Surging Pests in 2025: Ants, Moles, and Ticks

In 2026, Michigan homeowners faced an unprecedented spike in lawn pest activity. At Four Seasons Exterminating, we’ve responded to more service calls for ants, moles, and ticks this year than in recent years past. These increases are tied to a many factors, but here is what we think is directly tied to the large increase in pest numbers.

Here’s what we’ve observed this season, why these pests are thriving, and how we can help protect your lawn and family.

Ants: Persistent, Expanding, and Hard to Ignore

This year has brought an explosion in ant activity, especially among pavement ants, odorous house ants, and larger field ants. Their colonies are more expansive and more aggressive in foraging behavior than we typically see.

Ideal Conditions for Ants in 2025:

• Early spring warm-up has allowed colonies to become active and expand sooner.
• Moist soil encourages nest building, especially around sidewalks and foundation cracks.Moist soil encourages nest building, especially around sidewalks and foundation cracks.
• Dry summer spells between rainstorms drive ants to forage deeper into lawns and homes in search of water and other nutrients.

Signs of Ant Infestation:

• Soil mounds around patios or driveways
• Ant trails along the foundation or siding
• Increased indoor sightings, especially in kitchens or bathrooms

Our Approach: We use residual ant granules combined with foundation barrier applications to eliminate active colonies and prevent re-entry. With our lawn care programs or general pest control maintenance programs, we can ensure they stay far away from your outdoor picnic or from your living room. 

Moles: Underground Damage at a Record High

Mole activity has drastically increased across Michigan lawns. Eastern and star-nosed moles have taken advantage of unusually favorable conditions for their primary food source—earthworms and grubs.

Ideal Conditions for Moles in 2025:

• High soil moisture from early-season rainfall makes digging easier and brings food closer to the surface.
• Cooler-than-average spring temperatures extended the feeding season.
• Abundant grub and worm populations sustain larger mole populations over a longer period.

Signs of Mole Activity:

• Surface ridges or trails across the lawn
• Displaced soil and visible tunnel openings
• Patches of dying or uprooted turf

Our Approach: We apply baiting systems designed to mimic earthworms, combined with timed grub control treatments to remove the mole’s primary food source. This one-two combo can be highly effective in combating and removing moles from your turf. 

Ticks: Now a Threat in Residential Lawns

Ticks are no longer limited to wooded trails or tall grass fields. This season, we’ve found them in backyards, lawns, and even play areas. The presence of blacklegged (deer) ticks and American dog ticks is especially concerning due to their ability to spread disease. Not only are they something to look out for, but the mental stress of picking them up is a problem in itself. 

Ideal Conditions for Ticks in 2025:

• Mild winter temperatures increased tick survival rates. Most people think that if temperatures drop for a short time that ticks will die off. However, you need a long, cold winter to truly impact the tick population. Typically, the temperature needs to reach below 0 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 5-7 days (or longer). 
• Consistently damp conditions in the spring have prolonged tick activity throughout the spring and summer.
• Overgrown vegetation and shaded lawns provide protection from sunlight and predators, allowing ticks to remain active and hidden.

Where Ticks Thrive:

• Along fence lines, wood piles, or tree lines
• In uncut grass or weedy areas
• In brushy or shaded patches of lawn

Our Approach: We apply a targeted perimeter and lawn treatment that interrupts the tick life cycle once dry. This barrier and yard treatment not only keeps the ticks out but brings peace of mind when out in the yard.

Why 2025 Became a Perfect Storm for Lawn Pests

Weather plays a key role in shaping pest patterns, and 2026 brought several environmental shifts that made Michigan lawns especially vulnerable. An unusually early spring warm-up jump-started pest activity weeks ahead of schedule, while frequent rainfall followed by dry spells created ideal breeding and foraging conditions. Perhaps most critically, the state experienced minimal deep freezes over the winter, which allowed more pests, especially ticks and moles, to survive and emerge in greater numbers. Together, these factors led to earlier and longer breeding seasons, faster colony expansion, increased availability of food sources like worms and insects, and extended periods of activity for lawn-dwelling pests.

Temporary Lawn Pest Tips Before Professional Treatment

Ants: Until a professional treatment is applied, keep ants under control by sealing cracks around your foundation and windows, cleaning up food crumbs and spills promptly, and trimming vegetation away from your home’s exterior. Avoid using over-the-counter sprays near entry points, as they can cause the colony to split and spread. Professional-grade products and targeted applications are typically required to eliminate the entire colony.

Moles: For temporary relief from moles, avoid overwatering your lawn and reduce thick layers of mulch or compost that attract earthworms—the mole’s primary food source. Gently tamp down tunnels to disrupt their path, but avoid placing DIY traps or bait, as improper use can make the problem worse. Long-term mole control requires specialized baiting and timing, which is best handled by professionals.

Ticks: To reduce tick activity before treatment, keep your grass mowed, remove leaf litter or brush from lawn edges, and avoid shaded, overgrown areas. Creating a barrier between wooded areas and your yard with gravel or mulch can also help. However, because ticks can be extremely resilient and carry health risks, professional tick control remains the most effective way to break their life cycle and protect your property.

Protect Your Lawn and Family with Expert Help

When pests thrive, your lawn suffers—and so does your peace of mind. Ants, moles, and ticks are more than a nuisance; they damage turf, pose health risks, and are difficult to control without professional help.

At Four Seasons Exterminating, we specialize in custom lawn pest control programs tailored to Michigan’s unique climate and pest pressures. From proactive treatments to long-term prevention, we’ve got your lawn covered.