The Rapid Reproduction Rate of Mice

infographic showing how quickly mice in wisconsin tend to reproduce

If you’ve ever found one mouse in your house, you can “bet your bottom dollar” that there are more. If you’ve ever dealt with (or are currently dealing with) mice in your house, you might know this saying to be all too true. It seems no matter how hard you try, there are always more mice than you can keep up with. How is this possible? Are they magical little creatures?

How Fast Do Mice Reproduce?

The truth is they have amazing reproductive capabilities. You know the saying “multiply like rabbits?” Well, I think it should be rewritten to “multiply like mice”. These little guys reach sexual maturity at 4-6 weeks of age. With a short gestation period of just about three weeks, one mouse can give birth to 5-6 babies. A typical female mouse can birth between five and 10 litters per year. She can mate immediately after giving birth, meaning mice can birth a second litter in as little as 25 days after the first. This quick maturation process gives mice immense breeding capabilities. Living indoors enhances these capabilities, since they can then breed all year long. Outdoors, breeding only occurs during spring, summer and fall. The winter months are too harsh for successful breeding. This cycle continues until the mouse dies. By that time, her offspring’s offspring have likely also birthed a few litters, which are starting to breed. Look at the multiplication rate above and you’ll quickly realize you might be hosting quite a few more guests than you bargained for by the end of the year.

How Long Do Mice Live?

If you think you can avoid dealing with that mouse in your home by simply waiting for it to die, think again. The life cycle of a mouse makes it easy to see why these rodents are such common pests. While the average mouse lifespan is only about 12 months outdoors, indoors, this number can climb to 2 to 3 years. This is because indoors, mice aren’t exposed to harsh environments or natural predators. Predators like owls, hawks, cats along with harsh winter and summer conditions can help maintain a rodent population in check. Indoors, however, that is a different story. That leaves them with nothing to do but eat through your valuables, spread disease and breed future generations. At that point, you no longer have a mouse problem – you have a mouse infestation.

Knowing how effectively these pests reproduce should make you realize that it can be devastating to ignore one little house mouse, because that mouse could multiply and in no time at all, you could have a infestation on your hands.

How Do You Stop Mice From Multiplying?

So, now the real question is HOW CAN I STOP THE MAYHEM? Once mice are in, the most efficient way to get rid of them is to hire a pest control company. Exclusion and bait stations are the main two ways Batzner reduces and manages mice populations. Training and Development Manager, Steve Counsell, explains that “the idea is always to figure out the method of entry. It’s is much easier to control a known finite population than an unknown infinite population.” Using our experience to solve mouse problems is what we do every day. Call us at 866-591-3519 or contact us online to get a free estimate and move the mice out of your house for good.

Three Stinging Insects to Avoid in Wisconsin

closeup of bald faced hornet, a stinging insect to avoid in wisconsin

They’re among the most feared pests out there. And they’re back. Fall is peak stinging insect season, and wasps, hornets and yellow jackets are once again a bothersome reality for people heading outdoors to enjoy the remainder of summer.

While many simply classify any stinging insect as a “bee,” there are important differences in behavior that set stinging insects apart. The National Pest Management Association and Batzner Pest Control offer helpful tips in identifying and preventing common stinging insects.

Bald-Faced Hornets

Bald-faced hornets get their common name because they are largely black in color, with a mostly white face. These social insects live in colonies that can contain between 100 and 400 members at their peak. They build nests that are at least three feet off the ground and in exposed locations such as trees, utility poles, overhangs, houses, sheds or other structures. Unlike many other stinging insects, bald-faced hornets do not reuse their nests season after season.

Sting Prevention: Bald-faced hornets are aggressive and will attack if their space is invaded. During the summer months, walk around the exterior of your home to inspect for nests on a routine basis, paying special attention to overhangs, eaves, the underside of porches and decks.

Yellow Jackets

These social insects tend to build nests in trees and buildings, as well as in the ground. They are slow to sting unless their nest is threatened, in which case they will become highly aggressive. Unlike bees, yellow jackets can sting several times and inflict severe pain.

Sting Prevention: Yellow Jackets are especially attracted to sweets and proteins, so it is important to cover food and drinks during outdoor events and promptly clean up and dispose of food and garbage in a sealed trash container.

Paper Wasps

Paper wasps get their common name from the paper-like material they use to build their nests. Their nests are typically made in the shape of an umbrella. These pests build nests on twigs and in tree branches and shrubs, as well as porch ceilings, eaves and similar covered places. Wasps are capable of stinging more than once and may use alarm pheromones to call for back-up in defending their nest.

Sting Prevention: Check for paper wasp nests before performing yard work such as shrub or hedge trimming. Treat wood fences and deck railings with a repellant oil to deter paper wasps from gathering cellulose for nest creation.

Attempting to self-treat a stinging insect nest is a dangerous task. When dealing with a stinging insect nest, it’s always best to leave the job to a professional.

Learn more about common stinging insects below.

 

Top 10 Signs of Mice Infestations in Homes

closeup of mouse in wisconsin yard

Along with pumpkin spice and chilly temperatures, fall is high season for mice to seek shelter in your home or business. They might seem somewhat harmless or an issue that you can take care of yourself with traps or other products, however, a mice infestation is a serious problem that should not to be taken lightly. Mice carry a wide variety of diseases and their continuous gnawing can cause damage to your electrical wiring, possibly sparking a fire. Additionally, if mice are not effectively driven out of your home or business, they can multiply very quickly.

While there are many DIY solutions available for mice infestations, the wrong product can be a waste of money, or even worse, it could drive them further into the walls where they will wait to re-enter your house weeks or months later.

So, how do you know if you have a mice infestation in your house? Here are the top ten signs of mice infestation:

  1. Look for nests of fine, shredded materials which are frequently found in garages, closets, attics and basements.
  2. Notice any gnawing on doors, ledges, baseboards or various materials you may have stored in your garage or basement.
  3. Seeing a mouse in person is obviously a very good indication of a mouse infestation. Night is the most active time for mice.
  4. Note if you hear sounds such as gnawing, climbing in the walls, running across the upper surface of ceilings and even little squeaks are common.
  5. When house mice are present, you might notice an ammonia-like odor, which is much more noticeable in smaller areas such as cupboards.
  6. You might notice droppings along hallways, in feeding areas and near shelters. They are about the size of a grain of rice, and are dark brown to black in color.
  7. Both wet and dry urine may also be present, and will glow under ultraviolet light, but keep in mind, many other materials do as well.
  8. Tiny mouse tracks can be noticeable on dusty or muddy surfaces.
  9. Look for dirty smudges along the baseboards. Mice don’t have very good eyesight, therefore, they stick to the same routes and guide themselves along the baseboards.
  10. Burrow holes are typically one inch in diameter, but mice can easily fit through holes as small as a dime. Look for these in baseboards, corners, walls, entryways and foundations.

If you suspect a problem with mice, it’s best to contact an experienced pest control provider right away. Batzner can determine the full scope of the problem and plan the best course of action to rid your home or business of these pesky, and oftentimes dangerous, intruders.

Put Wisconsin Spiders in Their Place Before Winter

Have you seen more spiders inside your home? Or spider webs in the basement? With the weather continuing to drop as winter comes around the corner, now is a great time to put spiders in their place. While many insects and rodents hibernate for the winter, spiders can withstand really cold Wisconsin winters. In fact, these cold-blooded creatures can survive in the temperatures around them. While you and I may avoid the great outdoors when the weather dips into the single digits, spiders live in below-freezing temperatures. Whether you reside in Milwaukee, Green Bay, Madison, Fond du Lac or Appleton, Batzner’s team of experts would like to share information on spiders and how to prevent them from residing in your home.

So where do spiders hide?

  • Outside your home under rocks, leaves or snow
  • Inside your home in cracks and crevices, wall voids and other undisturbed areas (basements, attics and crawl spaces)

What brings spiders inside your home?

  • Pests are drawn to moisture giving them something to drink
  • Spiders are attracted to flies, wasps and other overwintering pests as they provide a food source
  • Open trash provides a food source for other insects which draws spiders for a meal
  • Bushes and shrubs around your home provide a way for spiders to make their way inside your home
  • Items in storage spaces provide a hiding place for spiders to create their webs

How can you get rid of spiders?

  • Seal up your home by using caulk to prevent spiders from finding their way indoors
  • Cover vents, chimney tops and window screens
  • Remove vegetation around the perimeter of your home
  • Clean your home on a regular basis to avoid food crumbs and dust build up
  • Replace outdoor lights with yellow sodium vapor lights
  • Use plastic storage containers in place of cardboard boxes

While spiders make their way inside homes throughout the year, they are known to be extremely active in the fall with the temperatures getting cooler and prime time for mating season. The majority of household spiders in Wisconsin homes do not pose a threat and are more of a nuisance pest by leaving behind unsightly webs.

Prevent the spider invasion in your home by reducing attractants. Also, partnering with a local Wisconsin pest control company will guide you in preventative measures and a specialized treatment program to put pests in their place.

What is the Batzner Guarantee?

You’ve heard us mention our Batzner Guarantee – but what exactly does that mean?

When you call a pest management service, you are generally either looking to prevent future pests, or to control an existing infestation. You have an expectation of not only your pest problem being managed, but of fast and friendly service as well.

To Batzner, those are basic requests of a pest control service and we don’t take them lightly. Our reputation is based on our expertly-trained and certified field professionals and our skilled office team that you’ve entrusted with your home or business.

We pride ourselves on our legendary customer service, provided to each and every client. That means not only our friendly and helpful staff, but also rapid response times and convenient scheduling.

When you choose Batzner, our promise to you is that we are not satisfied unless you are. We will continue to come back until your pest control issue has been resolved. We guarantee that you will receive the service that you’ve requested, as well as a high level of customer service that you can expect each and every time you work with Batzner.

Call Batzner today to assess your pest control needs, and receive a free estimate at 262-797-4160.

Get the Details: Batzner’s Pestfree365 Program

Batzner pest control technician arrives on the scene for exterminator services in wisconsin

As a pestfree365 program client, you’ll be protected all year round with quarterly services scheduled throughout the year. Our professionals will target pests specific to Wisconsin, and pests that pose the largest threat during those seasons.

Our pestfree365 is the best value program, providing ongoing protection with targeted seasonal visits to ensure your home is continually pest-free.

Step 1: Listen

We listen carefully to your initial description of the issue via phone or email so your Service Specialist is prepared with as much information as possible when they arrive for your initial service. Preparation includes knowing the unique biology, behavior and characteristics of current or possible pest invaders.

Step 2: Inspect

Your Service Specialist inspects your property thoroughly to understand its unique dynamics and reveal possible sources and causes of pest activity.

Step 3: Identify

The premises are closely inspected for pest activity. Based on findings, your Service Specialist will select the best approach to resolve the situation and prevent future problems.

Step 4: Implement

Your customized treatment plan, designed specifically for your home/business and needs, will be implemented.

Step 5: Follow Up

Your Service Specialist will follow-up with you after the service to explain treatment, expectations, and future services for ongoing protection and prevention.

The pestfree365 program is based on scheduled visits to your home three times a year to ensure prevention from the upcoming season’s pests. Depending on weather, either interior or exterior inspections will take place.

  • Interior inspections occur during the cold temperatures, because pests move inside as the weather cools.
  • Exterior inspections happen during warm weather to prevent pests from coming in.
  • If an issue occurs between your visits, schedule an additional visit free of charge.

After each service, a detailed report will be provided with any findings, and a review of the best approach to resolve your unique situation will be determined. As a Batzner client, all call back appointments are included at no additional charge in the event that your home is in need of service.

Our customers can depend on customer satisfaction backed by reliable knowledge and expertise. That’s the Batzner Guarantee – and why we are the most trusted pest control company in Wisconsin since 1946. Contact Batzner Pest Control today to experience the legendary customer service and reliable expertise that has made us the name to know for pest control.

9 Tips to Pest-Proof Your Home During Winter

Winter is in full swing. And while this may mean things are slowing down in the lives of bees and ants, there are many pests whose winters are still busy. The last thing you want are extra guests in your house over the winter. Here are a few helpful tips from the National Pest Management Association for how you can pest-proof your home this winter:

  1. Screen attic vents and openings to chimneys
  2. Eliminate moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains
  3. Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the home using caulk and steel wool. Pay close attention where utility pipes enter the structure
  4. Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles
  5. Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows
  6. Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house; keep shrubbery well-trimmed
  7. Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens
  8. Inspect items such as boxes of decorations and grocery bags before bringing them indoors
  9. Properly take care of holiday decorations before they are set up and before they are stored or discarded

Remember, it’s always best to contact a professional if you suspect an infestation of any kind. Batzner has been protecting Wisconsin homes for over 70 years. Our experienced service specialists are the best in the business at handling any type of pest, and would love to help keep your home pest-free this winter season—and beyond!

New and Improved – Mosquito Reduction Program

graphic of mosquitoes in wisconsin
Learn more about Batzner’s Mosquito Program.

I think most people would agree that the worst part of summer in southeastern Wisconsin is the mosquitoes. No one likes being driven out of their own back yard on a beautiful summer night because the bugs are too bad; unfortunately, though, that may be happening quite often this summer. We received above average amounts of rain last spring and heavy precipitation already this year, and the National Weather Service is predicting a hotter than usual summer- basically the perfect conditions for large populations of mosquitoes.

Batzner can help you combat the swarms and protect you from the annoyance and diseases brought by mosquitoes with our Mosquito Program. Our new approach is more effective due to a change in our application method. We utilize a mister rather than a spray, which allows the product to coat the undersides of trees, bushes, and other shady areas, all of which are key breeding and hangout spots for mosquitoes. By targeting these areas, we can drastically reduce the number of mosquitoes around your yard.

The program includes two scheduled treatments over the course of the summer and additional callbacks if necessary. Each application has a residual effect for 60 to 90 days, and is applied to targeted areas rather than the entire lawn to provide less chemical exposure to you and your family. We also do a more intensive specialty treatment for weddings and other outdoor events.

We are very excited to show you what a relief our new Mosquito Reduction Program can provide, contact us today to make sure that your outdoor property is safe and enjoyable this summer!

Batzner Investigates Powderpost Beetles in Kitchen Table

Imagine buying your first home and filling it up with your dream furniture, only to discover that the furniture you’ve just purchased came with some hitchhikers. That’s what happened to one of our new clients.

The engaged couple had just bought their first home together and decided to splurge on their “dream kitchen table”. It was in their kitchen for a few days when she noticed a very fine, powdery sawdust accumulating on the seats of the chairs that were pushed under the table.

After purchasing the home, she noticed there had been some of Batzner’s bait stations in the basement left behind by the previous owner, so she decided to give Batzner a call. She described her situation and the evidence she was seeing to one of our Residential Service Consultants (RSC), who concluded her table was possibly the home to some powderpost beetles. The RSC recommended she wrap the table in plastic and place it in the garage until it could be shipped back to the company.

Since powderpost beetles are covered under Batzner’s pestfree365 program, the homeowner decided to sign up for our protection program. When Jack Yoo, Lead Service Specialist, showed up for her initial appointment, the kitchen table was still in her garage. He was able to analyze the table and spotted some live beetles crawling beneath the plastic wrap. This and the evidence of the fine powder left behind on her kitchen chairs (she saved it for Jack to see) was enough to confirm the presence of powderpost beetles. The owner also informed Jack that the table originated from India and was then shipped to her from a warehouse in Chicago. The powderpost beetles could have originated in India; however the customs process is pretty intense and items are usually keep in quarantine for a time to watch for pest activity, so the pests could have been picked up while in storage in Chicago as well.

When bringing new items into your home, it is always advised to visually inspect the package as you open it. By doing this, you can protect yourself and your family from allowing a possible pest infestation to occur.

Batzner Identifies the Backyard Culprit Digging Holes in a Client’s Yard

divots in the grass are likely holes dug by skunk

In a recent visit to a client’s home, the owner pointed out mysterious holes that kept appearing in her lawn. The owner mentioned two trees had just been removed from the areas where the holes were being dug in preparation for landscaping. As Lead Service Specialist, Jack Yoo, investigated, he looked in both areas the holes were appearing and evaluated the size of the holes. It was important for him to note that the holes were not part of a tunnel system. He concluded that a skunk was likely the culprit in this case. As he explains in the video, the skunk was digging for webworms, which eat the roots of grass. Skunks can smell them and start digging in various places trying to locate their next meal. In this case, the offender was looking for something to eat, not somewhere to live (in which case, there would have been more tunneling).