Tips that Can Help Residents Prevent Pests during the Holidays

Chances are good that, as the holidays approach, you’ll be making all sorts of lists: gift lists, shopping lists, guest lists, and more. But I doubt any of your lists include sending invitations to unwelcome visitors such as spiders, bugs, rodents, and even other animals like birds. But if you’re not careful you can unintentionally send signals that your house is open to pests of all types…and I’m not talking about that relative your family finds “interesting”!

When cold weather arrives, pests naturally seek shelter in warm places. Your house is often the warmest place around. But once inside they find so much more they may not want to leave…ever! 

Quite a few decorations, foods, and traditions attract or provide entrance for unwanted bugs and critters to your property. That natural garland you’re carrying inside? It’s a perfect vehicle for hitchhiking insects. And that door that remains open while you carry goodies inside? It provides a wide lane for a stealthy rodent to dart into your castle.

Few things are as cringe-worthy as the fleeting glimpse of a fuzzy gray mammal darting through a seasonal gathering, but the chills they invoke are the least of their impact. Pests of all kinds pose a real threat to your health and property. They can contaminate food, cause structural damage, trigger allergies, and, in some cases, even spread disease. 

Plus, their presence can really put a damper on a jovial holiday atmosphere. Instead of being the life of the party, it’s pretty certain you’ll be the subject of discussion for days to come.

To avoid danger and embarrassment, we recommend following these simple, common-sense guidelines while preparing for seasonal festivities. 

Food

• Like us, pests love holiday food. That’s especially true for cockroaches, ants, and rodents. Store food in sealed containers and place food waste in secure trash bags while indoors. Frequently dispose of the bags in outdoor receptacles.
• Bugs and critters of all kinds love sugary crumbs and residue. Wipe counters, clean up crumbs left behind by baked goods and sweet drinks like hot cocoa and eggnog. Wash dirty dishes at least once a day.
• Don’t leave food sitting out overnight. (Exception: you can make an exception for milk and cookies left for Santa!)
• Check inside containers of dry ingredients like flour, sugar, and spices to make sure beetles or other pests aren’t living inside. 
• Look for holes in packaging and dispose of any infested food. 

Decor

• Carpenter ants, aphids, mealybugs, bark beetles, and spiders love to hitchhike on live trees, wreaths, and garlands. As amazing as it may sound, some people have unknowingly brought birds into their homes on cut trees and potted plants. Inspect closely, and if possible shake vigorously before taking them inside. Also…
• Check potted plants for ants in the soil before bringing them in from cold temperatures.
• Poinsettias and Christmas cacti can harbor white flies or fungus gnats. Be sure to inspect these and other decorative plants before taking them inside.
• Fruit flies are drawn to…well…fruit! Real fruits and vegetables make for beautiful accents, but need to be checked often. Remove apples, pumpkins, berries, and citrus fruits that are past their prime. You may choose to display artificial fruits instead.

Storage

• Decorations kept in storage areas can house rodents, spiders, and cockroaches. Unpack storage containers outside to prevent taking pests in.
• Tight-fitting lids help keep pests out of containers. When packing up after the holidays, choose plastic storage bins for the most protection. Cardboard boxes don’t provide a lot of protection. You may have to replace a few but the investment will be worthwhile.

As a popular song goes, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year.” A pest problem can quickly take away from that cheer. These easy-to-follow tips will help prevent pest issues before they start!

As we move further into the holidays, we’d like to wish the best for you and yours. Thanks for following our blog, and for your patronage across the year. We’ve got the best customers, and we’re grateful for every one!

Happy holidays from Kevin and Trudy!