Brisbane Pest Calendar
A month-by-month guide to typical pest activity in Brisbane. It reflects general seasonal patterns for a subtropical climate, not real-time outbreak data — actual activity varies with weather each year.
Updated 20 September 2026
Month-by-month activity
| Pest | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cockroaches | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate | High | High |
| Ants | High | High | Moderate | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | High | High | High |
| Mosquitoes | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low / none | Low / none | Low / none | Low | Moderate | Moderate | High |
| Spiders | Moderate | Moderate | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Rats | Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate | High | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low |
| Fleas | High | High | Moderate | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate | High | High |
| Wasps | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low / none | Low / none | Low | Moderate | Moderate | High | High |
- Low / none
- Low
- Moderate
- High
How to read the calendar
Levels run from none to high and describe how commonly residents notice each pest. A wet, warm winter or an early storm season can shift activity by weeks.
Seasonal preparation
- August–September: clear gutters, check screens and seals before storm season.
- November–March: tip out water after storms; watch for cockroaches and ants.
- March–May: trim vegetation from roofs and seal gaps before rodents move in.
Related PestMan Answers
Pest information
Cockroaches
Fast, flat-bodied insects that hide in warm, damp gaps and come out at night to feed. A few introduced species cause most household problems in Australia.
Ants
Social insects that live in colonies and follow scent trails to food and water. Most ant problems in homes are nuisance foraging trails from colonies outside the house.
Mosquitoes
Small biting flies that breed in still water. Beyond itchy bites, some Australian mosquitoes spread viruses such as Ross River virus, so reducing bites and breeding sites matters.
Spiders
Eight-legged predators that feed on insects. Most household spiders are harmless and useful, but a few Australian species, such as redbacks and funnel-webs, need to be treated with care.
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Sources & further reading
- Climate statistics for Australian locations — Bureau of Meteorology
- Brisbane City Council — mosquito and pest management — Brisbane City Council
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