Wow! Where did the year go? Suddenly it’s December, and the holiday season is upon us. We hope you enjoy a very merry holiday season with your loved ones, but as your local pest control experts, we must warn you of one thing that can seriously dampen your joy: Don’t let holiday habits attract a pest infestation into your home!
Because we’re all busy at this time of year, plus engaging in a number of activities that are specific to this time of year, it can be easy to forget some basic pest control prevention steps. Remember these tips to make sure none of your holiday guests are of the creepy-crawly variety.
Be careful with packages. Most are probably fine, but remember that warehouses and shipping containers aren’t always the cleanest places. That overnight package from Amazon is likely fine, but if you order something that spends three weeks in transit, opening it on the porch might be a good idea. Discard the box and bring your gift inside.
Get rid of boxes, packing materials, and wrapping paper promptly. Don’t let these items pile up around your house, waiting for recycling day. You see the leftovers from a fun celebration, but insects and rodents see bedding material.
Store food in airtight containers. Leftovers from the holiday party, baked goods, and last night’s dinner should all go into airtight containers. Loosely wrapped food is a beacon for pests.
Check bedding thoroughly. If you travel, check the hotel or Air B&B bedding for signs of bed bugs before sleeping there or even unpacking. Otherwise you could pick up a few hitchhikers who return home with you.
Inspect your Christmas tree. It should be no surprise that trees are full of insects and perhaps even animals. That’s their home, after all! So before you bring their home into your home, make sure they’ve been evicted. This goes for wreaths and garlands too, if you use the real kind.
Don’t bother with DIY pest control remedies. Some of these products appear the make the situation better temporarily, but actually make it worse in the long run. Call us right away for professional pest control services if you do suspect a problem. We can help ensure that your holiday cheer doesn’t become January’s gloom.