During this magical time of the year, the last thing you want to worry about is pests causing problems. Unfortunately, nuisance critters don’t pay any heed to the holidays, and winter isn’t the pest-free season that people often assume it is. Learning how you can navigate holiday pest infestations will help this season be merry.
Holiday Festivities With Unwanted Guests
As people gear up for the holidays, they bring a lot of decorations out of storage. Problem is, while you’re busy decking the halls, you’ve also disturbed the habitats of pests that have taken refuge in your attics and boxes. The containers we store throughout the year, in the out-of-reach areas of our property, act as safe havens for pests. This is especially a problem as the cold weather outside drives pests indoors.
Here are some of the common pests that are uncovered as people prepare for the holidays:
- Insects: Cockroaches, ants, and termites are all known to frequent attics and crawlspaces, so stacks of cardboard boxes act as areas for them to nest or feed.
- Spiders: When insects are around, spiders aren’t far off. They hunt on the other kinds of bugs that populate storage areas, making spider activity directly tied to other holiday pests.
- Rodents: Rats and mice both seek debris and containers to nest inside, so holiday decorations like faux wreaths, trees, and foliage are especially attractive to rodents looking for the kind of shelter they can find outdoors when it’s warm.
How To Avoid Holiday Pests
Because stored items can be rife with pests, it’s important to be smart about how we handle these materials. Here are important steps to take to avoid pest infestations, as well as what to look for when checking for signs of activity:
- Unbox outdoors: The first thing you should do with those long-stored boxes is taking them outside. There, you can open them and check for problems without the fear that pests might skitter out and hide somewhere indoors.
- Bite marks: All kinds of pests can chew through cardboard or soft packaging, so it’s important to look for holes or evidence of being bored through. Rodents, specifically, can chew through electrical wiring and harder items, so check those lights and blowers thoroughly.
- Feces & stains: As pests leave their urine and feces behind, containers quickly start to show the signs. Look for stains on the outside of the box before opening and continue thoroughly inspecting for these signs as you remove items from containers.
Stay Ahead Of Winter Pest Prevention
While the above are good to follow when removing your decorations from storage, it’s even more important to be proactive and take steps to prevent pests from shacking up in your storage in the first place. Here are some tips to do just that:
- Crack sealing: Pests often get inside by crawling through holes or cracks or burrowing through existing faults in the wall to gain access. Frequently check your exterior for even tiny faults and repair them wherever necessary.
- Declutter: If you can limit the amount of stuff you have to cram into storage areas, you limit the number of habitats that pests can make use of. Consider downsizing and clearing out unnecessary junk.
- Inspections: Before the decorating season even comes around, you can get a professional onto your property to check for problem areas or signs of pests. This can help you act quickly to remove the problem well before the holidays even hit.
For A Merry Christmas, Turn To Action
This time of year is supposed to be for family and good tidings, so don’t let pests put a damper on your holiday cheer. At Action Pest Control, we can work quickly to remove problems and install measures to keep your property pest-free. Don’t wait for a pest problem to ruin your merriment, contact us today to get started on our home pest control services.