The holiday season is a time for family, friends, delicious food, and beautiful decorations. But as we bring more nature indoors with Christmas trees, wreaths, and other seasonal decor, we might unintentionally invite a few unwanted guests.
Cold weather drives pests of all kinds indoors, and a warm home filled with holiday treats can be especially inviting to critters. While pest control experts can help, there are also some easy steps you can take yourself. Here are five essential tips to keep your home pest-free this season.
1. Inspect Decorations for Signs of Pests
Before you break out the holiday decorations, check them for signs of pests. Stored holiday boxes, especially if kept in attics, basements, or garages, can become cozy homes for rodents, spiders, and insects. Look for shredded paper, droppings, and chewed wires or ornaments—common signs of mice or rats. If you find anything that suggests pest activity, discard the item to prevent bringing pests indoors.
2. Check Foliage for Any Pests
Bringing a bit of the outdoors inside is a holiday tradition, but natural greenery like wreaths, garlands, and Christmas trees can also be hiding places for bugs. If you’re using live plants, make sure to inspect them carefully before bringing them inside. Look for visible pests, eggs, or egg sacs on branches and needles.
Give any greenery a gentle shake outside to dislodge hidden insects, and avoid using chemical pesticides indoors. For live Christmas trees, some may already be treated with pest control products, but it’s still wise to inspect them carefully to avoid surprises.
3. Remove Potential Pest Hiding Spots
Outdoor pest harborage—places where pests hide—can be anything from piles of leaves to yard debris. Clearing away debris helps prevent pests from moving into your home when it gets cold outside. It also keeps your yard looking fresh and welcoming for holiday guests.
If you store firewood outdoors, keep it at least 20 feet away from your house and on a raised surface, like a log rack. Firewood piles can attract spiders and other pests, and they might hitch a ride on the wood you bring indoors. Bring in only the firewood you need to avoid leaving a pest-friendly pile inside.
4. Clean Up Food Residue
Holiday meals mean more cooking and baking, which can also mean more crumbs, spills, and food scraps. Crumbs left out can be irresistible to pests like ants, cockroaches, and mice, so it’s important to clean up after every meal. Even the smallest food particles can attract pests, so a quick clean-up can go a long way in keeping your kitchen pest-free.
5. Pack Your Decorations Carefully
Once the holidays are over, it’s time to pack away decorations, and this is where pest-proof storage comes in handy. Instead of cardboard boxes, use sturdy containers with secure, locking lids. Cardboard is easy for pests like rodents and insects to chew through, making plastic or metal storage containers a better choice for keeping your holiday items safe and secure.
Keep the Holidays Bright and Pest-Free with Magic Exterminating
The holiday season is meant for joyful gatherings, not pest problems. With over 62 years of experience, we’re prepared to help you with customized pest prevention and control solutions. Contact Magic Exterminating to request service.
