Fall Pests To Watch Out For In Phoenix, AZ

We’re about to head into fall, and it won’t be too long before the temperatures start dropping, particularly at night. But the temperatures aren’t the only thing that is about to change. Many insects and a couple of rodents will begin making their way into our homes, looking for a warm place to settle down. Today, we’ll highlight a few common fall pests here in Phoenix and share a little about them and what attracts them. We’ll also tell you what you can do to keep them out of your house and how to handle infestations if it’s too late.

Common fall pests in Phoenix

In the desert climate of Phoenix, pests respond to the changing weather by seeking warmth and protection from the elements. As temperatures drop, you can expect increased activity from these pests:

Cockroaches

Phoenix is home to several species of cockroaches, and in fall, they increasingly seek shelter indoors. They are not just annoying houseguests - they’re also potentially harmful. They can spread bacteria, contaminate food, and trigger allergic reactions. These insects are drawn to kitchens, pantries, storage rooms, and bathrooms, where they find moisture and food. Once inside a home, they’re notoriously hard to get rid of.

Spiders

Spiders are common fall pests that enter homes in search of insects to eat. While some spiders are harmless, others, like the black widow, can pose a threat with their venomous bite. As insects make their way inside for warmth, spiders follow, looking to set up webs and capture their prey. You’ll likely find these webs in corners, dark closets, and the attic.

Rodents

Mice and rats are another fall pest you should be on the lookout for. As temperatures cool, rodents seek warm places to nest, so they often sneak into homes. Once indoors, rodents chew through building materials, electrical wires, insulation, and other items they encounter. They also leave behind droppings, urine, and saliva, which can contaminate food and lead to health issues.

Scorpions

In Phoenix, cooler nighttime weather drives scorpions, particularly the Arizona bark scorpion, to start looking for a warmer place to live. These venomous pests are drawn to dark, secluded areas inside homes, like garages, attics, and storage areas. They are considered a health threat, so keeping them out of your home is essential.

What attracts pests to your property?

Like humans, insects and rodents need food, water, and shelter to survive. Since yards and homes often provide for all three essential needs, pests will call. Let’s take a closer look at what these pests are searching for.

Food sources

Pests will eat almost anything they can find, but some food sources may surprise you. Here’s a list of edible and not-edible (to us, anyway) items that insects and rodents feed on in and around homes:

• Plant sap and nectar from weeds and landscape plants
• Decaying organic material in your trash
• Pet waste
• Insects and spiders
• Arthropods
• Pet food left outside
• Cardboard and paper products
• Bird seed
• Nuts and fruit that fall from trees
• Human food
• Grease build-up
• Leather and other fabrics
• Soap
• Toothpaste
• Fingernail clippings
• Dead skin

Please keep in mind that not every pest will eat every item on the list above, but they all eat several.

Water sources

Like all living organisms, insects and rodents need water for survival. Water is essential for cellular health, digestion, temperature regulation, reproductive health, and flushing out waste products.

Water is often easily come by in yards and inside homes. Here’s a short list of places where pests can find water:

• Puddles that form from leaky hoses or irrigation systems
• Water that pools around foundations
• Leaky fixtures and other plumbing problems
• Birdbaths
• Water bowls left out for pets
• Plants and mulch that hold moisture
• Pool covers
• Moisture trapped underneath decaying wood or debris
• Humidity in dense landscape vegetation

Shelter

Pests are experts at finding places to hide, both outdoors and indoors. In your yard, pests will slip into any available space, such as:

• Piles of debris, leaf litter, or plant clippings
• Gaps in trash receptacles or underneath receptacles
• Gaps in scrap cardboard or underneath a stack
• Cracks in bricks, concrete, or siding
• Gaps around windows and door frames
• Structural cavities in walls or under your home
• Under rocks or landscaping ornaments

As the weather cools, pests will look for cozier places to ride out the cooler winter nights. Unfortunately, the interior of your home provides a perfect environment.

How to prevent fall pests from invading

Okay. We covered some of the most common pests to watch out for this fall. Now, let’s talk about how to keep them out of your home. Prevention is key when it comes to pest control, and there are several steps you can take to prevent indoor pest problems.

• Seal gaps and cracks
  Seal gaps around doors, windows, and any other entry point on the house's exterior – from ground level to the roof.
• Repair screens
  Ensure all window and door screens are intact and free of holes to keep flying insects, spiders, and cockroaches out.
• Haul away debris
  Remove leaf litter, wood piles, and other clutter around the exterior of your home. This will reduce harborage opportunities for potential pests.
• Fix leaks
  Repair leaky faucets, spigots, hoses, or pipes, and ensure gutters are clear and functioning correctly to prevent excess moisture.
• Trim vegetation
  Keep landscaping trimmed and away from your home to reduce humidity and create a buffer zone that pests are less likely to cross.

While these steps will help reduce pest activity, it’s not always easy to find and correct every possible entry point or eliminate every source of food, water, or harborage. That’s where professional help comes in.

Contact Greenway Pest Solutions for assistance

Investing in professional pest control services is the best way to ensure your home stays pest-free this fall and year-round. Here at Greenway Pest Solutions, we offer home pest control services in Anthem, Apache Junction, throughout Maricopa County, and the Phoenix-metro that target common household pests, including the ones mentioned above.

Our Premium Seasonal Service Plan starts with an initial inspection and treatment. After that, we return every three months to perform an exterior pest treatment to pests out. We'll also treat the interior if you’ve noticed any pest problems indoors.

Our home pest control plan is guaranteed; if you see covered pests in your home at any point between scheduled treatments, simply give us a shout, and we’ll send a pest control specialist to re-treat free of charge.

Fall pest pressures are inevitable, but you don’t have to put up with them. With the help of Greenway Pest Solutions of Arizona, you can keep your home pest-free. Reach out today to request a free quote!