The Most Common Household Pests In Michigan

As much as we love the summer weather in Michigan, we don’t love the bugs that come with it. Today, we’ll discuss the most common spring pests invading Michigan homes and how you can get rid of them.

Spring Bugs In Michigan Homes

Ants

From the small pavement ants to the larger carpenter ants, these bugs can quickly infest your home. They are opportunists, and even the smallest crumbs can attract their attention. Carpenter ants are particularly tricky because they can burrow into wood. It’s a common misconception that they eat wood fibers, like termites. This is not the base. They only use wooden structures to tunnel in and make safe passages to and from the heart of their colony.

Beetles

Several beetles love to set up shop in our homes.

Powder Post Beetles

Reddish-brown in color with six black legs, the bodies of powder post beetles are narrow and oval in shape and range in size from 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. These beetles lay their eggs in cracks in wood structures, like flooring, furniture, or bookshelves, like carpenter ants. Their larvae tunnel into the surface, filling it with very fine powdery dust, which is where these bugs get their name. As you can imagine, their presence can weaken the integrity of your furniture or even your home!

Carpet Beetles

Carpet beetles are slightly smaller than powder post beetles, at 1/16 to 1/8 inch in length. They are oval and dark black, with small whitish scales and a long band of reddish-orange scaled down the middle of the back. They have 6 legs and one pair of antennae. As you might have guessed from their name, these pests are attracted to fabrics like fur, carpet, or rugs, where they will lay their eggs. They dine on pollen and nectar, so if you have an extensive flower garden, you may notice the presence of carpet beetles.

Centipedes

You may have already noticed centipedes in your basement, attic, or crawlspace. While they are more afraid of you than you are of them, it’s best not to handle them, as they have been known to bite if provoked. It can be as painful as a beesting. They are long, have many legs and antennae, and are light to dark brown in color. We don’t have to tell you how creepy they are.

Earwigs

First and foremost, let’s dispel the rumor: no, earwigs do NOT lay eggs in your ear. It’s a shame they don’t have a less terrifying name. If the myth of them invading your ear canal wasn’t bad enough, the pincers on their rear ends are equally horrifying. They will likely leave you alone since, like most pests, they’re more afraid of you than you are of them. They will damage your houseplants, however, as that’s a common source of food for them. Aside from the characteristic pincers, earwigs have black or reddish-brown bodies.

Clover Mites

Clover mites feed on clovers and grasses, but if conditions are right, they have no problem making their way inside your home. Ironically, healthy, well-fertilized lawns tend to be very attractive to clover mites. Newer lawns also seem to be desirable. If you’re not careful, thousands of these mites can find their way inside during the spring or fall. They are small enough to crawl right through window screens and cracks around windows, doors, and other external openings. While they won’t harm you, they make eradicating difficult. Nature has given them the unique ability to leave behind red stains if you crush them, which makes removing them a double-edged sword.

Spiders

There are dozens of spiders found in the Great Lakes State, but the most likely one you’ll find in the Downriver area is the common house spider. They can bite, and these bites can cause itching and swelling, but don’t worry. They’re not predators – at least as far as humans are concerned. They’re not aggressive like fire ants, so unless you go out of your way to handle one, you shouldn’t worry. They are incredibly shy and are more likely to scuttle off if disturbed. Many people are afraid of spiders, and we can’t blame them. Fortunately, if this applies to you, there are spider control options.

How To Get Rid Of Bugs In Michigan Homes

At Grosse Ile Lawn Sprinkler & Fertilizer, our perimeter pest control program targets all of the above bugs and more! Here’s how it works: our team of experts deploys a light chemical spray around the exterior of your home and turfgrass to target where these bugs live, nest, and breed. Any bugs who cross this boundary will not be long for this world. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your home is free from creepy crawlies. Our 5-application program actually starts this month, so if you’re considering a perimeter pest control application, now’s the perfect time to start so you can enjoy season-long protection.

Hire Pest Control Services Near Grosse Ile, Michigan

Tired of finding creepy crawlies in your home? The experts at Grosse Ile Lawn Sprinkler & Fertilization can help! Our team has over 30 years of experience controlling unwanted guests like spiders, centipedes, earwigs, and more. We offer a perimeter pest control program as well as a mosquito control service to protect your home inside and out! Don’t put up with bugs invading your beautiful home. Call us at (734) 285-4470 or contact us to learn how we can help you!