As the holidays approach, there’s nothing like the warm glow of twinkling lights to make your home feel merry and bright. But while you’re decorating, you might also be drawing the attention of some unwelcome visitors. Believe it or not, your beautiful holiday lighting display could be attracting pests looking for warmth, shelter and even a snack. Before you plug in those string lights or set up your yard decor, it’s worth knowing how your holiday setup might be inviting unwanted guests and what you can do to keep them out.
Why Holiday Lights Can Attract Pests
When you hang lights, put up garland or set up inflatable decorations, you’re creating new entry points and hiding places for pests. The heat generated from holiday lighting can attract insects and rodents seeking warmth. String lights often require you to create holes, slip cables under doors, or leave gaps in siding or trim, which can become potential entry points.
Other Holiday Habits that Attract Pests
Seasonal parties mean food, drink spills and crumbs. These act as invitations for pests like ants, roaches and rodents. Outdoor decorations like wreaths and inflatables placed near your home’s walls give pests shelter and a bridge to get inside. Once the season is over, unsealed or forgotten storage boxes in attics, garages or crawl spaces, especially those near wiring or holiday lights, become prime real estate for pests.
What to Watch For
During your holiday decorating, it is important to be mindful of warning signs that pests could be nesting nearby. Early detection reduces your exposure to bacteria and diseases that pests can spread, while also helping you prevent costly damage later on. Here are some signs to look out for:
- Droppings around decor
- Gnaw marks or chewed insulation or wires
- Holes or burrows around your foundation or in mulch
- Trails of ants heading toward décor boxes or along cables
How to Prevent Pests This Season
Taking a few simple precautions during the holidays can help you make sure pests don’t intrude on your holiday plans. By addressing small gaps, clutter and storage issues early, you can keep your home pest-free all season long. Start by sealing any entry points before decorating. Check areas like door frames, eaves and along the foundation that your holiday lights will pass through. Make sure to keep your light cables tidy because any extra slack can create loops and pockets where pests can hide. When hosting holiday parties and family gatherings, make sure to clean up promptly after guests leave to avoid inviting pests with leftover food and drink residue.
Schedule a Professional Inspection
Even if you haven’t seen any pests, a licensed pest-control company can inspect your home, storage areas and decorations to ensure that you’re not giving pests the green light. Ready to protect your home from holiday pests? Call Command Pest Control at 954-943-0008 or contact us online today!
