Nobody wants pests turning up at Christmas, yet it is surprisingly easy to bring them in, or invite them, without ever noticing. Here are our tips for keeping the most common festive pests out, so you can enjoy the season without needing pest control over the holidays.
Christmas trees and wreaths
Real trees and wreaths look and smell like Christmas, but they can also arrive with pests tucked away inside. Spiders and woodlice are common stowaways in natural wreaths and trees, and nests are easy to miss. If you are going for the real thing, give it a good shake before it comes through the door and check carefully for nests, otherwise you may find pests hatching out indoors.
Christmas food
Christmas means food, and plenty of it: big dinners, buffets, party spreads and sweets left out around the house. It is a treat for the family, and just as much of a treat for rats, mice, ants and even cockroaches. Never leave food uncovered, always store it in sealed containers, and clear up crumbs as you go, since those scattered bits are exactly the right size for a hungry pest.
Christmas wrapping
On Christmas morning the wrapping paper ends up everywhere as presents are torn open. The trouble is that paper makes perfect nesting material for rodents. If you would rather rats and mice did not turn your gift wrap into bedding, gather it up and bin it rather than leaving it strewn about. When you do, put it straight in the wheelie bin rather than a bin bag, because rodents will chew through the bag to get at it.
Christmas decorations
The decorations themselves rarely draw pests in. The problem is where and how they are kept. Cardboard boxes left in the loft or garage all year are an open invitation to mice and rats, and the moment you carry that box indoors you have moved them into a warm home full of food. Store decorations in sealed plastic boxes instead, and when you bring them out each year, watch for droppings, urine, nest shapes and any sign of rodents.
Need more advice on common Christmas pests, or help with a problem over the holidays? Call our specialist pest controllers. We are open every day except Christmas Day, from early until late.