The holidays are a hectic time of the year with shopping, decorating, holiday events, and family gatherings. The last thing you need to worry about during this busy time is dealing with a pest problem. During the winter months bugs and critters are more likely to seek food and shelter inside of a warm home, so it’s important to take steps to ensure they don’t invade your house. Keep your home pest-free this holiday season by following these tips:
Check live greenery. Live Christmas trees, wreaths, and garland are beautiful decorations to add to a home during the holidays, but they can bring unwanted pests with them. Insects and pests love to curl up under leaves and inside wood branches to stay warm during the cold months. Before purchasing live greenery, check for signs of a pest infestation, like webs, eggs sacs, nests, and chew marks.
Inspect packed decorations before decorating. Many people store their holiday decorations in the attic, basement, or garage, which are prime hiding spots for bugs. Unpack your decorations carefully, keeping an eye out for droppings, shredded paper, and chewed wires. This is an indication that a pest has been keeping your decorations company throughout the year. If you notice these signs, finish unpacking your box outdoors. To keep your decorations safe from pests in the future, use sealed plastic containers that are more difficult for pests to enter.
Store firewood properly. Ants, termites, and rodents love to make their home in firewood. If you bring that firewood into your house to make a nice, cozy fire during the holidays, you may be bringing the pests inside too. Inspect your firewood before carrying it indoors to make sure it is free from bugs. In addition, store your firewood at least 20 feet from your home. This will prevent bugs that might be living there from entering your house on their own.
Clean up food messes promptly. If you have a party, host a family dinner, or bake cookies with your kids, clean up any spills as soon as possible. Crumbs and sticky spots that are left on the floor are a major attraction for bugs, and cleaning up messes quickly will ensure that you don’t forget about it later.
Happy holidays from Home Pro Pest Control! If you notice any signs of pests during the holiday season, give us a call at (757) 499-1078 or contact us online to schedule a free home inspection.