What to look out for through the year
Spring (March to May)
Queen wasps start new nests, birds begin nesting under tiles and in eaves, and carpet beetles appear at windows. It's the best time to check sheds and lofts for small wasp nests, and the time to leave active bird nests alone. See wasps and nesting birds.
Summer (June to August)
Ants peak, including flying ant days. Wasp nests grow fast, bats raise young in roof spaces, and bed bug reports rise with holiday travel. See ants, bats and bed bugs.
Autumn (September to November)
The big indoor season. Mice and rats move in as it gets colder, cluster flies gather in lofts, fleas peak as central heating comes on, male house spiders wander indoors looking for mates, and Asian hornet sightings rise. See mice, rats, cluster flies, fleas and spiders.
Winter (December to February)
Rodents are at their most persistent indoors, squirrels look for loft space to nest, ladybirds overwinter in window frames, moles are busiest in lawns and foxes are at their noisiest. It's also the best time to proof gaps in eaves and roofs, while birds and wasps aren't using them. See grey squirrels, ladybirds, moles and foxes.