Oklahoma’s four seasons mean four distinct pest cycles. Getting ahead of each one is far more cost-effective than reacting after an infestation is established. Here’s what to expect — and what to do — each month of the year in Stillwater and Edmond.
January & February — Winter Pests
Active pests: Rodents (peak indoor activity), German cockroaches, brown recluse spiders, bed bugs.
Watch for: Signs of rodent activity — droppings along walls, chewed materials, nesting in insulation. Rodents that entered in fall are now established. Brown recluse remain active in undisturbed indoor areas year-round.
What to do: Rodent inspection and trapping if activity is suspected. Schedule your spring perimeter treatment for late February or early March.
March — Termite Swarm Season Begins
Active pests: Termite swarmers, overwintering ants becoming active, early mosquito larvae.
Watch for: Winged termites (swarmers) near windows and doors — a sign of an established colony nearby. Discarded wings on windowsills. Ant trails reappearing along foundations and kitchen counters.
What to do: Schedule a termite inspection if you haven’t had one recently. First perimeter treatment of the year. Termite control in Stillwater.
April — Spring Pest Explosion
Active pests: Termite swarmers (peak), fire ants, odorous house ants, mosquitoes hatching, ticks becoming active.
Watch for: Fire ant mounds appearing after rain. Ants entering through door gaps and window frames. Standing water from spring rains creating mosquito breeding sites.
What to do: Fire ant broadcast treatment. First mosquito treatment of the season (late April). Eliminate standing water on your property.
May — Peak Spring Activity
Active pests: All spring pests at peak. Mosquitoes ramping up rapidly.
What to do: Mosquito season is underway — schedule your first barrier spray if you haven’t already. Mosquito control in Stillwater & Edmond.
June — Summer Heat Begins
Active pests: Mosquitoes (peak season beginning), wasps and yellow jackets building nests, spiders highly active outdoors.
Watch for: Wasp nests forming under eaves, in landscape beds, and in wall voids. Paper wasps on porch ceilings. Yellow jacket ground nests in lawn areas.
What to do: Mosquito re-treatment (every 3-4 weeks). Wasp nest treatment if found. Stinging insect control.
July — Pre-Season Cricket Window
Active pests: Mosquitoes, wasps, fire ants, fleas peaking.
Watch for: The first signs of cricket activity around exterior lights — this is your signal to treat before the full migration. Flea activity peaking on pets that spend time outside.
What to do: Cricket pre-treatment now — this is the most important timing of the year for cricket control. Flea treatment if pets are affected. Mosquito re-treatment.
August — Cricket Migration Begins
Active pests: Crickets (migration beginning), mosquitoes, wasps at peak aggression, brown recluse most visible.
Watch for: Crickets appearing around exterior lights and entry points. Yellow jackets becoming more aggressive as colony size peaks and food competition increases. Brown recluse activity increasing as they follow cricket food sources indoors.
What to do: Cricket perimeter treatment if not done in July. Wasp nest removal before nests reach full size. Mosquito re-treatment.
September & October — Fall Cricket Peak
Active pests: Crickets (peak invasion in Stillwater), rodents beginning to seek indoor warmth, stinging insect season ending.
Watch for: Full cricket invasion in Stillwater — peak OSU football season. Rodents scouting entry points as outdoor temperatures drop. First mice often appear in fall.
What to do: Cricket treatment if not already done. Rodent inspection and exclusion review. Final mosquito treatment of the season. Cricket control in Stillwater.
November & December — Transition to Winter
Active pests: Rodents (peak indoor intrusion), German cockroaches year-round, brown recluse active indoors.
Watch for: Mice entering through gaps as small as a dime. Signs of rodent activity in the garage, attic, and kitchen. Brown recluse in undisturbed areas.
What to do: Rodent exclusion audit — seal all gaps around utilities and foundation. Trapping if activity is present. Schedule next spring’s treatments now for best timing. Rodent control in Stillwater.
Stay Ahead of Oklahoma’s Pest Seasons — Call Murray Pest Control
Jake Murray is the owner of Murray Pest Control and holds a B.S. in Entomology from Oklahoma State University. Murray Pest Control serves Stillwater, Edmond, and Payne County, Oklahoma.