Pests are, unfortunately, a year-round problem that homeowners have to manage. From springtime overpopulating aphids to swarming summer insects like bees and wasps, each season brings new, challenging pest problems. One season stands out, however, as fall is when many species begin to lay eggs or overwinter. Unfortunately, these troublesome critters will be looking for fresh food sources or warm places to wait out the winter months. For them, your crawl space, garage, and attic look like prime real estate, and they’re more than happy to move in.
Some pests are more common, existing as a widespread problem across the country. Ants, for example, exist from Alaska to Florida and every state in between. However, some states have unique pests that can be found nowhere else or have environmental factors that allow certain ones to thrive.
To help you better understand what you’re up against, we’ve compiled this list of the most common fall pests in each state.
What Are the Most Common Fall Pests in Each State?
Below is a table of each state and the pests homeowners in those states are most likely to come across. There are three columns:
- Generic pests: These are pests found commonly throughout multiple states or the entire country. Carpenter ants, for example, are found in large numbers just about everywhere and would be listed in this column.
- Most notable fall pests: Some states have unique pests, such as the Northeastern portion of the U.S. hosting the hobo spider. Others, however, have certain pests that thrive in their particular climate, like the cockroach in Hawaii or the raccoon in Louisiana. This column will talk about the most notable pest in each state, either by its uniqueness to that state or its prevalence.
- Notes: This section contains useful information about state-specific pests, such as their habits or special precautions homeowners may need to take to control them.
| State | Generic Fall Pests | Most Notable Fall Pest | Notes |
| Alabama | House Spiders, Ladybugs, and Stink Bugs | Acorn Weevils | These pests reproduce through the acorns of oak trees and are known to infest Alabama yards. |
| Alaska | Carpenter Ants, Cockroaches, and Wasps | Larder and Spruce Beetles | Alaska has a large beetle population, one of the most common of which is the larder beetle. |
| Arizona | Cockroaches, Fleas, Lice, Rodents, and Spiders | Tarantulas | These massive spiders are common in Arizona and are most active during fall. |
| Arkansas | Bagworms, Boxelder Bugs, Stink Bugs, and Wasps | West Conifer Seed Bug | The west conifer seed bug is one of the state’s most common and frustrating insects. They find their way inside using small entry points in walls and foundations. |
| California | Ants, Hornets, Rodents, Wasps, and Yellowjackets | Cockroaches | Most states have a cockroach problem. But, California hosts ideal conditions for roaches, making them a particularly annoying pest in the Golden State. |
| Colorado | Rodents, Silverfish, and Spiders | Clover Mites | These small mites infect turfgrass and other garden plants throughout the fall. While these household pests do not pose any threat to humans, they can be a sign of undetected water damage. |
| Connecticut | Boxelder Bugs, Rodents, and Spiders | White-footed Mice | Connecticut hosts many species of mice, but the white-footed mouse is the most common rodent in the state and is considered a widespread problem. |
| Delaware | Ants, Bed Bugs, Kissing Bugs, Spiders, and Wasps | Spotted Lanternfly | While pretty to look at, these flies cause serious damage to plants by draining their sap and spreading sooty mold. |
| Florida | Ants, Cockroaches, Lawn Grubs, Rodents, and Spiders | Cabbage Loopers and Earwigs | Cabbage loopers and earwigs have taken to Florida’s environment better than just about any other pest. Earwigs are harmless if distressing to look at, and cabbage loopers can destroy your garden veggies. |
| Georgia | Ants, Flies, Rodents, and Spiders | Kudzu Bugs (Megacopta Cribraria) | These insects come inside through small crevices to overwinter and create an intense, repulsive smell when killed. |
| Hawaii | Ants, Bed Bugs, Centipedes, Rodents, and Spiders, | Roaches | Hawaii’s warm and wet temperatures make roaches a very common problem. |
| Idaho | Boxelder Bugs, Carpet Beetles, Centipedes, and Earwigs | Paper Wasps and Hobo Spiders | Paper wasps are one of the most common pests in all of Idaho, and the hobo spider is a lethally dangerous pest that every homeowner in the state should look out for. |
| Illinois | Asian Lady Beetles, Boxelder Bugs, Crickets, Mice, and Stink Bugs | Brown Marmorated Stink Bug | The brown marmorated stink bug has become a destructive pest, severely damaging the local crop population. |
| Indiana | Ants, Hornets Rodents, Stink Bugs, and Wasps | Camel Cricket | While invasive with a frightening appearance, these crickets do not bite and pose no threat to humans. |
| Iowa | Ants, Bees, Beetles, Boxelder Bugs, Crickets, and Stink Bugs | Pelecinid Wasps | While these wasps might look like something out of a sci-fi horror movie, they don’t possess stingers and pose no risk to humans. |
| Kansas | Ants, Bagworms, Bees, Beetles, Centipedes, and Drain Flies | Emerald Ash Borer | This pest attacks North American ash trees and other conifers, borrowing inside, laying larvae, and causing damage. |
| Kentucky | Bed Bugs, Bees, Roaches, Rodents, Spiders, Wasps, and Wood Borers | Biting Insects, Specifically Mosquitoes | Kentucky’s weather and temperatures make mosquitoes a particularly pervasive pest there. |
| Louisiana | Ants, Bees, Cockroaches, Mice, and Wasps | Raccoons | Raccoons thrive in the Louisiana climate, filling up on food before they sleep in their dens during cold weather. |
| Maine | Ants, Boxelder Bugs, Earwigs, Rodents, and Silverfish | Deer Ticks | Maine hosts many species of ticks, but deer ticks are the most abundant and dangerous. |
| Maryland | Boxelder Bugs, Cockroaches, Ladybugs, Rodents, and Stink Bugs | Bagworms | Common in Maryland, these bugs are active throughout late summer to late fall. They can cause severe damage to your trees and bushes but are otherwise harmless. |
| Massachusetts | Ants, Asian Lady Beetles, Beetles, and Rodents | Western Assassin Bugs | Assassin bugs possess a long proboscis that is used to kill other insects. While typically docile, they can deliver a painful bite. |
| Michigan | Asian Lady Beetles, Boxelder Bugs, and House Flies | Foreign Grain Beetle | These small bugs like warm, damp environments and feed on mold and grain. They will try to flee to warmer temperatures at the start of fall. |
| Minnesota | Asian Lady Beetles, Centipedes, Millipedes, Spiders, and Wasps | House Mice | House mice are a prevalent problem in Minnesota and are one of the most searched pest-related terms. Mice love to hide in wall voids, basements, and other locations abundant with nesting material. |
| Mississippi | Ants, Cockroaches, Mosquitoes, Mice, and Spiders | Wasps | Mississippi has two very common species of wasp that plague many homeowners, the yellowjacket and red wasp. Yellowjackets, in particular, like to nest in the ground, making them easy to disturb when raking leaves. |
| Missouri | Beetles, Boxelder Bugs, Centipedes, Crickets, and Daddy Longlegs | Field Crickets | Field crickets are large, black, shiny crickets with a long “tail.” These bugs typically stay outside but will be attracted to the warmth of your home come fall. |
| Montana | Ants, Bees, Beetles, Moths, Mosquitoes, and Wasps | Giant Water Bugs | These intimidating pests are common in Montana and typically prefer rivers and lakes. However, they can be drawn into the home due to its warm temperatures and lights. |
| Nebraska | Ants, Beetles, Boxelder Bugs, Flies, and Mites | Wolf Spiders | Nebraska hosts a wide range of wildlife, including many spider species. But the most common to find their way indoors, especially during the fall, are wolf spiders. You can find this creepy crawly along baseboards, under furniture, or inside closets. |
| Nevada | Ants, Bees, Hornets, Roaches, Rodents, Spiders, and Wasps | Scorpions | Due to Arizona’s hot, dry weather, scorpions are a common pest. But, as the weather cools, they will seek the warmth of your home. |
| New Hampshire | Mosquitoes, Rodents, Spiders, and Ticks | Cluster Flies | Cluster flies are common pests in New Hampshire, attracted by food, warmth, light, and trash. |
| New Jersey | Cockroaches, Ladybugs, Rodents, Spiders, and Wasps | Stink Bugs | Stink bugs are among the most commonly listed pests for New Jersey-based control companies. These foul insects come inside to overwinter and create a foul smell when squashed. |
| New Mexico | Ants, Beetles, Cockroaches, Rodents, and Termites | Fall Webworms | These worms are the caterpillar stage of moths. They are yellow, stripped, and are most prevalent in the late summer and early fall. |
| New York | Centipedes, Crickets, Cockroaches, Rodents, and Spiders | Pigeons | Often dubbed a “flying rat,” a pigeon’s nest season is in late summer through late fall. Pigeons will often roost inside the attics, gutters, and roofs of homes. |
| North Carolina | Ants, Cockroaches, Fleas, Spiders, Ticks, and Termites | Crane Flies | These massive, harmless flying insects resemble giant mosquitoes or daddy longlegs. They are attracted to light and warmth, buzzing through opened doors and windows. |
| North Dakota | Ants, Cockroaches, Lady Beetles, and Spiders. | Confused Flour Beetles | The adorably named confused flour beetle is not so cute when it gets inside your pantry. These pests can destroy your grain products that aren’t sealed in plastic tubs. |
| Ohio | Ants, Bees, Roaches, Stink Bugs, and Wasps | Mosquitoes | Ohio is filled with rolling hills and woods and receives a great deal of rainfall, which is the perfect environment for mosquitoes. |
| Oklahoma | Ants, Cockroaches,Rodents, and Stink Bugs | Spiders | While Oklahoma has several spider species that are common in fall, the brown recluse is one of if not the most dangerous. If you encounter one and suspect an infestation, always call a professional exterminator right away. |
| Oregon | Cockroaches, Fleas, Rodents, Spiders, and Ticks | Carpet Beetles | As their name implies, these small beetles destroy carpet, along with clothing, leather, and other fabrics. |
| Pennsylvania | Stink Bugs, Ticks, Wasps, andWebworms | Oak Leaf Itch Mite | These small mites are most active during the fall and are too small to be seen by the naked eye and leave itchy bites. |
| Rhode Island | Ants, Bees, Rodents, Mosquitoes, and Wasps | Silverfish | Silverfish are harmless pests attracted to moisture, dark spaces, and paper products. |
| South Carolina | Boxelder Bugs, Cockroaches, Rodents, and Ticks | Boxelder Bugs | These small annoying bugs exist in almost every state. But, they thrive exceptionally in South Carolina’s high heat and moisture. |
| South Dakota | Armyworms, Ants, Grasshoppers, and Lawn Grubs | Black Grass Bugs | Black grass bugs are extremely common in South Dakota, and similarly to boxelder bugs, they drain plants through a proboscis. |
| Tennessee | Ants, Cockroaches, Flies, and Termites | Meal Moths | Meal moths are the most common food-infesting pest in Tennessee. These moths can completely ravage a pantry if left unattended. |
| Texas | Asian Lady Beetles, Grubs, Rodents, and Spiders | Fire Ants | These ants can be difficult to deal with due to their aggressive nature and often require the intervention of a pest control company. |
| Utah | Ants, Boxelder Bugs, Silverfish,Squirrels, and Wasps | Beetles | Utah is a dry state with fewer problematic pests. However, it has a substantial beetle population. These small black bugs are harmless but find their way inside each fall. |
| Vermont | Ants, Bats, Bed Bugs, Raccoons, and Rodents | Asian Long-horned Beetle | These long-horned bugs are active from late summer to late fall and bore inside trees. While they can get inside your home, they are more of a problem for your trees, shrubs, and bushes. |
| Virginia | Ants, Centipedes, Millipedes, Silverfish, and Spiders | Rodents | Vermont’s dense forests make rodents, particularly mice, a common problem come fall. |
| Washington | Cockroaches, Rodents, Spiders, and Stink Bugs | Rodents | Washington, specifically Seattle, has a history of rat and mice problems. While rodents are a year-round pest, they will search for places to keep warm as temperatures drop, making your home an ideal stop. |
| West Virginia | Bagworms, Beetles, Cicadas, Lawn Grubs, and Ticks | Stink Bugs | West Virginia possesses several stink bug species, and these foul-smelling insects are considered one of the state’s most common pests. |
| Wisconsin | Ants, Asian Lady Beetles, Beetles, and Ticks | Boxelder Bugs and Stink Bugs | These two common fall pests are some of the most numerous and widespread in the Badger State. |
| Wyoming | Beetles, Fleas, Grasshoppers, Weevils, Wasps, and Yellowjackets | Spruce Budworms | These small brown worms start damaging your trees and plants at the beginning of spring, all the way to late fall. These invasive pests are known to damage entire swaths of forests. |
Closing Thoughts
Overall, about 10 different pests become universal invaders come autumn. Besides the usual suspects, each state has a unique ecosystem, with specific pests that plague its respective homeowners. From pigeons nesting on roofs in New York to the numerous scorpion species of Nevada, homeowners of every state will have to take specific precautions to prepare for fleeing fall pests. But, several pest management practices can keep your home sealed, secure, and free of unwanted, late-season visitors. We recommend:
- Caulking any holes or gaps in your foundation.
- Spraying the perimeter of your home with insecticides or pesticides.
- Patching or replacing broken, ripped, or otherwise damaged window or door screens.
- Checking and replacing weather stripping.
- Contacting pest control experts in the case of serious infestations.
