Helpful Pest Control Tips to Protect Your Home
January 14, 2026
Your complete guide to Michigan's seasonal pest patterns, from spring mosquitoes to winter rodents, with expert prevention tips.
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Spring in Michigan can bring a surge of pest activity, including mosquitoes, termites, ants, stinging insects, ticks, and fleas. Warmer weather also sees the emergence of spiders, house flies, and garden pests like Japanese beetles, which flourish as temperatures rise and vegetation begins to grow.
Once Michigan’s temps hit 50°F in the spring, mosquitoes aren’t far behind. These pests start showing up as early as April, and by the time July and August roll around, the heat and humidity kick their activity into high gear. This is when your outdoor time gets hijacked by constant swatting and the need to douse yourself in repellent just to check the mail.
Michigan tick season generally runs from April to September when the weather is warm. Out of more than 20 different tick species identified in Michigan, there are four in particular that state residents should look out for, with blacklegged ticks being the primary concern for Lyme disease transmission.
That’s why mosquito season peaks in July and August, when it’s hot and sticky outside. These conditions also raise the risk of mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and Jamestown Canyon virus—all of which have been reported in Lansing, Detroit, and Saginaw.
West Nile virus is the biggest concern in Michigan—it’s been detected in mosquitoes every summer since 2002, with southeastern Michigan counties seeing the most activity. Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is less common but more serious, and Jamestown Canyon virus has also been detected in several Michigan counties.
The reality is that mosquitoes breeding near your home are likely breeding ON your property. If you have backed-up gutters or standing water near your home, like an old bird bath that hasn’t been dumped out in a few weeks, you might be growing your own mosquitoes right in your backyard. Even something as small as a plant saucer or clogged gutter can produce hundreds of mosquitoes.
Professional mosquito control becomes essential during peak season, not just for comfort but for health protection. The risk is highest for people who spend time outdoors, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Professional mosquito control significantly reduces your exposure to these disease-carrying pests.
Starting treatments before peak season hits gives you better control all season long. By the time you’re getting bitten every time you step outside, mosquitoes have already established breeding cycles in your area. Early intervention gives you better control all season long.
Lyme disease cases in Michigan have increased by 168% over the last five years. The state recorded 1,215 cases in 2024, as compared to 452 cases in 2020. Anaplasmosis cases in Michigan have seen an almost fivefold increase over the last five years, with 82 cases in 2024 compared to 17 in 2020.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, more than 80% of the state’s counties are potentially at risk for Lyme disease due to the presence of blacklegged ticks. This isn’t just a northern Michigan problem anymore—it’s statewide.
Ticks hunt by climbing shrubs and grasses. From their perches, the ticks simply wait for their prey to walk by and then grab onto it. The fewer places they have to hunt, the harder it will be for ticks to infest your property. Keep grass, shrubs, and bushes trimmed short during tick season.
The connection between rodent control and tick management is often overlooked. When ticks are small and growing, they like to attach to smaller prey, like small game rodents. By doing rodent management around your home, you can ease your tick burden, too.
Professional tick control programs target both the pests and their habitat. This includes treating areas where ticks wait for hosts and addressing the small mammals that serve as tick transportation systems around your property.
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As the weather cools moving into autumn, pests like rodents, stink bugs, boxelder bugs, western conifer seed bugs, Asian lady beetles, spiders, and cluster flies start looking for warmth—and your home provides exactly what they need.
Fall marks the beginning of what we pest control professionals call “overwintering pest” season. Stink bug season peaks in early fall, when BMSBs move from fields and gardens into homes. When temperatures drop, they look for shelter. They cluster in attics, wall voids, and other hidden spots to overwinter.
In fall, boxelder bugs, Asian lady beetles, cluster flies, conifer seed bugs and grain beetles may invade homes seeking warmth. Seal cracks and use insecticides on exterior walls to reduce entry. The key is addressing these invasions before they establish themselves inside your home.
These rodents do not hibernate throughout the winter, whether in the wild or inside a house. They spend the winter hunting for food, seeking refuge, and evading predators if they are outside. Michigan mice are also known to go north in the winter months.
Houses and other structures offer mice seeking a winter home with warm, protected attic and wall areas, as well as food and water. They won’t risk braving the cold to scavenge for food throughout the winter, which means they’ll be much easier to see since they’ll be indoors most of the time.
The reproductive capacity of mice makes small problems into big problems fast. Did you know that 6 mice can multiply into a family of 60 mice within 3 months? The reproductive capacity of mice is nothing short of astonishing. A single female mouse can produce multiple litters each year, containing five to six pups. This rapid reproduction means that what might seem like a minor mouse problem can quickly transform into a significant infestation in months.
Effective winter rodent control requires more than just traps. The best way to keep mice and rats out of your home is by sealing up all possible entry points 1/4″ or larger. You’ll want to use materials mice cannot chew through when sealing these openings. Steel wool, specialized caulk, and metal sheeting are excellent choices for creating robust barriers that prevent rodent entry.
Professional rodent control focuses on exclusion first, then elimination. We start with a complete home inspection. During the home inspection we identify entry points into the home, attic, and basement. We seal up the exterior of your home and if necessary install one-way trap doors.
The top five fall invaders in Michigan scrambling to seek shelter in your home now are: the Brown Marmorated Stink bug; the Asian Lady Beetle; Western Conifer Seed Bug (a Stink Bug look-alike); Boxelder Bug and the Cluster Fly.
In early fall, boxelder bugs look for warm places to overwinter. They gather on sunny walls, then slip inside through gaps around windows, doors, and siding. Attics, basements, and garages often provide perfect overwintering sites. They also slip into voids behind siding, gaps in foundations, and other small crevices. When warm days arrive, they become active again, often appearing inside living spaces.
Stink bugs present a different challenge. Stink bugs release a foul odor from glands near their abdomen when threatened. The smell helps protect them from predators, but it also makes them unpleasant to squish indoors. These smelly secretions can also leave behind a dark yellow stain on carpets, furniture, and window sills.
The timing of prevention treatments is critical. Start boxelder bug control before the first cold snap of the season. Sealing cracks and repairing damaged screens goes a long way toward keeping them out. Pay special attention to sunny exterior walls, where the insects gather in the most significant numbers. Inspect and seal gaps at windows, doors, and utility lines to make your home less inviting.
Professional fall treatments create a barrier that prevents these pests from establishing overwintering sites in your home. We offer seasonal exterior treatments that create a protective barrier around your home, blocking invaders before they gain entry. This approach is far more effective than trying to deal with hundreds of bugs already inside your walls.
Michigan’s seasonal pest challenges require a proactive approach that adapts to what each season brings. From spring mosquito prevention to fall exclusion work and winter rodent control, timing your pest management efforts makes the difference between minor inconveniences and major infestations.
The most effective approach combines seasonal treatments with ongoing prevention. Professional pest control programs adjust their focus throughout the year—targeting mosquito breeding sites in spring, maintaining outdoor protection through summer, sealing entry points before fall invasions, and monitoring for winter rodent activity.
For Genesee County residents dealing with Michigan’s unique pest pressures, working with experienced local professionals like us at First Choice Pest Control ensures you get treatments timed for maximum effectiveness and solutions designed for your specific property challenges.
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