SpringSpring
Swarming termites and ants, emerging stinging insects, ticks and mosquitoes may become more noticeable as conditions warm. Timing varies greatly by state and weather.
Why this can change: Warming conditions can make reproductive flights and outdoor arthropod activity easier to notice. Termite swarm timing varies by species, latitude and weather; a swarm is evidence to identify, not a reason to assume a whole property is infested.
Evidence to check
- Discarded wings or swarmers around windows/doors
- New ant trails and moisture-associated activity
- Tick exposure around vegetation and pets
- Containers beginning to hold rainwater
- Early wasp/bee nesting activity
SummerSummer
Outdoor insect activity, mosquitoes, ticks, ants and stinging insects can be more visible in many regions. Indoor pests and infestations can occur year-round.
Why this can change: Warmth and standing water can support mosquito development, while ticks, ants and stinging insects may be encountered more often outdoors in many regions. Indoor pests such as bed bugs and cockroaches are not limited to summer.
Evidence to check
- Weekly standing-water check
- Door/window screens and exterior gaps
- Outdoor food/waste and pet-food sources
- Stinging-insect traffic before approaching a nest area
- Tick checks after relevant outdoor exposure
FallFall
Rodent entry pressure and overwintering insects can become more noticeable as outdoor conditions change; seal entry points before activity moves indoors.
Why this can change: As conditions change, rodents and some insects may exploit building openings and sheltered spaces. The useful action is exclusion based on actual openings and evidence, not calendar-based pesticide use.
Evidence to check
- Door sweeps, garage thresholds and utility gaps
- New droppings/gnawing after safe cleanup
- Stored-food packaging and spillages
- Attic/basement/crawlspace evidence
- Vegetation or clutter creating shelter at the building edge
WinterWinter
Heated buildings can support rodents, cockroaches, bed bugs and stored-product pests even when outdoor insect activity is reduced.
Why this can change: Cold weather does not make an occupied building pest-free. Heated structures can sustain rodents, cockroaches, bed bugs and stored-product pests; focus on indoor evidence and conditions.
Evidence to check
- Kitchen/utility moisture and food access
- Rodent evidence in concealed spaces
- Bed and resting-area evidence after travel/visitors
- Dry-food packages and cupboard spillages
- Recurring cockroach evidence around warm/moist equipment
