Winter is here, and it’s time to decorate for the holidays once again. Imagine opening a box of decorations and finding bugs — or worse — rodents. When you store anything for 10 months out of the year, the chances of pests making a home there is greater than you may think. Clutter may not be appealing to people, but it’s the perfect place for pests. Read on to learn more about pests and holiday decor.
Common Pests During the Holidays
During winter, pests make their way into homes when they’re seeking shelter. With the prevalence of sweets in people’s houses during this season, sugar ants seem to be ubiquitous this time of year. Other pests that invade in winter include cockroaches, rodents and spiders. Having pests in your home may not bother you, but they can spoil your food, destroy your property and cause health issues.
Preventing Pests from Ruining Holiday Decor
The most common reason people find pests in their holiday decor is due to improper storage. Cardboard boxes can attract cockroaches, and any pest can make a home in a box that’s not tightly sealed. Store decorations in airtight containers to avoid letting pests in. Keep this in mind when packing them back up for next year, as well. When you buy secondhand decorations or a real Christmas tree, be sure to inspect them for signs of pests before bringing them home.
Dealing with Pests in Holiday Decor
The last thing you want to see in your holiday decor is a bug or a rodent. If you find pests while going through your holiday decorations, the first step you need to take is to remove the decorations from your home. Take them outside, then clean and disinfect the affected areas. You may consider cleaning the decorations themselves if they’re salvageable after the infestation.
When to Call the Pros
If you find more than an odd bug in your decorations, consider calling a pest control company. This could be a sign of a major infestation that goes beyond a few boxes in a closet, especially if you’re finding live ones.
Holiday decorations should bring you joy, but when they’re infested with pests, they can certainly make you feel the opposite way. Command Pest Control, a veteran-owned company with a 20-year history of exceptional service, is here to help if you find pests when decorating for the holidays. We offer residential pest control services in Pompano. Call us at 954-943-0008 or contact us online to schedule a free inspection.
