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Tag Archives: mouse control

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.