Holiday Pest Prevention Tips
The holiday season brings warmth, joy, and plenty of activity into our homes. From festive feasts to sparkling decorations, it’s a time for celebration. Unfortunately, all that extra food, travel, and clutter can also extend an open invitation to unwanted guests on the naughty list: winter pests. Bah humbug to that! As you prepare for winter festivities, simple, proactive pest prevention steps can help keep your home protected. With Orkin’s expertise, you can help ensure your celebrations remain merry, bright, and critter-free.
What pests are on the naughty list this holiday season?
The holidays can bring uninvited guests, and we’re not talking about your distant relatives. Common pests that show up during the festive season include rodents, ants, cockroaches, and even pantry pests like moths or beetles. With cold weather driving pests indoors and holiday treats providing an irresistible lure, it's no surprise these critters are on high alert for opportunities to invade your home. Additionally, some pests may sneak in through holiday decorations, firewood, or even packages delivered to your doorstep. Staying vigilant and taking preventative measures can help you keep these holiday crashers at bay.
How To Prevent Holiday Pests
This guide will sleigh you through practical tips to help safeguard your home this holiday season. We’ll cover everything from keeping your kitchen merry and bright to decking the halls safely and stopping travel-related pests from crashing your holiday cheer.
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Holiday Food Safety: Keep Sweets & Spices Pest-Free
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Holiday Trees & Greenery: Inspect Before Bringing Them Inside
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Decorations & Storage: Unpack Smart to Avoid Surprises
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Holiday Travel & Guests: Prevent Bed Bug Hitchhikers
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Home Maintenance: Fixing, Sealing & Winterizing Entry Points
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When Pests Sneak In: Call the Pros
Your Full Guide To Holiday Pest Prevention
Holiday Food Safety: Keep Sweets & Spices Pest-Free
Your kitchen is the heart of holiday celebrations, filled with the delicious aromas of baking and cooking. It's also a major attraction for pests like ants, cockroaches, and rodents. Keeping your kitchen clean and your ingredients secure is the first line of defense before you bake cookies for Santa.
1. Store Seasonal Ingredients Properly
Pantry pests like pantry moths and pantry beetles are notorious for finding their way into cardboard boxes and thin plastic bags. To protect your baking supplies, store items like flour, sugar, cocoa, and spices in airtight, sealed containers made of glass or hard plastic. After serving holiday treats and baked goods, make sure to cover them tightly to avoid luring pests with sweet scents.
2. Maintain A Clean Kitchen
A busy kitchen can quickly become a buffet for pests like kitchen ants. After baking marathons or large family meals, wipe down counters, tables, and stovetops to remove spills and crumbs. Sweep or vacuum floors to catch any fallen food particles. It’s also important to empty your trash cans regularly, especially after big gatherings, and use a bin with a tight-fitting lid.
3. Identify & Toss Infested Items
Before you start your holiday baking, take a moment to inspect your pantry. Look for signs of common pantry pests like weevils, moths, and beetles. You might notice small holes in packaging, webbing in corners of containers, or the pests themselves. If you find any items showing signs of damage or contamination, it's best to discard them immediately to help prevent an infestation from spreading.
Holiday Trees & Greenery: Inspect Before Bringing Them Inside
Bringing natural elements like trees, wreaths, and firewood into your home adds a wonderful festive touch. However, this foliage can also harbor insects like spiders, mites, and beetles. A quick inspection can prevent these outdoor pests from becoming indoor residents.
1. Shake Out Fresh Trees
Before you carry your Christmas tree into the living room, give it a good, gentle shake outdoors. This simple action can dislodge spiders, aphids, and other insects that may be hiding among the branches. It also helps remove loose needles, making for an easier cleanup once the tree is set up.
2. Examine Garlands, Wreaths & Firewood
Take a close look at fresh garlands and wreaths before hanging them. Check for any hidden insects, webs, or egg sacs. Firewood is another common hiding spot for pests, including carpenter ants and beetles. Inspect each log carefully before bringing a stack indoors for a cozy fire.
3. Choose Safe Storage Options For Future Seasons
When the holidays are over, how you store your decorations matters. Instead of their original cardboard boxes, store artificial trees and greenery in weatherproof, pest-resistant plastic containers. This will help protect them from damage and prevent pests from nesting in them during the off-season.
Decorations & Storage: Unpack Smart To Avoid Surprises
Unpacking last year’s holiday decorations is often a trip down memory lane. It can also reveal that pests like rodents or cockroaches have made a home in your storage boxes. Taking a few precautions can help you avoid any unpleasant surprises.
1. Unpack Holiday Décor Outdoors Or In The Garage
To prevent dormant pests from scurrying into your living space, open your storage boxes in the garage or on a patio. This gives you a chance to inspect everything in a controlled area before bringing it inside. It's an easy step that can keep spiders, silverfish, and other pests out of your home.
2. Use Sturdy Plastic Storage Bins
Cardboard boxes are a favorite of many pests. They provide food, shelter, and nesting material for rodents, cockroaches, and silverfish. Upgrade your storage by replacing cardboard with sturdy plastic containers that have tight, snap-fit lids. These create a physical barrier that blocks pests from getting to your treasured ornaments and decorations.
3. Inspect Stored Items Before Use
As you unpack, look for tell-tale signs that pests have been active. Check for rodent droppings, chewed edges on decorations or boxes, and cobwebs. If you find evidence of an infestation, it's wise to clean the items thoroughly and address any potential pest issues in your storage area.
Holiday Travel & Guests: Prevent Bed Bug Hitchhikers
Holiday travel and visiting guests can unintentionally introduce one of the most persistent pests: bed bugs. These tiny insects are expert hitchhikers and can easily travel from one location to another on luggage, clothing, and personal items.
1. Inspect Luggage After Trips
After returning from a trip, inspect your luggage before bringing it into your bedroom. Check the seams, zippers, and pockets for any signs of bed bugs. It’s best to unpack on a hard surface, away from upholstered furniture or beds.
2. Provide Guest Guidelines
When you have guests, encourage them to store their luggage off the floor. A luggage rack or a hard surface like a tiled floor is ideal. You can also offer large plastic bins for visitors to place their bags in, creating an extra layer of protection. Provide a designated coat area away from bedrooms. Ask guests not to leave snacks in bedrooms where pests might be attracted. Encourage visitors to keep food in sealed containers if they’re staying multiple days.
3. Know The Signs Of Bed Bugs
Be aware of the common signs of bed bugs. These include small, reddish-brown stains on sheets or mattresses, tiny dark spots (excrement), live bugs in seams, or waking up with itchy bites. Early detection is key to managing a potential problem quickly.
Home Maintenance: Fixing, Sealing & Winterizing Entry Points
Proper home maintenance plays a crucial role in preventing pests and ensuring a comfortable, energy-efficient living environment. By focusing on fixing, sealing, and winterizing potential entry points, you can protect your home from unwanted intruders like bugs and rodents while also reducing energy loss.
1. Seal Exterior Cracks & Gaps
Cracks and gaps in your home's structure are like open invitations for pests and drafts to enter. Inspect the areas around windows, doors, and your foundation thoroughly, looking for any visible openings. Use caulking or expandable foam to seal these gaps effectively. By addressing these cracks, you not only prevent bugs and rodents from making their way inside but also improve your home's insulation, reducing energy loss and lowering utility bills.
2. Replace Worn Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping plays a crucial role in maintaining your home's energy efficiency by sealing the spaces around doors and windows. Over time, weatherstripping can wear down or become damaged, losing its effectiveness. Inspect your existing weatherstripping for cracks, peeling, or gaps. Replace it as necessary to block drafts and ensure better temperature control throughout your home while keeping pests at bay.
3. Install Or Repair Door Sweeps
A properly installed door sweep creates a tight seal at the base of your doors, blocking pests and cold air from entering your home. Check all exterior doors for missing or damaged door sweeps and replace them as needed. This small, cost-effective measure can make a significant difference in maintaining a comfortable and pest-free living environment.
4. Check Attic and Crawlspace Vents for Proper Screening
Vents in attics and crawlspaces provide necessary airflow, but they can also become entry points for unwanted pests if not properly screened. Inspect these vents and ensure that screens are intact without any tears or gaps. If you notice any damage, repair or replace the screens to prevent pests like rodents, birds, or insects from gaining access to your home’s hidden spaces.
5. Keep Gutters Clear to Prevent Moisture Buildup
Clogged gutters can lead to standing water and moisture buildup, which attract pests such as mosquitos and termites. Regularly clean your gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage and reduce the risk of water pooling near your home. Keeping gutters clear also protects your home's foundation by preventing water damage and erosion, strengthening its overall structural integrity.**
When Pests Sneak In: Call The Pros
Even with the most careful prevention, pests are resilient and may still find a way to take shelter from the winter cold. If you notice signs of infestation, it’s time to call for professional help.
An Orkin Pro can deliver a fast, reliable inspection to identify the source of the problem. Based on their findings, they will create a customized protection plan to manage the issue effectively. Relying on an expert helps ensures your holiday celebrations can continue without the stress and disruption of a pest problem.
A Proactive Approach To A Pest-Free Holiday
Keeping your home cozy and critter-free during the holidays is achievable with a few proactive habits. By focusing on proper food storage, inspecting décor and greenery, practicing smart travel habits, and performing regular home maintenance, you can significantly reduce the risk of a pest infestation.
Enjoy a peaceful and joyful holiday season. By staying vigilant and partnering with a trusted expert like Orkin, you can help ensure your home remains a sanctuary for family and friends, and not for pests. Contact Orkin today to schedule your holiday pest control inspection and service.
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