Most Common Insect Problems in Troy, Michigan
Image via Flickr by Riik@mctr
Many homes and businesses in Michigan suffer their fair share of insect plagues every year. What’s worse is that these pests tend to show up at a time when you least expect and are barely prepared to deal with them. Because of COVID-19, more people are confined to their homes. That translates into more time spent in their backyards, meaning you’re bound to feel the effects of some of the most common insect problems in Troy, Michigan, that thrive during this period. In this piece, we’ll let you in on five most common insects to be wary of in Michigan and how to protect yourself.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Stink bugs are a local concern for farmers in Michigan because they wreak havoc on ornamental plants and have a bad reputation for eating crops like legumes, vegetables, and nuts, thereby lowering farm yields They also extend their activities to homes during the spring and fall seasons. To get rid of brown marmorated stink bugs, vacuum them into vacuum bags and dispose of the bags properly. You also want to identify what surfaces the bugs came in contact with and wipe them down to clear out their pheromone trails and scent.
Mosquitoes
The activities of mosquitoes mostly depend on the weather as they have a preference for warmer temperatures. This is another insect problem in Michigan because mosquitoes are known to carry dangerous diseases such as Eastern Equine Encephalitis, West Nile virus, and Zika virus. You can protect yourself from mosquitoes and deplete their population around your property by getting rid of standing water which limits their ability to lay and hatch their eggs. You also want to ensure your windows and doors are free of holes that could let mosquitoes in. It also makes sense to use insect repellents, as well as protective clothing when outdoors.
Ticks
Did you know that there are about 30 different tick species in Michigan mostly active between April and September? When compared to previous years, the population of ticks is at its highest and rapidly growing. You want to be wary of this insect because it carries disease-causing bacteria. Ticks can put you at risk of diseases like ehrlichiosis, tularemia, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme disease (known to result in irregular heart rhythm, swelling of the joints, meningitis, and loss of muscles). To protect yourself, trim your grass regularly and get rid of leaf litter. You also want to steer clear of brushy and long grass areas. Always examine your clothes and body for ticks whenever you spend time outdoors.
Bed Bugs
These insects count on your mobility to thrive. Bed bugs love to attach themselves to travelers and will make their way onto your clothes or even hide in your luggage and beddings. And once they get into your house, they begin to breed. There’s more to bed bugs than just infesting your bed. Once they hitch a ride into your home, they’ll find spaces that are warm, cramped, and dark in order to shelter. Of course, they’ll gravitate towards food sources as well.
Carpenter ants
Ant colonies are driven by the need to seek out food sources. But some ants do more than just grab crumbs off your table. Carpenter ants are notorious for their ability to cause damage to wood structures and properties. Their main target is wood. What’s worse is that these ants do not need the wood for food but rather destroy them by tunneling through so they can build a colony. Prevent carpenter ant infestations by controlling moisture, since they are attracted to moist wood. You’ll also want to check your crawl spaces, basement, and attic to ensure that humidity levels are low.
Insect Problems in Troy, Michigan?
If you’ve tried all you can to control an insect infestation with no success, now’s the time to call in the professionals. Give Solidified Pest Control a call today. We are happy to discuss how we can help protect your home from these annoying pests.
We provide pest control and rodent removal services all over Metro Detroit. In addition to Troy, Michigan, we also service Livonia, Commerce, Detroit, Warren, and Redford, Michigan. No longer spend your time looking for pest control near me. We have you covered.