In most of the country bug season is summer. In Florida it is closer to eight months, from the first warm weeks of March through the end of October, and a mild winter can stretch it further. Here is the calendar as we see it in Dunedin, Clearwater and the rest of Pinellas County.

Spring, March to May: the wake up

As soon as nights stay above 60 degrees, activity jumps. Subterranean termites swarm on warm, humid mornings after rain, usually March and April. Ants start foraging indoors for water. Wasps and paper wasps begin building nests under eaves. This is the best time for a perimeter treatment, before populations explode.

Summer, June to September: the peak

The rainy season is the busiest stretch of the year. Mosquitoes breed in every puddle within days of the first storms. Palmetto bugs and German cockroaches are at full strength. Fleas thrive in the humidity and move from pets to carpet. Drywood termites swarm in the evenings, often around lights. If you are going to see a problem, it will be now.

Fall, October to November: the move indoors

As the rain tapers off, pests that lived outside all summer look for shelter. Rats and mice enter attics and garages. Spiders follow the insects inside. Ants look for a dry nest site, often inside walls. This is the second important treatment window, sealing entry points before the cool nights push everything in.

Winter, December to February: the slowdown

Cold snaps slow insects down but rarely kill them. Termites keep feeding inside wood. Roaches live in wall voids. Rodents stay active all winter. It is the quietest season, and the best time to get ahead of spring.

Month by month, what to watch for

• March to April: termite swarms, ants, wasps.
• May to June: mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, first roach surge.
• July to September: everything, plus drywood termite swarms and lawn pests such as chinch bugs and sod webworms.
• October to November: rodents, spiders, ants moving indoors.
• December to February: rodents in attics, occasional roaches, planning season.

When to schedule treatment

Year round service every other month keeps the population from ever peaking. If you only treat once, do it in March. If you treat twice, March and October. Uprooted Weed and Pest Control builds its schedules around this calendar for homes throughout the Dunedin and Clearwater area.

Related reading

• Does Chilly Weather Kill Bugs in Florida?
• Why Do Bugs Disappear in the Winter? Where They Really Go
• How often should my home be serviced to prevent bugs