Many homeowners have tried DIY solutions for pest control, from homemade bug-repellent elixirs to baited 5-gallon buckets for mice. While these remedies may work for small intrusions, they are often time-consuming, costly, and ineffective in the long run. When it comes to managing pests in your home, property, office building, or commercial space, hiring a professional pest control company, such as Northern Pest, will quickly prove to be a more efficient and reliable solution for controlling pest populations, especially in the case of recurring infestations.

What is Reoccurring Pest Control?

Recurring pest control is a treatment plan designed to be scheduled as needed based on the situation in your home or commercial property. Instead of following a strict timetable, this service adapts to your location’s requirements, ensuring prompt and efficient pest management.  A professional pest control company will monitor and treat your home or business regularly, adjusting their methods to prevent infestations before they become problematic.

At Northern Pest, ‘soft appointments’ are typically scheduled for residential locations, allowing our technicians the flexibility to check exterior traps or restock bait stations during reasonable daytime hours within a week. For businesses, restaurants, and similar establishments, scheduled appointments are coordinated to ensure treatments are applied during specific time frames outside of regular business hours.

The Value of Reoccurring Pest Control

Recurring pest control services are often recommended for commercial properties with a steady flow of people, such as hotels and vacation rentals. Restaurants, including their kitchens and outdoor garbage areas, are particularly vulnerable to pest infestations. Additionally, residential properties experiencing persistent pest issues can greatly benefit from ongoing treatments.

The benefits of regular pest control:

1. Early detection and prevention – Many pests often go unnoticed and can cause significant damage within attics, wallboards, and other hidden areas.

2. Protecting structural integrity – Termites, carpenter ants, and bees are common culprits of property damage, potentially compromising the stability of homes and buildings.
3. Safeguarding health – Pests like cockroaches can worsen asthma symptoms, while rodents may carry harmful bacteria such as salmonella.
4. Preserving business reputation – An infestation can lead to health code violations and loss of customer trust, impacting revenue and credibility.
5. Peace of mind – With recurring visits, any breach will be caught early and dealt with promptly, so you won’t have to worry about unexpected pest issues.

Regular, recurring services help detect and address pest problems before they cause lasting harm, ensuring that your home or business remains safe, healthy, and well-maintained. While the initial cost of recurring pest control may seem like an added expense, it is an investment that can save you money in the long run by preventing larger, more costly infestations and property damage.

For expert pest control, as well as wildlife trapping and removal services in northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, contact Northern Pest.

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Northern Pest: Our family serving yours! We are licensed and insured to provide insect and wildlife pest control. Our crew has the expertise to track wildlife entry points and remove pests of all kinds, including our licensed builders, who can make any of the necessary repairs caused by wildlife. Northern Pest is a member of the MDAT and the NWCOA. We are certified by the IICRC to offer professional mold mitigation services caused by animal damage. At Northern Pest, we do it all!

Written by the Digital Marketing Team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com.

Motels, hotels, B&Bs, and similar establishments all face the ongoing challenge of keeping bed bugs at bay. Cleanliness alone does little to protect your property from these pesky hitchhiking invaders. This article outlines several proactive steps your staff can take to prevent bed bugs from entering your building and minimize the risk of infestations:

1. Regular Inspections and Monitoring

• Routine Inspections: Conduct regular, thorough inspections of all rooms, including mattresses, furniture, and hidden areas such as cracks in walls, baseboards, and behind headboards.
• Professional Inspections: Hire pest control professionals to conduct periodic inspections and use bed bug detection tools, such as bed bug monitors or hiring a trusted canine detection team.

2. Implement Preventive Measures for Incoming Guests

• Guest Luggage Management: Provide guests with luggage racks to keep their suitcases off the floor and furniture. Limit upholstered surfaces within rooms as much as possible.
• Inspect Items: Encourage guests to inspect their luggage before bringing it into the room, particularly if traveling from areas known to have bed bug issues.

3. Train Staff

• Employee Education: Train staff to identify signs of bed bugs and understand the correct procedures to follow if an infestation is suspected. This ensures quick response and containment.
• Ongoing Training: Provide regular training updates to ensure all staff members, from housekeeping to maintenance, are aware of the latest best practices for preventing and identifying bed bugs.

4. Use Preventive Treatments

• Protective Mattress Covers: Use bed bug-proof mattress encasements to prevent bed bugs from entering or escaping the mattresses and box springs.
• Pest-Proofing: Seal cracks and crevices around baseboards, windows, and doors to prevent bed bugs from entering. Ensure that furniture is in good condition, free from potential hiding spots.
• Regular Cleaning and Maintenance: Maintain a strict cleaning routine, including regular vacuuming of carpets, upholstery, and bedding, to help spot potential bed bugs early.

5. Manage Incoming Deliveries and Furniture

• Inspect Deliveries: All incoming furniture, linens, and other supplies should be thoroughly inspected for bed bugs before entering the building.
• New Furniture Protocol: When purchasing new furniture or refurbishing rooms, inspect everything carefully for signs of bed bugs.

6. Educate Guests

• Signs of Bed Bugs: Inform guests about the signs of bed bugs, such as bites, blood stains, and rusty-colored spots, and encourage them to notify staff immediately if they suspect an issue.
• Room Report System: Set up a clear reporting system so that guests can easily alert hotel management if they find any evidence of bed bugs.

7. Take Swift Action if You Suspect Bed Bugs

• Immediate Response: If bed bugs are detected, take immediate action to isolate the room(s) and treat the infestation quickly.
• Contact a Professional Pest Control Company: Northern Pest offers effective, discreet solutions for identifying and eliminating these troublesome pests. When it comes to bed bug control, Northern Pest is the expert you can trust. Here’s why:

• Professional Expertise: Our technicians are trained to identify and completely eliminate bed bugs, ensuring thorough extermination.
• Confidential Service: We handle bed bug issues discreetly, protecting your privacy throughout the process.
• Safe, Eco-Friendly Solutions: Our treatments are effective yet safe for your family, pets, and the environment.
• Comprehensive Follow-Up: After treatment, we conduct follow-up inspections to ensure complete eradication and peace of mind.

8. Select a Reliable, Proven Bed Bug Exterminator

• Licensed and Insured: hire a professional pest control company who has a valid Pesticide Application License for the state you reside in.
• Review Their Process to Exterminate Bed Bugs: They should begin with a thorough inspection and assess the scope of the infestation before planning the most effective treatment.
• Target Treatments: You will likely require a combination of heat and chemical treatments, along with specialized tools, to target all stages of the bed bug lifecycle.

By implementing these strategies, your hotel or other establishment can significantly reduce the risk of a bed bug infestation and ensure a comfortable, safe experience for your guests.

Regain control of pests and enjoy peace of mind—contact Northern Pest today!

Northern Pest: Our family serving yours! We are licensed and insured to provide insect and wildlife pest control. Our crew has the expertise to track wildlife entry points and remove pests of all kinds, including our licensed builders, who can make any of the necessary repairs caused by wildlife. Northern Pest is a member of the MDAT and the NWCOA. We are certified by the IICRC to offer professional mold mitigation services caused by animal damage. At Northern Pest, we do it all!

Written by the Digital Marketing Team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/.

Pests in commercial spaces are more than just a nuisance—they pose serious health risks, damage property, and can tarnish a business’s reputation. Whether it’s rodents, bed bugs, ants, or cockroaches, businesses need proactive and effective pest control strategies to maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment. By addressing insect and rodent issues promptly and implementing preventive measures, businesses can protect their reputation and ensure long-term success.

The Role of Commercial Pest Control

Pest control is not just about keeping creepy crawlies at bay—it’s a critical part of protecting your business, particularly if you operate in industries like hospitality, food service, healthcare, or retail. Pest infestations can wreak havoc on multiple fronts, and the consequences can be severe.

First and foremost, rodents and insects can pose significant health risks. They carry bacteria and viruses that can easily contaminate food and surfaces, putting both employees and customers at risk of illnesses. No business can afford such hazards, especially those responsible for serving the public. There are also serious regulatory implications to consider. Non-compliance with health and safety regulations can lead to hefty fines or even forced closures. Businesses must meet strict standards, and pests are a surefire way to jeopardize compliance.

Pests may cause structural damage which can result in costly repairs. Rodents, for instance, chew through wires and walls, creating fire hazards and compromising building integrity. Similarly, ants and cockroaches can gradually damage property over time, leading to unexpected expenses. Beyond health and safety concerns, pests can severely damage a company’s reputation. Imagine the impact of a customer spotting a cockroach in a restaurant or receiving a bedbug complaint in a hotel. Word travels fast, and in today’s world of online reviews, a single pest sighting can result in negative feedback that tarnishes a brand’s image. A reliable commercial pest control program helps mitigate these risks, ensuring business continuity and customer satisfaction.

Common Pests in Commercial Settings and Their Risks

• Rodents (Rats and Mice):
  • Risks: Contaminate food and surfaces with droppings, chew through wires causing fire hazards, and spread diseases like salmonella and hantavirus.
  • Signs: Droppings, gnaw marks, noises in walls or ceilings, and sightings of live or dead rodents.
• Bed Bugs:
  • Risks: Known for infesting furniture, bedding, and upholstery, bed bugs cause itchy bites, are difficult to fully exterminate (including their eggs), and lead to customer dissatisfaction.
  • Signs: Red bites on skin, tiny rust-colored stains on sheets, and the presence of live bugs or shed skins.
• Ants:
  • Risks: While some ants are simply a nuisance, others, like carpenter ants, can damage structures, and pharaoh ants can contaminate food.
  • Signs: Visible trails of ants, especially around food sources and water.
• Cockroaches:
  • Risks: Cockroaches spread bacteria, cause allergic reactions, and create an unsanitary environment.
  • Signs: Fecal droppings, egg cases, a musty smell, and sightings of live cockroaches.

Effective Commercial Pest Control

Sanitation practices serve as the foundation of any pest control effort. Keeping your spaces clean—free of food crumbs, spills, and standing water—makes your property less inviting to pests. It’s equally important to clean often-overlooked areas like storage rooms, trash bins, and drains. A tidy environment is your first line of defense against unwelcome invaders. Also, regular inspections and monitoring are crucial to identify potential pest entry points, breeding areas, and early signs of activity. By being proactive, you can stop infestations before they take hold. Continuous monitoring tools, such as traps, cameras, or even advanced digital pest control solutions, provide ongoing vigilance to ensure no pest goes unnoticed.

To reinforce your efforts, regularly ensure that all cracks, gaps, and holes in walls, doors, and windows are properly sealed to keep rodents and insects at bay. Simple yet effective solutions like door sweeps, weather stripping, and mesh screens add an additional layer of protection, making it harder for pests to infiltrate your space. Additionally, having an informed team by training your employees to recognize the signs of pests and reporting them promptly is invaluable. Proper training encourages best practices like proper food storage and waste disposal, further reducing the likelihood of attracting pests in the first place.

An essential part of insect and rodent control includes utilizing the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a balanced approach that combines prevention with targeted treatments. It starts with non-chemical methods, such as baiting and traps, to address minor issues. For more severe infestations, environmentally friendly pesticides can be used judiciously, ensuring the safety of employees and customers alike. Partnering with professional pest control company like Northern Pest is a game-changer! Our licensed experts can evaluate your specific needs and implement customized solutions to address current issues and prevent future infestations. Routine maintenance schedules are also suggested to ensure long-term protection, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to focus on running your business.

For discreet and prompt pest control services, contact Northern Pest today!

Northern Pest: Our family serving yours! We are licensed and insured to provide insect and wildlife pest control. Our crew has the expertise to track wildlife entry points and remove pests of all kinds, including our licensed builders, who can make any of the necessary repairs caused by wildlife. Northern Pest is a member of the MDAT and the NWCOA. We are certified by the IICRC to offer professional mold mitigation services caused by animal damage. At Northern Pest, we do it all!

Written by the Digital Marketing Team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/.

As autumn settles in, bringing cooler nights and shorter days, several insects start seeking cozy spaces for overwintering. Among them are cluster flies, a name that accurately reflects their habit of clustering together in sunny spots on walls or inside your home as they prepare to hibernate.

Unlike some pests that overwinter as eggs or pupae, cluster flies and other insects like Boxelder bugs, multicolored Asian lady beetles, and western conifer seed bugs survive the cold as adults. This necessity to find warm refuge makes them more noticeable as they invade homes during the fall.

The cluster fly, scientifically known as Pollinia rudis, particularly stands out due to its large size and tendency to gather in noticeable numbers, earning less flattering nicknames like “bunch o’ flies.” Although they are similar in appearance to the common housefly—dull black and gray with golden hairs—they are not indicative of poor housekeeping. Instead, their presence is more about the luck of your location and a thriving outdoor earthworm population, on which their larvae parasitize.

Tackling Cluster Flies

Dealing with cluster flies involves the same measures as controlling other fall-time home invaders. This includes ensuring your home is well-sealed with proper caulking around doors, windows, and other entry points, and checking for gaps around utility boxes and dryer vents where pests could enter. Unfortunately, once inside, cluster flies can be quite a nuisance. They may end up in living spaces, attics, or wall voids, and on warm winter days, they might reappear, disoriented and sluggish, near windows.

Targeted Pest Management

While some may reach for the fly swatter, a more effective and lasting solution involves professional intervention. Northern Pest offers specialized control strategies that not only address cluster flies but also provide preventative measures against future invasions. Instead of battling pests on your own, consider enlisting expert help to ensure your home remains comfortable and pest-free this season.

Have an insect problem? Contact Northern Pest for all your pesky wildlife animal needs.

Northern Pest: Our family serving yours! We are licensed and insured to provide insect and wildlife pest control. Our crew has the expertise to track wildlife entry points and remove pests of all kinds, including our licensed builders, who can make any of the necessary repairs caused by wildlife. Northern Pest is a member of the MDAT and the NWCOA. We are certified by the IICRC to offer professional mold mitigation services caused by animal damage. At Northern Pest, we do it all!

Written by the Digital Marketing Team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/.

As temperatures drop, we’re not the only ones seeking warmth and shelter—mice are also on the lookout for cozy winter havens. Your home, as well as any vehicles you have in storage like RVs, boats, and cars, can become prime real estate for these pesky rodents. Understanding the risks and taking proactive steps to prevent an infestation are key to protecting your property from damage and health hazards associated with mice.

Why Mice Seek Refuge in Homes and Vehicles

Mice are small, nimble creatures that can enter buildings and vehicles through gaps as small as a dime. Once inside, they find everything they need: shelter, warmth, and potential food sources. Your home offers various nooks and crannies that serve as perfect nesting spots, while stored vehicles are less frequented and thus provide peaceful harborage.

The Dangers of a Mouse Infestation

Mice are more than just a nuisance. They can cause significant damage and pose health risks:

• Property Damage: Mice chew on everything. In homes, they can gnaw through wires, insulation, and wooden structures, leading to costly repairs. In vehicles, they might chew through wiring and upholstery, which can compromise safety features and lead to expensive fixes.
• Health Risks: Mice can carry diseases such as hantavirus, salmonella, and listeria, which are transmittable to humans through their droppings, urine, and saliva.
• Allergens: The presence of mice and their droppings can worsen allergy and asthma symptoms, particularly in children.

Preventive Measures to Keep Mice Out

Taking action before mice settle in is crucial. Here are some effective strategies to prevent an infestation:

• Seal Entry Points: Thoroughly inspect your home and any stored vehicles. Seal any cracks, holes, and openings with steel wool, caulk, or a combination of both. Pay special attention to gaps around doors, windows, and utility pipes.
• Remove Food Sources: Keep food in sealed containers and dispose of garbage regularly. In vehicles, avoid leaving crumbs or food wrappers which can attract mice.
• Declutter and Clean: Regular cleaning helps reduce potential nesting areas. Declutter spaces and keep storage areas tidy and organized. In vehicles, clean the interiors regularly and avoid storing items like blankets that can attract mice.
• Set Traps: In areas where mice are likely to enter, consider setting traps. Various options are available, from traditional snap traps to humane catch-and-release traps, depending on your preference.
• Professional Pest Control: Sometimes, despite all efforts, mice find a way in. In such cases, or if you’re dealing with an existing infestation, contact Northern Pest, a professional pest control company in Northern Michigan, for effective, customized solutions.

Winterize Your Vehicles

For vehicles that will be stored over winter, take additional precautions:

• Thoroughly Clean: Remove all food traces and vacuum the interiors to eliminate crumbs and debris.
• Use Repellents: Natural deterrents like peppermint oil-soaked cotton balls can be effective. Place them in areas prone to mouse entry.
• Regular Checks: Periodically inspect stored vehicles for signs of mice. Early detection can prevent extensive damage.

Mice infestations can cause extensive damage to property and pose health risks, but by taking preventive measures, you can protect your home and stored vehicles. Regular maintenance, sealing potential entry points, and keeping areas clean and declutter-free are your best defenses against these unwelcome winter guests. If you suspect an infestation, consulting with a pest control professional, such as Northern Pest to effectively tackle the problem and prevent future issues. Remember, the key to pest management is prevention and early intervention.

No matter where you’re facing a mouse problem (RV, stored boat/vehicle, deer blind, or your home), Northern Pest has a team of seasoned professionals ready to safely and promptly remove any pest issue.

Northern Pest: Our family serving yours! We are licensed and insured to provide insect and wildlife pest control. Our crew has the expertise to track wildlife entry points and remove pests of all kinds, including our licensed builders, who can make any of the necessary repairs caused by wildlife. Northern Pest is a member of the MDAT and the NWCOA. We are certified by the IICRC to offer professional mold mitigation services caused by animal damage. At Northern Pest, we do it all!

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com

In September, we began restocking rodent bait stations due to the increased pest activity from last year’s mild winter. To prevent unwelcome mice, ask us about effective methods to reduce their local population and keep them away.

Warning Signs of Mice

Be alert for these indicators of a mouse presence:

• Mouse droppings, about 0.125-0.25 inches long, resembling rice grains.
• A distinct ammonia-like smell from mouse urine.
• Greasy, black rub marks on walls along mouse travel paths.
• Gnaw marks and burrows in insulation or other materials.
• Sightings of mice, which likely indicate a larger infestation.

Risks Associated with Mice

Mice are adaptable and breed rapidly, with a single female producing up to 35 offspring annually. They can enter homes and businesses through tiny gaps and pose health risks by spreading diseases, contaminating food, and potentially triggering asthma or allergies with airborne particles from their droppings and urine. Rodents can also carry other pests like fleas and ticks into your home.

Identifying Local Rodents

In northern Michigan, common rodents include house mice, deer mice, Norway rats, roof rats, pack rats, meadow voles, and squirrels. Familiarity with these species can help you recognize and prevent infestations.

Controlling Mice

If you suspect a rodent problem in your home or business, contact a professional service provider such as Northern Pest. Our licensed techs have the experience and training to safely and effectively address pest invasions, big or small, within walls, attics, commercial properties, multi-unit dwellings, and more!

Don’t let a small pest problem become a big infestation; contact the pros now! 

Northern Pest: Our family serving yours! We are licensed and insured to provide insect and wildlife pest control. Our crew has the expertise to track wildlife entry points and remove pests of all kinds, including our licensed builders, who can make any of the necessary repairs caused by wildlife. Northern Pest is a member of the MDAT and the NWCOA. We are certified by the IICRC to offer professional mold mitigation services caused by animal damage. At Northern Pest, we do it all!

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com