If you’ve spent any amount of time outside lately—grilling dinner, walking the dog, or just getting the mail—you may have noticed it: pests are everywhere. Arizona summers bring intense heat, seasonal monsoons, and a significant boost in pest activity. From Phoenix and Queen Creek to Tucson and throughout the region, local homeowners are seeing more bugs, more bites, and more reasons to call for help.

Whether it’s buzzing mosquitoes in your backyard or scorpions sneaking into the garage, these summer pests can turn a relaxing evening into a frustrating (and sometimes painful) experience. At Northwest Exterminating, we know what you’re up against and are here to help you take your home back.

Here are the top five summer pests to watch out for in Southern Arizona—and what you can do about them.

ants infesting a queen creek home

1. Ants

Ants in Arizona don’t just show up in the kitchen—they invade in full force. Whether odorous house ants looking for spilled food or pavement ants building colonies near your pool, ants become highly active during hot, dry summer months.

You may see them marching in lines along windowsills, around sinks, or trailing across your floor toward a dropped crumb. But you don’t see the colony behind the scenes, often hidden beneath flooring, behind walls, or outside.

DIY sprays might knock down a few scouts, but rarely solve the larger problem. Our pest control team uses precision treatment methods that target the source of the infestation, and we follow up to make sure they stay gone.

2. Mosquitoes

If you live in Phoenix or Tucson, you already know that mosquitoes love summer. The monsoon season brings pockets of standing water, just what these pests need to breed. Buckets, birdbaths, flowerpots, pool covers, clogged gutters, and even kids' toys can hold enough water to support mosquito larvae.

And it doesn’t take long. A single female mosquito can lay hundreds of eggs at once, and they can hatch within days when conditions are right. That’s why you may feel like your backyard suddenly turned into a mosquito breeding zone overnight.

Aside from being a major annoyance, mosquitoes are a health concern. West Nile virus continues to be reported in Arizona each year. Northwest’s mosquito control services include yard inspections, habitat treatments, and barrier applications to reduce mosquito populations around your property so that you can enjoy your evenings in peace.

3. Scorpions

Southern Arizona is prime scorpion territory. These stinging pests are especially active in the summer heat, particularly after dark when they come out to hunt. Arizona bark scorpions—the most venomous species in the U.S.—are commonly found in Phoenix-area homes, especially around Gilbert and Queen Creek.

Scorpions can flatten themselves to fit into cracks as thin as a credit card, which makes sealing them out a real challenge. You might spot one in your bathroom sink, laundry room, or even your shoes.

At Northwest Exterminating, we take scorpions seriously. Our integrated approach includes home sealing, moisture reduction, and targeted treatments to reduce their food sources (like crickets, spiders, and roaches). If you’ve seen even one scorpion, it’s time for a professional inspection.

4. Cockroaches

There’s no nice way to say it—roaches are gross. Unfortunately, they’re also incredibly common in Arizona, especially in older homes, densely built neighborhoods, and areas with sewer access. American cockroaches, also called “water bugs,” and German cockroaches are two of the biggest offenders during the summer.

These pests love moisture and warmth, which makes Tucson and Phoenix homes ideal in the summer. Roaches are nocturnal, so if you see them during the day, it may mean the infestation is well established. While sanitation helps, roaches can survive on very little, making it hard to starve them out.

Cockroaches aren’t just unsettling—they’re dangerous. They can contaminate food, trigger asthma, and spread bacteria. Northwest offers roach-specific treatments that target where they live and breed so that you can rest easy again.

5. Termites

While termites are active year-round in Arizona, summer rains often trigger swarming activity, especially for subterranean termites, which are common throughout Phoenix, Queen Creek, and Tucson. Warm temperatures combined with moisture in the soil create the perfect conditions for termite colonies to expand.

Swarmers (winged reproductive termites) may be the first visible sign of an issue, but the real damage is often happening out of sight. Subterranean termites work underground, feeding on wooden structures from the inside out. By the time you notice bubbling paint, sagging floors, or damaged trim, they’ve already done serious damage.

Northwest Exterminating offers comprehensive termite protection, including inspections, treatment options, and ongoing monitoring. Whether you’re buying a home, maintaining an existing one, or responding to a sudden swarm, we’re here to help protect your biggest investment.

Protect Your Home This Summer with Northwest Exterminating

At Northwest Exterminating, we live and work in the same communities you do. We understand the unique pest pressures of Phoenix, Queen Creek, Tucson, and Southern Arizona because we deal with them every day.

From mosquitoes buzzing around your patio to scorpions lurking in the shadows and termites silently damaging your home, our trained professionals are equipped with the tools and local knowledge to get pests out—and keep them out.

We offer:

Ready to enjoy your summer without the bugs and stress? Contact Northwest Exterminating today to schedule your free home inspection and find out how we can help you stay pest-free this season—and beyond.