A month by month list for Reading homes, built around tree pollen from early March, lanternflies from July, a wet September, stink bugs in autumn and curbside leaf pickup in the fall.
Reading has four distinct seasons, and each one affects a house differently. January's normal low is 23.0 degrees, July's normal high is 86.5, and annual precipitation is 45.21 inches. Here is a month by month list to use as a guide. Move things around as your household and the weather demand.
About 107 days a year have a low at or below freezing, and about 24 days reach 90 degrees or higher. September is the wettest month at 4.88 inches, with June and July close behind at 4.77 inches each.
Penn State sources give the insect and pollen timing. Tree pollen can start as early as the first week of March, grass pollen rises through April and May, and ragweed runs from early fall to the first frost. Spotted lanternfly eggs hatch from late April to June, and adults appear in July and stay active until hard freezes.
January. The coldest month. Change furnace filters, vacuum vent covers and clean radiators gently with a brush. Wash entry mats, since salt and slush come in on boots. A good month for closets and basement shelves.
February. Dust screens and electronics, and check bedding for what Penn State Health calls a year-round source of symptoms, dust mites. Wash pillow covers and vacuum the mattress.
March. Tree pollen can start as early as the first week. Keep bedroom windows shut overnight, and wipe sills with a damp cloth. Check the basement for damp as the ground thaws.
April. Grass pollen is rising. Clean window tracks and wash the entry floors. Late in the month, lanternfly eggs start to hatch. Check outdoor furniture and tree trunks for egg masses and scrape them off.
May. A good month for a One-Time Deep Clean, after heating season. Baseboards, tracks and vents have a full winter's dust in them. Change air conditioning filters before the heat.
June. Precipitation averages 4.77 inches, and humidity climbs. Test bathroom fans and clean the covers, and run a dehumidifier in the basement if yours is damp.
July. The warmest month, with a normal high of 86.5 degrees. Lanternfly adults appear now. Their honeydew leads to sooty mold, which often stains decks, patios and vehicles under affected trees. Rinse those surfaces early, because the stains can be very difficult to remove later.
August. Wash bath mats and shower curtains often, and check closets on outside walls for musty smells. It is a good month for outdoor jobs, such as porch furniture and the garage. Student leases may be turning over, so renters should read the move-out guide.
September. The wettest month, at 4.88 inches. Keep mats at every door. Ragweed starts in early fall, so keep windows shut on heavy days. Seal gaps around windows and vents, since stink bugs will soon be looking for a way in.
October. Stink bugs gather on warm days. Have the furnace serviced, and clean vent covers before heating season. City of Reading crews began curbside leaf pickup on October 12 in 2026. They ask residents to keep clippings, branches and brush out of leaf piles.
November. Molds rise once fallen leaves get wet, so rake them away from the steps. A good month for a deep clean before holiday cooking. Kutztown's 2026 leaf collection ran through November 25, so check your own town's dates.
December. Freezing nights are routine now. Clean oven racks and the range hood before you host, and put down mats and a boot tray. A Recurring House Clean can keep the regular work going while you handle the holidays.
The questions Reading homeowners ask most often about this topic, answered plainly.
TotalCare Cleaning will service Reading and surrounding areas with background-checked cleaners and is insured up to $1 million. Re-clean guarantee: if we missed something, tell us by the end of the next day and we come back to fix it. Beyond Clean. TotalCare.
