Sarasota’s Seasonal Pest Calendar: Because the Bugs Never Take a Vacation

If you’ve ever Googled “seasonal pest calendar Sarasota” at 2 a.m. while holding a flip-flop like a weapon, welcome. You’re not alone. Here in Sarasota, we don’t have a pest season. We have a pest situation. Every. Single. Month.

From termites swarming in March to fleas throwing indoor festivals in July, there’s a bug (or rodent) for every mood and weather pattern. And spoiler alert: they’re not just outside. They want your snacks, your attic insulation, and—if you’re really lucky—your mattress.

Key Takeaways

• Ants start early (February) and don’t let up until Thanksgiving.
• Roaches? Year-round. But brace yourself: Palmetto bugs fly in summer.
• Rodents love your cozy attic starting in November. You are their Airbnb.
• Mosquito season is May–October, and it’s not cute.
• Fleas and ticks peak in spring/summer but hang around into fall.
• Termites swarm in spring and summer—two different kinds, just to keep it spicy.
• Spiders (including wolf spiders) hit mating season in fall and wander indoors.
• Silverfish, bed bugs, and German roaches? Inside. Always. No vacation.

January: Your Attic Has New Tenants

• Rodents (rats and mice) creep indoors for warmth. You might hear scratching in the attic or find poop in your pantry.
• German cockroaches hang out near appliances and drains—warm, wet spots are their vibe.
• Ghost ants sneak into bathrooms for moisture. Yep, they’re tiny, and yes, they always find the toothpaste.
• Bed bugs can show up from holiday guests or post-travel.

What to do:

• Seal entry points, store food tightly, and fix leaky faucets.
• Vacuum guest rooms after visitors leave. And your suitcase? Don’t put it on the bed.

February: Tiny Ants, Big Plans

• Termite scouts (aka swarmers) may show up if we get a warm, muggy day.
• Ghost ants start forming sugar trails into your cereal.
• Rodents are still cozy inside.
• Cockroaches are active (because Sarasota doesn’t get cold enough to shut them down).

What to do:

• Schedule a termite inspection.
• Clean counters constantly (sugar is their love language).
• Recheck all those tiny gaps around pipes and baseboards.

March: Termite Tinder Season

• Eastern subterranean termites swarm like crazy—especially on warm, humid days.
• Fire ants and Argentine ants are on the move, setting up colonies in your yard.
• Fleas and ticks begin their comeback tour.
• Mosquito larvae hatch in standing water from spring showers.

What to do:

• Watch for discarded wings on windowsills = termite warning sign.
• Treat the lawn for fire ants and check pets for fleas.
• Clean out birdbaths, saucers, and gutters before they become mosquito nurseries.

April: The Roaches Come Out to Play

• American cockroaches (Palmetto bugs) come inside when heavy rains flood their hiding spots.
• Carpenter ants swarm this time of year.
• Mosquito numbers rise.
• Fleas and ticks are partying in your pet’s fur.

What to do:

• Use gel baits for ants and roaches—spraying kills scouts, not colonies.
• Start a flea/tick yard treatment and keep up with your pet’s meds.
• Inspect screens for holes. They matter now.

May: Mosquitoes and Madness

• Welcome to mosquito hell. Standing water from May storms = boomtown.
• Formosan termites swarm at night and are more aggressive than spring termites.
• Fire ants go wild with new mounds after rain.
• Cockroaches sneak into garages and under doors.

What to do:

• Use larvicides or mosquito dunks in ponds and birdbaths.
• Turn off outdoor lights to avoid attracting swarmers.
• Don’t leave wet dog bowls or potted trays full—those are five-star mosquito resorts.

June: Sweaty, Humid, Bug Soup

• Mosquitoes are at peak levels. You will get bitten walking to your mailbox.
• Palmetto bugs (giant roaches) fly indoors from flooded yards.
• Fleas infest carpets, and if you skipped pet prevention? They’ll let you know.
• Ants (ghost, crazy, and fire) sneak inside during summer storms.

What to do:

• Treat indoors with baits and set sticky traps near entry points.
• Use fans outside—mosquitoes are terrible at flying in moving air.
• Vacuum daily if you have fleas. Don’t miss under couches.

July: Florida Man, But Make It a Spider

• Wolf spiders (and their million babies) wander in during mating season.
• Mosquitoes thrive in soggy lawns and gutter puddles.
• German cockroaches explode in kitchens with summer heat.
• Fleas are now laying eggs in your carpet.

What to do:

• Seal cracks around doors and windows tight.
• Dust or vacuum spiderwebs in garages and sheds.
• Keep yard debris off the ground—roaches love moist mulch piles.

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August: When the Bugs Try to Move In

• Tropical storms flood yards, flushing out rats and roaches—straight into your home.
• Fire ants build new colonies in your lawn every time it rains.
• Drywood termites swarm at night—look for fluttery bugs near lights.
• Mosquitoes are relentless.

What to do:

• Spray perimeter treatments again (they wash away in storms).
• Shake out stored items—termites and spiders love cardboard.
• Don’t leave doors propped open, even “just for a second.”

September: Rodents Start Sniffing Around

• Nights dip into the 70s. Rodents notice. Your attic becomes their real estate.
• Ghost ants move inside looking for water.
• Spiders are wandering. Wolf spiders especially.
• Mosquitoes may ease slightly, but don’t toss the bug spray yet.

What to do:

• Trim back trees touching your roof.
• Start checking attic vents and soffits for entry points.
• Use bait stations around baseboards and bathroom sinks.

October: Trick-or-Treat… It’s Mice

• Peak rodent migration indoors. Attics, garages, and walls are all fair game.
• Roaches gather near sewer pipes and warm exterior vents.
• Spiders are still laying eggs and wrapping up your yard in webs.

What to do:

• Set traps in the attic and garage corners.
• Rake up leaf litter that holds moisture and bugs.
• Gutter cleaning time—because clogged ones invite roaches.

November: Where Did All These Ants Come From?

• Ghost ants invade for moisture as dry season sets in.
• Rodents are actively nesting—chewed wires and droppings show up now.
• Cockroaches pop up behind the fridge after you bake pies for 8 hours straight.

What to do:

• Clear out pantry crumbs and seal food in plastic, not cardboard.
• Store holiday decorations in plastic bins, not dusty old Amazon boxes.
• Fix door sweeps that let mice slip in under the garage.

December: The “Wait, Was That a Bug in My Wreath?” Month

• Bed bugs show up after holiday travel (or guests).
• Silverfish nibble books, old clothes, and the corners of your photo albums.
• German roaches are still cruising the kitchen at 3 a.m.
• Rodents are fully moved in now unless you kicked them out.

What to do:

• Wash guest bedding on hot after visitors leave.
• Shake out wreaths and fake trees outdoors before decorating.
• Set a few discreet glue boards near appliances and bathroom pipes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is it safe to stop pest control in Sarasota?

Don’t. Seriously. This isn’t Minnesota. Bugs don’t hibernate here.

Which month is the worst?

Depends who you ask. June for mosquitoes. March for termites. August if you hate both.

What’s with all the flying roaches?

They’re called Palmetto bugs, and yes, they fly when they feel like it. Usually at your face.

Is termite swarming dangerous?

Not to humans, but it’s a major red flag. It means there’s a mature colony somewhere close—and probably already chewing through your walls.

Do I really need professional help?

Unless you’ve got time to read chemical labels in the Home Depot aisle while ants march across your toaster—yes.