Pest calendar

Each number shows how active a species is that month, as a percentage of its own yearly peak. Seasons vary by region: the South starts earlier and runs later than the North.

October. Stink bugs and spiders peak, mice and rats move inside. Seal entry points before the first freeze.

Pest	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Stink bugs	35	30	42	55	40	28	25	40	85	100	60	40
Mice	78	62	50	40	35	32	32	38	62	95	100	88
Spiders	35	32	40	50	58	62	68	82	100	92	58	38
Rats	85	75	65	58	55	55	58	62	72	90	100	95
Silverfish	80	80	85	90	92	95	98	100	95	88	82	78
Bed bugs	70	66	70	74	80	88	95	100	92	82	74	70
Roaches	55	55	62	72	85	95	100	96	82	68	58	54
Fleas	35	35	45	60	78	92	100	96	82	62	45	36
Gnats	30	30	35	45	60	78	95	100	90	62	40	30
Scorpions	18	22	45	70	92	100	96	88	70	45	25	18
Ticks	12	15	40	78	100	95	78	58	48	42	22	12
Wasps	8	10	20	38	58	78	95	100	80	40	12	8
Ants	20	28	55	85	100	92	78	62	45	30	20	18
Termites	25	45	85	100	88	62	45	38	32	28	22	20
Mosquitoes	8	10	18	38	72	95	100	90	62	28	12	8
Carpenter bees	5	8	40	85	100	72	45	30	20	10	5	4

What to do each season

March–April: watch for termite swarmers and mud tubes, fix window screens, check eaves for new wasp nests, fill old carpenter bee holes.
May: tick-check after yard work, keep grass short along edges, dump standing water, put up yellow jacket traps.
June–August: weekly standing-water patrol, flea treatment for pets, fruit fly traps in the kitchen, inspect luggage and beds after trips.
September–October: seal gaps around pipes and siding with steel wool and caulk, set rodent traps in the garage and basement, caulk window frames against stink bugs.
November–February: run a dehumidifier in the basement and bathroom (silverfish), encase mattresses (bed bugs, dust mites), wash bedding on hot.