PESTS & MORE
Your guide to common Michigan Pests.
Scroll below to learn more about the pests plaguing your home and find the best treatment plan with GreenX Experts.
Mosquito
Mosquitos are one of the most dangerous natural residents of Michigan.
There are over 60 species of mosquitos in Michigan.
They can be divided into three main groupings:
-
Permanent water mosquitos
-
Floodwater Mosquitos
-
Artificial container/tree whole mosquitos
All Mosquitos need standing water to mature even the smallest puddle or crevice of long-standing water can become a haven for mosquitos.
Certain types of encephalitis are spread by mosquitos such as West Nile Virus.
Tick
Most Common Types of Ticks Found in MI:
American Dog Tick: Carrier of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia
Black Legged Tick: Carrier of lyme disease, granulocytic anaplasmosis, and babesoisis.
Lone Star Tick: Carrier of monocytic ehrlichiosis and tularemia.
Brown Dog Tick: Carrier of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, canine babesiosis and canine ehrlichiosis.
Woodchuck Tick: Carrier of Powassan encephalitis.
Tick Facts:
-
The American Dog tick is the most common tick found in Michigan.
-
Ticks will stay attached and feed on a host for several days.
-
Ticks prefer shady/moist areas
Flea
The most common type of flea is called the Cat Flea. Despite its name, the Cat Flea will happily feed on most warm-bloodednesting animals in or around homes.
-Flea populations peak mid-summer.
-Fleas can survive on wildlife year-round.
IMPORTANT FOR PET OWNERS:
Fleas may be annoying to humans, but they can be deadly to our beloved pets- especially smaller, younger, and weaker animals.
Fleas can cause a number of health issues in pets:
-
Dermatits caused by an allergic reaction to the presence of fleas/flea bites, also known as FAD.
-
Anemia from blood loss.
-
Feline infectious anemia, a life-threatening blood parasite.
-
Cat scratch fever or bartonellosis, which is actually not a cause of illness in cats, but rather it can be passed to humans and cause health problems.
-
Tapeworm infections.
-
Infections as a result from itching wounds.
Earwig
Earwig Facts:
-
Earwigs are primarily nocturnal, or most active at night.
-
They like dark, damp, cracks and crevices.
-
Earwigs eat plants and insects.
-
Earwigs are attracted to lights and can be drawn to porches and patios, often gathering under chairs, chair cushions, and other outdoor accessories.
-
Earwigs will enter your home in search of food and shelter from the cold.
MYTH: Earwigs like to crawl into ears and bite you.
Thankfully this is NOT true!
Ant
The most common ant found in Michigan is the Carpenter Ant.
The Carpenter ant is one of the largest ants.
They commonly nest in hollow trees and stumps.
Carpenter ants most commonly invade homes in winter; they prefer areas in your home that are wet or damp, like windows, doors, showers, bathtubs, and dishwashers.
They also like hollow doors and false beams.
Carpenter ants are nocturnal.
Spider
Common Michigan spiders:
The Common House Spider: (Parasteatoda Tepidariorum) vary in size from 6mm to 2.5cm.
The Wolf Spider: up to 1.2 inches; their bodies may be a little bit larger compared with other spiders found in homes.
Daddy Long Legs or Cellar Spider: Size primarily accounted for by their legs, very small abdomen.
Jumping Spider: Go no larger than one inch.
Centipede
The house centipede is the most common centipede found in Michigan.
Can be as long as 2 inches.
Their bodies are made of 15 segments, each with a psi of legs.
Females final pair of legs are more than their body.
Although creepy, the house centipede is relatively harmless. With a nontoxic bite similar in pain level to a bee sting, they are rarely recorded as aggressive.
House centipedes are usually found in the kitchen, bathrooms, basements, drains, garages, and crawl spaces.