Top 5 Summer Pests in Coachella Valley Homes (and How to Keep Them Out!)
Summer in the Coachella Valley brings sunshine, long days, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy your backyard or pool — but it also marks peak pest season. As temperatures soar across the desert, many insects and critters start seeking shelter, food, and water — and unfortunately, your home checks all three boxes. Whether you live in Palm Springs, Indio, La Quinta, or Cathedral City, it's crucial to understand which pests are most common in our area and how to prevent them from making themselves at home.
Here’s a homeowner’s guide to the top five summer pests in the Coachella Valley — what attracts them, how they get in, where they hide, and most importantly, how to keep them out.
Scorpions
Scorpions are one of the most recognizable desert pests, and unfortunately, they’re not just out in the wild — they often sneak into garages, closets, shoes, and even sinks. The Arizona bark scorpion, while not as common as other species here, is still present and can pose a health risk.
What Attracts Them
- Moisture and water sources
- Insects (their main food source)
- Cool, dark hiding spots during hot days
How Do They Get In
- Through cracks in foundations and walls
- Gaps under doors or poorly sealed windows
- Vents and utility line openings
Where Do They Hide
- Inside shoes, under furniture, in closets
- Outdoors under rocks, woodpiles, or mulch
- In dark, damp corners of garages or sheds
How to Keep Them Out
- Seal all entry points with caulk, especially around baseboards, windows, and pipes.
- Install tight-fitting door sweeps on all exterior doors.
- Keep landscaping trimmed and away from the house.
- Reduce moisture by fixing leaks and avoiding overwatering outdoor areas.
- At night, use a UV flashlight to check for glowing scorpions around your home.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are especially active during the summer heat and can spread bacteria, allergens, and even trigger asthma. The most common species here are American cockroaches, which thrive in warm, humid spots — and they’re good at staying out of sight.
What Attracts Them
- Food scraps, grease, and crumbs
- Standing water and leaky pipes
- Cluttered or dirty areas
How Do They Get In
- Through gaps in doors, windows, or vents
- Drains and sewer lines
- Grocery bags, boxes, or luggage
Where Do They Hide:
- Behind appliances and under sinks
- Inside cabinets and pantries
- In garages, laundry rooms, or basements
How to Keep Them Out
- Keep your kitchen clean, especially at night — wipe down counters and don’t leave food out.
- Take out the trash regularly and use sealed containers.
- Fix plumbing leaks and ensure good ventilation in bathrooms.
- Use cockroach bait stations or professional-grade gel baits in problem areas.
- Seal cracks in walls and around pipes.
Ants
Ants may be small, but they can form massive colonies and quickly become a serious nuisance. In the Coachella Valley, Argentine ants are the most common invaders, especially during the dry summer months when they’re searching for water and food indoors.
What Attracts Them
- Water sources (especially during drought conditions)
- Sugary spills, crumbs, and pet food
- Leaky faucets or plant drip systems
How Do They Get In
- Through small cracks in foundations or window frames
- Gaps in door thresholds
- Along utility lines and irrigation tubing
Where Do They Hide
- Inside walls, under flooring, or behind appliances
- Near sinks or water heaters
- Under rocks or in mulch outside
How to Keep Them Out
- Eliminate food and water sources by wiping up spills and storing food in sealed containers.
- Trim trees and shrubs that touch your home.
- Use outdoor ant bait granules to reduce colonies before they come inside.
- Seal entry points with weatherproof caulking.
- Monitor trail lines and apply targeted bait where activity is highest.
Spiders
Most spiders in the Valley are harmless, but black widows are a common concern. With their shiny black bodies and red hourglass markings, black widows prefer quiet, dark, undisturbed areas and are most active during warm nights.
What Attracts Them
- Insects (they prey on bugs, especially flies and ants)
- Undisturbed spaces
- Exterior lighting that draws other bugs
How Do They Get In
- Cracks in foundations or siding
- Vents, gaps in screens, and open doors
- Via boxes or firewood brought inside
Where Do They Hide
- Garages, storage sheds, and under patio furniture
- Behind outdoor grills and utility boxes
- Under eaves, in crawl spaces, or attic corners
How to Keep Them Out
- Knock down webs as soon as you see them to discourage nesting.
- Reduce clutter indoors and outdoors.
- Switch to yellow bug lights to reduce insect activity around doors.
- Store shoes, gloves, and other gear in sealed containers or shake them out before use.
- Use spider repellents or natural deterrents like peppermint oil along baseboards and windows.
Termites
Though often associated with spring, drywood termites are highly active through summer in the desert. They can silently eat away at your home’s structure, especially in attics or behind walls, and are particularly difficult to detect until serious damage occurs.
Did you know that termites spread by swarming late winter to early spring?
What Attracts Them
- Exposed or untreated wood
- Warm, dry conditions
- Attics, crawl spaces, and wood framing
How Do They Get In
- Through small gaps in roofing or siding
- Cracks in wood, vents, and attic openings
- Hitchhiking on infested furniture or wood
Where Do They Hide
- In structural beams, rafters, and wall voids
- Behind baseboards or window frames
- In wooden furniture or decking
How to Keep Them Out
- Schedule annual termite inspections, especially if you live in an older home.
- Look for signs like discarded wings, hollow-sounding wood, or "frass" (termite droppings).
- Replace any damaged or exposed wood and paint/seal wood surfaces.
- Keep mulch and wood piles at least 15 inches away from the foundation.
- Use borate treatments or termite barriers around the home if needed.
Keep Your Home Pest-Free This Summer
Keeping your home pest-free in the Coachella Valley summer comes down to two key steps: sealing your home and partnering with a trusted pest control expert.
Simple improvements like sealing cracks, tightening up screens, and reducing outdoor clutter can go a long way toward keeping unwanted guests outside where they belong. Learn how to seal your home off from pests. But even the most pest-conscious homeowners can miss something — that’s where professional help makes all the difference.
At Extermin8 Pest and Termite Control, we specialize in protecting Coachella Valley homes from the desert’s toughest pests — from scorpions and termites to ants, roaches, and spiders. Our local team knows the habits, hiding places, and peak activity times of the region’s most common invaders.
With a tailored pest prevention plan and year-round support, you can relax and enjoy summer knowing your home is in expert hands. Contact our team today to learn more!