Winter is not the kindest season for pests outside, so they often seek refuge indoors. Winter often experiences a rise in pest infestations of all kinds as these creatures search for food and protection from the elements. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do while making preparations for the holidays to keep them at bay.
Pay Attention to Your Natural Decorations
Pests love to hitchhike indoors on items brought in from the outside, so inspect your natural decorations thoroughly to avoid this problem. For example, when you bring a live evergreen tree into your home, remember to inspect its branches and needles for pests. An uninspected tree can attract a variety of pests, including ants, spiders, and even praying mantises, and these pests may have laid eggs in the tree as well. This also applies to natural holly and mistletoe decorations. Before bringing in these types of decorations, give them a good shake outside to dislodge any pests. Also, if you burn firewood this winter, remember to inspect it for pests before bringing it inside, as a chunk of wood waiting to be put in the fire can easily become a target, and pests can easily spread to other parts of the home from there.
Clean Up
Many pests are drawn to household messes, particularly leftover food and mold. That is why it is critical to keep your home clean during the holiday season. We recommend the following cleaning tips:
- Maintain clean countertops to eliminate leftover crumbs and food odors that may attract ants, rodents, and cockroaches.
- To avoid attracting bugs, keep sinks, toilets, and showers clean.
- To prevent pests from entering or exiting your walls, clean and seal gaps in walls, doors, and baseboards.
- Frequently wash sheets and linens to prevent dust mites and help ward off bed bugs.
Keeping your home clean should go a long way toward preventing pests from bothering you during the holiday season.
Keep Food Well-Stored
Remember to properly seal leftovers in plastic or glass containers so pests aren’t drawn to them, then refrigerate or store them in a pantry. However, it’s also a good idea to keep an eye on the contents of your pantry, as it could be a prime target for pests. Stored product pests such as worms, moths, cockroaches, and rodents can often get into food through paper or cardboard containers, so keep such ingredients and leftovers high off the ground. It is also critical to check expiration dates on a regular basis and discard food that has gone bad, as spoiled food is far more likely to attract pests.
Unbox and Store Decorations Correctly
Pests such as beetles, cockroaches, and rodents often make their homes in storage containers because they are often dark, warm, and rarely disturbed. When those containers are opened, however, a pest may escape into other parts of the house if given the opportunity. To avoid this, carefully unbox your decorations and holiday supplies, and then carefully pack the decorations back up, making sure the boxes are as tightly sealed as possible.
Common Pest Problems to Battle During the Holidays
There is never an ideal time of the year to have pest problems in your home or business. But when it comes to battling with these little critters, the last thing you want to do during the holidays has some 4, 6, or 8-legged creature prancing around while you’re entertaining. Having pest problems is never fun, but over this festive period from now until the new year, staying on top of it is vital. The major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas are a time for celebrating with family and friends. This includes becoming the host at frequent gatherings. Here are the 3 pest’s you need to look out for during these special times:
Rodent Infestation
Rodents are rife at this time of year. As we have explained in previous posts about these winter pests, rats and mice are after two things; warmth and food. During this time of the year in Elk Grove, Sacramento, and Roseville the temperatures drop (not significantly) enough for these rodents to enter into your home for warmth and safety in secluded areas. A bonus for rats and mice is that around the festive period there is an abundance of food available as well. Unfortunately for you, even if one gets in, it can be difficult to shake the reputation that you live in a rodent-infested home. Don’t risk it, if you think you may have a rodent problem call us toll-free today on (877) 711 2847 now. Our experienced rodent exterminators know the signs of a rodent infestation and we would be happy to rid the problem for you.
Ant Infestation
An ant infestation is another problem that you might have to deal with over the holiday period. As the rain becomes more common during the winter months in Sacramento, the ants are one of the hardest hit. Even after a few minutes of heavy rainfall, an ant nest could be submerged completely. But ants have survived for many years by deploying this simple tactic; head for dryer ground. Unfortunately for you, this could mean your home. As we have discussed in previous topics including Different Types of Ants in Sacramento, ants are experts when it comes to sourcing our food. Once their scouts find an ample food source they will quickly send word back to the colony through the use of pheromones. Ants love sweetmeats and sugary foods, so leaving any turkey or cranberry sauce lying around will be a welcome sight for these little critters.
Roach Infestation
Cockroaches are disgusting little creatures and we have gone into detail about the problems that a roach infestation can cause in your home. From increased asthma attacks to food contamination, these little critters are a pest you can definitely do without during the holidays. The problem with cockroaches is they are difficult to get rid of. Letting an experienced pest control expert inspect your property thoroughly and perform and extermination processes are the best chance of staying pest-free this winter.
Spider Infestation
There are not many people out there that enjoy the presence of spiders, especially around the holidays. But during the colder winter months in Northern California spiders will seek refuge in secluded spaces within your home. This will include the attics, basements, and corners that don’t see a lot of human traffic. Although a spider is handy to have as a form of pest control itself, having a dangerous one such as a Black Widow present is not ideal. This is especially true if you have young children or elderly relatives visiting frequently for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Here at Official Pest Prevention, we know where to look for the most dangerous spiders in Sacramento and know how to get rid of them. Call us at (877) 711 2847 now.
Tips for Keeping Pests Away from Thanksgiving Food
Store Food Items Securely
If there is no food lying out in the open it will give the common winter pests less of a reason to visit you. Investing in airtight containers and Ziploc bags will not only keep your food fresh, but it will also deter any unwanted visitors in your kitchen.
Secure Trash Can
If you must throw perishable food away be sure to have your trash can tightly secured. The scent of food can travel around and become an attraction for rodents of all sizes. If the trash cans are placed close to your home it will add the incentive for these unwanted rodents to try and gain entry, thinking it is an ample supply of food inside.
Tidy Your Kitchen
Ants and other bugs thrive in places that have plenty of covers when they go on their excursions. Keeping a tidy kitchen with as little clutter as possible will give you the best chance of spotting any unwanted trespassers and perform control methods to rid your kitchen of them.
Pest Proofing Before Your Holiday Trip Tips
Getting away for the holidays is great! Getting ready to get away for the holidays is not that great. It’s hard not to stress out about leaving your home for an extended period of time. Worrying about gross insects, bugs and rats getting in while you’re gone can’t help, either. Unfortunately, pests aren’t about to give you a break just because you’re busy. A lot of pest infestations occur right before or during the holidays. Pests are just waiting for the right opportunity. Don’t give them that opportunity. Here are Official Pest Prevention’s four best tips for winter pest proofing before your holiday trip. Follow these before you go on your trip, and even the most clever bug won’t be able to get its grinch during the holidays.
1. Find Drafts
Drafts happen when a gap in the wall of a home allows cold air to seep in. That cold air replaces warm air in the home by sucking it out the same gap where it got in. Pests feel this hot air from outside and follow it, hoping to find a place to keep warm. Mice are particularly good at finding and following drafts. Just about any gap wide enough to create a draft could be wide enough to let mice in.
Seal the gaps that create drafts with caulk and/or insulation material where applicable.
2. Fix Leaks
All living creatures need water to live, even winter pests. Moisture and humidity attract pests almost as much as the promise of warmth. Little insects don’t require much water to get by, so even a small plumbing leak works just fine. Pests find the moisture they need by sensing air humidity or smelling loose moisture. Even small plumbing leaks can drive up a home’s humidity enough to attract pests.
Make sure you check any potential leaks and fix them before leaving for the holidays.
3. Store Food
Food attracts pests just as reliably in winter as it does the rest of the year. Some pests, like rodents or box elders, are content to simply munch on food through winter. Others, like pantry moths, might infest your food and even lay eggs in it. You don’t want to come home to a pantry moth infestation.
Start by disposing of any food that’ll go bad while you’re away. Store any food you’re keeping in your house in airtight, hard plastic containers. Finally, clean up the kitchen and dining room right before you leave, so you don’t leave crumbs behind.
4. Seal Entryways
Entryways like doors and windows are the number one way pests get into homes. Tiny gaps naturally develop near doors and windows in several ways. The elements wear away at thresholds and weatherstripping. Continual use may warp or damage joints, housing, or moving parts. Some pests even work away at sealing surrounding thresholds themselves.
Weatherstripping on doors and windows is sturdy but also wears away quickly. You should consider re-stripping each door and window in your home seasonally. While you’re at it, make sure doors and windows sit properly in their frames.
We’re Here to Assist You
You don’t want to be concerned about a pest infestation during the holidays, so if you have any questions or suspect you have a pest problem, contact Official Pest Prevention for a free inspection! We’d be delighted to provide you with peace of mind as you prepare to spend time with your family.
Official Pest Prevention is equipped to handle any infestations you may have. Whether you live in a commercial area or a residential one, if you say hello to us, you’ll be saying goodbye to those pesky bugs.
If you have any questions at all about our highly-rated services, then please feel free to contact us. We’re always eager to help out.
Official Pest Prevention is a family-owned, licensed pest control company celebrating 20 years serving over 100,000 satisfied customers in five area codes throughout Northern and Central California. Starting with a few contacts, and only four full-time employees, our small company has grown into an organization that today employs over 100 people, maintains a fleet of 75 vehicles, and has serviced over 100,000 Northern California households. This tremendous growth has come from loyal customers, who have recommended our work to their friends, family, and neighbors.
We are a full-service pest control company. Whatever your pest problem, we have a solution. Our goal is to make your property pest-free. Guaranteed. Contact us online or by phone (877) 711 2847 – for immediate assistance. Same-day bookings and flexible payment plans available – because pest invasions wait for no one.
