Everyone Wants to be Part of the Nice Weather
Fall in Southern Utah is a funny thing. Up north, folks are bundling up, raking leaves, and watching bugs disappear. But down here in St. George, we’re still enjoying warm afternoons, blooming desert landscapes, and unfortunately… active pests.
That warm weather we all love? Insects and rodents love it too. And when things start cooling off just a bit up north, it pushes bugs our way or stirs up the ones already hiding nearby. So while it might not feel like “pest season,” fall is a critical time to protect your home.
It’s the perfect time to block them out before they settle in. Once pests get comfortable, they’re much harder to evict and a whole lot more expensive to deal with. Think of fall as your opportunity to get ahead of the problem, not react to it later. Here’s why that matters.
Pests Don’t Hibernate in the Desert
Most folks think pests vanish in the fall. But in Southern Utah, pests don’t hibernate, they migrate. As temperatures drop elsewhere, bugs and rodents go looking for three things: food, warmth, and shelter. And your cozy home checks every box.
This is especially true in places like St. George, where the heat lingers. Bugs stay active longer, and rodents start hunting for winter lodging before the first real cold snap hits. Meanwhile, folks tend to open doors and windows more often to enjoy the breeze, unknowingly rolling out the welcome mat for pests.
Fall is also when many homes go into a sort of “maintenance pause”; we’re not quite into winter prep yet, and summer pest issues feel like they’re in the rearview. That lull creates a perfect storm for surprise infestations.
Let’s break down what you can expect to see (and how to stop it) this fall.
The Big 6 Fall Pests in St. George
1. Spiders
We see more spiders in the fall than almost any other time of year. Cooler nights send them scurrying for warmth and garages, basements, and storage sheds are prime real estate. Black widows especially love tucked-away, undisturbed corners, while wolf spiders are hunters that start creeping into living spaces in search of other bugs to eat. Their size can be intimidating, but it’s often a sign that you’ve got other pests they’re feeding on. If you’re spotting webs, egg sacs, or eight-legged visitors, it’s time for a sweep and a treatment.
2. Cockroaches
Desert cockroaches are tougher than most. Built for the heat, they thrive outdoors in summer but start slipping inside as soon as they sense the shift in temperature. Kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms become hotspots because of moisture and food sources. And once they’re in, they multiply quickly sometimes behind walls, under appliances, or in floor drains. Roaches are not just gross; they carry bacteria and allergens that can affect air quality and health.
3. Scorpions
Bark scorpions are a real concern in St. George and nearby communities. Unlike other scorpion species, bark scorpions can climb and flatten their bodies to fit through the smallest gaps we’re talking spaces no thicker than a credit card. They’re most active at night and love hiding in shoes, closets, folded towels, and bedding. As they seek warmth, your home becomes more appealing. A scorpion sting isn’t just painful for some, it can trigger serious reactions. Prevention is key.
4. Ants
Fall doesn’t slow ants down in fact, some species ramp up activity. Pavement ants and odorous house ants are common invaders we see this time of year, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. They’re excellent communicators and leave scent trails for the colony to follow, which is why they seem to come out of nowhere. Spraying the trail may kill a few, but it doesn’t solve the problem. A professional treatment targets the colony at its source and prevents reentry.
5. Termites
Most folks associate termites with spring, but fall swarms do happen and even outside of swarm season, termites remain active 24/7. Subterranean termites in particular are known for silent destruction. They build mud tubes and feast on your home’s wood framing without visible signs for months. Fall is a great time to schedule an inspection and stop structural damage before it gets worse. Catching them early can save you thousands in repairs.
6. Rodents
Mice and rats become more aggressive in their search for shelter once nighttime temps start dropping below 50. Garages, attics, crawlspaces, and even inside walls offer everything they need: warmth, food, and nesting materials. Rodents chew constantly to grind down their teeth wires, insulation, and even water lines are all fair game. They also leave behind droppings that can carry disease. If you hear scratching in the walls or find chewed food packaging, it’s time to act fast before one visitor becomes a full-blown infestation.
Serving More Than Just St. George
At Newby’s, we’re proud to serve not just St. George, but the good folks in Hurricane, Ivins, Santa Clara, Washington, and nearby communities. We know these towns because we live here too. That means we know exactly what pests are common in your area and how to treat them effectively.
Every town has its own microclimate and pest habits. What works in Santa Clara may need to be adjusted for homes in Hurricane. That’s why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t cut it and why our local knowledge makes all the difference.
Why Now Is the Time to Act
Waiting until pests are crawling across the floor isn’t a plan, it’s a problem. Fall is your chance to stop infestations before they get serious. Preventative treatments now mean fewer issues come winter and spring.
Think of it like changing your furnace filter or blowing out your sprinklers. It’s part of smart home upkeep. Addressing pest issues now helps you avoid surprise infestations, costly repairs, and that all-too-common “What is THAT on the floor?” moment.
Plus, with pests being more active in the fall than many realize, a quick visit from our team can save you a lot of stress (and money) down the road. We offer full inspections, targeted treatments, and honest recommendations, no scare tactics, just solutions.
Whether it’s sealing entry points, spraying trouble spots, or just giving you peace of mind, we’re here to help.
Let’s Keep Your Home Pest-Free This Fall
Call now at (435) 586-7337 or schedule your free estimate online. We’re local, we’re reliable, and we treat every home like it’s our own. Whether it’s your first time reaching out or you’ve been with us since the Big Tom days, we’re always here to help.
Same game. Different name. Still keeping Southern Utah pest-free.
