-INSECTS-
ANTS
Ants are among the most common pests in southeast Michigan. Different species have different behaviors during different seasons and require specific treatments. When you find winged ants, you are likely dealing with a mature (budding) colony, You can count on our experts to thoroughly inspect your property and correctly identify the ants that are bugging you, to ensure an effective approach.
Acrobat Ant
Small (1/8 inch / ~2.5–3 mm), light brown to black ants with heart-shaped abdomen that they will raise when disturbed.
Feeding Habits: Honeydew from aphids, sweets, proteins, insects.
Signs of Infestation: Trails indoors; nesting in damp/decaying wood; frass near entry points.
Damage/Harm: Nest in and slightly weaken moist wood; contaminate food; minor nuisance. Their presence can indicate moisture problems.
Allegheny Mound Ants
Medium (4–7 mm / ~1/4 inch), reddish-brown head/thorax with black abdomen.
Feeding Habits: Primarily honeydew from aphids/scales; also prey on insects.
Signs of Infestation: Large conical dirt mounds (up to 3+ ft high/wide) in lawns/wooded areas; foraging trails.
Damage/Harm: Unsightly mounds damage lawns/mowing equipment; kill vegetation around nests; minor nuisance indoors for sweets. When threatened, workers can inflict painful bites with their pwerful mandibles.
Carpenter Ant
Large (1/4–1/2 inch), black or reddish-black ants.
Feeding Habits: Omnivorous; insects, honeydew, sweets, proteins, plant sap. They do not eat wood.
Signs of Infestation: Foraging trails; coarse sawdust/frass piles; winged swarmers indoors; rustling in walls.
Damage/Harm: Excavate galleries in moist/decaying wood, weakening structures over time; indicate moisture issues.
Little Black Ant
Tiny (1/16 inch), shiny black ants.
Feeding Habits: Omnivorous; sweets, grease, proteins, honeydew, dead insects.
Signs of Infestation: Foraging trails along edges; small soil piles near entry points; ants in kitchens/pantries.
Damage/Harm: Contaminate food/surfaces; weak stings possible. No structural damage.
Odorous House Ant
Small (1/10–1/8 inch / ~2–3 mm), brown to black ants. Emit rotten coconut like odor when crushed.
Feeding Habits: Sweets, honeydew, proteins, dead insects, household foods.
Signs of Infestation: Foraging trails indoors; large numbers near moisture/sweets; nests in voids or soil.
Damage/Harm: Nuisance; contaminate food. No structural damage.
Pavement Ant
Small (1/8 inch / 2.5–3 mm), dark brown to black ants.
Feeding Habits: Sweets, grease, meats, dead insects, honeydew, seeds.
Signs of Infestation: Foraging trails indoors; small soil mounds near pavement, foundations, cracks, walls.
Damage/Harm: Nuisance; contaminate food; can sting. Minimal structural damage.
Seasonal Invaders (Over wintering Pests)
In Michigan’s cold winters, pests like boxelder bugs, multicolored Asian lady beetles, cluster flies, western conifer seed bugs, and brown marmorated stink bugs seek shelter indoors. They enter through small cracks around windows, doors, siding, and foundations. Professional inspection and service are essential to locate entry points for the most effective, targeted exclusion and treatment—preventing infestations and contamination.
Boxelder Bugs
About 1/2 inch long, black with red/orange markings.
Signs of Infestation: Large numbers on sunny south/west walls in fall; indoor sightings in winter.
Penetration Points: Small cracks around windows, doors, siding, foundations, and rooflines.
Damage/Harm: Nuisance; may stain fabrics with excrement; occasional minor bite. No structural damage.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs
About 5/8 inch (15–17 mm) long, mottled brown/gray "shield" shape with white-banded antennae.
Signs of Infestation: Aggregations on sunny walls in fall; indoor sightings in winter.
Penetration Points: Cracks around windows, doors, siding, foundations, chimneys, and utility entries.
Damage/Harm: Nuisance pest; foul odor when crushed; stains surfaces. Minor plant damage outdoors; no structural harm indoors.
Cluster Flies
About 1/4–3/8 inch (6–10 mm) long, dull grayish-brown with golden hairs on thorax.
Signs of Infestation: Slow-moving flies clustering indoors, especially near windows in winter.
Penetration Points: Cracks around windows, doors, siding, attics, and wall voids.
Damage/Harm: Nuisance; may produce buzzing or staining from excrement. No structural damage or disease transmission.
Multi Colored Asian Lady Beetles
About 1/4 inch (6–7 mm) long, orange to red with variable black spots.
Signs of Infestation: Large aggregations on sunny south/west walls in fall; indoor sightings in winter.
Penetration Points: Small cracks around windows, doors, siding, soffits, and foundations.
Damage/Harm: Nuisance; may bite, emit foul yellow defensive fluid that stains surfaces. No structural damage.
Western Conifer Seed Bugs
About 3/4 inch (16–20 mm) long, reddish-brown with white zigzag wing markings.
Signs of Infestation: Aggregations on sunny walls in fall; indoor sightings in winter.
Penetration Points: Small cracks around windows, doors, siding, foundations, and rooflines.
Damage/Harm: Nuisance; emit pungent odor when crushed; may stain surfaces. Minor seed damage outdoors; no structural harm indoors.
Stinging Insects
Stings from these insects can causing swelling; severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals. Some are aggressive, and some are not. Professional inspection and service ensure the safest, most effective solution through accurate identification, nest location, and targeted treatment.
Bald-Faced Hornets
Large (5/8–3/4 inch), black with white markings on face/abdomen.
Social insects. Highly defensive and will sting repeatedly if nest disturbed.
Nests: large, enclosed gray paper football-shaped structures in trees, shrubs, or under eaves.
Signs: Visible aerial nests; workers flying near nest entrance.
Yellow Jackets
Small (3/8–5/8 inch), black and yellow striped.
Social insects. Highly aggressive; sting repeatedly when nest disturbed.
Nests: enclosed paper combs, often underground, in wall voids, or under eaves.
Signs: Foraging workers near food/sweets; visible nest entrance activity.
Paper Wasps
Medium (5/8–3/4 inch), slender, brown to reddish with yellow markings.
Social insects. Sting if nest disturbed (less aggressive than yellowjackets).
Nests: open-faced, umbrella-shaped paper combs (no outer envelope) hanging from eaves, porch ceilings, or branches.
Signs: Visible open nests; wasps flying near nest.
Mud Dauber Wasps
Slender, 3/4–1 inch long, black or blue-black with thin waist.
Solitary insects. Rarely sting unless handled.
Nests: mud tubes or organ-pipe shaped masses attached to walls, eaves, or sheltered areas.
Signs: Visible mud nests; wasps carrying mud or spiders.
Cicada Killer Wasps
Large (1–2 inches), black with yellow markings on abdomen.
Solitary insects. Rarely sting unless provoked (males cannot sting).
Nests: burrows in bare ground with dirt mounds at entrances.
Signs: Large wasps flying near burrows; cicada prey.
Carpenter Bees
Large (3/4–1 inch), robust, black with shiny abdomen (males with yellow face).
Solitary insects. Females can sting if handled (rare); males cannot sting.
Nests: round 1/2-inch holes drilled into untreated wood (eaves, decks, siding) with tunnels inside.
Signs: Large bees hovering near wood; fresh sawdust below holes.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are among the most unwelcome pests in homes and businesses. While some species, such as the American cockroach and Oriental cockroach, often prefer to live outdoors or in damp areas like sewers, crawlspaces, and basements, other species like the German cockroach and Brown-banded cockroach are highly adapted to indoor life. These indoor species can reproduce quickly and infest kitchens, bathrooms, and pantries in large numbers. Cockroaches spread bacteria on food and kitchen surfaces
German Cockroach
Small (½–⅝ inch), light brown to tan cockroaches with two dark parallel stripes behind the head. They are excellent climbers and reproduce very rapidly, with females carrying egg cases (oothecae) until they are ready to hatch.
Preferred Habitat : Indoors in kitchens, bathrooms, and areas with warmth, moisture, and food. They hide in cracks, behind appliances, and in cabinets during the day.
Damage / Harm : They contaminate food and surfaces with droppings, saliva, and shed skins, spreading bacteri
Brown Banded Cockroach
Small (½ inch), light brown cockroaches with two dark bands across the wings. Males have wings that extend beyond the abdomen; females have shorter wings. They fly more readily than German cockroaches.
Preferred Habitat : Indoors, often in warmer, drier areas such as upper cabinets, closets, behind pictures, and in furniture. They are found throughout homes, not just kitchens.
Damage / Harm : They contaminate food, paper products, and fabrics. Like other roaches, they spread bacteria and allergens
American Cockroach
Large (1–1½ inches), reddish-brown cockroaches with a yellowish margin on the thorax. They are strong fliers and have a glossy appearance.
Preferred Habitat: moist, warm areas outdoors or in basements, crawlspaces, sewers, and drains. They often enter homes from outside but can establish indoors.
Damage / Harm : They contaminate food and surfaces and produce a strong odor. They can spread disease-causing organisms and are a major nuisance in commercial kitchens and large buildings.
Smokey Brown Cockroach
Large (1–1½ inches), dark mahogany brown to black cockroaches with a glossy appearance. While less common indoors than German cockroaches, large numbers can become a significant nuisance.
Preferred Habitat : Outdoors in mulch, leaf litter, and wooded areas. They enter homes through gaps but prefer high-humidity environments.
Damage / Harm : They can contaminate food and produce a noticeable odor.
Spotted Mediterranean Cockroach
Small to medium (½ inch), pale brown with distinctive dark spots on the abdomen. They are strong fliers and more active during the day than many other species.
Preferred Habitat : Primarily outdoors in gardens, landscaping, and around foundations. Occasionally enter homes but don’ttypically establish large indoor populations. Keep landscaping trimmed away from the house and seal exterior gaps. Outdoor perimeter treatments can help prevent them from entering.
Other Common Insect Pests
Many other common crawling and nuisance insects that frequently enter homes and businesses. While often less destructive than major pests, species such as earwigs, silverfish, firebrats and crickets can become significant nuisances when populations increase or conditions favor them. Our Integrated Pest Management approach addresses the underlying causes while providing effective, responsible control.
Earwigs
About 1/2–3/4 inch, reddish-brown with forceps at tail end.
Signs: Nocturnal sightings in damp areas; small holes in plants.
Food Sources: decaying organic matter, plants, and small insects.
Harborage: moist, dark crevices, under mulch, rocks, debris.
Cause minor damage to seedlings/flowers; nuisance indoors.
Firebrats
Small (1/2 inch), mottled gray-brown, carrot-shaped with three tail filaments. Similar in appearance to Silverfish.
Signs: Fast-moving in warm areas; yellow stains or fecal pellets.
Food Sources: starch, glue, paper, fabrics, and organic debris.
Harborage: hot (above 90°F), moist locations like near furnaces, boilers, pipes.
Damage books, wallpaper, clothing, and stored items.
House Centipedes
1–2 inches, many-legged, fast-moving.
Signs: Sightings in damp areas; occasional indoor entry.
Food Sources: insects, spiders, and small invertebrates.
Harborage: moist, dark places like basements, crawl spaces, under debris.
Beneficial predators; nuisance indoors; rare painful bite. No property damage.
House Crickets
Light brown to black crickets (¾–1 inch long)
Signs: Loud, continuous chirping, produced by rubbing their wings together.
Food Sources: They are scavengers and will eat almost anything organic.
Harborage : Indoors in warm, moist areas such as basements, kitchens, and near heating sources. They often enter homes in late summer and fall from outdoor fields and gardens.
May chew on fabrics, paper, clothing, and stored food.
Silverfish
Small (1/2 inch), silvery, carrot-shaped with three tail filaments.
Signs: Fast-moving insects in dark, damp areas; yellow stains or fecal pellets.
Food Sources: starch, glue, paper, fabrics, and dead insects.
Harborage: these insect prefer moist, cool, dark places like basements, bathrooms, attics.
Cause damage to books, wallpaper, clothing, and stored items.
Stored Product Pests
Common pantry pests include Indian meal moths, flour beetles, sawtoothed grain beetles, weevils, and drugstore beetles. They infest dry goods (flour, cereal, pasta, pet food, spices) via eggs in packaging or migration from stores. Larvae feed inside, contaminating with webbing, frass, and cast skins. These insects also hide in cracks/crevices of cupboards and kitchens. Professional help is often necessary for thorough inspection, elimination, and prevention.
Indian Meal Moths
Small moths (1/2 inch wingspan), coppery-brown wings with pale base.
Signs: Flying moths near pantry; webbing and larvae in food.
Food Sources: grains, flour, cereal, nuts, dried fruit, pet food.
Live in pantries and cupboards.
Damage: Contaminate food with webbing, frass, and larvae; render products inedible.
Sawtoothed Grain Beetles
Very small (1/10 inch), slender, brown with saw-like projections on thorax.
Signs: Tiny beetles in pantry; larvae in packages.
Food Sources: grains, flour, cereal, dried fruit, nuts, pet food.
Live in stored products and cupboard cracks.
Damage: Infest and contaminate food; hard to eradicate without professional help.
Flour Beetles
Small (1/8 inch), reddish-brown, flattened.
Signs: Beetles in flour/cereal; larvae in packages.
Food Sources: flour, grains, cereal, and stored products.
Live in pantries and cupboard crevices.
Damage: Infest and contaminate food with shed exoskeletons and waste.
Weevils
Small (1/8 inch), reddish-brown to black with long snout.
Signs: Tiny beetles or exit holes in grains; larvae inside kernels.
Food Sources: whole grains, rice, corn, wheat, cereals.
Live inside stored grain products in pantries.
Damage: Infest and destroy grains; contamination makes food inedible.
Webbing Clothes Moths
Webbing Clothes Moths (Tineola bisselliella)
Small moths (1/2 inch wingspan), golden-tan with fringed wings.
Signs: Adult moths; silky webbing, larvae, and fecal pellets on fabrics.
Food Sources: wool, silk, fur, feathers, and soiled clothing.
Live in dark closets, drawers, and storage areas.
Damage: Holes, thinning, and destruction of natural fiber materials.
Spiders
Most spiders are beneficial predators because they prey on insects. However, some species can become a nuisance or raise safety concerns due to their webs or rare bites. They can become unwelcome guests when they move indoors in large numbers or create messy webs in visible areas. Our general pest services often reduce the prey that attracts them. Call or text (517) 366-3625 today, or use the contact at the bottom of this page.
Wolf Spiders
Large, fast-moving hunters that don’t spin webs. They are most active in late summer and fall, often entering homes through cracks around doors and windows as temperatures drop.
They do not build messy webs and rarely bite unless provoked. Their presence usually indicates other insect prey is available. They do not cause structural damage
Reducing outdoor insect populations and sealing entry points helps keep them outside where they belong.
Orb Weaving Spiders
Medium to large spiders known for building classic circular, wheel-shaped webs outdoors on bushes, trees, and eaves. They are common in Michigan gardens and around homes in late summer and fall. Colors and patterns vary widely.
Primarily beneficial as they eat many garden and flying pests. Their large webs can be unsightly on houses but cause no structural damage or health risk.
If webs on the house become a problem, gentle removal and perimeter pest perimter treatments can help.
Brown Recluse Spiders
Medium-sized (body ¼–½ inch) light brown spiders with a distinctive violin-shaped marking on the back. They do not spin large webs and prefer dark, undisturbed areas like closets, attics, basements, and storage boxes.
Their bite can cause necrotic wounds (tissue death) in some cases, though many bites are minor. They are not aggressive and only bite when trapped against skin. Decluttering storage areas and shaking out clothing/boxes before use are important precautions.
Black Widow Spiders
Glossy black spiders with a distinctive red or orange hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen.
Females are larger and more dangerous. They build irregular webs in dark, sheltered spots (woodpiles, under rocks, garages, or rarely indoors).wheat, cereals.
Their bite delivers potent venom that can cause severe pain, muscle cramps, and other symptoms (especially risky for children, elderly, or those with health issues). They are not aggressive but will bite if threatened.
Cellar Spiders
Medium to large spiders known for building classic circular, wheel-shaped webs outdoors on bushes, trees, and eaves. They are common in Michigan gardens and around homes in late summer and fall. Colors and patterns vary widely.
Purely a nuisance. They do not bite humans in any meaningful way.They actually help control other spiders and small insects.
Reducing moisture and clutter in lower levels of the home is the best prevention. They are often a sign of excess humidity.
Woodlouse Spiders
Medium-sized spiders (body ½–¾ inch) with a distinctive orange-red upper body and pale cream or yellowish abdomen and legs. They have large, powerful fangs and are fast runners. As their name suggests, they primarily feed on woodlice (pill bugs) and other small ground-dwelling insects.
They do not build messy webs and rarely bite (and their bite is not medically significant). They are actually beneficial because they help control woodlice and other damp-area pests.
Mice and rats can contaminate food, damage wiring and insulation, and create health concerns through droppings and the diseases they may carry. At Smart Pest Solutions, we provide safe, effective rodent control and professional exclusion services. Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles, we focus on identifying entry points, removing attractants, eliminating infestations and implementing long-term prevention strategies — all while prioritizing the health and safety of your family and the Michigan environment.
House Mouse
Small rodents (body 2½–4 inches long) with grayish-brown fur, a lighter belly, and a nearly hairless tail. They are highly adaptable and thrive indoors year-round, especially near human food sources and warmth. They reproduce rapidly, with females capable of producing multiple litters per year.
Damage / Harm
House mice contaminate food, counters, and surfaces with droppings and urine, potentially spreading bacteria like Salmonella. They gnaw on wiring (fire hazard), insulation, drywall, and stored goods. Their constant chewing can damage furniture, clothing, and paper products.
Signs of infestation
Small, rice-shaped droppings, gnaw marks on food packaging or baseboards, nesting material (shredded paper or fabric) in hidden areas, and a distinctive musky odor.
Prevention tips
Exclusion (sealing all entry points ¼ inch or larger) plus strategic baiting and monitoring provides the best protection. Our IPM rodent services emphasize safe, effective control while minimizing risks to your family.
Deer Mouse
Slightly larger than house mice (body 3–4 inches) with brown or tan fur, white underparts, large eyes, and a distinctly bicolored tail (dark on top, white underneath). They are excellent climbers and prefer rural or wooded areas but frequently enter homes, garages, and sheds during colder months in southeast Michigan.
Damage / Harm
Deer mice damage insulation, upholstered furniture, mattresses, clothing, and stored items by chewing and nesting. More importantly, deer mice are primary carriers of hantavirus, which can cause serious respiratory illness in humans through contact with droppings or urine.
Signs of infestation
Rice-shaped droppings (larger than house mouse), gnaw marks, nests in attics or wall voids, and sightings of the mice themselves, especially in garages or basements..
Prevention tips
Exclusion (sealing all entry points ¼ inch or larger) plus strategic baiting and monitoring provides the best protection. Our IPM rodent services emphasize safe, effective control while minimizing risks to your family.
White footed mouse
Similar in size to the deer mouse (body 3–4 inches) with reddish-brown fur on top and distinctly white feet and underbelly. They are agile climbers and are common in wooded and suburban areas of southeast Michigan. They often move indoors during fall and winter but may stay year-round in favorable conditions.
Damage / Harm
White Footed mice gnaw on wires, insulation, and structural materials, potentially creating fire hazards or moisture issues. Like deer mice, they can contaminate food and surfaces. They are also associated with the spread of Lyme disease (through ticks they carry) and other pathogens.
Signs of Infestation
Droppings similar to other mice, gnaw marks, shredded nesting material, and activity in attics, basements, or wall voids. White feet are a key identification feature when seen.
Prevention Tips
Reducing outdoor harborage (leaf litter, wood piles) and sealing home entry points are essential. Our professional rodent programs include thorough inspection and long-term exclusion strategies tailored to Michigan properties.
Norway Rat
Larger rodents (body 7–10 inches long) with brown or gray fur, a blunt nose, and a tail shorter than their body. They are strong swimmers and burrowers, and can enter homes through gaps along foundations, around pipe penetrations, or even sewer pipes. Norway Rats are intelligent, cautious animals and can be very difficult to get rid of, especially if they have dug burrows on your property. They are highly adaptable, and prefer lower levels of buildings (basements, crawlspaces). We have extensive experience in eliminating rat infestations, and find it truly rewarding because of the stress and anxiety these filthy pests can cause.
Damage / Harm:
Norway Rats can cause significant structural damage by gnawing on wood, pipes, and electrical wiring They contaminate food and surfaces with droppings and urine, spreading diseases such as leptospirosis, salmonella, and rat-bite fever. A single pair can produce dozens of offspring in a short time.
Signs of Infestation
Larger droppings (capsule-shaped, ½–¾ inch), grease marks along walls, burrows or holes (½ inch or larger), strong ammonia-like odor, and gnaw marks on food containers or structural elements. Scratching and gnawing sounds.
Prevention Tips
Professional exclusion, sanitation, and targeted baiting are crucial for successful control. Depriving them of food and water is extremely important. Norway rats require a different strategy than mice due to their size and ability to adapt. Our experienced team provides comprehensive rodent solutions focused on lasting results with minimal environmental impact.