How Do I Still Have Ants in Winter?

Ants are cold-blooded. In order to thrive and survive, they need an external source of warmth. Obviously, it gets considerably harder for ants to find these external sources in winter. Especially the ants that happen to live in Michigan. 

Despite the considerable adversity facing them each winter, ants are determined creatures. Subzero temperatures don’t stop their relentless drive to find food, shelter, and water. In order to find what they need this winter, ants will often attempt to infiltrate homes. Including your home, if you’re not careful. If you’re asking why you still have ants in winter, you’re in the right place. We’ll answer that question–along with how those ants got in and how to throw them out–below.

Why do I still have ants during the winter?

You have ants during the winter for the same reason you have them during spring, summer, or fall. Your home was easy to get inside and offered them the things they were looking for. If ants can’t find a home to infest, they’ll build their colonies and cluster under rocks, tree bark, decomposing leaves, or deep within the ground. If they can find a home, well… then there’s a problem. 

If they find a warm place (your house, for example) to nest in the winter, ants won’t need to cluster. They’ll instead be able to remain active throughout the entire year. Inside homes, they’re most commonly found inside walls, near pipes, inside molding, or under baseboards. They got inside by finding a breach in your home’s perimeter. It could have been crumbling brick, old boards, or a crack in the foundation.

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What do they want?

Ants want what all common problem pests want: food, shelter, and water. If you’re reading this, it means you’re likely already facing an ant problem. That means they’ve already found one of the things they were looking for: shelter, warmth, and cover from the cold. That’s what brings them in. 

What makes ants stay after they get inside will be how well they can find food and water. Ants like sugar, fat, and protein-dense foods like meat, cheese, dried goods, peanut butter, baking materials, or pet food. Water is a less significant motivator since they require very little to sustain themselves. Ants are commonly found near hidden plumbing leaks because they like its easy, consistent moisture access. 

What can I do to prevent them?

That’s the most important question. If you don’t already have an ant problem, how can you prevent one from happening? Here are a few of our best ant exclusion tips:

  • Keep surfaces clean. Ants are scavengers. Their favorite places to find sustenance are on floors, garbage cans, and countertops. Keep dirty dishes out of the sink, wipe crumbs off the table, and mop residue off the floors.
  • Practice perimeter maintenance. Ants are tiny. It doesn’t take much for them to find a way inside your home. Just because it’s difficult to bar their entry doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try, however. Follow their trails to see where they’re coming in. Find perimeter breaches and fix them with caulk, putty, or plaster as needed.
  • Spot the scouts. If you ever see a lone ant, it’s a scout. Scout ants are sent out by the colony to find sources of food or water. You want to prevent it from having a chance to communicate with the nest about anything it may have found.

Winter is a surprisingly busy time when it comes to pest infestations. That’s because, like ants, many other pests are seeking shelter from the cold. If, despite your best efforts, one of those pests finds its way inside your home – give Griffin a call. Our experts can both help you remove existing pests and prevent future ones.

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Why Can Some Ants Fly?

Why can some ants fly?

Ants are one thing. You get ants. You’ve seen their mounds, watched them swarm around food, and probably even shooed them out of your kitchen. Flying ants are… another thing entirely. Are those things even ants?! Are ants supposed to be able to do that?! Why here?! Why now?!

We get being intimidated by flying ants. Particularly when there are a lot of them, and they’re flying right at you. Despite flying ants’ somewhat frightening (and sudden!) appearance, however, they’re nothing to be worried about. Here’s what you should know about flying ant swarms, and how they might affect you:

What are flying ants?

Flying ants aren’t a particular species of ant, but they are a particular caste of many ant species. Flying ants make up the reproductive caste of their ant colony, or “alates.” Alates can fly in order to leave the colony and seek out mates effectively. Ant colonies produce both male reproductive alates and winged virgin queen ant alates. Male alates seek out queens from other colonies, while queens start new colonies of their own.

Ant species like carpenter ants produce alates during mating season. Particular alate appearance may vary from species-to-species, but they’ll generally be ¼ to ⅜” long and black, dark brown, or dark red. Alate wings are clear, translucent, and unequal in length. Alates usually leave their colonies in large swarms during mating season in order to protect each other from predators. If you see flying ants near your home, then there’s probably a developing colony nearby.

When do flying ants become active?

When do flying ants become active?

Last year, we wrote a blog about “flying ant day.” On flying ant day, huge swarms of alate swarms suddenly appeared all over Detroit. A version of “flying ant day” happens every year around Labor Day. Now that you know what alates are all about, it isn’t hard to guess why: mating. Every year around late summer, alates become very active very quickly in order to mate and start colonies.

Despite its relative predictability, ant mating season doesn’t start on a particular date. Instead, it begins when conditions are just right. The ideal condition for ant mating is a summer day with high temperatures, sunny weather, and no wind. When that perfect day comes along, all kinds of ant colonies start mating at once–hence the sudden swarms. Ants tend to reproduce in late summer to prepare for winter, but it isn’t the only time they reproduce. You may occasionally see swarming alates even during the “off” season.

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How can flying ants affect you?

Seeing a flying ant around your home isn’t necessarily a telltale sign of ant infestation. Flying ants… can fly, after all. During mating season, ant swarms may range quite a ways from their colonies to seek mates. If you see an alate inside your home during spring or summer, it might have wandered in accidentally. In all likelihood, that ant will die before it finds a mate and you won’t need to worry about it.

Ironically, you should worry about winged ants if you see them during the off-season. If you see alates in your home during winter or early spring, you may have a larger problem. Alates shouldn’t be active at all unless it’s mating season. If they are, it’s because they don’t need to wait for nice weather to begin the mating cycle… because they’re living in a temperature-controlled environment. If you see swarms of flying ants in your home all year, then you probably have a carpenter ant infestation.

What can you do about flying ants?

What can you do about flying ants?

Carpenter ants are one of the few ant species that could infest and mate inside your home all year. This is possible because carpenter ants hollow out tunnels in wooden structures to live inside. Carpenter ants attack moist, rotting, or unprotected wood. Infestations usually start outside and end up inside after the ants tunnel deeper through the wood. Flying ants may emerge from these tunnels at any point once they’re warm enough inside.

Carpenter ants require nearly constant moisture sources in order to remain active. They attack moist wood because it allows them to stay hydrated while they work. The best way to keep carpenter ants away, therefore, is to make sure they can’t access wet wood. Look for any sources of excess moisture around your home, including leaks, condensation, or humidity. Protect any exposed wood outside your home, too, particularly if it touches the ground. By protecting wood from carpenter ants, you’ll be able to keep alates out of your home.

 

Just like everything else in nature, flying ants have a specific purpose and context. Now that you know that context, alate swarms won’t seem nearly as intimidating. …At least, in theory.

In practice, well… we believe in you! If you’re worried you have a carpenter ant infestation, give Griffin a call any time. We’ll figure out where the infestation came from, wipe it out, and make sure it can’t come back. You won’t have to worry about flying ants. In theory, or practice!

Keeping Pests Away From Your Bird Feeder

Keeping squirrels away from your bird feeder

Having a bird feeder can be a lot of fun, especially if you’re a bird lover. After installing a feeder, you’ll probably start seeing birds you never could have glimpsed otherwise. With any luck, you could transform your yard into a miniature bird sanctuary and ecosystem.

Unfortunately, however, bird feeders often help create other kinds of ecosystems, too. Pest ecosystems. Pests aren’t picky; just because it’s called “birdseed” doesn’t mean they won’t help themselves to it. Part of owning a bird feeder is figuring out how to keep pests away from it. Here are a couple of good ways to do that.

Clean up after the feeder

Most ground-feeding pests like rodents and insects don’t actually climb up onto the feeder to eat. Instead, they wait for birdseed to fall from the feeder onto the ground, and simply snack on that! It’s an easy, constant food source for pests, and they’ll take advantage constantly.

One of the best ways to keep pests away from your feeder is simply to pick up after it. Clean up any fallen birdseed from beneath the feeder as often as possible. The less birdseed falls to the ground, the fewer pests will be able to use it for food.

Isolate the feeder

Pests feel more comfortable approaching food sources when they have cover to hide behind and sneak around in. Rodents and insects approach bird feeders when the terrain around the feeder is overgrown and shady. Long grass, weeds, bushes and shrubs, fallen leaves, and other assorted clutter all help pests move around.

Make sure the space around your bird feeder is as clear and open as possible. Place it out in the open, trim the grass around it, and keep it far away from your home. If pests feel uncomfortable around your feeder, they’re less likely to rely on it.

secure the feeder

Secure the feeder

Bird feeders often spill seed when birds, weather, or even pests knock them around. After bird seed spills onto the ground, it’s easy pickings for opportunistic pests. Most bird feeders tend to dangle from trees pretty freely or stand on their own.

However, you set up your bird feeder, it may be surprisingly easy to wiggle around or even knock over. Try taking extra steps to secure your feeder. Test it by trying to jostle or smack it around yourself. Ultimately, you’re trying to make sure no animal could shake loose birdseed, no matter what they try.

Fix the feeder

You might be surprised how often bird feeders break without their owners knowing. You leave your bird feeder outside for long periods of time. Wind, weather, birds, and pests take their toll over time.

Unfortunately, when bird feeders break, they usually break in ways that are convenient for pests. Either they’re easier to access or they start spilling bird seed onto the ground! Check on your feeder every couple of weeks to make sure it’s not broken. If you notice any damage, bring it inside until you can repair it. Don’t feel guilty; broken feeders are bad for birds, too.  

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Use bafflers

“Bafflers” are bowl-like devices installed on the bottom of feeders to keep pests away. They won’t work on flying animals (by design), but they make climbing the feeder far more difficult. A bafflers is basically an upside-down bowl that prevents pests like squirrels from climbing up to access the feeder itself.

You can buy bafflers at most hardware stores or make them yourself. Sometimes they’re very effective, sometimes… they’re not. Bafflers can’t be the single solution to all your feeder problems, but they can be part of your solution.

Bring in the feeder

Bring in the feeder

This is the obvious sort-of solution we all tend to forget. Most pests–especially the BIG pests, like skunks and opossums–come out at night. When they come out, they’re hungry. Nocturnal foraging pests think they hit the jackpot when they find your bird feeder. If they can knock out some seeds they can feast all night.

Luckily, you can prevent this in the simplest way possible: just bring in the feeder at night! It’s not like birds are flocking in to feed overnight, anyway. If the feeder isn’t outside at night, then nocturnal pests won’t be able to use it. It’s just that simple.

 

Unfortunately, you can’t simply put out your birdfeeder and fill it up every now and then. At least, you can’t if you want to avoid pests. By following these pest-proofing steps, however, you’ll ensure that birds are the only wildlife eating from your feeder.

If your pest problems seem a little too significant to solve by pest-proofing your feeder, give Griffin a call. We’ll figure out why pests won’t leave you alone and make sure they do. Enjoy the birds!

The Most Poisonous Pests in Michigan

Northern Black Widow close-up

Animal poison tends to be as provocative as it is scary. Somebody asks us about poison almost every single day. Usually by asking “is that thing poisonous?!” The answer is almost always “no…” almost always. There are several poisonous animals and pests in Michigan. Some of them are even highly poisonous.

We think one of the reasons why animal venom is so feared is because it’s not very understood. Pest venom isn’t a human killing superweapon. In fact, it’s usually not even really meant for use on humans. Instead, poison is a natural part of some animal adaptations. They use it to hunt, defend themselves, and scare away predators. Here are some examples of the most poisonous pests in Michigan, along with what their poison is specifically. Hopefully, understanding poison a little better will help make it a lot less scary.

Black Widows in Michigan

The Northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus) is the only venomous spider native to Michigan (Brown recluse spiders are not native). Like other black widows, it’s also one of the most venomous spiders in the country. Widow venom is fifteen times more toxic than rattlesnake venom, though spiders deliver far less in a given bite. In terms of pure potency, widows are probably the most venomous animal in Michigan.

All Widows possess venom called latrotoxin. Latrotoxins act on presynaptic nerve membranes and can trigger an illness called “latrodectism.” Latrodectism triggers a release of the neurotransmitters acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and GABA. Releasing these neurotransmitters triggers pain, followed by muscle cramps, sweating, nausea, and possible vomiting. Severity and length of symptoms depends on the bite location and how much venom the spider transmitted. Northern black widow bites are very rare. Even when they do occur, the spiders rarely administer venom to humans.

paper wasps

Paper Wasps in Michigan

People tend not to think of wasps as “poisonous,” but their venom is why stings hurt! The most venomous wasp in Michigan is also our most common: the European paper wasp (Polistes dominula). As the name implies, the European paper wasp isn’t native to Michigan. Paper wasps first came to America in 1981 and spread quickly by hijacked native wasp’s nests for themselves. Today, paper wasps have established themselves as an invasive species in Michigan. It’s may not be native, but it’s here to stay.

Paper wasp venom is painful because it targets the nervous system on a cellular level. Enzymes and proteins in the venom break down cell membranes when introduced into the bloodstream. When neuron cells break down, they send a signal that they’re damaged–pain–to the brain. Wasp stings also deliver norepinephrine, which stops blood flow to prevent the venom’s potency from deluding in the bloodstream. Finally, they introduce hyaluronidase and MCDP to spread venom further around the site of the sting.

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Eastern American Toads

Eastern American and Fowler’s Toads

Believe it or not, Eastern American (A. a. americanus) and Fowler’s (Anaxyrus fowleri) toads are among the most poisonous animals in Michigan. Toad venom is primarily defensive in nature. These toads possess venom-producing “Parotoid Glands” right behind their heads. These glands secrete a chemical steroidal venom called Bufotoxin onto the toad’s body as a predation deterrent. Bufotoxin looks like a milky white liquid film that coats the toad’s skin. If toads look wet, they might be secreting their toxin!

Bufotoxin is more deadly to small predators than it is to people. When ingested, Bufotoxins can trigger serious cardiac, neurological, and gastrointestinal problems. Eventually, Bufotoxin can even target the central nervous system and cause heart attacks or seizure. When merely handled, however, Bufotoxin usually only causes a mild skin rash or allergic reaction. Bufotoxin may also irritate eyes and mucous membranes on contact. Don’t let your pets chase, kill, or eat the little toads in your yard!  

eastern massasauga snake

Eastern Massasauga Rattle Snake

The Eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) is the only venomous snake in Michigan. Massasauga are capable of injecting a highly toxic venom through their bites. In fact, massasauga venom is considered more potent than most other rattlesnake venom. Like black widow spiders, however, massasaugas generally inject less venom during a bite than most snakes. Venom is a valuable resource for rattlesnakes, and its resource-intensive to reproduce. Consequently, most massasauga bites are “dry bites,” which contain no venom.

Eastern massasauga venom contains a specialized digestive enzyme. When this enzyme enters the bloodstream, it disrupts blood flow and prevents blood clotting. When venom is injected into the smaller prey massasauga feed on, it causes fatal internal bleeding. It can also incapacitate prey and destroy tissue. Massasauga venom is not fatal to humans, but it can be extremely harmful. Fortunately, massasauga bites are rare. Massasaugas are highly cautious, even shy or docile snakes. They would avoid rather avoid or run from a conflict than lash out.

 

As you can see, venomous pests use their venom for hunting small prey and defending themselves. None of Michigan’s pests are going to go out of their way to poison you; just the opposite, in fact. As always, it doesn’t hurt to be aware of venomous pests, but you shouldn’t have to fear them.

Of course, that’s easier said than done… especially if poisonous pests are around your home. If you’re worried you have a potentially-precarious pest predicament, give Griffin a call right away. We have everything we need to keep you safe from Michigan’s most poisonous pests.