10 best pest control companies in Detroit, Michigan

In Detroit, bees, flies and rats are common pests. DIY prevention techniques may help your pest problem, but you may need to bring in a pest control company for an existing infestation. These licensed pest specialists in Detroit can pinpoint the problem and treat it safely and effectively.

A pest infestation can lead to property damage and pose health risks to you and your loved ones, including your pets. Insects and small animals can pass on disease, damage the structure of your home and contaminate food.

Hiring a professional pest control company can lower these risks. A technician will locate nesting areas, and create a treatment plan, using methods such as shutting off access points, capturing pests or applying chemicals. The right pest solution can take care of your pest problem for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Detroit

Look for pest control companies in Detroit with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB). Use the filters below to help you find the right company for your needs.

What are common pests in Detroit?

While pests are everywhere, the hot spots for different species vary. The following pests are common in the Detroit area, and these are some signs of an infestation:

• Termites: Termites consume cellulose fibers in wood. You may have a termite infestation if you notice mud tubes, droppings, cracked or bubbling paint or termite swarms. Another sign is if wood sounds hollow when you tap on it.
• Rats: You may have a rat infestation if you see a rat, find droppings about half an inch long or hear skittering in your walls or ceiling. Rats will also chew into food wrappings and bite into walls and doors to create entryways.
• Ants: Your home could be infested with various ant types. Carpenter ants excavate wood, while fire ants like greasy food scraps. Both bite, unlike pavement ants, which also commonly get into homes. Ant trails inside your home indicate larger infestations are nearby.
• Snakes: Snakes become more active when the weather is warm, nesting in overgrown grass, rock piles, debris and wood. Seeing snake skins and snake eggs indicate an infestation. If you think you might have a snake, sprinkle flour in the suspected areas. If you see trails in the flour, reach out to a pest control professional for help removing the snake.
• Mice: Mice that have gotten into your house might dart by quickly or leave rice grain-sized droppings. Mice characteristically give off a noticeable musky smell and damage household items by nibbling through them. They build nests from found materials and shredded fiber. As mice prefer tight spaces, you may hear noises inside your walls or ceiling.
• Flies: Flies often buzz around homes in the summer, but more flies than normal could mean an infestation. Fly droppings look like black specks and are often found in around high shelves, sink drains and trash. Another sign of an infestation is finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches come out at night and flee when you turn a light on. With a heavy infestation, however, you may see them during the day. Their nesting spots tend to be in kitchens, basements and bathrooms. Cockroaches often leave egg casings, brown stains on walls and floors and droppings that look like brown or black specks. They can spread disease and worsen allergies and respiratory issues.

How can you prevent pests in your Detroit home?

While an infestation will probably require professional help, the best way to avoid pest infestations is to implement preventative steps.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals are problematic and can cause considerable damage to your home and health if left unchecked. Consult with a pest control company about taking preemptive measures to keep pests from invading your home. They may recommend sealing cracks and holes, setting traps or spraying the area with pesticides.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Since pests are generally in search of sustenance, restricting their access to food sources will prevent them from settling in. Store food at least half a foot above the ground and slightly away from walls. Ensure counters, sinks and food storage areas are clean and sanitized when not being used. Regularly dispose of food waste and other garbage, and keep the spaces near trash cans and dumpsters tidy.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Tall grass, standing water, trash and leaves create ideal habitats for insects and small animals. Maintaining a debris-free yard and regularly cutting your grass and trimming foliage are among the simplest ways to prevent an infestation from taking hold. Should you need expert lawn care assistance, check whether national lawn care companies such as TruGreen service your location.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off entry points into your home will help prevent insects and small animals from entering. Rats, for example, can wriggle into holes just half an inch in diameter. Repair cracks in your roof or siding, and remember to seal broken window frames. Some pest control providers offer specialized pest blocking services to keep critters out.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To ensure you hire a pest control company that's equipped to meet your specific needs, ask these questions.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs the application of pest control substances under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Furthermore, the EPA mandates that restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors have certification in line with the agency's regulations as well as state, territorial and tribal legislation.

Michigan pest control professionals must hold a Private or Commercial Applicator License from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest expert's recommended treatment frequency will be determined by factors such as the infestation severity, treatment type, property location and pest type. Generally, pest control providers do not recommend only a single treatment, since insects are often at different stages of their life cycle, and may have laid eggs in difficult-to-reach places.

Pest pros typically suggest recurring treatments, some of which may only occur during the warmer months, while others are year-round. They may also suggest bimonthly or quarterly preventative treatments to stop an infestation before it starts.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time needed to treat your pest problem will vary based on the nature and severity of the infestation, along with the pest's life cycle. After the pest control specialist applies the initial treatment, you may see less pest activity. However, pests might reappear once they hatch, warranting extra treatments. Alternatively, you may notice more activity following the first treatment, as it can drive pests out of their hiding places. The good news is this should decrease within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can remain in your home for certain portions of the pest control treatment, such as sealing holes and cracks. Should your service provider use a pesticide, you'll most likely need to leave your home along with your family and pets while you wait for the pesticide to dry. This can typically take a few hours.

Certain pest control treatments can take a while. For termite fumigation, the pest control company sets up a tent over your entire home for three days to apply the pesticide. You'll have to vacate your home during this process.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

An experienced pest control professional can gauge the right amount of a product to use, the time needed for it to dry and when children and pets can safely return to the treated location. Before beginning any treatment, your service provider should inform you about what should be taken out of the area, including animals, food and plants.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest control providers offer environmentally friendly methods for treating an infestation. This involves using products and techniques that don't impact the environment as much as conventional chemical approaches. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing off areas where pests can gain access, humanely trapping rodents or applying pesticides made from natural ingredients.

What do I do if pests come back?

Most pest control companies provide guarantees and warranties in the event that pests reappear before a specific date. To resolve a returning pest issue, specialists may offer a single treatment or ongoing treatments. Consult with your service provider to learn about the treatments they offer.

Our methodology for selecting pest control companies

The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score. We review national pest control companies against our full pest control methodology. We score pest control companies based on service options, safety and certifications, service guarantees and customer service.