Wintertime is one of the most magical times of the year. No matter what traditions your family has, it’s the perfect occasion to get together with loved ones and celebrate the year. Sugar cookies and candy canes abound, but while it’s a sweet and merry season, few things can be more jarring against the backdrop of joy than finding pests in your Irmo Christmas decor.
For most people, these decorations go into a box (or two or three) that is then put into a shed, basement, or attic, where it remains for the next eleven months. Unfortunately, these places are often dark and undisturbed, making them ideal home locations for pests to settle. Many different pests can make their way inside of boxes and containers used to hold these holiday decorations, and then, when you get them out again, you could find yourself faced with some unpleasant problems.
This guide is here to help you identify pests that often invade these spaces and advise how to remove them.
Pests That Get Into Christmas Decorations
While almost any small enough pest could find a way inside a cardboard box or other unsealed container, there are certain species that you’re more likely to encounter when pulling out all that tinsel and beloved ornaments. These include silverfish, rodents, cockroaches, and spiders.
Here is how to identify each:
- Silverfish are bugs with long, tapered bodies that are usually a grey color. They are mostly harmless, but they do chew on cardboard boxes, food items, and papers.
- Rodents, which are usually mice or rats, will chew through almost anything. This allows them to enter boxes or even plastic bins. They are also dangerous as they can carry many illnesses like salmonellosis and hantavirus.
- Cockroaches can range in color from light brown to black. They have wings that lay flat on their backs and oval-shaped bodies. They are dangerous pests that can carry dysentery, typhoid fever, and salmonellosis.
- Spiders aren’t usually dangerous, but they are unsettling to find in your belongings. They have eight legs and typically build webs. Most spiders that invade boxes are house spiders that don’t have potent enough venom to harm you but are still unwelcome in your home.
What Should You Do To Avoid Pests In Christmas Boxes
When you are taking your Christmas boxes out, you should start by bringing them outside. This way you can keep any pests from escaping directly into your home. Then, look for signs of pest activity. Some telltale indicators include small droppings, smear marks, and chew marks from rodents.
There are also a couple of simple things you can do to prevent pests from getting into your decorations in the future. First, make sure to get durable plastic storage bins instead of cardboard boxes. Secondly, store these bins in an area that is a bit less cluttered and kept a little cleaner to deter pests from coming around.
Assistance With Wintertime Pests
Pests aren’t just active in the summer. Some pests can live in your home throughout the year. If you’ve found any pests inside of your decorations or around your property during the winter, contact the experts at The Original Bugman Pest Elimination, Inc.
Our experts provide home pest control services to address any wintertime pest and keep them from coming back in the future. Just give us a call today to book an inspection.
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