Common pests in the Southwest
There’s a lot of climatic variability in this region, with mild temps in California to dry, hot conditions and harsh winters throughout the mountains, but one thing these southwest states have in common: Pest pressure.
The most active and problematic pests will depend on the season:
- Spring (February-April): spiders, mosquitoes, and ants
- Summer (May-October): cockroaches, harvester ants, and ants
- Fall (November): mosquitoes, spiders, and crickets
- Winter (December-January): indoor nesting ants, overwintering pests, and American cockroaches
Sunday Tip:
What’s an overwintering pest? These are the bugs that may be active outdoors on warm winter days, or may find themselves indoors to escape the cold—things like boxelder bugs, stink bugs, ladybird beetles, elm leaf beetles, and kudzu bugs.
Pest prevention in the Southwest
When it comes to pests, the best offense is a good defense. Sticking to Integrated Pest Management principles will help prevent and reduce general pest issues:
- Remove or reduce habitat and food and water sources.
- Scout for pests regularly around the home and yard.
- Identify pests if one does emerge.
- Practice pest prevention and change the environment to be less pest-friendly.
- Use chemical control as a last resort.
For more specific guidance, follow these tips for preventing and managing the top pests in the Southwest during their active seasons:
How to control spiders
- Use yellow bulbs outdoors to attract fewer insects for spiders to feed on.
- Seal cracks or openings to the home to prevent entry.
- Clean up clutter around the yard and regularly vacuum or sweep indoors (especially dark corners) to reduce hiding spots.
- Catch and release spiders outdoors when possible.
- Use Sunday’s Bug Doom to help manage heavy spider infestations.
How to control mosquitoes
- Dump and prevent standing water around the yard, which can serve as a breeding habitat for mosquitoes.
- Mow the lawn, trim trees, and prune shrubs to reduce shade- and moisture-rich mosquito habitat.
- Use Sunday’s Mosquito Deleto to treat your protected zone (patio, outdoor dining area, swing sets, etc.).
How to control ants
Outdoor ants
- Store trash, compost, and recycling bins away from the areas of the yard that you use the most, and clean up any trash or spilled food.
- Only treat with Sunday’s Ant Adios if ants are causing damage to the lawn or landscape or as a barrier to prevent ants from entering the home.
Indoor ants
- Clean spilled food, crumbs, or liquids to reduce ant food sources.
- Seal entryways to the home where you see ants coming inside.
- Treat with Sunday’s Bug Doom only if indoor ants continue to be an issue.
Sunday Tip:
Many ants and spiders are actually beneficial for the environment. Ants aerate soil and are even one of the lesser-known pollinators while both ants and spiders feed on a lot of other pests. Treat only if they enter the home, cause damage to the yard, or are a threat to people or pets.
Southwest pest control
Deciding what practices and products to use to help you manage pests in and around your home can be tricky. Start by narrowing in on the specific pest issues you’re facing. Then, modify the environment to be less welcoming to that pest, and then determine if pest products are necessary to help prevent or manage your pest problem.
Here are some of our go-to products for the Southwest that you can get shipped to your door from Sunday!
Total Home Pest Medium Protection Plan
- Protects your home against unwanted bugs indoors and out
- Kills ants, centipedes, cockroaches, crickets, spiders, and more
- Active ingredients include pyrethrin and canola oil
Mosquito Control Pest Plan - Medium
- Contains yard spray, personal insect repellent, mosquito dunks, citronella candle
- Mosquito Deleto kills and repels mosquitoes, ticks, and ants
- Plan includes 4-6 months of protection
Mosquito + Ant Pest Control Pack
- Kills mosquitoes and ants
- Mosquito Deleto bottle covers 5,000 sq. ft.
- Ant Adios bag covers 4,000 sq. ft.
- Effective for up to 4 weeks
- No synthetic pesticides
Resources for pest management in the Southwest
Spiders
Have a not-so-itsy-bitsy spider problem? Identify, prevent, and manage spiders with this helpful guide.
Mosquitoes
Use this handy guide to help you identify, prevent, and control mosquitoes in your backyard.
Ants
Ants are common indoor and outdoor pests—learn more about identifying, preventing, and treating ant problems.
Natural ways to prevent pests
Follow these pest prevention tips, to help keep pests from becoming a problem in the first place.
Indoor insect ID guide
Have a critter that worked its way inside the home, but not entirely sure what it is? Use this indoor insect ID guide to help identify your pest and get some quick tips on how to prevent and control them.
Outdoor insect ID guide
Got a backyard bug that’s really bugging you? Our outdoor insect ID guide can help!
