As the holiday season swings into full gear, the excitement of baking, gift shopping, decorating, and coming together with loved ones fills the air. However, amidst the festivities, one crucial aspect often goes overlooked – pest prevention. Overlooking this can inadvertently extend an open invitation to unwanted guests to join your holiday celebrations. To ensure your holidays are filled with joy and free of pests, we've put together some essential pest prevention tips.

During the holiday season, all that baking and cooking can be an open invitation to pantry pests like Indian meal moths and merchant grain beetles. And let's be honest, no one wants to find these unwelcome ingredients in their favorite recipes. Moreover, real greenery such as wreaths, garlands, and Christmas trees can hide hidden spiders and mites, while boxes of decorations might become infested during the holiday off-season. To steer clear of these unpleasant surprises, we recommend taking a few extra steps to inspect your holiday items and keep pests at bay.

Pantry Pests: What to Watch For

Pantry pests are a group of unwelcome critters that include Indian meal moths, merchant grain beetles, sawtoothed grain beetles, flour beetles, cigarette beetles, and weevils. All pantry pests infest and feed on stored food products commonly found in kitchens and pantries. This can include grains, cereals, flour, pasta, nuts, dried fruits, spices, and more. These pests often infest food products from within, making it difficult to detect their presence until you open a contaminated container. The larvae of these pests are the primary culprits, as they consume and damage food items. As a homeowner, you might notice adult moths flying around your kitchen or pantry, an indication of an Indian meal moth issue.

 To keep them out of your holiday treats, here are some precautions to take:

1. Store Food Properly: using airtight containers, inspecting food items, and keeping the pantry clean, can help homeowners avoid infestations.
2. Inspect Groceries: Before purchasing food at the grocery store, inspect boxes and bags for any signs of damage or tampering.
3. Maintain a Clean Kitchen: Keep kitchen surfaces and floors clean, and regularly dispose of garbage in a sealed receptacle.

Greenery and Decorations: Keeping Pests Out

While holiday decorations can bring joy, they can also bring pests. Here's how to ensure your holiday greenery and decorations remain pest-free:

1. Inspect Live Greenery: Before bringing them indoors, thoroughly inspect all live greenery for any signs of pests or eggs. Give them a good shake to dislodge any potential hitchhikers.
2. Dispose Properly: When it's time to say goodbye to your greenery, place it far away from your home to prevent attracting pests.
3. Check Stored Items: Inspect stored holiday items for signs of gnaw marks or droppings, which could indicate a potential rodent infestation. Use sturdy, airtight containers for holiday decorations and other items to make them less accessible to pests.

Attempting DIY pest measures or ignoring a potential pest issue until after the holidays is not a wise decision. To safeguard your holiday season, it's crucial to address any suspected pest infestations promptly. We strongly advise against handling pest problems yourself. Instead, we recommend contacting a licensed pest control professional, like Thomas Pest Services to safely and effectively remove pests from your home.

As you embark on your holiday preparations and celebrations, make sure to include pest prevention as a top priority. By following these tips, you can ensure a pest-free and joyous holiday season for you and your loved ones. If you need expert assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to Thomas Pest Services. We offer complimentary inspections and can tailor our services to meet your specific needs. Your pest-free holidays start with us!