HomeTeam’s Holiday Checklist

Life can get chaotic as we approach the final month of the year. During the hustle and bustle, some of the most important pest control prevention tactics can be easily forgotten or go unaddressed, which can result in big problems for homeowners in the future. Common holiday items such as Christmas trees and boxes of decorative trimmings can serve as a pest’s Trojan horse to get inside, where it’s warm and cozy. Don’t worry – you can proactively accomplish some of the most affordable pest control steps yourself.

We’re making a list and checking it twice. Here are our best pest-proofing tips for your home at this festive time:

• Before bringing firewood into the house, be sure to check it for bugs. They can hide under the bark and in crevices in the wood. More importantly, be sure to store your firewood at least 20 feet away from your home.
• Potpourri seems innocent enough, but surprisingly, insects like to hide in potpourri mixes! Varieties that contain dried fruit are even more attractive to pests. We suggest placing any new potpourri in the freezer for three days to ensure that it is pest-free before putting it out.
• The holiday season is synonymous with food, and lots of it. Be diligent about cleaning crumbs off your counter and storing food (think about all those leftovers) in airtight containers to practice proper pest management and prevent attracting invaders such as rodents, ants, and cockroaches.
• Before moving your boxes of decorations out of storage from the attic or basement, check the area for signs of unwanted visitors such as droppings, chewed holes in boxes, or discarded wings. Holiday linens could attract moths, and common rodents love cardboard. For future pest prevention, use tightly sealed plastic bins and keep them at least three feet off of the floor.
• Christmas trees can be infested with weevils, bagworms, spider mites, and other insects. Before purchasing a live tree, inspect it thoroughly (for more than just ample room for gifts). Look for nests, webs, empty egg casings, or any other indication of their presence. If you find a bird’s nest in your tree, remove it quickly, because it could contain mites.
• Always shake your tree before bringing it into the house! Doing so can dislodge hidden insects and their eggs. On that note, never use any household pest spray around your tree, as flammable aerosol sprays and Christmas lights are never a good combination.
• More people in your home means more trash. Remember to keep trash can lids on securely and take trash out regularly to prevent household pests.
• Enjoy time with friends and family, and remember, we’re always here to help control pests in and around your home.

Don’t let pests become your holiday guests! For your best pest solutions, contact us for professional pest control at 855-855-4873, or visit https://staging.pestdefense.com.