The holiday season brings together family, friends, delicious food, and festive decorations! Many people like to bring nature inside with Christmas trees and wreaths, adding to the cozy holiday feel. But these decorations can also bring with them unwanted pests, like spiders, moths, and even rodents. As the weather gets colder, pests start searching for warm places to shelter. Your homeโwith its warmth and tasty holiday treatsโbecomes a top spot for them to settle in.
For over 60 years, Bug Out has been St. Louisโs trusted name in pest control. Our experienced team understands the unique pest challenges in St. Louis and uses safe, effective methods to keep your space protected. Keeping pests out of your home during the holidays can be tricky, but there are some steps you can take to help. While professional pest control is the best way to protect your home, you can still make a difference with a few simple tips. Here are five holiday pest prevention tips to help keep your home safe and pest-free.
1. Inspect Decorations for Signs of Pests
When retrieving holiday decorations from storage, inspect everything thoroughly before bringing it inside. Decorations stored in attics, basements, garages, or sheds can attract insects, rodents, and other pests looking for a warm place to nest. Look for signs of pests such as droppings, webs, gnawed edges, or live insects. If you see anything suspicious, clean and disinfect the item before setting it up.
Cardboard boxes are a favorite for pests, especially mice and cockroaches. Wreaths, garlands, and artificial trees can also harbor bugs, so give them a good shake outdoors to avoid any surprise โguestsโ inside.
If you see droppings, be cautiousโrodent droppings can carry hantavirus, a serious disease.
Also, avoid using string lights that are broken or have frayed wires, as they can be a fire risk. Itโs safer to toss them out and treat your home to some fresh, bright holiday lights instead.
2. Inspect Foliage for Pests
Live greenery, like Christmas trees, wreaths, and plants, brings the beauty of nature into your home. However, they can also bring in pests hiding in the branches or leaves.
Before you bring any greenery indoors, inspect it thoroughly. Look for bugs, egg sacs, webs, or other signs of pest life. A gentle shake can dislodge any insects clinging to branches. For added protection, you can rinse small plants and wreaths lightly with water to remove any hidden bugs.
For smaller plants or cut foliage, like holly or mistletoe, inspect them closely for any signs of pests before placing them in your home. Regularly check your live plants throughout the season to ensure that no new pest activity develops indoors.
3. Prevent Harborage
As it gets colder, pests start looking for warm places to hide. Common hiding spots, known as โharborage areas,โ are where pests often nest. These can include piles of firewood, cardboard boxes, or cluttered storage areas. To avoid inviting pests inside, store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home. Only bring in the wood youโll use right away.
Additionally, try to keep your storage areas tidy and organized. If possible, avoid stacking boxes or bags directly on the floor, where pests like spiders or mice can hide. Tidying up these areas reduces the risk of pests finding cozy spots to settle in.
4. Promptly Clean Food Spills
The holiday season brings out the best in culinary traditions, but it also attracts pests drawn to food and sugary treats. At holiday meals and parties, crumbs, spills, and leftovers can quickly pile up, making your home a magnet for ants, cockroaches, and rodents. Be diligent about cleaning up food spills right away, and keep food stored in sealed containers.
As you prepare holiday treats, clean up immediately after baking or cooking to avoid leaving tempting scents around your home. Wipe down counters, sweep the floor, and take out the trash regularly to prevent any food buildup that might attract pests. For buffets and open food displays, cover food when possible, and check for spills or crumbs that might need a quick clean.
5. Store Your Decorations Securely
Once the holiday season is over, how you store your decorations can make a big difference in preventing future pest issues. Instead of using cardboard boxes, which are easily chewed through by mice and can attract insects, switch to sturdy bins that are harder for pests to access.
Avoid storing decorations in areas prone to pests, such as damp basements or dusty attics. If you must use these spaces, ensure your decorations are off the ground and stored in sealed containers. For fragile items, use tissue paper instead of newspaper, which can attract silverfish and other paper-loving pests.
Deck the Halls, Ditch the Pests: Bug Out for the Win!
The holiday season is busy enough without having to worry about pests. With over 60 years of experience, the Bug Out Pest Control team is here to make sure pests arenโt part of your holiday plans.Need pest control services any time of the year? Just give us a call! Weโll start with a free quote and work with you to find the best solution for your needs.
