Which Pests to Watch Out for Each Season

No matter the time of year, pests are always looking for opportunities to invade your home. The types of pests you’ll see can shift dramatically with the seasons as the weather changes. From termites in spring to rodents in winter, each season brings its own challenges. Knowing which pests to watch for helps you stay ahead of infestations, protect your space, and avoid potentially costly damage.

Here’s your season-by-season guide to common household pests and how to keep them in check all year long.

Spring Pests

As temperatures warm up, pests that stayed hidden during winter begin to reappear.  Spring is also prime time for nesting and swarming, making it a critical time for prevention and early treatment.

Watch out for these pests in spring:

• Ants – Look for trails along baseboards, patios, and sidewalks as they search for food and water.
• Termites – Swarmers (winged termites) appear in spring, often around windows or light fixtures.
• Wasps and Bees – Early nest-building often begins in eaves, attics, and outdoor sheds. 
• Spiders – Increased pest activity means more food for spiders, making them more active outdoors and indoors.
• Earwigs – These moisture-loving pests often appear under sinks, in bathrooms, or around leaky plumbing. 

Spring Prevention Tips: Clear leaves, mulch, and other debris from your yard. Trim vegetation away from your home’s foundation. Inspect attics, basements, and crawl spaces for early signs of nests.

Summer Pests

Summer brings heat, humidity, and a surge in pest activity. Longer days and warmer nights create ideal breeding conditions, making it the busiest season for indoor and outdoor pests. Many pests will try to invade your home during this time, so it’s important to act quickly. Watch for these pests during summer:

• Mosquitoes – Check for standing water in birdbaths, buckets, and gutters, where mosquitoes breed and swarm at dusk.
• Cockroaches – Look for signs in warm, humid spots like behind appliances and near drains.
• Fleas and Ticks – Inspect pets after outdoor time and watch out for bites or signs of scratching.
• Ants – Watch for long trails near sinks, bathtubs, or any areas with moisture.
• Stinging Insects – Inspect trash bins, eaves, and outdoor eating areas, where yellow jackets, hornets, and paper wasps tend to nest and swarm.

Summer Prevention Tips: Remove standing water to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and water sources for pests. Keep gutters clear to prevent buildup that attracts insects and nests. Secure trash bins to deter stinging insects and cockroaches. Mow the lawn regularly to reduce hiding spots for all kinds of pests, including ticks and fleas.

Fall Pests

As temperatures cool, pests begin looking for warmth and shelter—often inside your home. Fall is a critical time to seal entry points and act fast at the early signs of activity before infestations take hold. Even very small gaps or overlooked spaces can quickly turn into hiding spots for unwanted pests.

Watch out for these pests in fall:

• Rodents (Mice and Rats) – Listen for scratching sounds in attics, basements, and walls, where rodents seek shelter. 
• Spiders – Watch out for spiders indoors as they build webs in corners and closets to hunt for prey.
• Stink Bugs – Check window frames, baseboards, and ceiling edges for clusters coming in through small gaps.
• Boxelder Bugs – Watch for dark-colored bugs on sunny exterior walls and window sills.
• Ladybugs – Look for these beetle swarms near windows, doors, and attic spaces as they try to spend winter indoors.

Fall Prevention Tips: Seal cracks and crevices around doors, windows, and foundations to block entry points. Install door sweeps on exterior doors to prevent rodents and insects from creeping inside. Store food in airtight containers to avoid attracting pests into kitchens and pantries.

Winter Pests

While you may assume that pests slow down in winter, some pests will try to nest inside your warm home. In the winter, pests often stay hidden but active, causing damage long before you spot the signs. Winter infestations often go unnoticed until they grow out of control, making regular checks important.

Watch out for these pests in winter:

• Rodents – Watch out for active rodents indoors, chewing through wires and contaminating food.
• Cockroaches – Look for cockroaches thriving in kitchens and bathrooms with warmth and moisture.
• Silverfish – Spot them in basements, laundry rooms, and storage boxes where it’s dark and damp.
• Overwintering Insects – Look for ladybugs, stink bugs, and other fall invaders hidden in attics, behind walls, or near windows.

Winter Prevention Tips: Monitor storage areas regularly for signs of pests like droppings or signs of nesting. Reduce indoor humidity by using dehumidifiers or improving ventilation to make your home less inviting for pests. Check for signs of droppings or damaged materials, such as chewed wires, holes, or stains that could indicate pest activity.

Year-Round Pest Prevention 

You can help protect your home with consistent, year-round preventive treatment. Regular professional pest control services help address seasonal threats before they become costly, full-blown infestations. Regular pest control  treatments are tailored to your specific home, the time of year, and the pest activity in your region.

With Moxie Pest Control, you get more than one-time fixes. Our Local Field Experts provide proactive, ongoing care and maintenance to help keep your home comfortable, clean, and protected all year.

Protect Your Home in Every Season with Moxie

Pest concerns don’t follow a calendar, which is why you need a year-round solution to stay ahead of issues.. Moxie Pest Control’s services uphold the highest safety standards, backed by unlimited free warranty treatments between regular visits.  With highly trained pest professionals who truly care about your peace of mind, you’ll find the best possible results.

We’re proud to deliver neighborly service that puts your comfort first, no matter the season. Explore our full range of pest control services or find your local team through our pest control locations.