Southwest Florida's year has a few fixed markers: pollen season (roughly January through June), two lovebug flights, the rainy season (May 15 to October 15), and hurricane season (June 1 to November 30). Plan exterior jobs around them: gutters and storm prep before the rains, windows and screens after the pollen peak, and roof, wall, and driveway cleaning when growth shows. This year there is one more marker, a water shortage order through March 31, 2027 that limits pressure washing for looks.
The year at a glance
| When | What is going on | Exterior jobs that fit |
|---|---|---|
| December to March | Outside the rainy season. Pollen season starts around January and builds toward March and April. | Soft wash roofs and walls where growth built up over the rainy season. Pressure washing for looks is limited by the water shortage order through March 31, 2027. |
| April to mid-May | Pollen peaks in March and April and tapers in summer. The first lovebug flight comes in April and May. | Clean windows, screens, and solar panels after the peak. Clear oak and pine debris from gutters. Start the hurricane checklist before June 1. |
| Mid-May to mid-October | The rainy season: warm and humid with frequent showers and thunderstorms. Hurricane season starts June 1. The second lovebug flight comes in August and September. | Before it starts, clear gutters and trim back branches. During it, watch shaded roofs, walls, and driveways for algae and mildew, and stay off ladders in storms. |
| Mid-October to November 30 | The rainy season has ended, but hurricane season runs through November 30. | After the last storm threat, clear debris and salt, check gutters, and clean windows and screens. |
Pollen: roughly January through June
UF/IFAS says Florida's pollen season runs roughly January through June, peaks in South Florida from February to May, and has its height in March and April. The pollen is a fine yellow powder that sticks to surfaces and comes back quickly after a wash. That is why a cleaning after the peak tends to last longer than one in the middle of it.
Windows and screens are the usual victims. See how often to clean windows in Florida and how to clean window screens. Solar panels collect pollen too: NREL found that rain alone doesn't fully wash it off, as we cover in do solar panels need cleaning in Florida.
Lovebugs: April to May and August to September
UF/IFAS says the main lovebug flights are April to May and August to September. Adults live only about three to four days in nature, but they leave a mess. Their remains can pit a car's finish if they are not washed off within a few days, and UF/IFAS advises washing them off soon and soaking the remains in water for several minutes to loosen them. That advice is for vehicles. On glass, the same soak-then-wipe approach is a gentle place to start. Don't scrape or use abrasives.
The rainy season: May 15 to October 15
The National Weather Service's Tampa Bay office puts the rainy season for Southwest Florida at May 15 to October 15 (May 25 to October 10 for the rest of West Central Florida), and says the start varies from year to year. Damp, shaded surfaces grow algae and mildew fastest, so watch the shaded sides of the house, roof slopes under trees, and driveways that stay wet. Our guides cover black streaks on roofs, green and black driveway stains, and how to clean stucco.
Clear gutters before the rains. Standing water in them can breed mosquitoes, as we explain in how often to clean gutters in Florida.
Hurricane season: June 1 to November 30
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Do the exterior checklist before June and again when a storm is on the way: see the hurricane season checklist. If you are away for part of the year, plan who will check the house. Our guide to exterior care for snowbirds and out-of-town homeowners covers it.
This year's wrinkle: the water shortage order
The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Modified Phase III restrictions run through March 31, 2027. Its page says pressure washing for aesthetic purposes is not allowed, while pressure washing for necessary maintenance, such as removing mold or mildew, is. Plan driveway and patio washing around that. The details, and which cities it covers, are in pressure washing and the water shortage. Orders can change, so check the District's page.
Making it easy
A Home Care Membership puts four scheduled services a year on the calendar, with automatic quarterly scheduling, so the jobs above happen without you tracking them. Is a home care membership worth it? helps you decide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the rainy season in Southwest Florida?
The National Weather Service's Tampa Bay office puts it at May 15 to October 15 for Southwest Florida, and May 25 to October 10 for the rest of West Central Florida. The start varies from year to year.
When are lovebugs worst in Florida?
UF/IFAS says the main flights are April to May and August to September. Adults live about three to four days in nature.
When is pollen season in Florida?
UF/IFAS says it runs roughly January through June, peaks in South Florida from February to May, and has its height in March and April.
When is the best time of year to clean windows in Southwest Florida?
There is no single best month. A cleaning in late spring, after the pollen peak, tends to last longer than one in the middle of it, and a second cleaning after the rainy season handles what built up. Near the water or under heavy tree cover, add a visit.
Sources & further reading
- National Weather Service Tampa Bay: Rainy Season
- National Hurricane Center (NOAA)
- UF/IFAS Extension: Lovebugs in Florida
- UF/IFAS: The unwelcome dust that won't quit: Pollen season hits with full force
- Southwest Florida Water Management District: District Water Restrictions
About Shine Otter
Shine Otter is a family owned and operated exterior cleaning company serving Southwest Florida, from Englewood and Venice to Cape Coral and Fort Myers. We handle window cleaning, roof and gutter cleaning, soft washing, driveway and patio cleaning, window screen cleaning, storm debris cleanup, and solar panel cleaning. Call or text (425) 977-5156 for a free quote. Meet the owners.