Perhaps the most unpleasant aspect of summer is the troublesome pests that arrive when the heat rolls in. Mosquitos, spiders, gnats and every other kind of unwelcome insect are annoying at best, but then there are the species that can cause some serious damage. With great reluctancy, we are going to delve into the subject of which pests you have to look out for in order to protect your floors. If you can identify these problematic creatures, you can take action to solve the problem. So, without further ado, here are the top perpetrators that can ruin your floors:
1. Carpenter Ants
Coming in at first place is the infamous carpenter ant. These are the largest species of ant on the continent and they can cause some serious damage to your wood floors. While they do not eat the wood, they bore through it to make nests and tunnels, leaving quite the number on your floor. The good news is that they are not poisonous to humans, though they do pack a powerful bite. You definitely want to call an exterminator if you see these guys.
As we mentioned before, these ants are larger than every other ant species out there, so if you find yourself in awe of the size of an ant you see it's probably one of these guys. They can be black or a reddish-brown color with a dark head, large mouth, and sometimes wings. Lastly, you will know you're looking at a carpenter ant if you see little hairs around the abdomen, head, and thorax.
2. Termites
Though they are less common in Michigan, subterranean termites can still show up in your home and ruin your wood floors. Like carpenter ants, they do not eat the wood. They bore through and leave plenty of damage behind. They weave their way through your floor, leaving behind a honeycomb-like series of tunnels in the wood.
To identify these pesky specimens you'll want to look for their color, especially since termites are often mistaken for carpenter ants. They are solid solid black or red, whereas carpenter ants are a combination of the two colors. They often have long wings and smaller mouths than carpenter ants.
3. Mice
No, these aren't insects, but they are pests. In fact, mice are a pretty big problem in Michigan each year. They don't chew or damage your floor directly, but the obscene amount of urine droplets they leave all over your floor and counters can cause issues with bacteria. "Gross" is an understatement here.
If you happen to find any of these pests in your home, call an exterminator right away. You don't want them to make themselves too comfortable in your home.