How Holiday Decorations Can Invite Unwanted Pests Into Your Home

Holiday decorations make us feel happy, bright, and cozy, which is something we all enjoy. There is a danger, though, hidden behind the sparkling lights and holiday trees: pests. Rodents and pests can get in through your holiday decorations and cause a lot of damage if you are not careful. 

A lot of people do not know this, but their holiday preparations might actually bring pests into their homes. Learn more about how to protect your home during the holidays. This is how it happens, and you can stop it from killing your holiday spirit.

Stored Decorations Are a Pest Magnet 

When you take things out of the attic, basement, or garage, you might not only bring back holiday memories, but you might also let pests in. Rodents, pests, and spiders like to hide in places that are dark and quiet. These boxes for storage do just that. Pests like mice and silverfish can make comfortable homes or nests out of decorations made from fabric, paper, or natural materials.

Pests can easily break through cardboard containers that you use for decorations. Rodents will even tear up holiday fabrics to make nests. Also, ants, beetles, and other bugs looking for food will be drawn to your decorations if they have food on them, like candy canes, cinnamon sticks, or popcorn strings. Even a few cookie crumbs from last year can be enough. 

Fresh Trees and Greenery Can Bring Bugs Inside 

Putting real trees and plants in your home makes it look more beautiful. They can carry small bugs, though, that you might not see right away. Tree branches and flowers are good places for bugs to hide, like aphids, mites, and even praying mantis eggs. Outside, they do not do anything. They wake up when you bring them into your warm living room, though. Soon, tiny insects might be crawling all over your floors and furniture.

Firewood is another source of trouble. Lots of people bring logs inside to use in their fires. Worms, bugs, and even ants can live in these logs, though. They can spread to other wooden parts of your home once they get inside. 

Holiday Items That Commonly Hide Pests 

Bugs like more than just trees and storage boxes. Lights, tree skirts, stockings, and other soft or fabric items can have bugs in them. If you do not store them correctly, even plastic trinkets or holiday lights can get bugs or droppings on them. It is especially hard to choose scented home decor. Bugs like sweet smells, and if the packaging for candles or potpourri isn’t tight, they may chew through it to get to the goods inside.

Bugs are also drawn to yard items that are inflatable. If you do not clean them and keep them dry, they can hold water, which makes mold grow, and mold brings insects. Extension lines and outdoor lights can also get wet, which makes them another place where pests like to live. 

Simple Ways to Keep Pests Out of Your Holiday Fun 

First, check everything outside before you bring it inside. Put things away in plastic bins with lids that fit tightly. Pests can easily chew or crawl into cardboard, so stay away from it. Before putting away fabric items like stockings and tree skirts, wash them. 

Clean the metal and plastic decorations. Things should always be packed dry, and if you can, they should be kept off the floor.

Things should not be kept in damp or warm places. The high humidity in basements and attics makes them great places for pests to live. If you can, try to use dry rooms or storage spaces instead. Natural ways to keep pests away, like wood blocks or lavender sachets, can also be used in storage boxes.

For real plants and firewood, make sure to check them for bugs before taking them inside. Shake them up or use a hose to clean them outside. Keep your firewood at least 20 feet away from your house. 

By taking these simple steps, you can enjoy your holidays without any surprise visitors crawling out of the decorations. Stay festive – and pest-free!