Arach-Nope! Be Careful with the Wolf Spider!

Wolf spider on white background

Halloween is a time to think about the things that scare us, and when it comes to spiders we don’t have to think hard. Many see even a small arachnid and bite back a yelp. So when you imagine a four-inch spider on your floor, you’re likely already reaching for the biggest, heaviest thing to smash it with.

But what if I were to tell you that, if you stomp that Twinkie-sized spider, it could seemingly burst into a rippling cascade of hundreds of baby spiders. What then?

No, this isn’t a scare from a horror movie. This is a real thing that could happen when interacting with a wolf spider. Now you may be asking – what is a wolf spider? How do I know that I’ve found one and who can I call to get rid of it?

Identifying the Wolf Spider

Wolf spiders range from about 1.5″ to almost 4″, leg to leg. They have eight eyes arranged in three rows, and a two-part body made up of a cephalothorax and abdomen. They look similar to the brown recluse or the black widow, though the wolf spider is usually larger and is not seen on a web.

These kinds of spiders actually can’t make webs. Instead of hunting from one set location, they chase after their prey, running at a remarkable speed of two feet a second. But not making a web makes a difference on more than their diet.

Since they don’t have a web to hold their eggs, the mother wolf spider carries the sac on her abdomen. And then once they hatch, these babies continue to cluster together on their mother’s back. So when you disturb or try to kill the female wolf spider, her hundreds of spiderlings will scatter in every direction to seek safety. The best way to keep that from happening is to take preventative measures.

Preventing Spiders at Home

A lot of the strategies you can take to keep away wolf spiders also keep away spiders as a whole. Spiders like clutter, so if keep your home organized and clean, they’ll have fewer opportunities to nest. This includes the main rooms of your home, but it also covers places you spend less time in like your closets, attic, basement or garage. Even outside your home, it will help to remove piles of firewood and debris from up against the walls of your home.

Taking all of these preventative measures is one thing, but what do you do if there is already an infestation of spiders inside the home? No no, put down that boot. You know by now that Batzner Pest Control has a better way.

Spider Control with Batzner Pest Control

Batzner is your local pest control company, and our spider exterminators can remove infestations of any scope. We can find and seal the entry points they may have taken so that you can get rid of them for good. Reach out to get started with a free quote today!

What Are Those Bugs in My Bathroom?

What silverfish look like in Wisconsin - Batzner Pest Control

In a place that is supposed to be sparkling clean, the last thing you want to find is an outbreak of nasty pests. Water accumulates in our sinks, showers, and tubs, causing many different kinds of insects to take refuge in our bathrooms. The warm and humid environment created by our showers offers a welcoming environment for lots of pests in Wisconsin, not to mention a free source of water to drink. For more information on common bathroom pests, keep reading. We’ve asked our Batzner Pest Control technicians for some input!

Common Bathroom Pests

Lots of pests are known to infest bathrooms, but these are our top three to watch out for:

  1. Cockroaches: Any warm, wet, and humid environment is the ideal home for a cockroach. Bonus points if they can find a dark cabinet to hide in during the day.
  2. Silverfish: These insects are attracted to the same traits that cockroaches are. Since they have a lot of trouble climbing up smooth, vertical surfaces, silverfish will often be found by drains or along the shower or bathroom floor.
  3. Ants: Having too much excess moisture building up in your bathroom is a sure way to attract a trail of ants. Looking for drinking water, they will travel through our plumbing systems, underneath our doors, or through cracks in siding and baseboards.

Finding spiders, centipedes, or drain flies in your bathroom should come as no surprise, either. Many pests find uses for our bathrooms, whether that be food, water, shelter, or all three.

Preventative Measures Against Bathroom Pests

Having a clean and dry bathroom is the best deterrent for pest problems. When you clean your bathroom, look out for these issues that could be attracting pests:

  • Wipe down countertops to eliminate any filth and remove standing water
  • Check for leaks in your plumbing fixtures often
  • Ensure that your bathroom is well-ventilated and not accumulating too much humidity
  • Clean up spills of soap, body wash, shampoo, toothpaste, or other hygiene products

Whatever you can do to reduce excess moisture and grime in your bathroom will help you avoid pest problems going forward!

Need Pest Control for Your Bathroom in Wisconsin?

If you can’t use your bathroom without unwanted insects grossing you out, it’s time to talk to your local pest control experts. The pest specialists at Batzner Pest Control are able to locate difficult-to-spot vulnerabilities in your Wisconsin home to help you keep your bathroom clean, fresh, and free of pests. Contact us today for a free quote—we would love to help you breathe easy in your own bathroom again!

5 Reasons Why You Need Winter Pest Control [2021 Update]

Spiders are common winter pests in Wisconsin - Batzner Pest Control

It’s a common misconception that with the cold weather rolling in, pests will pack up and leave until next year. The truth is in the colder months, crawling insects and other pests that don’t go dormant in the winter can make their way into our homes and draw in mice and other rodents, looking for warmth. Additionally, winter in Wisconsin brings its own set of insects and other pests to stay on the lookout for. The team at Batzner Pest Control is here to share all you need to know about winter pest control.

What Pests Are Common in the Winter?

Pests are common in Wisconsin year-round. In the winter, home and business owners must frequently deal with the following pests:

  1. Mice and rats. Mice and rats require only a tiny opening or crack to gain entry into your home. They can enter through your attic and gnaw on the wires, wood beams, electrical wires and insulation.
  2. Wood destroying insects. Carpenter ants and termites destroy the home from the inside out, so you really never see the damage until it is too late. If you find carpenter ants indoors during the winter, it is an indication that they are nesting inside walls, floors, or decaying wood.
  3. Sealing your home. The early winter is the best time for Batzner’s pest control team to seal up all openings before mice seek shelter in your home or business. They will check the areas where utilities and pipes enter the home. A mouse can fit through a hole the size of a dime.
  4. Dormant insects. Many insects will hide in the attic or basement in late fall and early winter to escape the frigid winter temperatures. Spiders, cluster flies, Asian lady bugs, and boxelder bugs will remain dormant until spring. Then as the weather warms, they can easily find their way into your living spaces.
  5. Spider webs and nests. Removing webs, nests and egg cases may help prevent pests from reemerging in your home when the weather becomes warmer. Some creatures are hardwired to return to certain places, but if you get rid of all the reasons for them to return, you increase the probability that you’ll finally be saying a permanent “goodbye” to them.

How to Prevent Winter Pests in Wisconsin

Before the wintertime, it’s important to learn how to guard your home against pest problems. Some of the best winter-proofing tips for homeowners include the following.

  • Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
  • Store firewood at least 20 feet from the home. Mice and ants can make their nests in woodpiles and easily gain access to your home if the pile is nearby.
  • Rodents can hide in clutter, so keep storage areas well organized, and store boxes off of the floor.
  • Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains. Extra attention should be paid to kitchens and bathrooms as these areas are particularly vulnerable to cockroach infestations.
  • Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens in windows.
  • Screen vents to chimneys. Keep attics, basements, and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.

How Does Batzner Prevent Winter Pest Problems?

Winter pest control service in Wisconsin by Batzner Pest Control

Our fall and winter pest control services are targeted at your home’s interior. One of the first things that our team looks for is anything that has changed since their last visit. It’s extremely common for Batzner specialists to find new openings that didn’t exist at their most recent visit. They’ll also check out any rodent protection equipment that they’ve put in place.

Batzner’s residential services are tailored to the homeowner’s individual needs, and in winter, our trained service experts focus primarily on the interior of the house, searching for any openings where pests could enter. Our winter pest control specialists. will notify the homeowner if any such openings are located, and seal those openings to ensure pests remain outside. In the meantime, spider webs will also be knocked down and cleaned out in the home’s interior. Your pest control expert will also target your home’s basement for a preventative pesticide treatment for crawling insects.

Annual Winter Pest Control Services

Don’t mistake winter as a time to lay off on the pest control services—it allows you preparation time for the warm seasons ahead! Batzner is your trusted pest control expert. Contact the residential pest control pros at Batzner today to learn how we can prevent pests this winter and all year long.

6 Ways to Keep Your Outdoor Space Pest-Free

Tips to stay pest-free in your Wisconsin yard - Batzner Pest Control

Are you spending more time in your backyard than ever this year? If so, you’ve likely noticed just how many insects are sharing that space with you! Mosquitoes in your pond, flies around your barbecue, or wasps building a nest on your deck can all quickly ruin your time enjoying your outdoor living space. It can be hard to avoid insects altogether outside, but there are a few things you can do to make your yard less appealing to pests. The experts at Batzner have gathered their top tips to keep your outdoor space pest-free*. Read on to learn more!

Tips to Keep Your Outdoor Space Pest-Free

There are likely a number of things in your backyard that, unbeknownst to you, are attracting all types of pests. Each year, it’s important to implement a number of pest prevention methods to reduce the chances of an infestation inside or outside your property. These methods include:

  1. Getting rid of any standing water. Stagnant water is one of the biggest attractants for mosquitoes.
  2. Regularly trimming your lawn and shrubs. Ticks and mosquitoes will shelter in overgrown vegetation or tall grass.
  3. Keeping an eye out for ant hills. Even a tiny mound can contain thousands of ants inside.
  4. Inspecting all wood structures. Wood-destroying pests (carpenter ants and mosquitoes) will damage your wooden decks or porches.
  5. Applying an insect repellent. Most store-bought repellent containing DEET will help repel mosquitoes and ticks.
  6. Cleaning your patio or space regularly. Spills or leftover food will surely bring ants around.

What Pests Infest Your Yard?

Here in Wisconsin, we deal with many types of pests all year long. They are especially active this time of year, and may end up right in your backyard. Some can be dangerous, which is why it’s so important to learn how to keep them away. A few of the most common pests we get calls about this time of year include:

Need Outdoor Pest Removal?

If you’ve done all you can to prevent outdoor pests and still find yourself with an infestation, it’s important to act quickly. A professional pest control company can help get rid of pests in your yard and help you prevent future infestations from happening. Contact the residential exterminators at Batzner today to get started!

Are There Pests Inside Your Christmas Tree?

Shake out your Christmas tree to expel insects before bringing it into your New Berlin WI or Oshkosh WI home - Batzner Pest Control

Every year, nearly 30 million households bring a real Christmas tree into their home. Not only are Christmas trees beautiful to look at, they’re fun to decorate, too! However, Christmas trees may harbor as many as 20,000 insects!

No one wants to deal with a pest infestation this time of year, which is why it’s important to learn how to prevent Christmas tree pests from making their way into your home. Keep reading for Batzner’s top tips on Christmas tree bug prevention!

Common Christmas Tree Bugs

Christmas tree bugs are typically tiny, and are mostly harmless. In fact, most of these insects aren’t adapted to live indoors and will die off within a few days. The most typical Christmas tree insects you may find in your real tree include:

  • Aphids: Perhaps the most common insect in Christmas trees, aphids are usually found in the lower branches of evergreen, balsam fir, spruce, Fraser firs, or white fir trees.
  • Bark beetles: These wood-boring insects are about the size of a grain of rice. Holes in the branches or trunk of your tree—or sawdust on your floor—are signs of bark beetles.
  • Mites: These minuscule bugs cause needle loss in Douglas firs, white pines, spruce trees, or Fraser firs.
  • Spiders: Probably the most feared Christmas tree pest is the spider! Spider egg sacs hidden within Christmas trees can cause homeowners a lot of grief.
  • Praying mantises: These identifiable insects are large, green, and harmless. Praying mantis egg sacs are also commonly found in Christmas trees.

How to Prevent a Christmas Tree Pest Infestation

If you’re a homeowner, the last thing you want to deal with during the holidays is a pest infestation. The most crucial step in preventing Christmas tree insects is to thoroughly inspect the tree by looking for irregularities, damage, or pests. Once you’ve chosen a winner, request to have the tree shaken out by a Christmas tree lot attendant to expel bugs. Lastly, it’s smart to store your tree in your garage or other covered area outside to encourage any lingering bugs to vacate the Christmas tree.

Christmas Tree Insect Control & Removal

If you’ve brought home an infested Christmas tree, there’s no reason to panic. Christmas tree bugs are typically harmless and won’t cause damage. If you need advice on getting rid of the bugs or want more tips on preventing Christmas tree pests, call the experts at Batzner Pest Control!

Winter Pests – Do They Hibernate or Die Off?

Preventing pests in Wisconsin homes during the winter - Batzner Pest Control

Everyone knows that pests are in their prime during the spring and summer, but what happens to pests in the winter? While some insects die off before Wisconsin winters hit, there are a number of pests that will stick around and may make their way into your home to escape the cold. Some common winter pests problems come from rodents, cockroaches, spiders, bed bugs, and raccoons. Keep reading for top tips on preventing winter pests from the experts at Batzner Pest Control.

Pest Infestations in the Winter

A lot of pests will overwinter—or hibernate—during the colder months until the weather warms up again. These overwintering pests include ants, mosquitoes, stink bugs, asian lady beetles, and boxelder bugs. For the most part, these pests won’t be seen until the springtime. However, there are a number of other types of pests that may invade your WI home to escape the cold, including:

  • Rodents: The house mouse and Norway rat will squeeze their way inside in the winter.
  • Spiders: House spiders will hide indoors in dark, secluded corners.
  • Cockroaches: German cockroaches hitchhike indoors in grocery bags and boxes.
  • Bed bugs: Known to withstand extreme temperatures, infestations are still a risk in the winter.

How to Prevent Seasonal Pests

Just as you would to prevent pests throughout the entire year, winter pest control is dependent on preventative measures. Some of the things you can do to prevent winter pests include:

  1. Seal cracks and crevices outside your home to keep rodents and other pests from making their way inside.
  2. Store firewood away from the home and eliminate piles of clutter in your yard to discourage nesting.
  3. Eliminate sources of excess moisture by promptly fixing leaking pipes and clogged drains.
  4. Place screens over vents and chimneys to eliminate entry points inside the property.
  5. Keep a tidy environment indoors by cleaning up spills, disposing of garbage regularly, and avoiding clutter.

Winter Pest Control

Many people make the mistake of thinking they’re safe from pests in the winter. But just like you, pests seek out food sources and warmth in the winter. Rodents, cockroaches, and spiders are common pest infestations in the winter, which is why it’s so important to implement winter pest control into your routine. For help protecting your Wisconsin property this winter, call the pest exterminators at Batzner today!

Why do Spiders, Centipedes and Earwigs Love the Bathroom so Much?

You know that moment when you’re in the shower, mid-shampoo and you look up to see that creepy crawly just hanging out on the wall of your shower. A quick debate runs through your head: Should I move? Yes, move. Wait, no. Hold still, maybe it won’t notice me. I’ll quickly get the shampoo out of my hair and everything will be fine. After “calmly” talking yourself through that situation, you start to wonder why insects seem so determined to ruin your shower. The simple truth is that living in your bathroom makes for a pretty easy life for spiders and other bugs.

What Makes the Bathroom so Enticing for Bugs?

Bathrooms are magnets that attract a variety of creepy, crawly pests because they provide an ideal environment for a couple of reasons.

  1. Hair, mildew, mold provide unlimited food sources, yummy!
  2. Soaps made from fats are another delicious food source.
  3. Pipes provide excellent travel paths.
  4. Plumbing leaks and dampness provide the moisture needed to survive.
  5. Cracks and crevices offer hiding places and places to establish nests.
  6. The high humidity and moisture environment is desirable.

Which Bugs are Most Common?

According to Operations Managers at Batzner Pest Control, these are the most common bugs they come across in the bathroom.

  1. Centipedes: The main reason centipedes are present in bathrooms is for the availability of other insects to feed on.
  2. Earwigs: Drawn to bathrooms because they prefer damp, dark environments.
  3. Springtails: They thrive in high humidity and will feed on whatever is available.
  4. Silverfish: They prefer dampness, but their nocturnal habits keep their pest profile low.

Why is it so Hard to Control Bathroom Pests?

Eliminating bugs in the bathroom can be a challenging task. And darn it, if there’s one thing you deserve at the end of the day, it’s a peaceful shower without being traumatized by the possibility of unwanted company. Do-it-yourself treatments only provide temporary solutions to the problem, and they don’t tackle pests at the source. The best way to remove insects from your bathroom starts with a call to Batzner Pest Control at 866-591-3519 or by contacting us online. We’ll identify and eliminate the problem, so you can get back to enjoying your personal space without unwanted company.

5 Pest-Free Holiday Decorating and Storage Tips

In my experience, there is no season fuller of surprises than the holidays. From unexpected visits from relatives to getting that one present my mom swore she wouldn’t buy, there was always something surprising to make each year’s holiday season memorable. Fortunately, I’ve never had the surprise of opening a box of decorations to find a family of cockroacheshaving their own holiday celebration, but many people experience a similar situation every year. The dark, undisturbed areas in our attics, garages, and basements where decorations are usually stored are also the perfect winter habitat for many pests. Roaches, ants, centipedes, spiders, silverfish, and mice are just a few of the pests that find warmth, shelter, food, and space to breed in your home’s storage spaces. Make sure you watch out for these potential hideouts while you prepare your house this year!

1. Trees/Wreaths/Garland

If you are bringing a live tree or other natural plant decorations into your house, make sure to shake them out beforehand. Many different types of insects including aphids and beetles nest in Christmas trees and other holiday greenery, and while a good shaking might not get rid of all of them, it’s certainly better than not doing anything at all. Eggs laid in or on live plants usually hatch when they sense spring, and the temperature difference between your home and the outside can be enough to trigger hatching. Regularly check on any plants you’ve brought inside to catch problems early on!

For those who reuse an artificial tree/wreath/garland, vacuum the branches either before you assemble it or before you hang up your ornaments. Once it’s time for them to go back into storage, make sure to use a sealed plastic bag or storage container to prevent against pests, water damage, and humidity.

2. Boxed Decorations

The first step is to inspect boxes where they are being stored and look for any signs of a pest infestation. The last thing you want to do is take a box full of ants from your basement and plop it down in the middle of your living room! Things to look out for include spider webs, droppings, dead insects, and gnaw marks. Always use plastic bins that can be sealed rather than cardboard, as cardboard provides an ideal habitat for a variety of pests, especially cockroaches and silverfish.

3. Fabric Decorations

For fabric decorations like stockings, a cycle through the washing machine and dryer can help stop the spread of live pests. Storing them in plastic is also beneficial to prevent damage by moths and other fabric pests. To be extra careful, you can also wash and dry them before putting them back into storage, as any amount of germs or bacteria is more attractive to pests than none. This is especially important for table cloths, as even the smallest crumb can attract mice and ants.

4. Plastic, Metal, and Other Hard Decorations

Give any hard-surfaced decorations a cleaning using alcohol wipes or soap and water. Similar to the fabric decorations, a cleaning before going back into storage can also be beneficial.

5. Lights

Inspect your lights for things like spider webs and frayed wires before removing them from storage. For exterior lights, also inspect before putting them back into storage so you know if damage occurred outside of your home. If you put them away with no frayed wiring and the next year you notice damage while taking them out, it likely means that mice are present where you are storing your lights!

Perhaps the most important step you can take to prevent pests during the holidays comes at the end of each season, when it’s time to take down the tree and pack up the decorations. Store holiday decorations in hard, plastic bins with tightly sealed lids instead of cardboard boxes or bags that can easily be chewed through. Do not pile discarded live trees or cut firewood near your home, as this can attract mice, mosquitoes and other pests.

If any of your holiday decorations have signs of a pest infestation, or if you have any questions about identifying a potential pest infestation, please don’t hesitate to call us at 866-591-3519 or contact us online. We wish you all the happiest of holidays, and hope that they are full of surprises that don’t involve pests!

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 rodentshibernate 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.