Summer pests in Saudi Arabia: how to prepare your home before the heat

1. Why do pests increase in summer?

Heat speeds up the life cycle of many insects, so they grow and breed faster and their numbers rise within weeks. At the same time water and shade become scarce outside, so insects look for them inside buildings: in kitchens, bathrooms, drain rooms, air-conditioning units and stores.

Air conditioners also run all day, creating moisture and condensation around them, and drain and service openings become entry routes. People spend more time indoors and notice pests more. That’s why demand for pest control rises in the hot months in most of the Kingdom’s cities.

2. The pests you see most in summer

• Cockroaches: in kitchens, bathrooms and drains, at night, and more so in apartment buildings.
• Ants: around sugar and food and in gardens, getting in through small cracks.
• Mosquitoes: around standing water in yards, containers and air-conditioning units, especially in humid cities.
• Flies: around rubbish, kitchens and gardens.
• Scorpions: on the edges of town near open land and farms, active on hot nights.
• Termites: stay active, and may swarm in certain seasons.

3. Hot, dry cities

In cities like Riyadh, Qassim, Hail and Al-Kharj, summer is hot and dry and water is scarce outside. So insects head strongly for any water source indoors: sinks, bathrooms, air-conditioner leaks, water tanks and planters. Cockroaches and ants appear indoors more, and on the edges of town scorpions come close to yards and doors.

In these cities cutting off water sources indoors is the most important prevention step, along with sealing gaps under doors and around pipes.

Also watch out for dust and wind on some summer days, which can leave window and door gaps open unintentionally or damage old mesh. So it helps to review mesh and seals at the start of each summer and replace anything worn — a simple, low-cost step that greatly reduces insects getting in during the hot months.

4. Humid coastal cities

In cities like Jeddah, Dammam, Khobar, Jazan and Yanbu, heat combines with high humidity. That makes homes more attractive to cockroaches and turns any standing water into a mosquito breeding site within days. Insects stay active for a longer part of the year than in inland cities.

In these cities mosquito control and getting rid of standing water are priorities, along with keeping kitchens and bathrooms dry. Many families and businesses there prefer regular preventive visits. Read about mosquito and fly control.

5. Pre-summer home checklist

• Fix every leak in the kitchen, bathrooms and air-conditioner connections.
• Check and clean air-conditioner drip trays, and make sure water doesn’t collect.
• Seal cracks and gaps around pipes, doors and windows.
• Fit seals under outside doors and mesh on windows and drain openings.
• Clear out boxes and clutter from stores and the roof.
• Empty containers and basins where water collects in the garden and yard.
• Trim grass and shrubs right next to the walls.
• Check food containers are airtight.

6. Kitchen and bathrooms in summer

The kitchen and bathrooms matter most in summer because they combine water, warmth and food. Dry the sink and surfaces before bed, don’t leave dishes soaking, empty bins daily and keep food in airtight containers. Make sure floor drains are covered and hold water to stop insects and smells coming up.

If you have a rarely used bathroom or kitchen, pour water into its drains regularly, because dry drains let insects come up. Read how to keep cockroaches out of the kitchen.

7. Homes closed for the holidays

Many families travel in the summer holidays, leaving the house closed for weeks. During that time pests can settle in undisturbed, especially if food or water is left behind. So before travelling, clear perishables from the fridge, take out the rubbish, dry the kitchen and bathrooms, and close windows properly.

When you return, check the kitchen, bathrooms and stores before settling in. If you see signs of spread, ask for treatment before the problem grows. Remember to check luggage after travel, as bed bugs can come with it. Read about bed bug signs.

8. Gardens, yards and rest houses

In summer, gardens and yards attract mosquitoes around water, ants around plants, and in some areas scorpions under stones and wood. So it helps to manage watering so water doesn’t collect, clear piles of stones and debris, and move strong lights away from doors, as they attract insects at night.

Rest houses used for summer breaks need an inspection before hosting guests, especially if they’ve been closed. Read how to keep scorpions and snakes away from home.

9. Don’t rely on random spraying

When pests appear in summer, many people spray the house with household insecticides again and again. This may hide the problem for a few days without reaching hiding places and eggs, and can expose the family — especially children — to substances that shouldn’t be used heavily indoors. That’s why this site gives no pesticide names or spraying methods.

It’s better to focus on safe home prevention and leave treatment to a licensed company using approved products in the right places. Read the safety guide for homes with children and pets.

10. Do you need a preventive visit before summer?

If pests appear at your home every summer, or you live in an apartment building where the problem keeps recurring, or a home near farms or open land, or in a humid coastal city, a preventive visit before the heat may help. Treating before numbers rise is easier than treating after they’ve spread.

Some families prefer one visit before summer and another after; businesses usually rely on a regular contract. Read one-time treatment vs a contract, and choose “preventive” for the severity in the request form.