Spring Pest Season Is Here in Ann Arbor — What Every Homeowner Needs to Know

Spring in Ann Arbor means warmer weather, blooming trees along the Huron River, and unfortunately — pests waking up. Every year between March and May, our team at Honorable Pest Control sees a massive spike in calls from homeowners across Washtenaw County dealing with ants, spiders, and rodents that have been hiding all winter.

If you're already seeing pests in your home, you're not alone. Here's what's happening right now and what you can do about it.

The 4 Pests Invading Ann Arbor Homes Right Now

1. Ants — The #1 Spring Pest in Michigan

As soon as the ground thaws in Southeast Michigan, ant colonies that have been dormant underground become active again. Carpenter ants are especially common in older Ann Arbor homes near wooded areas — they don't eat wood like termites, but they tunnel through it to build nests, which can cause serious structural damage over time.

Pavement ants are the other big offender. If you've seen tiny black ants marching across your kitchen counter or bathroom floor, that's them. They're drawn to moisture and food scraps, and once a scout finds a food source in your home, hundreds will follow.

What to do: Don't just spray the ants you see — that kills the workers but the colony keeps producing more. Professional ant control targets the colony itself, which is the only way to stop them for good.

2. Spiders — They Followed the Bugs Inside

Spiders go where their food goes. As insects become more active in spring, spiders move into homes to hunt them. In Washtenaw County, the most common species we treat are wolf spiders, brown recluse, and common house spiders.

Most spiders are harmless, but nobody wants them in their bedroom. And if you're seeing a lot of spiders, it usually means you have a bigger bug problem — the spiders are there because there's plenty to eat.

3. Rodents — Still Active from Winter

Mice and rats that moved into your home during Michigan's freezing winter don't just leave when spring arrives. They've been nesting in your walls, attic, and crawl spaces for months. Spring is when homeowners start noticing the damage — chewed wires, droppings in the garage, scratching sounds at night.

Effective rodent control requires three steps: elimination of current rodents, sealing every entry point, and ongoing monitoring to prevent re-entry. DIY traps catch a few mice but don't solve the underlying problem.

4. Box Elder Bugs and Stink Bugs — The Spring Awakening

These overwintering pests have been hiding in your walls and attic since fall. As temperatures rise above 50°F, they wake up and try to get outside — but many end up inside your living space instead. You'll find them clustered on sunny walls, windows, and doors.

Why Spring Is the Best Time to Start Pest Protection

Most homeowners wait until they have a problem to call a pest control company. But spring is actually the ideal time to get ahead of pests — before colonies are fully established and before summer breeding season makes everything worse.

A single ant colony can contain over 500,000 ants. A pair of mice can produce 60+ offspring in a year. By the time you notice a problem, it's already bigger than you think.

That's why we created Honorable Shield — our quarterly protection plan that treats your home year-round so pests never get a foothold. It covers 15+ common pests including ants, spiders, wasps, rodents, and more. And if a covered pest returns between visits, we re-treat your home at no cost. That's our Pest Insurance Guarantee.

What Our Team Is Seeing Across Washtenaw County

Our technicians have been busy this spring across Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Dexter, and Chelsea. Ann Arbor's Old West Side and Burns Park neighborhoods are seeing carpenter ants in older homes and mice in basements. Ypsilanti has pavement ants and spiders in apartments. Saline has rodent activity in rural properties. Dexter and Chelsea are dealing with box elder bugs and carpenter bees around decks and porches.

5 Things You Can Do Today to Protect Your Home

Seal cracks and gaps around doors, windows, and your foundation. Remove standing water near your foundation. Keep food sealed in airtight containers. Trim bushes and branches away from your house. And schedule a free inspection with a professional — a trained technician can identify entry points and pest activity that you might miss.

Don't Wait Until Summer — Act Now

Every week you wait in spring means pest colonies grow larger and harder to eliminate. The homeowners who start protection now spend less money and deal with fewer problems all year long.

Honorable Pest Control serves 82 cities across Southeast Michigan with family-safe treatments, same-day service, and a 5-star rating from 200+ customers. We're local, family-owned, and we stand behind every treatment.

Call us today at (734) 436-3017 for a free home pest inspection. Let's make sure your home is protected before summer hits.