Why pests surge when seasons change
Michigan’s weather swings act like a megaphone for pest activity. Warmth wakes insects. Rain pushes them indoors. If you treat your house like a ship, every unsealed gap is a hatch an ant, spider, or mouse will find. That’s why the smartest first move is prevention you can repeat. If you’d rather skip guesswork and go straight to a proven plan, start with Prevent Pests and align your home to a seasonal checklist that actually sticks.
As temperatures rise, trails appear in kitchens, spiders web up soffits, and yellowjackets stake out sunny eaves. When nights cool, attic voids become mouse hotels. If you’re near lakes or woodlots, that moisture and cover amplify it. In neighborhoods like Fenton, a little structure and timing beats big sprays. If you’re seeing persistence, schedule pest control in Fenton and pair entry work with targeted baits so you’re not chasing symptoms every month.
The simple framework that wins
Think like an inspector. Eliminate food and water. Block entry. Target the pest you truly have.
Your 80/20 weekly habits
- Wipe counters nightly and rinse recycling so sugar trails never start.
- Run a dehumidifier in basements or crawl spaces under 55% relative humidity.
- Fix drips fast; moisture is a magnet for ants, roaches, and earwigs.
- Keep pet food in tight-lidded bins; no open “buffets.”
- Store bird seed off the floor and in metal containers to deter rodents.
- Trim shrubs 12–18 inches from siding to remove “bridges.”
- Pull mulch back from the foundation to reduce harborage.
- Clear downspouts; standing water breeds mosquitoes and fungus gnats.
Room-by-room prevention
Kitchen. Treat it like a lab bench, not a snack bar. Baits beat sprays for ants because they take the food home.
Bathrooms. Caulk gaps at tub, toilet, and sink bases; moisture + gaps = silverfish invitations.
Basement. Seal utility penetrations with steel wool + caulk; mice flatten like coins.
Garage. Weatherstrip doors, store cardboard off the floor, and rotate boxes quarterly.
Attic. Cap vents with screens and check soffit gaps after storms.
Exterior perimeter in 20 minutes
- Remove leaf piles and stacked firewood near the house.
- Swap bright porch bulbs to warmer tones or motion-only.
- Check door sweeps; if you can see light, a spider can walk in.
- Inspect the sill plate and hose bibs for gaps you can pencil-fill with foam.
DIY vs pro: pick your moment
DIY shines for early signs. When trails persist past three days, when you see gnaw marks, when wasps guard a door—call pros. They’ll identify the species, place targeted materials, and map entries so you treat the cause, not just the symptom.
Pros and cons snapshot
- Pros: Faster relief, targeted products, season-long plan, prevention focus.
- Cons: Appointment windows, service fees, light prep needed before treatment.
Seasonal timeline you can reuse
March–April: Seal gaps, set dehumidifiers, bait for early ants.
May–June: Trim vegetation, reduce lighting, fix leaks.
July–August: Watch eaves for wasps; treat early, not angry.
Sept–Oct: Perimeter exclusion for fall invaders; attic/soffit inspection.
Nov–Feb: Rodent inspection, sanitation, snap-trap monitoring.
Quick signs you shouldn’t ignore
- Ant lines that return after cleaning and spraying.
- Noises in walls or ceilings at night.
- Wasps hovering where kids or pets pass.
- Droppings in utility rooms or cabinets.
The Fenton factor
Tree cover, lakes, and older utility runs equal more entry points and moisture zones. Pairing micro-exclusion with targeted baits is the difference between a one-time fix and a monthly headache. If you want a lighter lift, book pest control in Fenton and let a technician map entries, place the right controls, and set a schedule you don’t have to think about.
Bottom line
Prevention is a habit, not a weekend. Repeat the basics and call help when patterns persist. Your home stays comfortable. Your calendar stays free.