Hoffman’s Exterminating advises homeowners to thoroughly inspect holiday décor and greenery to prevent winter pest problems.
For many people, it just isn’t the holiday season until their home has been properly adorned with twinkling lights, wreathes, trees and family-favorite items of décor. However, Hoffman’s Exterminating reminds eager homeowners of the importance of thoroughly inspecting holiday decorations, especially greenery, for signs of pests before decking the halls.
“Decorating the home is always a great way to get in to the spirit of the season, but pests such as spiders, ants and even rodents can easily hitch a ride indoors if boxes and greenery are not thoroughly inspected,” said William T. Hoffman, President & CEO of Hoffman’s Exterminating. “We tend to receive a lot of calls this time of year from homeowners dealing with a variety of insects and rodents. With all the friends and family people host for the holidays, a pest infestation is the last thing they need to be worried about.”
Hand-cut Christmas trees and other fresh greenery frequently house insects, spiders and their eggs. Boxes of decorations that have sat in storage during the past year, if not properly sealed, can become infested with rodents and their droppings.
Hoffman’s Exterminating offers the following tips for preventing pests in holiday décor:
- Shake off trees, wreaths and garlands and carefully inspect them for pests or eggs that may be hiding in the branches before bringing them inside.
- If copying a DIY natural decoration from Pinterest or other craft site, thoroughly inspect all foliage and greenery outside the home before beginning projects.
- Store firewood on a raised structure that is located at least 20 feet away from the home and brush off wood before bringing it indoors.
- After pulling decorations out of storage, unpack them outdoors to check for pests, such as mice. Look inside boxes for rodent droppings or gnaw marks, especially on strings of lights to ensure the wiring is fully intact.
- When storing décor after the holiday season, use durable, sealed containers that pests can’t chew through instead of cardboard boxes or plastic bags.
For more information on household pests or to contact a pest control professional, please visit the Hoffman’s website.
