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The Dangers of DIY Pest Control: Why You Should Call an Exterminator

When pests invade your home, your first instinct might be to tackle the problem yourself. DIY pest control can seem like a cost-effective solution, but it often comes with significant risks. Here’s why calling an exterminator is the safer and more effective choice.

1. Incomplete Solutions: Many DIY pest control methods focus on surface problems rather than addressing the root cause. For example, while you might kill a few visible ants, you may not eliminate the colony, leading to a recurring problem. Exterminators conduct thorough inspections to identify nests and entry points, ensuring a comprehensive solution.

2. Incorrect Product Use: Home improvement stores offer a variety of pest control products, but without proper knowledge, you might misuse them. Applying the wrong pesticide can be ineffective or even dangerous. Exterminators are trained in the safe and effective use of chemicals, ensuring that treatments are applied correctly and with minimal risk to your family and pets.

3. Health Risks: Many pest control products contain toxic chemicals that can pose health risks if not handled properly. Exposure can lead to respiratory issues, skin irritation, or more severe health problems. Professional exterminators use safe practices to minimize exposure and follow all safety regulations.

4. Time and Effort: DIY pest control often requires significant time and effort, from researching the best products to applying treatments multiple times. Exterminators save you this hassle by implementing effective solutions efficiently, allowing you to focus on more important tasks.

5. Lack of Expertise: While you may have some knowledge of pests, exterminators are experts in pest behavior and biology. They can identify signs of infestation that you might overlook, providing insights that lead to better long-term management strategies.

6. Risk of Property Damage: Improper pest control methods can lead to damage in your home. For instance, using excessive amounts of a product or applying it in the wrong area can harm your property or create hazardous conditions. Exterminators are trained to protect your home while addressing pest issues.

Conclusion: While DIY pest control may seem like a tempting option, the potential dangers and ineffectiveness often outweigh the benefits. By calling an exterminator, you gain access to expertise, safer practices, and comprehensive solutions that protect your home and well-being. Don’t risk your health or property; trust the professionals to handle pest problems effectively.

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How to Choose the Best Pest Control Service

When it comes to protecting your home from unwanted pests, selecting the right pest control service is crucial. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to make the best choice. Here are some key factors to consider to ensure you find a reliable and effective pest control provider.

1. Research and Reviews: Start by conducting online research. Look for local pest control companies and read customer reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau. Positive feedback from satisfied clients can give you confidence in their services.

2. Credentials and Experience: Ensure the company is licensed and insured. A reputable pest control service should have trained professionals who understand the specific pests in your area. Experience matters; a company that has been in business for several years is likely to have refined its methods and customer service.

3. Range of Services: Not all pest control companies offer the same services. Check if they can handle a variety of pests, from insects to rodents, and if they provide both residential and commercial services. Additionally, inquire about their methods, including whether they use eco-friendly or chemical treatments.

4. Inspection Process: A reputable company should begin with a thorough inspection of your property. This helps them identify the specific pests you’re dealing with and assess the extent of the infestation. Avoid companies that offer blanket solutions without first inspecting your home.

5. Treatment Plans and Follow-Up: Ask about the treatment plans they offer. A good pest control service will create a customized plan based on your unique situation. Furthermore, follow-up visits are essential to ensure that pests don’t return.

6. Cost and Transparency: Obtain quotes from multiple companies, but don’t just choose the lowest price. Look for transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Understand what services are included in the price and what additional costs might arise.

7. Customer Service: Evaluate their customer service. Are they responsive to your inquiries? Do they provide clear explanations about their services? Good communication is key to a positive experience.

Conclusion: Choosing the best pest control service requires careful consideration of various factors. By researching, comparing options, and assessing their approach, you can find a trustworthy provider that will help protect your home from pests effectively. Take your time to make an informed decision, and you’ll reap the benefits of a pest-free environment.

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Top 5 Signs You Need Pest Control Services

Your home is your sanctuary, and keeping it safe from pests is essential to maintaining a healthy and comfortable living environment. However, pests can sneak in unnoticed, causing damage to your home and posing health risks to your family. Knowing when to call professional pest control services is key to preventing a minor issue from becoming a major infestation. Here are the top five signs you need pest control services.

1. Unusual Noises or Scratching Sounds

If you hear strange noises, such as scratching, scurrying, or tapping, coming from within your walls, attic, or crawl spaces, it’s a clear sign of unwanted pests. Rodents like mice and rats are notorious for making noise as they move around your home, searching for food or building nests. Don’t ignore these sounds—rodents can cause significant damage by chewing through wires, insulation, and wood. A professional pest control service can locate and eliminate the infestation before it grows worse.

2. Droppings or Urine Stains

One of the most obvious signs of a pest problem is finding droppings or urine stains. Rodents, cockroaches, and even insects like bed bugs leave behind waste as they move through your home. Not only is this unsanitary, but it also poses health risks, as droppings can carry harmful bacteria and viruses. If you notice droppings in cabinets, behind appliances, or along baseboards, it’s time to call a pest control expert for a thorough inspection and treatment.

3. Unexplained Damage to Property

Pests can cause a surprising amount of damage to your home and belongings. Termites and carpenter ants, for example, can destroy wooden structures, leading to costly repairs. Rodents may gnaw through wires, furniture, and food packaging. If you notice chewed wood, damaged electrical wiring, or holes in walls or floors, it’s a strong indication that pests are at work. Professional pest control services can assess the situation and recommend the best treatment to protect your property.

4. Strange Smells

Pests often leave behind unpleasant odors. For example, rodents emit a musky, urine-like smell, while cockroaches produce an oily, musty odor. Dead pests trapped inside walls or under floors can also create foul smells. If you notice strange odors that don’t seem to have an obvious source, it’s important to investigate. A pest control professional can identify the cause of the smell and take steps to eliminate it, along with the pests responsible.

5. Sightings of Live or Dead Pests

While it may seem obvious, seeing live pests such as cockroaches, ants, spiders, or rodents in your home is a sure sign that you need pest control services. Even spotting dead insects or rodents can be a sign of a larger infestation lurking nearby. Pests like bed bugs or termites may be less visible, but even one sighting should prompt a professional inspection. Don’t wait until the infestation worsens—contact a pest control company to address the problem before it gets out of hand.

Conclusion

Pests can enter your home in search of food, water, and shelter, and even a minor infestation can quickly escalate if left untreated. If you notice any of these signs in your Milwaukee home, it’s important to act quickly. Professional pest control services can identify the root cause of the problem and provide long-lasting solutions to protect your home and family. Don’t let pests take over—call a trusted pest control service today!

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5 Wisconsin Pests Who Are More Active in Your Home During the Winter

Wisconsin Winter Pests

5 Wisconsin Pests Who Are More Active in Your Home During the Winter

These Critters Won’t Take a Hint! When Cold Weather Comes, They Invite Themselves Indoors

While summer might be prime time for certain pests like mosquitos, hornets and crickets, there are some critters who flee to the warmth of your home when the weather gets chilly. You might not see these creatures all summer until they’re depending on you to pay for their heating bill.

Pest #1:
Rodents

Some of the most resilient mammals are rodents. They’re willing to do anything to survive. Rats don’t hibernate, which means they’re awake all winter and constantly searching for a warm place to curl up for the night. Rats might be tricky and tough, but they aren’t subtle. You’ll know you have one if you see brown rat droppings the size of a grain of rice or smudges on surfaces. You may hear scratching noises as the pesky little home invaders skitter around inside your walls.

Pest #2:
Spiders

One of the creepiest creatures that can find their way into your house during the winter is spiders. The most disturbing fact about house spiders coming out in the winter is that they have probably been hiding in your house for some time. Many spiders hatch in the spring, and by winter they are mature enough to stretch their long legs and begin wandering around to hunt and mate.

Pest #3:
Boxelder Bugs

Some pests aren’t dangerous, nor do they cause property damage, but their sheer numbers can make them an unpleasant nuisance. Box elder bugs fall into that category. In the winter boxelder bugs go dormant within the walls of houses and other nooks and crannies. On sunny or warm days, boxelder bugs can be awakened from their slumber and crawl into your house towards the warmth. Boxelder bugs do not reproduce indoors during the winter, but the sheer number of them invading your house can make it seem like they’re rapidly multiplying.

Pest #4:
Carpenter Ants

During the summer it may not be unusual to see one or two carpenter ants inside your home, but if you see them in the winter it might be a sign of trouble. Carpenter ants in your home during the winter can be an indication that they have begun nesting in the warmth of your house. Carpenter ants can cause serious structural damage to your house and should be eradicated immediately.

Pest #5:
Squirrels

Much like rats and mice, squirrels would prefer the warm cozy insides of your walls over a tree or outdoor den. These little climbers typically spend their winters curled up in nests in trees, but if they can find their way into your attic or walls they will take advantage of the safe space you provide. You’ll know you have squirrels if you see holes in your soffits or overhangs, especially into your garage or attic, or if you hear scratching and rustling in your walls.

You don’t have to put up with these unwelcome guests—winter’s stressful enough! Call Ehlers Pest Management instead. Our expert exterminators offer fast and environmentally-friendly pest control services to take care of your winter infestation.

Contact Ehlers Pest Management to evict the pests who have chosen to winter in your home.

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Do Landlords Pay for Pest Control in Wisconsin?

Landlord or Tenant?

Do Landlords Pay for Pest Control in Wisconsin?

What You Should Know If Pests Are in Your Apartment

The landlord is responsible for paying for pest control when natural circumstances cause the infestation, according to Wisconsin State Legislature law regarding tenant responsibility for pest control. The law makes the landlord responsible if the pest problem was present in the home before renting and not disclosed. However, the tenant may be held responsible if the infestation is deemed their fault. Ultimately, you should consult your lease and an experienced attorney. It is every landlord’s responsibility to provide habitable living conditions, but it depends on who caused the infestation.

Regardless of where responsibility lies, bedbugrodent and cockroach pest infestations pose a serious health hazard. The first thing you should do is schedule an appointment with a pest control professional to remedy the problem. Worry about who will pay later. Even if your landlord fixes the problem before your appointment, having the paperwork from another company will show you took steps to fix the problem yourself in a legal dispute.

What if my Landlord Didn’t Tell Me About a Pest Problem?

Landlords must provide habitable units. According to Wisconsin law, a landlord must disclose: “Any structural or other conditions in the dwelling unit or premises which constitute a substantial hazard to the health or safety of the tenant, or create an unreasonable risk of personal injury as a result of any reasonably foreseeable use of the premises other than negligent use or abuse of the premises by the tenant.” In other words, if your landlord knows of a serious pest issue in your unit and doesn’t tell you before you move in, they are liable and must pay for removal.

When Are You Responsible for Pest Control?

If it is determined a pest problem is your fault, you will be responsible to pay for pest control. If you’re facing the burden of pest control, give Ehlers Pest Management a call today. We offer fast, comprehensive service with lasting results. 

Wisconsin Bedbug Laws - Who Pays

Wisconsin law clearly states premises repairs are the landlord’s responsibility, but there are caveats regarding the cause of the repair issue. Wis. Stat. 704.07(3)(a) says, about the duty of the tenant, that:

“If the premises are damaged, including by an infestation of insects or other pests, due to the acts or inaction of the tenant, the landlord may elect to allow the tenant to remediate or repair the damage and restore the appearance of the premises by redecorating. However, the landlord may elect to undertake the remediation, repair, or redecoration, and in such case, the tenant must reimburse the landlord for the reasonable cost thereof.”

Through “acts or inaction,” the tenant can be made the responsible party for eliminating an infestation. With bed bug infestations, proving where the problem originated can be difficult for two reasons: 

  1. Dirty apartments don’t attract bedbugs. A common myth is that bedbugs prefer dirty apartments. Bedbugs live entirely off blood, mostly human blood. They’ll be happy staying in a filthy apartment or luxurious penthouse all the same as long as humans are near. As a tenant, you won’t be liable for a problem just because you didn’t clean your room.
  2. Bedbugs can live up to 1 year without feeding. This means even after a new tenant moves in and there is a subsequent infestation, the problem could be dormant. This makes the cause of bedbug infestations hard to pinpoint. In cheaper, “dirtier” apartments, the landlord may not have the funds to hire a professional extermination service. This leads to breeding and a potential infestation spreading months later.

Bedbug infestations are a serious health hazard, and will only become more expensive if not treated immediately. We recommend you contact a pest control service before worrying about who will pay.

Can You Be Evicted For Bed Bugs in Wisconsin?

Landlords do have the ability to evict a tenant for bed bugs if it can be proved that the tenant caused the bed bug infestation and refuses to pay for the treatment. However, it is very difficult to prove that a specific tenant caused the infestation. As mentioned in the previous section, bed bugs can live for a year without feeding and are not attracted to dirty rooms specifically.

If You Want To Dispute Pest Control Responsibility

  • As a tenant – If you are in a bedbug responsibility disagreement with your landlord, contact an attorney. You may be eligible to sue for payments or break your lease as a tenant living in uninhabitable conditions.
  • As a landlord – If you are in a bedbug responsibility disagreement with your tenant, you may be able to hold the tenant responsible for exasperating the problem if they were uncooperative with the pest removal services, or can be proven to have brought the pest into the residence.

How Long Does a Landlord Have to Fix a Rodent Problem in Wisconsin?

According to Amendment SA12-SSA1-SB179, a landlord must contact a pest control agent within 10 days of the rodent problem being reported.

What are Renter's Rights with Cockroaches in Wisconsin?

Under Wisconsin Statutes 704.07landlords are responsible for taking action against the cockroach problem within a reasonable time frame. If the landlord fails to address the cockroach infestation despite being notified, you could have the right to terminate the lease without penalty or remedies under state laws. If the landlord refuses to take action or retaliates against you for reporting the infestation, you may have legal recourse.

What Should Tenants Do if They Discover Pests in the Rental Unit?

Tenants should promptly notify the landlord or property management about the pest problem in writing. Providing written documentation ensures a record of communication and may be necessary for future reference or legal actions if the issue is not resolved.

Contact Ehlers Pest Management to take care of your pest problem immediately.