The holiday season is a special time of year, filled with joy, family, and festive decorations. As you unbox your treasured ornaments, garlands, and lights, you're not just bringing out holiday cheer; you might also be unknowingly inviting some unwelcome guests into your home. Spiders, rodents, and other pests love to find a cozy, undisturbed home in your stored holiday decorations. When you pull those bins out of the basement or attic, you can quickly go from festive to frantic.
Here’s how to prevent pests from turning your holiday season into a pest problem.
1. Inspect Decorations Before Bringing Them Inside
Before you even think about hanging that tinsel, take a moment to inspect everything. The garage, attic, and basement are prime hiding spots for pests. Go through each storage box or bag outside, if possible. Look for signs of pests like rodent droppings, gnaw marks on cardboard, or spiderwebs. Give garlands and wreaths a good shake and look for any nests or egg sacs.
For items like outdoor lights or extension cords, check for any signs of damage to the wiring. Rodents often chew on plastic and wires, which can be a fire hazard.
2. Switch to Sealed, Hard Plastic Bins
If you're still using cardboard boxes to store your decorations, it's time for an upgrade. Cardboard is a pest's paradise. It's easy to chew through, and the material itself can attract pests like cockroaches. Cardboard also absorbs moisture, which can lead to mold and mildew—another draw for pests.
Instead, invest in clear, hard plastic bins with airtight lids. These containers are a powerful barrier against pests. They are difficult to chew through, and the sealed lids prevent insects and rodents from getting inside. The clear plastic also allows you to see what’s inside, making it easier to find what you need without rummaging and potentially disturbing a pest's home.
3. Store Decorations Off the Ground
Storing your holiday bins directly on the floor of a basement or garage makes them an easy target for pests. Basements and garages are often cooler and more humid, creating an ideal environment for pests to thrive. Placing boxes on shelves or elevated platforms makes it much harder for crawling insects and rodents to access them.
4. Consider Pest-Repelling Scents
While not a complete solution on their own, certain scents can help deter pests. Placing cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil or dried bay leaves in your storage bins can help keep some critters away. Rodents, in particular, dislike the strong smell of peppermint. Just remember that these are deterrents, not guaranteed preventatives.
5. Clean Decorations Before Storing Them Away
After the holidays are over, take the time to wipe down or clean your decorations before you put them back into storage. Cleaning can remove any crumbs, dust, or organic material that might attract pests. For fabric items like stockings or tree skirts, consider sealing them in vacuum-sealed bags to save space and prevent pests from nesting in them.
Need Help with Pests?
If you've already found some uninvited guests in your home this holiday season, don't worry. The professionals at Parkway Pest Services are here to help. Our experienced technicians can identify the source of the problem and create a customized plan to eliminate pests and prevent them from coming back. Enjoy a pest-free holiday season.
To schedule an inspection, call us today at (888) 695-6490.