Monthly Archives: December 2020

Oh, Christmas Tree

The song goes, “Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree! How lovely are your branches”. What the carol fails to mention, however, are the potential pests lurking on those branches. We expect to have our homes filled with guests as loved ones. However, there are less than desirable guests that you’ll need to be on the lookout for and stop before they spoil all the holiday cheer. A vigilant combination of prevention and eradication will help to keep your home free this holiday season!

Christmas Tree Pests

You have to expect that when you bring a live tree into your home, there is a potential for pests to be living in its branches that will be brought inside as well. Examples include spiders, mites, and aphids.

It’s imperative to carefully inspect your Christmas tree before making a purchase. However, if some bugs manage their way into your home, it’s best to use a vacuum cleaner to pick up any spiders or aphids.

You will also want to avoid hanging edible decorations, which are popular holiday staples but will obviously attract pests. Dough ornaments and popcorn garlands are tempting food choices that may attract more bugs inside of your home.

Ticks

Ticks can live in pine trees, landing on humans and animals. Since ticks are vectors for disease, you must thoroughly inspect yourself and immediately remove any ticks you may find. You can prevent ticks from hitching a ride on your body by wearing long sleeves/pants, and tucking legs into socks when outdoors. Keeping animals on an anti-tick medication also helps to prevent any passengers.

Peridomestic Roaches

Peridomestic is a scientific term for “around the house,” We use it to refer to cockroaches that have taken up residence inside the home.

Again, prevention is the best defense. Prevent cockroaches by keeping your home free of food debris (such as leaving a rogue snack plate in a bedroom or on the coffee table). When facing an infestation, you will want to consult experienced technicians as cockroaches can become a very large problem.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs transfer from an infested house to other houses on furniture, and in baggage, boxes, suitcases, packed clothing, and bedding— especially when people travel frequently or change residences. During this holiday season, protect your home from a potential infestation by protecting your mattresses with bed bug covers, and be sure to dry all bedding on high heat before washing. Bed bugs can be prevented!

To get the most joy from your holidays this year, it pays to be vigilant against incoming pests. You don’t want any of your houseguests bothered by anything other than one another. For more information on dealing with tree pests, silverfish, ticks, and other annoyances or to get started on pest control and eradication program, please contact the licensed and professionally trained experts at Hogarth’s Pest Control today.

Holiday Pest Prevention Tips

As the year draws to a close, many families have become excited about the idea of decorating their homes for the holiday.

But before you and yours get caught up in the excitement, be sure to follow these holiday pest control and prevention tips.

Set aside time to thoroughly inspect all decor before you put these up all over your home. For example, some decor, like Christmas trees, can serve as the perfect hiding place for uninvited guests. Without due diligence, you can find yourself dealing with them instead of having a blast with your loved ones.
Before putting up your Christmas tree/hanging wreaths, give these a close visual inspection, looking for insects and their eggs. Afterward, give them a vigorous shake to remove any eggs that may be hidden out of eyesight.
Make sure that you also check for any gnaw marks left on your Christmas lights, as they are likely made by rodents. You are just better off buying new ones if you do find there to be any damage. Do not gamble with the safety of your loved ones by using compromised lights.
It is best to do all of this outside. This gives you ample light and space to perform your inspection; ensuring the easier cleanup of droppings and debris left by any uninvited house guests.
Apply the same due diligence when using living materials such as branches and leaves for DIY holiday projects. Start your project after inspecting these materials for insects. Otherwise, you’ll only be giving problems a free ride inside of your house.
Apart from inspecting all decor, be sure that you store everything effectively when not in use. Different types of pests (ranging from insects like spiders to small mammals like rodents) can hide in boxes where you store holiday decorations.
Ideally, store holiday decor inside sealed containers such as bins that are a proper barrier against pests. Cardboard boxes, most specifically, are easy targets for rodents, which will damage your decorations.
If you are storing firewood on your property, make sure you use a raised structure about 20 feet away from your home. And before you bring firewood inside your home, check it carefully and brush it off.

These are critical steps that you need to undertake to boost safety in and around your home; preventing pests from dampening your holiday cheer. If you do find yourselves to be a victim of any of these holiday pests, do not hesitate to reach out to Hogarth’s Pest Control & Wildlife Removal. Happy Holidays!

Pest-Free Christmas

The Christmas season is officially underway! Black Friday is over, and shopping has formally begun. This time of year is for chestnuts roasting on an open fire and Jack Frost nipping at your nose. So, turn up the Christmas music, hang up the lights, decorate the tree, and take in all that makes Christmas the ‘most wonderful time of the year’. However, while you’re at it, consider taking a couple of steps to keep this Christmas season pest-free.

Tips for Before Christmas

If you’re like most, this is the time of year you’re going to bring in boxes of decorations from storage. If you store your Christmas lights, ornaments, and other items in cardboard boxes, you might have a guest stop in for a visit. Many insects like to get into stored cardboard boxes, and a few rodents as well. Be aware that bringing a package in from a shed, garage, or any other outbuilding could potentially bring unwanted guests into your home. Consider thoroughly checking before bringing any boxes or bins indoors.
Pests can also enter your home hitched to a Christmas tree. Spiders can lay eggs in trees, and when those eggs are warmed inside your home, they may hatch into dozens of baby spiders. To be safe, give that tree a fair shake before setting it up.
No holiday is complete without lots of food. Make sure you check all of the packages you purchase at the store to ensure there are no holes or rips, preventing unwanted insects from gaining access to your pantry.

After Christmas

Once the festivities are over, it’s time pack everything away. Consider storing items in plastic totes rather than cardboard boxes. Bins will keep them safe from mold, mildew, dust, and even pests during the year and prevent any surprises for the next.
When you’re storing things away, be sure to check for any nesting material in your garage or attic. This is the season when mice are most likely to invade these places for the winter. Mouse nests look like pieces of fabric, insulation, cotton, cardboard, and other obviously collected materials.

If you find signs of pests this Christmas season, or you would like us to assist in preventing all of the many creatures that can invade your home this time of year, Hogarth’s Pest Control is happy to help. Give us a call today! Happy Holidays from our family to yours.