The holidays bring joy, gatherings, and delicious food, but they can also bring unexpected guests of the six- and eight-legged variety. Along with the warmth and festive cheer of the season, you may unknowingly invite pests like spiders, ants, and even rodents into your home.
Between unpacking stored decorations and bringing in fresh greenery, pests have plenty of opportunities to sneak inside. With these five tips for holiday pest prevention and the help of our expert team at Arrow Exterminating, you can keep your home cozy and critter-free this season.
5 Essential Tips for Holiday Pest Prevention
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Inspect decorations for pest activity.
Decorations stored in attics, basements, or garages are often ideal hiding spots for pests. Mice, in particular, love quiet, undisturbed spaces and might use those tucked-away boxes as nesting spots.
When you’re ready to decorate, examine stored boxes closely for signs of rodents, such as:
- Shredded paper or fabric
- Droppings
- Gnaw marks
If you find evidence of mice or rats, discard any contaminated items and sanitize the area thoroughly before bringing anything inside.
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Check foliage for signs of pests.
Natural greenery like wreaths, garlands, and Christmas trees add warmth and beauty to your home, but they can also harbor pests. From spiders to aphids, various insects might be hiding in the branches.
Before bringing any greenery inside:
- Give it a good shake outdoors
- Visually inspect for eggs, insects, or webs
- Look carefully between branches and along the trunk
While many tree farms treat their trees with pesticides to reduce pest risks, a quick once-over ensures you’re bringing only holiday cheer inside, not hitchhiking critters.
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Remove potential pest hiding areas.
Outdoor cleanup makes a significant difference in reducing indoor pests. Piles of leaves, firewood, and yard debris provide perfect shelter for a variety of critters seeking winter refuge. Clear away these harborage areas to make your property less appealing.
Here are some firewood storage tips:
- Keep firewood at least 20 feet from your house
- Elevate wood piles off the ground
- Only bring inside what you need for immediate use
- Avoid placing wood directly on floors or furniture
Wood piles are popular spots for spiders (including potentially venomous species), so handle them with care.
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Wipe up food spills promptly.
Holiday feasts are a seasonal highlight, but crumbs and spills act like an open invitation for pests. Roaches, ants, and rodents don’t need much food to survive. Even a few crumbs can attract them.
Stay ahead of hungry pests by:
- Cleaning up immediately after meals
- Wiping down counters and tables thoroughly
- Taking out trash regularly
- Storing leftovers in sealed containers
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Store your decorations securely.
After the holidays, how you store decorations can prevent future pest problems. Choose sturdy, airtight containers with locking lids instead of cardboard boxes, which rodents can easily chew through. Secure storage bins also protect your items from moisture that attracts insects.
Arrow Exterminating Is Here for Your Holiday Pest Control Needs
The holiday season is busy, and keeping pests out of your home might feel like one more task on an already full list. While many pest control companies close up shop during the holidays, Arrow Exterminating remains available to serve you. Outside of a few days when we’ll be closed for the holidays, our team is ready to respond when you need us most.ย
We know pests don’t take vacations, and neither do we. As Long Island‘s trusted rodent control leader for over 75 years, we’re committed to keeping pests out of your home or business so you can enjoy a stress-free holiday season.
Call today for a free quote and a pest control plan tailored to your needs.
