Now that the holidays have passed and the New Year is in full swing, those beautiful trees, carefully-crafted wreaths, garlands, lights, and those nostalgic ornaments, and other decorations are being pulled down and tucked away. Attics, basements, garages, and other storage areas of the home and coming alive with the hustle and bustle of the post-holiday events and activities. This may not be the only thing alive in these areas. Many pests may be present in these areas. If not, once you store your holiday decorations, they may be attracted to these areas of your home. Continue reading to learn how to pest-proof your stored holiday decorations.
Basic Measures
There are a few basic measures that should be taken prior to and during the storage of your holiday decorations. These are as follows:
- First, you should ensure that you inspect the containers and the area of the home where you want to store your holiday decorations. Look for signs of pest activity. Examples include droppings, the presence of webs, and gnaw marks. You should look for these signs in the area where you will be storing your decorations as well as in the containers that you will use to store your decorations. If you see signs of pest activity, you should address that prior to proceeding.
- Next, you should focus on thoroughly cleaning your decorations and the containers that you store them in. Simply wipe down with alcohol wipes or use a bit of soap and hot water. This will help in eliminating any potential bacteria and will also help in reducing food sources for potential pests throughout the year.
- Finally, you should consider the location where you will store your holiday decorations. Is it isolated and infrequently visited – such as the attic or the basement? If so, this is a great area for pests to hide and live. Always ensure that you clean the area completely. If there is moisture present, handle the issue immediately.
Basic Storage Techniques
Pest-proofing holiday decorations will help ensure the safety of the merchandise, as well as the safety of your home. To prevent an infestation from bugs, rodents, and other types of pests, consider doing the following:
- First, only store ornaments and small decorations in plastic bins that are sealed. It is better to store in plastic bins than cardboard as many pests are actually attracted to cardboard.
- When storing ornaments and small decorations, wrap each in bubble wrap. This will help protect against moisture and pests. If you are storing items composed of cloth – such as a Christmas tree skirt, put them in a large plastic Ziploc bag – folded.
- Do not store edible items. If you have any edible items that were used for decorations – throw them away immediately. The smells emitted by these items could attract pests.
- If you have items that are scented that need to be stored, place them in a plastic storage container by themselves. If possible, store each inside a Ziploc bag and then place the sealed bag inside the container.
- If you had a real Christmas tree, it should be thrown away or disposed of properly. If it is left in the home or lying on the ground close to the home, it could attract rodents.
Are Mice and Rats Attracted to Fake Christmas Trees?
Yes, rodents – such as rats and mice – may be attracted to fake Christmas trees. Despite not being “real” artificial trees do have the potential to be seen by rodents as a safe area to nest. If you have a fake tree, you should purchase a specially-designed Christmas tree storage container to place it in to avoid attracting rodents.
Do Bugs Really Live in Christmas Trees?
Yes, bugs do reside in evergreen trees. Common insects that may make evergreen trees their home include – but are not limited to – adelgids, scale insects, aphids, and ticks. In most instances, these die once a tree is brought inside the house, but this is not always the case.
If you purchased an evergreen tree for your Christmas tree, dispose of it quickly and properly after Christmas. If you are able to, it is best to purchase an artificial tree and store it in a storage container designed for the tree. This will reduce the possibility of bugs coming into your home.
Is There a Way to Eliminate Christmas Bugs?
Turn up the heat! If you have Christmas bugs in your house, it is best to increase the temperature of the heat throughout your home. These bugs are accustomed to living outdoors – where the temperatures are low. If they move indoors and it is hot, they will quickly try to get back outside or they will simply die. When you are storing holiday decorations, keep your eye out for these pests. If you find they are in your home, immediately turn up the heat.
How Do I Keep Pests Out of Stockings and Linens for Christmas?
If you have any type of Christmas linens or you have Christmas stockings that you need to store, it is important to take the time to store them properly so that pests are not attracted to them. Some pests will attempt to nest in these items and others may even try to feed on these products.
For optimal protection, utilize sealable plastic bags or sealable plastic totes. Then, once the items are inside a plastic bag that may be sealed, add them to a plastic storage bin that has a lid that may be shut tightly.
What Kind of Pests Are Attracted to Holiday Decorations?
The truth of the matter is any and all pests may be attracted to holiday decorations. These include ants, spiders, rats, mice, cockroaches, termites, mites, bed bugs, fleas, and more. If you must store your decorations, it is imperative that you take the time to properly store them by using the tips and techniques that are highlighted throughout this guide.
Professional Pest Control is a Must
While it is true that sealable bags and plastic storage containers are the perfect way to store holiday decorations so that they are not attracted to pests, the best way to prevent pests is to have regular pest control performed throughout the year. The companies that specialize in these services will perform services on a regular basis each month (or more often, if needed) to prevent a wide array of pests – ranging from the smallest insect to the largest rodent.
Contact Us Today
We here at All Pest Exterminating have a wide range of services and products that we offer our customers. These include pre-inspections, home inspections, and complete pest control. We will inspect your home to determine if there are any potential issues and/or problem areas. We will then work with you to determine the services that you need for your home. We offer both basic and comprehensive coverage. In addition to this, we also offer termite pest control services and bedbug heated treatments.
In addition to pest-proofing your holiday decorations, prevention is the best step to preventing pests from entering your home. Even the smallest crack opens up the entire area of your home. Once the pests make themselves known to you, it is likely that you already have a severe infestation. To eliminate any pest-related complications, we encourage you to contact us today. We offer the most comprehensive of all services at the most competitive prices. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call now.