Pests to know in Grand Rapids
Termites in Grand Rapids
Termite work in Michigan falls under MDARD certification Category 7B, Wood Destroying Pest Management, which covers termites, powder post beetles, carpenter ants and wood-destroying fungi.[8]
Invasive species reported here
Hemlock woolly adelgid has active populations in West Michigan counties near Grand Rapids, including Ottawa, Allegan and Muskegon, and state quarantines restrict moving hemlock nursery stock and forest products.[9]
Pests local experts flag
- Lyme disease ticks are spreading in West Michigan. Michigan's first infected blacklegged tick population in the Lower Peninsula was found in 2002 along the west coast and has moved north along Lake Michigan.[3]
- Eastern equine encephalitis has been reported in animals and people throughout Michigan and is most commonly found in swamp and bog habitats.[4]
- MDHHS warns that bed bug foggers (bug bombs) do not work on bed bugs, and recommends bringing in an experienced pest management professional quickly.[5]
Climate
Central Grand Rapids (ZIP 49503) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6a, where the average coldest winter night is -10 to -5°F.[11]
Public agencies that handle pests
- The Kent County Health Department's Mosquito Surveillance Team monitors local mosquitoes for West Nile, Eastern equine encephalitis, Jamestown Canyon, La Crosse and St. Louis encephalitis viruses.[1]
- Kent County's vector surveillance program captures mosquitoes and ticks, screens them, and has them tested for West Nile virus and Lyme disease.[2]
- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services identifies ticks at no charge for Michigan residents, which helps determine disease risk after a bite.[3]
Local rules and responsibilities
- Michigan's Pesticide Notification Registry lets people with a physician-diagnosed condition get advance notice of commercial lawn or ornamental pesticide applications on adjacent properties.[6]
- Michigan schools and day cares must have an IPM program and give parents notice at least 48 hours before a pesticide application.[7]
Hiring a licensed company
In Michigan, certified applicators also need a pesticide application business license from MDARD to apply pesticides for hire, and those licenses expire every December 31.[8]
Free local help
MDARD refers applicators to Michigan State University's Pesticide Safety Education program for certification training. Commercial applicators must pass a core exam plus at least one category exam.[10]
Through the year
- Fall
- Kent County's mosquito surveillance runs into late September, when mosquito populations tend to decline significantly.[1]
Sources
- Kent County Health Department, “West Nile Virus Detected in Two Kent County ZIP Codes.” content.govdelivery.com/accounts/KENTCOMI/bulletins/419eaf7 (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Kent County Health Department, “Mosquitos & Ticks (Vector Surveillance).” www.kentcountymi.gov/638/Mosquitos-Ticks-Vector-Surveillance (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, “Lyme Disease.” www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases/home/lyme-disease (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, “Eastern Equine Encephalitis.” www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases/home/eastern-equine-encephalitis (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, “Bed Bugs.” www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases/home/bed-bugs (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, “Pesticide Notification Registry.” www.michigan.gov/mdard/plant-pest/pesticides/notification (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, “Schools and Day Cares.” www.michigan.gov/mdard/plant-pest/pesticides/ipm/schools-and-day-cares (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, “Pesticide Application Business License.” www.michigan.gov/mdard/licensing/pesticide/pesticide-application-business (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Michigan Invasive Species Program, “Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.” www.michigan.gov/invasives/id-report/insects/hemlock-woolly-adelgid (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, “Pesticide Applicator Certification.” www.michigan.gov/mdard/licensing/pesticide/pesticide-applicator-certification (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 49503 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/49503.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)