Ah, the holidays! A time of cozy fires, twinkling lights, delicious treats, and joyful gatherings. But while you’re busy decking the halls and preparing for Santa’s arrival, uninvited pests might be making themselves a little too comfortable in your home. Don’t let bothersome bugs or invasive wildlife crash your holiday festivities! With Gato Guard’s holiday pest prevention tips, you can keep your home merry and bright, with pests out of sight.
1) Check That Greenery Twice
Live Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands bring natural beauty (and the scent of the holiday season) into your home, but they can also harbor sneaky stowaways. Before you bring them indoors, give your greenery a thorough inspection. Look for droppings, webs, nests, or eggs hiding under the branches. Give trees a good shake outside to shed off any reluctant critters.
2) Unpack Decorations with Care
Holiday decorations stored in basements, attics, or garages make cozy year-round homes for pests. When you bring those boxes inside, critters could easily hitch a ride into your living space. Inspect storage containers (especially cardboard ones) for chew marks, droppings, or signs of nesting. It’s a good idea to unpack decorations outside just in case.
Pro Tip: Swap cardboard boxes for sealed plastic containers when packing up your decorations after the holidays. It’s a simple upgrade that keeps rodents, insects, and other pests out of your holiday home décor.
3) Store Firewood the Right Way
There’s nothing like a crackling fire to set the holiday mood. But did you know firewood can be a pest magnet? Carpenter ants, termites, rodents, and even snakes often hide inside or beneath wood piles. Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home and off of the ground to deter infestations. Inspect logs for signs of pests before bringing them indoors.
4) Mind the Milk & Cookies
Leaving milk and cookies out for Santa? Totally fine! Leaving crumbs, spills, and dirty holiday plateware out overnight? Not so much. Pests love leftovers just as much as we do, so clean up spills, store food in airtight containers, and take out the trash regularly.
Keep an eye out for crumbs and sticky messes in areas like the kitchen and dining room. And don’t forget to secure the lids on your trash cans — you don’t want pests finding their own holiday feast.
5) Inspect and Protect Your Gifts
Holiday shopping is all fun and games until pests sneak into your car or new purchases. Check your car and packages for signs of pests like chewed edges, droppings, or a musty odor. Pay special attention to the trunk, as it’s a favorite hiding spot for critters.
Once gifts are home, avoid letting them pile up. Cluttered spaces make great hiding spots for pests, so try to keep your holiday goodies organized until they’re wrapped and under the tree.
6) Don’t Let Packages Linger
Online shopping might make holiday prep easier, but those packages on your porch can also attract pests if left outside for too long. Bring packages indoors as soon as possible, and inspect them for any surprise stowaways before opening. Once you’ve unpacked, break down cardboard boxes and recycle them promptly — pests like roaches and silverfish see discarded boxes as the ultimate holiday hangout.
7) Tidy Up After the Wrapping Party
As fun as it is to see a mountain of gifts under the tree, the leftover wrapping paper, ribbons, and boxes can create hiding spots for pests. Once the presents are wrapped, dispose of any scraps and empty boxes properly. Decluttering makes your home less appealing to pests.
8) Holiday Treats? Keep Them Sealed
Homemade cookies, fudge, and other festive goodies make wonderful gifts, but pests are always on the lookout for a sweet snack. Keep all edible gifts in airtight containers until it’s time to share them. If you’re gifting food, store it in the kitchen and avoid leaving treats unwrapped and unprotected.
Stay Jolly, Avoid Seasonal Follies!
The holidays are a time for family, friends, and festive cheer — not for dealing with pests. By following the above tips, you can enjoy the season without uninvited pests scuttling around. And remember, if pests do find a way into your home, Gato Guard has your back. We’ll help you keep your home cozy and pest-free all year long.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Gato Guard! Stay merry, stay bright, and let’s keep those pests out of sight! Give GATO GUARD a call today!