The Dangers of Rodent Infestations

One of the many dangers of rodents is when rats chew through electrical wires. The rodent exterminators at Batzner Pest Control can protect you from rodents in New Berlin WI!

Everyone knows that a rodent infestation can be gross, but they can be dangerous, too! As a nuisance pest, rodents will rummage through your food and chew on wires, but they can pose a bigger threat. Rats and mice are infamous for causing a lot of damage, and their droppings are infamous for transmitting a number of dangerous diseases. It’s important to stay informed about the dangers of rodents. Keep reading for expert info from the rodent exterminators at Batzner Pest Control.

Disease from Rats & Mice Droppings

Around the world, there are a number of serious illnesses and health risks associated with the presence of rodents. These can be spread directly to humans through contact with droppings, saliva, and bites. Mice diseases can also be transmitted indirectly through ticks, fleas, and mites. The most dangerous illnesses tied back to mice include:

  1. Hantavirus
    1. Most often found in the urine and feces of deer mice, hantavirus can cause symptoms from fever and chills to aches in pains. In serious cases or when it is not treated, it can lead to shortness of breath and kidney failure.
  2. Salmonella
    1. When rats and mice walk over surfaces, they are tracking dirt and bacteria across other food surfaces. Salmonella, commonly referred to as food poisoning, can cause severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and worse.
  3. Rat-bite fever
    1. Also known as Streptobacillus, rat-bite fever is caused by a bite or scratch from an infected rat. It is also caught by handling infected animals and ingesting food or drink contaminated with the rat’s faeces or urine.

Types of Rodent Damage

In addition to rummaging through your pantry and eating food in your garbage, rats and mice can cause serious damage inside your homes. Rats have a set of incisors that continue to grow, encouraging them to chew on things constantly. Electrical wires are one of the main targets, which can be especially dangerous if chewed-through wires cause short circuiting and fires. Rats have also been known to cut through extremely tough materials like steel, concrete, and wood, which can cause severe structural damage to your home.

When to Use a Rodent Exterminator

If you’ve spotted a rat or mouse in your home, it’s time to call the rodent exterminators at Batzner Pest Control. Without the help of an exterminator, rodents can continue to wreak havoc in your home or business. Based on the many dangers of rodents, it’s extremely important to get rid of them as soon as possible. Reach out to our rats and mice exterminators today for more information on the dangers of rodent infestations as well as how to prevent them.

How to Set a Mousetrap Properly

Mousetrap in New Berlin WI home - Batzner Pest Control provides expert tips on how to set a mousetrap properly

Mice infestations can be downright frustrating. These rodents leave a mess everywhere they go with their gnawing and nesting habits—not to mention the foul odors and droppings! Seeing even one mouse is often a bad sign there are more nearby, especially with their rapid rate of reproduction. Mousetraps are a good way to effectively catch mice in your property, but not everyone knows how to set a mousetrap properly. Keep reading for expert tips from Batzner!

Which Type of Mousetrap is Best?

When it comes to picking the best mousetrap, it can be overwhelming. There are several types, including electronic, catch-and-release, and glue traps. All of these traps have their pros and cons. For the most part, the most common and popular type of mousetrap is the spring-loaded mousetrap.

This classic design has been used for centuries to catch mice, and is easier to set up than you may think! Spring-loaded mousetraps are placed in areas of suspected rodent activity with bait. As soon as the spring mechanism is triggered, the metal bar will snap and effectively catch the mouse.

Top Tips for Mousetraps That Work

There are several ways you can learn how to set a mousetrap properly:

  1. Use mousetrap bait effectively
    1. Contrary to modern belief, some mice like cheese, and some don’t.
    2. You only need to use a small amount of bait that cannot be reached unless mice step on the trap. If they can swipe it without standing on the trap, they will!
  2. Start with unloaded mousetraps
    1. Although it seems odd, it’s smart to start with baited, unloaded traps.
    2. Mice are extremely skeptical of new things, especially human things!
    3. Set traps out with bait (without loading them) for a couple of nights. This will trick mice into a false sense of security.
  3. Set more than one trap
    1. By setting multiple traps two to three feet apart each, you have a better chance at catching as many mice as possible at once.
  4. Set mousetraps strategically
    1. Mice travel along walls, under furniture, and other places that offer cover.
    2. Place mousetraps along walls and behind furniture, with the bait placed nearest to the wall.
  5. Check the mousetraps on a regular basis
    1. Rodent problems won’t go away overnight. It takes diligence to make sure traps are working, set, and not going to waste.
    2. Mice can, in some instances, grab bait without setting off the trap. They can also set the trap off without getting caught!

Need Help With Mice Extermination?

Even when you learn how to set a mousetrap properly, sometimes mousetraps simply won’t work to control a serious rodent infestation. If this is the case, professional mice exterminators may be your best bet. We have more than 70 years of experience getting rid of mice in homes and businesses throughout the state of Wisconsin. We will thoroughly inspect your property for sources of the infestation and customize a rodent control plan fit to your unique needs. To learn more, give us a call today!

8 Steps to a Rodent-Free Winter

Winter window in New Berlin and Oshkosh WI - Batzner Pest Control provides rodent control checklist to prevent infestations.

Pest problems are a fact of life throughout the year, even in the winter! While a lot of animals hibernate during Wisconsin winters, many pests remain active throughout the cold months. In fact, rodent infestations are at some of their highest numbers this time of year. This is because rats and mice will squeeze their way into your home to escape the freezing temperatures outside. The best way to prevent a rodent infestation is to safeguard your home, limiting their chances of getting indoors! Read on to learn Batzner’s top tips for rodent-proofing your home this winter.

Does Cold Weather Kill Mice and Rats?

Many people assume that during the winter, pest problems go away. What about rats and mice? These rodents are active throughout the colder months of the year and are more compelled than ever to invade homes to escape the harsh weather outside. Once inside, they will nest and spread. In addition to their destructive gnawing and tunneling, rat droppings are capable of spreading disease. Because rodent infestations are so common in the winter, it’s essential to protect your home from them with regular rodent control.

Rodent Control in the Winter

Rodent Control Checklist for your Oshkosh or New Berlin WI home this winter - Batzner Pest ControlMice are infamous for squeezing through tiny spaces—even holes the size of a dime. For this reason, it’s crucial to thoroughly inspect your home for openings that may welcome rodents indoors in the winter.

There are eight spots in particular around your property that are vulnerable to rodent intrusions. By routinely checking these areas and making repairs as necessary, you can effectively lessen the risk of rodents getting indoors.

 

These eight locations include:

  • Roof
  • Vents
  • Screens
  • Vegetation
  • Gutters
  • Outside
  • Garage
  • Foundation

Wisconsin Winter Rodent Control

If you discover areas of your home needing repair, or more specifically, areas showing definite rodent activity, the experts at Batzner Pest Control are here to help. We specialize in preventing pest problems before they begin, which is why we can help rodent-proof your home for the winter. To learn more about protecting your home from rats and mice, give our team a call today!

Rodent Awareness Week Brings Focus to Rodent Prevention

Rodent Awareness Week at Batzner Pest Control - Rodent control services by Batzner Pest Control serving Southeastern Wisconsin

Rodent infestations become a major problem in Wisconsin in fall and winter.

What makes rodent infestations so dangerous?

Rodents pose a number of health risks to you and your family. The spread of food-borne illnesses like Salmonella is probably the most alarming, as rodents contaminate surfaces throughout the house and will look to get into your kitchen cabinets and food prep areas. Their skin, saliva, and urine can also aggravate allergy symptoms.

In addition to spreading disease, bacteria, and allergens, rodents can cause electrical fires by gnawing through your home’s wiring. All of the problems associated with rodent infestations are amplified by how quickly they reproduce. A few mice in your attic can turn into a full-blown infestation in a very short period of time – each female mouse can give birth to between six and eight offspring every three weeks!

What should homeowners look out for?

Because of the potential dangers and the speed at which they can occur, homeowners need to be extremely vigilant when preparing their homes for the fall and winter. Here are some tips from the NPMA on how to rodent-proof your home this year:

  • Use weather strips on doorways and windows
  • Replace broken windows
  • Caulk around utility/service pipes
  • Repair openings in the building’s foundation
  • Screen all vents
  • Seal additional small cracks with copper mesh (steel wool will rust and deteriorate over time).
  • Around the house exterior, rake away any weeds or shrubbery as they provide safe passage to pests
  • Mulch, in particular, should not be used near the foundation, and any overhanging tree branches need to be cut down
  • Do not store firewood within the immediate vicinity of the house

Once these preventative measures have been taken, the NPMA advises being on the lookout for these indicators of rodent infestation:

  • Droppings: Droppings are typically found in kitchen cabinets and pantries, along walls, on top of wall studs or beams, and in boxes, bags and old furniture.
  • Noises: Rodents often make scurrying sounds, especially at night, as they move about and nest.
  • Gnaw marks: New gnaw marks tend to be rough to touch and are light colored.
  • Burrows: Inside, rodents often nest in various materials such as insulation, and are drawn to dark and secluded areas.
  • Damaged food packages: House mice prefer to feed on cereals and seeds, while Norway rats prefer meat, fish and dry dog food.

If any of these signs of rodents are found, contact us immediately! Remember, a small issue will become a major problem in a short amount of time. You can reach us at (262)797-4160 or on our website.

Signs of Pest Infestations

Inspecting homes for pest infestations before buying - Expert extermination, pest control and removal service by Batzner Pest Control, serving Southeast Wisconsin

House hunting is an exciting yet nerve-wracking endeavor. Among the numerous concerns like a leaky roof or faulty electricals, pest infestations might take time to come to mind. Yet, overlooking the signs of an infestation can lead to significant issues. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help identify potential pest problems when considering a new home.

What’s the Difference Between a Pest Infestation and a Couple of Bugs?

While spotting the occasional bug or pest is common, a full-blown infestation involves a larger, persistent presence of unwanted critters. It’s about the frequency, the extent of invasion, and the potential damage or health risks they pose. Here are the top ten signs that you’re dealing with an infestation:

  1. Unusual Indoor Activity: Keep an eye out for erratic movements of insects, especially around food sources or warm, moist areas.
  2. Traces of Excrement: Insect or rodent droppings, especially near entry points or common hiding spots like cabinets, often signal an infestation.
  3. Rodent Nests: Discovering nests made of shredded materials or finding gnaw marks on household items indicates a rodent problem.
  4. Foul Odors: A musty or foul smell, particularly in hidden areas, could indicate that pests like bed bugs or rodents are nearby.
  5. Property Damage: Many pest species cause damage to structures or personal belongings. Chewed wires, torn fabrics, or damaged furniture might suggest rodents’ activity.
  6. Unexplained Noises: While you may not notice the sounds of pests while inspecting a home, it’s worth listening for. Scratching or scurrying in walls or ceilings often indicates pests.
  7. Grease Marks and Rub Marks: Rodents and other pest species tend to leave grease or rub marks along their regular pathways.
  8. Visible Pests: Spotting mice, rats, bed bugs, or other pests during daylight hours could signify a significant infestation. 
  9. Nesting Materials: Discovering shredded paper, fabric, or insulation in unusual places could mean that the property has a large population of rodents or other pests nearby.
  10. Gnaw Marks: Many pest species, including rats and mice, chew on items while nesting or burrowing. Look for chew marks on furniture, wires, or stored items.

Signs of an Outdoor Infestation

It’s normal to come across bugs in your yard or garden. But, there are some circumstances where outdoor pest activity is abnormal and could pose a greater risk to your home. Here’s what to look for when inspecting your landscape:

  • Nearby Breeding Grounds: Assess neighboring areas for unkept spaces or stagnant water sources, and potential breeding grounds for pests like mosquitoes or rodents.
  • Damaged Plants and Lawn Patches: Inspect plants for signs of insect trails or gnawing. Uneven grass lengths or circular brown patches can hint at lawn pest infestations or mole activity.
  • Mole Holes and Ant Hills: Mole activity might present as raised ridges across the lawn accompanied by dirt piles resembling mini volcanoes. Look for ant hills along fence lines or in pavement cracks.

What to Do If Your Home Has Pests

When inspecting your property for these signs, focus not only on the obvious but also on less frequented areas like ceiling corners, under furniture, and within cupboards or pantries. Professional pest control technicians at Batzner Pest Control can thoroughly inspect and treat your home to prevent or address any pest problems.

Wisconsin’s Top 8 Small Animals in Pest Control

Wildlife removal in Wisconsin can mean many things, from something in your wall or attic to a guest under your porch. In order to determine what small animal made its way into your personal space, there are a couple of clues you can look for based on the habits, diet and activity of each. See the eight most common animals that Batzner runs into throughout Wisconsin:

1. Raccoon
Diet Opportunistic eaters and will eat whatever they can find, including fruits, veggies, small animals, and garbage.
Shelter/Entry Raccoons can enter through open garage doors, chimneys that don’t have a cap, attic fans, roof vents, and open soffits. Not usually found in basements.
Offspring Generally give birth to 1 litter per year during April and June. The litter is typically 3-5 young that stay with their mother for about 7 weeks.
Most active time Nocturnal, and if they are seen active during the day, it may indicate that the animal is sick.
Removal Live trapping with marshmallows, opened canned tuna, aluminum foil as attractant is recommended.

 

2. Squirrel
Diet Nuts, seeds and vegetation.
Shelter/Entry Frequently found in openings of soffits and overhanging trees allowing rooftop access. Because of this they are more commonly found in attics, rather than basements.
Offspring 2 litters per year – one between February and April and one between August and September. Each litter has 2-6 young.
Most active time Most active during early morning and late afternoon.
Removal Live trapping with walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, sunflower seeds.

 

3. Opossum
Diet Fruit, snakes, insects, and trash.
Shelter/Entry Use existing openings under slabs or porches, open garages, not usually found in basements. Opossums don’t dig but will take over openings and holes from other animals.
Offspring Normally 5-8 young in a litter (could be up to 25), breed one time per year during February through June.
Most active time Nocturnal.
Removal Transient animals and may move on after a couple of days. If necessary, live trapping can be done with canned cat food or apples.

 

4. Rabbit
Diet Vegetation, veggies, grass, and herbs.
Shelter/Entry Rabbits usually place their nests in plain view, sometimes in the middle of a yard, brush piles, or long grass with fur over and around the nest. Not usually found indoors.
Offspring Typically have 3 litters per year with an average of 7 babies per litter – very few make it to maturity.
Most active time Dawn and dusk.
Removal Live trapping with brussel sprouts, carrots and lettuce.

 

5. Skunk
Diet Small mammals, eggs, fruit, berries, insects, food scraps in trash, and dog feces.
Shelter/Entry Under decks, burrows, under sheds, wood or rock piles, not usually found indoors.
Offspring 5-6 young in April-June.
Most active time Nocturnal.
Removal Live trapping and/or covered trap baited with cat food, chicken entrails or sardines with brussel sprouts, carrots or lettuce.

 

6. Woodchuck/

Groundhog
Diet Herbivores eating a variety of green plants and flowers doing damage to gardens and flower beds.
Shelter/Entry Typically burrow underneath something such as a porch, deck or slab. Burrows could have between 2-10 entrances.
Offspring One litter per year of 4-5 young, born usually in April or May.
Most active time Daytime, especially early morning and late afternoon.
Removal Live trapping with vegetables, cantaloupe, sweet corn, lettuce, canned peaches or fruit cocktail. Trap needs to be set early morning before the groundhog comes out. Groundhogs will have secondary openings that need to be blocked off to funnel the groundhog in the trap from the main burrow.

 

7. Rat
Diet Eat anything they can find, including garbage scraps, and insects.
Shelter/Entry Burrows, attics, walls, under slabs and porches. Can fit into openings the size of a quarter.
Offspring Breed year round (up to 5 litters per year) with 6-24 babies per litter.
Most active time Nocturnal.
Removal Exclusion, burrow baiting, and snap traps.

 

8. Muskrat
Diet Cattails and other aquatic vegetation.
Shelter/Entry Build lodges similar to beavers in river and stream banks.
Offspring 2-3 litters per year with 6-8 young each.
Most active time Mostly nocturnal or near dawn or dusk.
Removal Live trapping with fresh vegetables, carrots or apples.

*It is important to note that if there is muskrat problem, there will be some type of body of water nearby.

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.