Ann Arbor is a college town wrapped in tall trees. The University of Michigan anchors the city, the Huron River loops through it, and neighborhoods from Burns Park and the Old West Side to Water Hill and Kerrytown are shaded by old maples and oaks. That leafy canopy, combined with tens of thousands of students moving in and out each year and cold southeast Michigan winters, gives the city a pest profile unlike a typical suburb.
PestMinistry is a referral service. When you call, we connect you with independent, licensed pest control providers serving Ann Arbor. We do not perform treatments ourselves.
Pests that show up here
- Bed bugs and German cockroaches in student housing and multi-unit buildings with frequent turnover.
- Mice and Norway rats, especially in older houses and around downtown restaurants and alleys.
- Carpenter ants in trees, porches and wet wood, with odorous house and pavement ants in kitchens.
- Eastern subterranean termites, which occur in southern Michigan though at a lower intensity than farther south.
- Squirrels and raccoons that enter attics and chimneys in wooded neighborhoods.
- Ticks and mosquitoes along the Huron River, Nichols Arboretum and other green corridors.
- Stink bugs, lady beetles and cluster flies that cluster on sunny walls in fall.
The August shuffle and other local rhythms
Each late summer, thousands of students move into rentals around Central Campus, South University and the Packard corridor, often hauling used furniture. This annual shuffle is a classic route for bed bugs and roaches. Landlords of older houses split into apartments face a constant need for inspections. Meanwhile, owner-occupied homes in the Old West Side and Burns Park have century-old foundations, original windows and attics where squirrels and mice find the gaps.
Weather and seasons in Ann Arbor
- Spring: ants and termite swarmers emerge, and ticks become active in wooded areas.
- Summer: mosquitoes, wasps and flies peak, with roaches active in warm kitchens.
- Fall: mice, stink bugs and spiders move indoors as nights cool.
- Winter: snow and cold concentrate rodents and overwintering insects in heated buildings.
How licensed providers help
Technicians inspect inside and out, identify the pest and propose tailored work: integrated programs for rental properties, trapping and exclusion for rodents, bait for ants, heat or residual treatments for bed bugs, and perimeter service for seasonal invaders. They also advise landlords and tenants on shared responsibilities and documentation.
Everyday prevention in Ann Arbor
- Inspect used furniture before it enters a home or apartment.
- Trim branches away from the roof and keep gutters clean.
- Seal gaps at the foundation, pipe entries and attic vents.
- Store food in sealed containers and keep trash lidded.
- Report pest sightings early in multi-unit housing.
Contact
For a referral to a licensed provider, call (844) 725-1661.
Frequently asked questions
Are bed bugs common in Ann Arbor?
They are a recurring concern in rentals and lodging because of student turnover and visitor traffic.
Who is responsible for pest control in a rental?
It depends on the lease and the pest. Notify your landlord in writing and ask how treatment will proceed.
Do I need to worry about termites in Michigan?
Southern Michigan has subterranean termites, so an inspection is reasonable for older homes, but pressure is lower than in southern states.
What attracts squirrels to my attic?
Overhanging branches and small gaps at rooflines or vents invite them.