When the first cool November evenings arrive, most of us open the windows and enjoy the break from the heat. Crickets, earwigs and centipedes notice the change too, and many of them start looking for a way inside. That’s why fall is the season when general pest control in Scottsdale matters most for keeping your home comfortable heading into winter.
Here at Rid-a-bird, we’ve been helping desert homeowners with pests since 1991, and we see the same pattern every year. Once monsoon season winds down and nights dip into the 40s and 50s, the bugs that spent summer in your landscaping drift toward foundations, doors and garages. One cricket chirping behind the couch is annoying. Dozens of earwigs in the laundry room is another story.
In this post we’ll cover why November is a turning point, which “occasional invaders” to watch for, where they sneak in, what a monthly visit from our team looks like, and simple steps you can take between visits. We’ll finish with answers to the questions we hear most this time of year.
Why November Is a Turning Point for Pests in Scottsdale Homes
November brings some of the nicest weather of the year to the desert. Daytime highs often settle into the 70s, while overnight lows can slip into the upper 40s or low 50s. For people, that’s perfect patio weather. For the insects living in your yard, it’s a signal that conditions are changing, and the warm, sheltered spaces along your foundation start to look very appealing.
Several things happen at once. Monsoon season wrapped up in late September, and the populations that boomed during the humid summer weeks are now spreading out in search of food and cover. Many homeowners overseed winter rye and run irrigation more often to establish the new grass, which creates cool, damp soil right against the house. Earwigs and crickets love exactly that environment.
Fall is also when snowbirds return. A home that sat empty from May through October may have had pest activity build quietly with no one around to notice. By the time the owners unpack, crickets may already be chirping in the garage and spiders may have webbed every corner of the patio.
That’s why fall pest prevention in Arizona is less about reacting to a single bug and more about getting ahead of a seasonal shift. The goal is to turn the outside of your home into a barrier so pests stay in the landscaping where they belong.
The Fall Invaders: Crickets, Earwigs, Centipedes and Spiders Seeking Shelter
These pests are often called “occasional invaders.” Resources like the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension generally describe them as pests that live and breed outdoors and wander inside by accident or in search of shelter. Most don’t last long indoors because the air is dry and food is scarce, but that doesn’t make them welcome in your kitchen.
Crickets
Field and house crickets are drawn to lights at night, so porches, garage doors and windows become gathering spots. Large numbers can also attract the spiders and scorpions that feed on them. Our cricket control service targets the outdoor areas where they hide and breed.
Earwigs
Earwigs need moisture. They gather in mulch, under pavers and in irrigated beds, then slip in through gaps at the base of walls and doors. Bathrooms and laundry rooms are common hangouts. Learn more on our earwig control page.
Centipedes
The desert centipede (Scolopendra) can be surprisingly large, with adults commonly reported at several inches long. Its bite is painful, though generally not considered dangerous for most healthy adults. Because centipedes hunt other insects, homes with lots of crickets often see more of them.
Spiders and Scorpions
Spiders follow their food, so more insects means more webs on eaves and light fixtures. Bark scorpions, the species of greatest medical concern in our area according to the Arizona Poison & Drug Information Center, slow down in cooler months but can still be active on warm nights.
Where Pests Get In: Door Sweeps, Weep Screeds, Garage Gaps and Irrigated Landscaping
Pests don’t need much room. A gap the thickness of a credit card is plenty for a young cricket or earwig, and centipedes can flatten themselves to squeeze under doors. These are the entry points we check most often around desert homes.
Door Sweeps and Thresholds
Worn or missing door sweeps are one of the most common ways occasional invaders get inside. If you can see daylight under an exterior door, bugs can get through. Sliding patio doors and the door between the garage and house deserve special attention.
Weep Screeds
The weep screed is the metal strip along the bottom of stucco walls. It’s designed to let moisture drain out, so it should never be caulked shut. The gap behind it, however, can act as a highway for insects. Screening made specifically for weep screeds helps block pests while letting the wall drain.
Garage Gaps
Garage door seals take a beating from the sun and often crack or pull away at the corners. Those gaps let in crickets, spiders and scorpions, and garage clutter gives them plenty of hiding spots.
Irrigated Landscaping
Drip lines, planters and freshly overseeded lawns keep soil damp next to your foundation. Rock and mulch hold that moisture and give earwigs and centipedes daytime shelter inches from your walls. Utility penetrations, where pipes and AC lines enter the house, round out the list.
What a Monthly General Pest Control Visit From Rid-a-bird Includes
Here at Rid-a-bird, our plans are built around regular, scheduled visits rather than one-off emergencies. Every property is different, so your technician tailors each visit to what’s happening at your home, with the focus on stopping pests outside before they reach your living space. A typical visit centers on:
- An exterior perimeter treatment around the foundation, doors, windows and other likely entry points.
- An inspection of hot spots such as weep screeds, garage seals, irrigated beds and utility penetrations.
- Attention to webs and nesting areas on eaves, light fixtures and patios.
- Recommendations for small fixes, like new door sweeps or trimming plants back from walls, that help treatments work better.
Exactly what’s included can vary with your plan and the pests you’re seeing, so we’ll walk you through the details before your first visit. If scorpions are a concern, ask us how scorpion treatment fits into your service.
We keep things simple with flat pricing: our general pest plan is $79 per month, so there are no surprises on your bill. We also offer military discounts. Our team holds Arizona state certification in pest and termite work along with OSHA certification, and we’re always glad to answer questions about our products and how long to keep kids and pets off treated areas.
Why Year-Round Service Beats One-Time Spraying in the Arizona Desert
It’s tempting to grab a can of spray the first time a cricket shows up. One-time treatments can knock down the bugs you see today, but they rarely address what’s coming next week. In the desert, pests don’t take a season off. They just change their behavior.
Summer brings scorpions, bees and monsoon-driven insect booms. Fall pushes occasional invaders toward shelter. Winter brings more roach and rodent activity. Spring warms everything up and the cycle starts again. A protective barrier that breaks down after a few weeks of sun, irrigation and dust leaves gaps right when the next wave arrives.
Regular service solves that by:
- Refreshing the exterior barrier before it wears down
- Catching new activity early, while it’s a few bugs instead of an infestation
- Adjusting the approach as seasons and target pests change
- Giving you a technician who knows your property’s trouble spots
That’s why so many homeowners choose monthly pest control in Scottsdale, AZ instead of waiting for a problem. Consistent visits typically mean fewer surprises and more peace of mind, especially heading into the cooler months. The best time to start is before nights turn truly cold, so the barrier is already in place when pests begin moving.
Simple Fall Pest-Proofing Steps Scottsdale Homeowners Can Take Between Visits
Professional treatments work best when your home isn’t rolling out the welcome mat. These simple steps make a real difference:
- Replace worn door sweeps and weatherstripping, starting with exterior doors and the garage entry door.
- Switch porch lights to yellow “bug” bulbs or warm LEDs. Fewer insects around your lights means fewer crickets at your doors and fewer predators hunting them.
- Screen your weep screeds instead of sealing them so the wall can still drain.
- Pull mulch and rock back from the foundation. A few inches of dry, clear space makes your home less inviting to earwigs and centipedes.
- Check your irrigation. Fix leaky emitters and avoid overwatering beds right next to the house, especially while overseeding.
- Seal utility gaps around pipes, cables and AC lines.
- Declutter the garage and store items in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes.
If you’re returning after a summer away, walk the perimeter and garage before you settle in. Note any webs, droppings or dead insects and mention them at your next visit so we can focus on those areas.
Frequently Asked Questions About General Pest Control in Scottsdale
Why do crickets come inside in November in Scottsdale?
Cooler nights, bright porch lights and damp, freshly watered lawns all draw crickets toward your home. Once they’re near the foundation, gaps under doors and around garage seals let them wander in. Reducing outdoor lighting and keeping a regular perimeter treatment in place usually cuts down on indoor sightings.
Are desert centipedes dangerous to kids or pets?
Desert centipede bites are painful and can cause swelling, but they’re generally not considered life-threatening. Reactions vary, so if a child or pet is bitten and you’re concerned, contact a medical provider, your veterinarian or the poison center right away. Reducing the insects centipedes feed on helps keep them away.
Is monthly pest control worth it, or is quarterly enough?
It depends on your property. Homes with heavy irrigation, lots of landscaping or a history of scorpions often benefit from monthly visits because the barrier stays fresher and problems get caught early. We’re happy to recommend the schedule that makes sense for you.
Why do I see more bugs right after a treatment?
It’s common to notice a short burst of activity after service as hiding pests are disturbed and move into the open. This usually settles down within a couple of weeks. If it doesn’t, let us know and we’ll take another look.
Start General Pest Control in Scottsdale Before Winter Sets In
November’s cooler nights are your cue to get ahead of crickets, earwigs, centipedes and spiders before they settle in. A few simple fixes, combined with consistent professional service, keep these occasional invaders outside where they belong.
We’ve been protecting desert homes since 1991, and we proudly serve Scottsdale, Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Tempe, Mesa and communities across the Valley. If you’re ready for general pest control in Scottsdale that’s consistent and backed by flat pricing, contact our team today to schedule your first visit.
Why Should I Choose a Monthly Pest Plan Instead of Spraying It Myself?
We hear this question a lot, and it’s a fair one. Store-bought sprays can knock down the bugs you see today, but they don’t build a lasting barrier or address why pests keep showing up. Our general pest control plans are designed to stay one step ahead of the desert’s seasonal pest cycles.
When you choose us, here’s what you can expect:
- Consistent, scheduled visits that refresh the protective barrier around your home before it wears down from sun, dust and irrigation.
- Flat pricing on pest service, with our general pest plan at $79 per month, so you always know what to expect.
- Certified technicians holding Arizona state certification in pest and termite work, plus OSHA certification.
- Seasonal focus on what’s active right now, from fall crickets and earwigs to winter roaches and rodents and summer scorpions and bees.
- Military discounts as our thank-you to those who serve.
We’ve been serving homeowners across the Valley since 1991, and we know the trouble spots desert homes face: weep screeds, garage seals, irrigated beds and utility gaps. Our technicians get to know your property, catch new activity early and suggest simple fixes that make every treatment work harder.
If crickets, earwigs, centipedes or spiders are already making themselves at home, or you simply want peace of mind heading into winter, we’re ready to help. Reach out to our team to set up your first visit, and let us handle the bugs so you can enjoy the cooler weather.
