Living in East Texas means enjoying warm pine forests, beautiful lakes, and unfortunately, a year-round parade of pests. As the seasons shift across Longview and surrounding communities, different critters emerge ready to invade our homes and businesses. Understanding this seasonal pest pattern isn’t just interesting—it’s essential for keeping your property protected.
Here in Longview, we face unique pest challenges that folks in other parts of Texas don’t experience. Our humid climate, abundant vegetation, and proximity to lakes and wooded areas create the perfect environment for pests to thrive year-round. At The Bug’s End, we’ve spent years tracking these seasonal patterns across East Texas homes and businesses. What we’ve noticed is that being prepared for what’s coming can make all the difference between a minor inconvenience and a full-blown infestation.
Walking through pine-needle covered paths near Lake Cherokee just last week, I noticed the early signs of this summer’s pest activity already beginning. This triggered memories of countless calls from distressed Longview homeowners who didn’t see the seasonal invasion coming until it was too late. This guide aims to help you understand what pests to expect throughout the year in our corner of East Texas, and how to stay one step ahead.
Spring (March-May): The Great Awakening
As temperatures climb above 60°F consistently across Longview and East Texas, the insect world stirs to life. Spring brings not just wildflowers and pleasant weather, but also the first major pest activity of the year.
Termites
When spring showers dampen the East Texas soil, termite swarmers take flight. These winged reproducers emerge from established colonies to start new ones—often in your home. In Longview, we typically see the first termite swarms in late March through April, especially after rainfall when humidity is high.
Many East Texas homeowners mistake these swarmers for flying ants—a costly error. Look for discarded wings near windowsills and doorways, a telltale sign that termites have entered your home and shed their wings to begin nesting. Our pine-heavy region makes termite vigilance particularly important, as these wood-destroying insects cause millions in damage across East Texas annually.
Ants
Fire ants rebuild their mounds with a vengeance each spring across Longview lawns. These aggressive pests become highly active as temperatures rise, often appearing suddenly after spring rains wash away their winter hiding spots.
Carpenter ants also become problematic in spring, particularly in older East Texas homes near wooded areas. Unlike termites, they don’t eat wood but excavate it for nesting, causing structural damage over time. The wooded neighborhoods near Longview’s Pine Tree area are especially vulnerable to these wood-destroying ants.
Mosquitoes
By late spring, East Texas mosquito season begins in earnest. Our region’s abundance of lakes, ponds, and wooded areas with standing water create perfect breeding grounds. Early-season mosquitoes emerge from winter hibernation while new generations begin hatching in standing water around Longview homes.
The mosquito population tends to build gradually through spring, often becoming noticeable around outdoor gatherings by May. Areas near Sabine River, Lake Cherokee, and even backyard bird baths quickly become breeding grounds for these disease-carrying pests.
Spring Prevention Tips
Early spring is the ideal time for preventative pest control in East Texas. For Longview homeowners, this means scheduling a thorough perimeter treatment before pest populations explode. Focus on eliminating standing water, trimming vegetation away from your home’s foundation, and sealing entry points before the peak pest season arrives.
For termite protection specifically, spring is when East Texas homes should receive their annual termite inspection, as catching swarmers early can prevent established colonies from forming. Our clay-heavy East Texas soil tends to hold moisture near foundations, creating ideal termite conditions that require special attention.
Summer (June-August): Peak Pest Season
East Texas summers bring intense heat and humidity—conditions most pests thrive in. During these months, pest activity reaches its yearly peak around Longview homes and businesses.
Cockroaches
American and German cockroaches become significantly more visible during summer months in East Texas. The heat drives them to seek water sources inside homes, making kitchens and bathrooms primary targets. In older Longview neighborhoods, these resilient pests easily travel between homes through connected water lines and shared walls.
Our region’s high humidity creates ideal breeding conditions, with female German roaches producing up to 40 eggs every few weeks. What starts as one roach sighting can quickly multiply into hundreds hidden in walls and cabinets. Summer is when we receive the most emergency calls for cockroach infestations across Longview.
Mosquitoes
By mid-summer, mosquito populations reach their peak in East Texas. The combination of afternoon thunderstorms and hot temperatures creates perfect breeding conditions in any standing water around your property.
Longview residents living near wooded areas or water features face particularly aggressive mosquito activity during evening hours. Beyond the annoyance factor, East Texas mosquitoes can carry diseases like West Nile virus, making protection essential for family health. The Asian tiger mosquito, recognizable by its striped legs, has become increasingly common in our area and bites aggressively during daylight hours.
Wasps and Hornets
Summer brings peak activity for paper wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets across East Texas. By July, colonies that began in spring have grown substantially, making nests more visible—and more dangerous—around Longview homes.
These stinging insects often build nests in eaves, porches, and outdoor structures. The covered patios and porches so common in East Texas home design create perfect nesting locations. Paper wasps particularly favor hanging their umbrella-shaped nests from porch ceilings across Longview neighborhoods.
Spiders
While present year-round, spiders become more noticeable in summer as they actively hunt the abundant insects around East Texas homes. Brown recluse and black widow spiders—both present in the Longview area—seek cool, dry places during summer heat.
Garages, storage buildings, and rarely-used spaces become prime real estate for these venomous species. The wooded lots and natural areas that make East Texas living so pleasant also create habitat for these spiders near our homes.
Summer Prevention Tips
Maintaining regular pest control treatments is crucial during East Texas summers. The high heat and humidity create ideal conditions for rapid pest reproduction, meaning problems can escalate quickly without intervention.
For Longview homeowners, summer calls for vigilant yard maintenance—keeping grass cut, eliminating standing water, and treating outdoor gathering areas for mosquitoes. Many of our customers opt for monthly mosquito treatments during peak summer months, especially those living near Lake Cherokee, the Sabine River, or wooded areas.
Fall (September-November): The Second Wave
As temperatures begin to cool across East Texas, pest behavior shifts. Rather than decreasing, pest pressure often changes form as certain species prepare for winter by seeking shelter—often in our homes.
Rodents
Fall marks the beginning of rodent season in East Texas. As temperatures drop, mice and rats actively seek warm shelter in Longview homes and businesses. The first cold fronts that typically arrive in October trigger this migration indoors.
East Texas homes near fields, wooded areas, or agricultural land face particular risk as harvest activities displace rodent populations. The older neighborhoods in Longview with mature trees and established vegetation provide perfect rodent habitats and easy access to homes through overgrown branches and small entry points.
Spiders
Fall brings a second wave of spider activity across East Texas. As temperatures cool, many spider species mature and become more visible as they search for mates. This often coincides with Halloween, when Longview residents suddenly notice spider webs in corners and doorways.
House spiders, wolf spiders, and occasionally brown recluse become more likely to venture indoors during fall months. The pine forests surrounding Longview harbor numerous spider species that gradually move closer to human habitation as outdoor temperatures decline.
Stink Bugs and Boxelder Bugs
These overwintering pests become particularly problematic in fall across East Texas. As temperatures drop, they gather on sunny exterior walls before finding ways inside through tiny cracks and openings.
While not dangerous, these insects create significant nuisance issues for Longview homeowners. Their tendency to release unpleasant odors when crushed makes them particularly troublesome once inside. Homes near wooded areas with maple and boxelder trees face higher risk from these seasonal invaders.
Fall Prevention Tips
Fall is the critical time for sealing entry points around East Texas homes. As pests actively seek winter shelter, eliminating access becomes essential. Focus on weatherstripping doors, sealing utility penetrations, and repairing damaged screens before the first significant cold front.
For Longview homeowners, fall perimeter treatments create a critical barrier against the seasonal invasion. Professional treatments around foundation perimeters, entry points, and potential access areas can significantly reduce winter pest problems. East Texas homes with pier-and-beam foundations require special attention to crawlspace areas where rodents frequently enter.
Winter (December-February): The Indoor Season
While East Texas winters are relatively mild compared to northern states, the season still brings significant changes in pest behavior and activity.
Rodents
Winter is peak season for rodent activity inside East Texas homes. Mice and rats that have found their way indoors establish nesting sites in attics, wall voids, and crawlspaces across Longview. Their nighttime activity often becomes more noticeable to homeowners as they establish routines inside the structure.
The health risks associated with rodent infestations make winter control particularly important. Rodent droppings can spread diseases, while their gnawing habits damage wiring and insulation commonly found in East Texas attic spaces. Homes in established Longview neighborhoods with mature landscaping tend to experience the highest winter rodent pressure.
Cockroaches
While somewhat less visible than during summer months, cockroach infestations often continue or even worsen during winter as these pests remain exclusively indoors. German cockroaches in particular breed continuously in the warm interior environments of East Texas homes.
Winter water line breaks—not uncommon during occasional East Texas freezes—can drive hidden roach populations into more visible areas as they seek new water sources. Longview’s older neighborhoods with aging plumbing systems create perfect winter cockroach habitats as small leaks provide both moisture and warmth.
Overwintering Pests
Ladybugs, stink bugs, and boxelder bugs that entered homes during fall remain present throughout winter, occasionally becoming active during warm spells. These clustering pests often emerge from wall voids and attics on sunny winter days in East Texas, creating sudden “invasions” that alarm homeowners.
While mostly harmless, their presence indicates entry points that should be addressed before spring. Homes in Longview’s more rural outskirts typically experience greater issues with these overwintering invaders due to proximity to their natural habitats.
Winter Prevention Tips
Indoor pest management becomes the priority during East Texas winters. Focusing on sanitation, moisture control, and targeted treatments for active infestations helps maintain pest-free living spaces through the colder months.
For Longview homes with existing pest issues, winter provides an opportunity for more thorough treatment of structural problems when outdoor pest pressure is reduced. This is also the ideal time to address entry points, repair damage, and prepare for spring pest emergence. Many of our Longview customers use the winter months to implement longer-term pest prevention strategies like crawlspace encapsulation or attic restoration after rodent damage.
Year-Round East Texas Pest Concerns
While many pests follow seasonal patterns, several remain problematic throughout the year for East Texas residents.
Termites
While swarms are seasonal, termite colonies remain active year-round in East Texas. Our mild climate rarely gets cold enough to completely halt termite feeding, meaning damage continues even during winter months. Longview’s combination of moisture, wood homes, and relatively warm temperatures creates perfect conditions for ongoing termite activity.
Subterranean termites, the most common species in East Texas, maintain constant connection to soil moisture, allowing them to remain active regardless of surface temperatures. This makes regular monitoring and maintained termite barriers essential for Longview homeowners regardless of season.
Ants
Different ant species become problematic during different seasons, creating year-round ant pressure for East Texas homes. While fire ants may be less visible during winter, carpenter ants and pharaoh ants commonly maintain indoor colonies that remain active regardless of outdoor temperatures.
The sandy loam soil common in parts of Longview creates ideal nesting conditions for multiple ant species, making comprehensive ant management a year-round necessity rather than a seasonal concern.
Cockroaches
The German cockroaches common in East Texas homes breed continuously in controlled indoor environments. Without seasonal interruption to their lifecycle, these persistent pests require ongoing management regardless of outside temperatures.
The high humidity levels we experience in East Texas throughout the year create conducive conditions for cockroach survival both indoors and out. Even during brief cold spells, indoor heating systems create perfect microclimates for these adaptable pests.
How Climate Change is Affecting East Texas Pest Seasons
Recent years have shown shifts in traditional pest patterns across East Texas. Milder winters and longer transition seasons have extended activity periods for many pest species around Longview.
Mosquito seasons now often stretch from early March through November in East Texas, weeks longer than historical patterns. Termite swarms have been documented in February during particularly warm winters, well ahead of their traditional spring emergence. These changes require greater vigilance and more adaptive pest management strategies for area residents.
The introduction of invasive species like the Asian tiger mosquito and Rasberry crazy ants has also changed the pest landscape across East Texas. These non-native pests often lack natural predators and can disrupt traditional seasonal patterns, creating new challenges for Longview homeowners and pest professionals alike.
For longtime Longview residents, these shifts are noticeable. Just a decade ago, certain pests had more predictable windows of activity. Today’s pest calendar requires greater flexibility and awareness as traditional boundaries between seasons become less defined.
The Importance of Local Knowledge in East Texas Pest Control
Understanding the specific pest challenges of East Texas requires local expertise. National pest control approaches often fail to address the unique conditions we face in Longview and surrounding communities.
From the pine forests harboring specific beetle species to the red clay soil creating perfect termite conditions, East Texas presents distinct pest challenges. Local knowledge of these conditions allows for more effective timing of preventative treatments and better identification of emerging problems.
Having served Longview families since 2012, we’ve tracked these seasonal patterns through years of weather variations and neighborhood developments. This accumulated knowledge of local conditions helps anticipate pest pressure before it becomes problematic for area homeowners.
Each Longview neighborhood faces slightly different pest pressures based on age, surrounding vegetation, and construction styles. Newer developments near wooded areas often experience different seasonal patterns than established neighborhoods closer to downtown. Understanding these micro-patterns makes a significant difference in prevention effectiveness.
Creating Your Seasonal Pest Prevention Calendar
Based on East Texas pest patterns, Longview homeowners can benefit from a structured approach to year-round prevention:
Early Spring (February-March)
Schedule your annual termite inspection before swarm season begins. Apply preventative perimeter treatments to prepare for increasing ant and roach activity. Clear winter debris from gutters and yard where pests may have overwintered.
Late Spring (April-May)
Implement mosquito prevention strategies before populations peak. Address lawn ant colonies before they mature. Check and repair screens and weather stripping damaged during winter months.
Summer (June-August)
Maintain regular perimeter treatments during peak pest season. Implement targeted mosquito treatments for outdoor living areas. Stay vigilant for signs of indoor cockroach activity, especially during rainy periods.
Early Fall (September-October)
Seal entry points before rodents and overwintering pests seek shelter. Apply preventative treatments for spiders and overwintering insects. Remove fallen fruit and garden debris that may attract pests.
Late Fall/Winter (November-January)
Focus on indoor pest management and monitoring. Address any rodent activity promptly before nesting becomes established. Maintain moisture control to prevent conducive conditions for indoor pests.
This approach acknowledges the year-round nature of East Texas pest pressure while focusing resources on each season’s primary concerns. By staying slightly ahead of seasonal shifts, Longview homeowners can significantly reduce pest problems throughout the year.
When to Call a Professional
While understanding seasonal patterns helps with prevention, certain situations call for professional intervention. For Longview homeowners, these include:
Evidence of termites or wood-destroying insects, which require specialized treatment approaches common in East Texas homes. Multiple rodent sightings, which typically indicate an established population requiring comprehensive control. Persistent mosquito problems despite DIY efforts, often indicating breeding sites that aren’t immediately obvious in our wooded areas.
Recurring seasonal invasions despite preventative efforts may indicate structural issues or entry points that need professional identification. In East Texas homes, the pier-and-beam foundations, multiple attic spaces, and complex rooflines common in local architecture can create hidden access points that professionals are trained to identify.
Professional pest control provides the advantage of anticipatory treatment—addressing seasonal pests before they become problematic. For Longview homeowners, this preventative approach often proves more effective and economical than reacting to established infestations.
The East Texas Advantage: Working With Nature’s Cycles
Understanding seasonal pest patterns gives East Texas homeowners a significant advantage in maintaining pest-free properties. Rather than fighting a year-round battle against all pests simultaneously, this knowledge allows for targeted efforts that align with natural cycles.
By recognizing what pests are most likely to emerge during each season in Longview, prevention efforts become more effective and efficient. This approach works with nature’s patterns rather than against them, resulting in better outcomes with less effort and fewer pesticides.
For East Texas residents, this seasonal awareness connects us more deeply to the natural rhythms of our unique environment. The same seasonal changes that bring bluebonnets in spring and colorful foliage in fall also influence the pest world around us. Understanding these patterns helps us coexist more comfortably with the natural world while protecting our homes and families.
Your home should be a sanctuary through every season, not a battlefield against seasonal invaders. With proper planning and awareness of East Texas pest patterns, Longview homeowners can stay ahead of potential problems and enjoy pest-free living year-round.
Remember that in East Texas, the best defense against seasonal pests is preparation and vigilance. By knowing what’s coming next in our local pest calendar, you’ll never be caught off guard as the seasons change across our beautiful corner of Texas.
