Ant Eating Animals in Michigan

woodpecker eats ants in a tree - one of several animals that eat ants in michigan

Did you know that some of the animals found in Michigan are nature’s own ant control experts? That’s right, though they act as a nuisance to humans, they serve as a valuable food source for a variety of creatures that call this region home. These remarkable animals, ranging from birds to mammals, have developed a taste for ants. By including ants in their diet, these Michigan residents help keep ant populations in check while providing a fascinating example of nature’s delicate balance. Let’s take a look at some ant eating animals in Michigan.

Which Animals Eat Ants in Michigan?

Ants may be annoying to people, but they’re a vital part of the ecosystem. Many animals eat ants, and these common in Michigan animals even rely on ants as an important part of their diet:

  • Black Bears – Black bears are omnivorous and have a varied diet that includes insects. They are known to dig through ant hills to consume ants, especially during the spring and summer months when ants are more active. With their insatiable appetites, bears eat a large amount of ants in addition to their other food choices. 
  • Woodpeckers – While many birds feed on ants, woodpeckers have long, sticky tongues that they use to extract ants from crevices in trees or on the ground. Woodpeckers common eat ants out of infested wood. Unfortunately, woodpeckers can also cause damage to wooden structures that are not just infested with ants and insects. Keep an eye on where they nest and feed if you see them in your yard.
  • Raccoons – In Michigan, raccoons are in urban and rural areas. These opportunistic animals eat a wide variety of things, including ants. When foraging, an uncovered ant’s nest is a bountiful feast. Raccoons are often more active during mid-March through mid-May which is when you may see them feasting on ants. Much like woodpeckers, raccoons can also have adverse effects on your property.
  • Skunks – Skunks are scavengers, eating whatever they can find. With their strong front claws, they can dig apart ant’s nests and devour the insects inside. They have a keen sense of smell and can scent out ant nests easily through the dirt. During the spring and summer, when ants are highly active, skunks will seek out and eat as much as they can!

Ant Control with Griffin Pest Control

While nature takes care of itself in many cases, professional ant extermination is always the best and proven method. While local wildlife can and will help keep ant populations in check, significant ant infestations in a home or business require a more targeted approach. For effective and long-lasting results, leave it to the experts at Griffin Pest Solutions. Since 1929, Griffin Pest Solutions has been providing Michigan residents with cutting edge pest control innovations. We provide year-round, ongoing solutions to help you and your family live pest-free. Call us today to get started with Griffin and get a free quote!

Why Are There Crawling Insects in My House?

Unless uninvited guests arrive carrying a free cake or a large check, you’re probably not a fan. When uninvited visitors have six or more legs and creep across your floor, they’re even less welcome. Nobody wants crawling insects to infest their homes, but how do you keep them out? What causes them in the first place? Why won’t they leave you alone?

First: you keep them from happening by taking preventative measures. Second: the things that cause them are usually easily fixed. Third: they won’t leave you alone because there’s something at your home drawing them in. Today we’ll cover the four most common crawling insect invaders people face. We’ll also arm you with the easy fixes and preventative measures you can take to keep them away.

Ants 

Ants are one of the most commonly-faced crawling pest problems for both home and business owners. There are over seven hundred different known species in the United States. Of those, there are a few ant varieties that are best known for infesting homes. Those include carpenter ants, pavement ants, odorous house ants, and field ants. Ants typically live in large colonies that work together to build and maintain their nests.

How can I keep ants out of my home?

  • Practice regular perimeter maintenance. Ants like to sneak in through small breaches or holes in your home’s perimeter. Make sure to regularly give your home visual inspections and seal any gaps, cracks, tears, or holes you find as you go. 
  • Keep a watch out for scouts. Single ants are scouts. They come up from their nests to look for food, water, or shelter. Get rid of any solo ants you find so they’re unable to share that information with the rest of their colony.

Centipedes

Despite their name’s disturbing implication that centipedes have one hundred legs, the crawling pests usually don’t. Instead, they have one pair of legs per body segment and can have, on average, between fifteen and seventy total pairs. There are many varieties but they all have flat, elongated bodies. They can measure from one-sixth of an inch to six and a half inches in length. Coloring varies but usually stays between shades of brown, red, and orange.

How can I keep centipedes out of my home?

  • Eliminate their food sources. Centipedes mainly consume other insects. If you’re practicing the rest of the prevention tips listed in this post to keep other pests away, you’re doing well. 
  • Reduce and remove clutter. A tidy home is a home that doesn’t have places for insects to hide. That includes but isn’t limited to centipedes.

Cockroaches 

Everybody knows about roaches. They’re one of the hardiest creatures on the planet, able to survive in temperatures at both spectrum extremes. The most common pest cockroaches are the German cockroach and the American cockroach. German cockroaches are brownish-black, measuring between ½ and ⅝ inches. American roaches are darker in color and large, measuring between one and two inches. They’re both active throughout the year, are nocturnal, and are drawn to decaying organic matter.

How can I keep roaches out of my home?

  • Wipe up crumbs and spills as soon as you make them. Cockroaches love organic matter. They especially love decaying organic matter. Don’t leave it out for them to find. Wipe up spills and crumbs as soon as they happen and don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink. 
  • Pay special attention to cleanliness. This tip is mentioned more than once, but that’s because it’s important. Insects like cockroaches thrive in unkempt spaces. Take the garbage out regularly, remove grease from the stovetop, and keep your floors clean. These small efforts will go a long way toward preventing roach infestations.

Earwigs

Let’s start out by dispelling a popular earwig myth. No, they won’t actually crawl into your ear while you’re asleep and eat your brain. They won’t even crawl into your ear and take a nap, leaving your brain alone. They won’t go inside your head. What they will do, however, is infest your home. Earwigs are typically a quarter-inch to one inch in length with elongated, flat bodies. Their color can vary between different shades of tan, brown, and red. Their most distinctive physical characteristic are the pincers located on the back of their abdomens.

How can I keep earwigs out of my home?

  • Eliminate the places they like to hide. Earwigs love dead and distressed outdoor spaces. They hide in these spaces and use them as jumping off points for interior infestations. Take away their hiding spots by removing leaf piles, overgrown vegetation, and untended woodpiles. 
  • Make sure your gutters are working properly. Moisture build-up from gutters that are clogged pointing in the wrong direction will draw in earwigs. 
  • Use dehumidifiers. Once more with feeling: earwigs love moisture. Make sure you’re policing the moisture in your home and removing any standing water as you notice it.

If your question is, “Why are there crawling insects in my house?,” the answer is, “Because you’re not keeping them out.” Luckily, with the help of this blog post and other useful tips and tricks, you’ll be able to turn things around. For the rest, you can call the team at Griffin Pest Solutions. We’ll help keep your home safe, secure, and crawling pest free.

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