Delaware pests run on a schedule. Here's what shows up when, from March termite swarms to the October mouse migration, and what to do ahead of each one.
March through May: swarm season
Eastern subterranean termites swarm in Delaware as soon as the soil warms and spring rain arrives, usually mid-March through June. If you see winged insects at a sunny window or a pile of discarded wings on a sill, that is not a fluke - swarmers emerge from an established colony that has already been feeding nearby.
Ants wake up in the same window. Odorous house ants and pavement ants push indoors looking for moisture, which is why the first ant trail of the year almost always appears at a kitchen sink or a bathroom.
June through August: the outdoor season
Mosquito pressure builds fast once Delaware's humidity settles in, especially near the tidal marshes of Sussex County and the ponds and drainage ditches inland. Blacklegged ticks are active in wooded edges and tall grass statewide.
Carpenter bees drill decks and fascia in early summer, and yellow jacket colonies grow all season toward their August peak.
September through November: everything comes inside
This is the busiest stretch of the Delaware pest year. Yellow jackets turn aggressive around food as their colonies collapse, brown marmorated stink bugs gather on sunny south-facing walls, and mice start testing every gap in your foundation as night temperatures drop.
Exclusion work done in September prevents the December mouse problem. Sealing gaps is far cheaper than trapping for three months.
December through February: the quiet months that aren't
Winter is when interior populations become obvious. Mice that got in during October are now breeding in the walls, and roaches concentrate around heat sources in older Newark and Wilmington homes.
It is also the best time to book a termite inspection - schedules are open and any activity found gets treated before spring swarm season.
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Termite Swarm Season in Delaware: What Those Wings on Your Windowsill Mean
Spring swarmers are the only stage of a termite colony most Delaware homeowners ever see. Here's how to tell them from flying ants and what to do next.
Mosquitoes and Ticks in Delaware: Why Your Yard Is Worse Than the Neighbor's
Mosquito and tick pressure is a property-level problem, not a neighborhood one. Shade, standing water and ground cover explain most of the difference.
Fall Rodent Exclusion: Sealing a Delaware Home Before the October Rush
Mice come indoors on a predictable schedule in Delaware. The gaps they use are equally predictable - and most of them are sealable in an afternoon.