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Don’t Let Pests Crash Your Holiday Party: A Guide to a Bug-Free Season

The holiday season is finally here. It’s a time for gathering with loved ones, enjoying festive meals, and decking the halls. But as you welcome guests into your home, you might be unwittingly rolling out the red carpet for some uninvited visitors: pests. From cockroaches feasting on crumbs to rodents seeking warmth, the holidays create the perfect storm for pest infestations.

Nothing dampens the holiday spirit quite like spotting a mouse scurrying across the kitchen floor or finding ants marching toward the pumpkin pie. Beyond the “ick” factor, these pests pose health risks and can cause property damage when you least need the stress. Fortunately, with a few proactive steps and the help of professionals, you can keep your home safe and sanitary. Here is how you can pest-proof your home this season so the only guests you host are the ones you actually invited.

Why Pests Love the Holidays

It’s not just you who looks forward to the holidays; pests do too. As temperatures drop, insects and rodents naturally seek shelter from the cold, and your warm, cozy home looks like the perfect winter resort.

The holiday season also brings an abundance of food. Cookie crumbs, overflowing garbage bins, and unattended leftovers are an all-you-can-eat buffet for ants, roaches, and rodents. Additionally, holiday decorations often serve as Trojan horses. Live Christmas trees, wreaths, and boxes of ornaments pulled from the attic can harbor spiders, mites, and other insects, bringing them straight into your living room.

Inspect Your Decorations

Before you start hanging lights and trimming the tree, take a moment to inspect your decorations. Storage areas like attics, basements, and garages are prime real estate for pests.

Unpacking Stored Items

When retrieving boxes from storage, unpack them outside if possible. Shake out wreaths, garlands, and stockings to dislodge any spiders or silverfish that may have settled in over the year. Look for signs of gnawing or droppings in cardboard boxes, which are favorite nesting materials for mice. Consider switching to sealed plastic bins for future storage to create an impenetrable barrier against pests.

Checking Live Greenery

If you prefer the smell of a real Christmas tree, give it a thorough inspection before bringing it indoors. Shake the tree vigorously to remove loose needles and any hiding insects. You can also inspect the trunk for spider webs or egg sacs. While it’s rare to bring in a full-blown infestation, a few hitchhikers can quickly become a nuisance.

Master the Kitchen Cleanup

The kitchen is the heart of the home during the holidays, but it’s also the biggest magnet for pests. Keeping this area clean is your first line of defense.

Manage Food Waste

After the big meal, don’t let leftovers linger. Store food in airtight containers rather than leaving it out on the counter. Take the trash out regularly, especially if it contains food scraps, and ensure your outdoor bins have tight-fitting lids.

Deep Clean Surfaces

Crumbs are inevitable during holiday baking, but they are also a beacon for ants and roaches. Wipe down countertops, sweep floors, and clean up spills immediately. Don’t forget to check under appliances where grease and crumbs can accumulate, providing a hidden feast for pests.

Seal the Entry Points

Pests need a way in, and winter is when they try hardest to find one. A small crack in the foundation or a gap under a door is all a mouse needs to squeeze inside.

Walk around the perimeter of your home and look for potential entry points. Seal cracks and crevices with caulk or steel wool. excessive moisture can also attract pests like termites and carpenter ants, so ensure your gutters are clean and downspouts direct water away from the foundation. Installing door sweeps on exterior doors is another simple yet effective way to block access.

Know When to Call the Professionals

Sometimes, despite your best DIY efforts, pests still find a way. If you notice signs of an infestation—such as droppings, gnaw marks, or frequent sightings of insects—it’s time to call in the experts.

At Cypress Creek Pest Control, we understand that you have enough on your plate during the holidays. Our team has been protecting Houston homes since 1968, offering reliable solutions for everything from roaches and ants to rodents and termites. We can identify the source of the problem and implement a treatment plan that keeps your home pest-free, allowing you to focus on what matters most: enjoying the season with your family.

Keep Your Holidays Happy and Healthy

Don’t let the fear of bugs turn you into a Scrooge this winter. By staying vigilant with your cleaning, inspecting your decor, and sealing up your home, you can drastically reduce the risk of an infestation. And remember, if you need backup, we are just a phone call away.

Ready to secure your home for the holidays? Contact Cypress Creek Pest Control today to schedule an inspection or learn more about our Healthy House Program. Let us handle the pests so you can handle the party.