The most common types of wasps you may find in your yard are yellowjackets, mud daubers and paper wasps. These types of wasps usually build their nests in protected areas such as under the eaves of homes. Mud daubers’ nests are unique clusters of 1-inch mud tubes whereas yellow jackets and paper wasps build nests out of a papery substance made from wood fiber.

Hornets

One type of hornet you may encounter is the bald-faced hornet. They are easily identified by their black and white bodies and are extremely aggressive, stinging anyone who comes near their nests. Another common hornet found in Wisconsin is the European hornet. They are large brown and orange-colored hornets, their nests are commonly found in hollow or protected areas. 

Bees

Bees are known for their fuzzy bodies. The two most common types of bees are bumblebees and honey bees. Bees are extremely beneficial to our environment and play a crucial role in pollinating many flowers, fruits, and vegetables. If you find a beehive on your property, it is normally recommended you call a beekeeper or pest control company to relocate the hive instead of destroying it. 

Rid Your Yard of Stinging Insects

After finding stinging insects around your home, many people’s first thought is “How do I get rid of them?” Here are a few easy ways to rid your yard of stinging insects.

  1. Remove abandoned nests in the winter: During the colder months, many stinging insects will leave their nests. This is the perfect time to remove nests to keep them from returning. If you find an active nest, removing them before they become more of a problem is best. For an active or abandoned nest, it is best to leave removal to professionals. Most stinging insects can sting multiple times and possibly send you to the emergency room.
  2. Hang traps: There are several types of stinging insect traps available at most big box stores. Some traps contain a sweet liquid to lure and trap the stinging insects while others emit a specialized frequency. Traps are not effective in eliminating nests, but they will keep the insects away from your patio – on the condition that you hang them away from areas of heavy foot traffic. Place them too close and you’re effectively bringing the wasps directly to you!
  3. Cover garbage cans: Wasps and hornets are known to fly around garbage cans looking for discarded meat or sweet, sugary substances. Make sure all garbage cans have lids that are securely closed to keep these scavengers away from your garbage cans and yard. 

Calling the Professionals

The easiest and safest way to rid your yard of stinging insects is to enlist professional help. Trying to remove a nest by yourself can be dangerous and leave you with painful stings. Professional exterminators not only have the expertise to remove stinging insects but will also have the equipment to ensure it is done safely. At Batzner Pest Control, our skilled technicians will be able to quickly and effectively rid your yard of any stinging insects, keeping you and your family safe. Contact us today for a free quote!

 

Mosquito Prevention: The Do’s and the Don’ts

Zoomed in picture of a mosquito sitting on a container of water.

Much like a sunburn, mosquito bites are one of tell-tale indications of the spring and summer. Also like at a sunburn, there are some steps you can take to prevent mosquitoes before they cause a full-blown infestation. 

In Wisconsin along the shores of Lake Michigan, mosquitoes have a natural breeding ground right in your backyard. Though these pests may just seem like a mild annoyance, they can also pose significant health risks. Taking steps to prevent mosquitoes will help to protect you and your family while making outdoor time even more enjoyable. 

Dangers of the Mosquito

Most of us are familiar with the itchy red bumps caused by mosquito bites. But, did you know that these tiny insects are one of the most dangerous on the planet? Mosquito bites can have many serious health consequences, including:

  • Disease Transmission: Mosquitoes are known to transmit several diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, Zika Virus, and West Nile Virus. These diseases can be mild to severe, and in some cases, life-threatening. 
  • Allergic Reactions: Some people develop allergic reactions to mosquito bites which can cause an already annoying bite to carry more dangers. Symptoms can include swelling, redness, and itching. If the allergy is severe enough, anaphylaxis can even occur.
  • Secondary Infection: When you have an itchy bite, the natural reaction is to scratch it. When you scratch a mosquito bite you can break the skin, which increases the risk of developing a secondary bacterial infection.

Mosquito Prevention: The Don’ts

There are countless home remedies that claim to solve all of your mosquito problems, but not all of them are effective. To avoid wasting your time and money on methods that don’t work, steer clear of these unsuccessful techniques:

  1. Bug Zappers: While these ultraviolet lights attract many insects, mosquitoes are not one of them. Mosquitoes are drawn to the carbon dioxide we exhale and body heat, things a bug zapper does not produce.
  2. Citronella Candles: While these candles are helpful to an extent, they are not effective at covering large areas. They lose their potency quickly and need to be replaced frequently.
  3. Essential Oils: While essential oils such as lemon eucalyptus oil have been found to have some repellent properties, they don’t last long enough to be effective. Moreover, concentration of active ingredients vary wildly between different manufacturers. 

Mosquito Prevention: The Do’s

So what can you do to prevent mosquitoes if even the citronella candles don’t work well? Fortunately, you have several good options to choose from Take these steps to stay ahead of the problem and prevent a mosquito infestation:

  1. Remove Standing Water: Since mosquitoes reproduce in the water, one of the best prevention steps is to remove the breeding ground. Drain all standing water from buckets, flower pots, or other containers that may collect rainwater. Also make sure to fix any leaky outdoor faucets, overflowing gutters, or broken pipes.
  2. Use Mosquito Netting: By placing mosquito netting around your doors or outdoor seating area, you’re able to take advantage of the wonderful weather conditions spring and summer bring without worrying about mosquitoes coming in. If you are camping or sleeping in an outdoor area, mosquito netting around your bed helps prevent bites. 
  3. Mosquito Traps: Mosquito traps are very effective at killing a large number of these pests. The traps use a combination of attractants, such as carbon dioxide or heat, and keep the insects inside once they are attracted. 
  4. Keep Grass Short: Mosquitoes like tall grass and overgrown vegetation. Keep your lawn tidy and well-trimmed to discourage them from settling into your property.

Professional Help is Here

Though it’s possible to deter mosquitoes from infesting your yard, these pests are incredibly persistent and may still cause you trouble. If you find your home invaded with these buzzing pests, call Batzner Pest Control. With over 75 years of experience, our professionals know the best ways to exterminate mosquitoes and provide prevention tips to avoid further infestations. Call today for a free quote!