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The holiday season is officially here! And while this time of year is filled with cheer, joy, and plenty of generous spirit, it can also bring its fair share of stress, especially when you’re opening your home to guests. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party, planning a cozy holiday brunch, or welcoming overnight visitors, the last thing you want is an unexpected (and let’s be honest, embarrassing) appearance from uninvited pests during your festive gatherings.
Although homeowners often experience an increase in pest infestations this time of year, with the right preventative measures, you can avoid having pests ruin your holiday plans. All-American Pest Control has over 60 years of pest control experience and is here to share the best holiday pest prevention tips with you.
Why Should You Deep Clean Your Kitchen Before Hosting?
Deep cleaning is often thought of as a spring activity, but there is a good reason to consider doing a deep clean of your kitchen before all of the holiday chaos descends on your home. Kitchens are frequently the origin point of pest infestations because pests often come indoors in search of food. Since your kitchen is where most of your food is stored, it’s also the place where pests will spend a lot of time.
By deep cleaning your kitchen, you can remove many of the food sources that you would otherwise overlook. Although you may already know to store your food and ingredients in sealed containers, you probably haven’t given much thought to the spills in the back of your cupboard shelves, the greasy residue that builds up under your range hood, or the crumbs that build up in your toaster.
To deep clean your kitchen, All-American suggests:
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Vacuuming under appliances
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Sanitizing counters
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Cleaning floors
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Wiping up sticky spills
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Wiping down the cupboards and pantry shelves
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Washing the underside of your range hood
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Cleaning out your toaster
What Entry Points Should You Seal to Keep Pests Out?
We could keep this answer short and sweet and just say “All of them”, but we’ll expand a bit since many entry points can easily be overlooked. The thing about pests is that they don’t need a large hole to get inside. Even bigger pests, like mice, can squeeze through tiny openings, so it’s important that you seal every crack you find. Caulk is usually sufficient for small gaps, while plugging larger holes with steel wool is your best bet. You should also install weatherstripping and door sweeps around doors and windows to improve insulation and keep those persnickety pests out.
When looking for entry points, look in the following areas:
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Your foundation for cracks
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Around doors and windows for gaps
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Your siding for holes or damage
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Your roof for damaged or missing shingles
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Eaves and soffits for holes and openings
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Vents and utility entries for gaps
Ideally, it’s best to seal up entry points in early fall, before pests start scouting out warm spots for the winter. But if you’re just now getting around to it, don’t worry, you’re not too late. Go ahead and tackle it as soon as you can. A sealed entry point is always better than an open invitation, no matter what time of year it is.
How Should You Manage Food and Trash During the Holidays?
Pests need food to survive, and they can usually find a lot of it in and around your house. In order to reduce food attractants, you have to be aware of how you’re managing both your food and your trash.
Store all food in sealed, airtight containers, including dry goods like flour and sugar. If an item comes from the grocery store in paper or cardboard packaging, put it in a hard-sided, sealed container when you get home. Don’t leave any food items out in the open and make sure to clean dishes, countertops, sinks, and floors after meals and meal prep.
Trash should be taken care of on a regular basis. Leaving it out for even a short time can attract pests of all kinds. Tie trash bags securely and place them in outdoor bins. Your outdoor garbage bins should be stored at least 20 feet away from your house and have tightly-fitting lids.
Why Should You Inspect Holiday Decorations for Pests?
Your holiday decorations are stored away for 10 or 11 months out of the year, which leaves ample opportunities for pests to move into them. Many pests find these decorations the perfect place to build a nest, while others like to eat the materials found inside the boxes (or even the boxes themselves).
To avoid bringing pests into your house, especially if you store your holiday decorations off-site, inspect the items for any signs of pests before bringing them inside. Even if your decorations are stored in your house, either in the attic, basement, garage, or a storage closet, it’s a good idea to carefully look through them before taking them out.
How Does Decluttering Help Keep Pests Away?
Clutter provides hiding and nesting spots for pests. They love cardboard boxes, piles of paper, Fabrics and other warm, dark, tucked-away spots are like prime real estate for pests. The more clutter you have, the easier it is for them to settle in and stay awhile. By clearing out the extra stuff, you eliminate those cozy hiding places and make your home far less inviting. Take a little time to sort through unused holiday decorations and odds-and-ends you no longer need; less clutter means fewer chances for pests to move in.
Should You Consider a Professional Inspection Before Hosting?
It may sound like overkill to have a professional pest control company like All-American visit your home before the holidays to conduct an inspection, especially if you haven’t noticed any pests. However, there are a few compelling reasons to do so.
First of all, professional pest control technicians are trained in the signs of pests. We can identify signs of an infestation that you might miss. By catching an infestation early, we can treat it quickly and have it resolved before your holiday guests arrive.
Second, it gives you peace of mind. Even if you’re pretty sure nothing is creeping, crawling, or scurrying around your home, it’s always reassuring to have the pros back you up. Think of it as getting a second opinion from someone who actually enjoys checking dark corners and crawl spaces. A professional pest inspection lets you breathe easier and host your holiday gatherings without wondering if an uninvited guest is about to steal the spotlight.
What Outdoor Areas Should You Tidy Before Guests Arrive?
Even if you don’t plan to spend any time outdoors during your holiday gathering, it’s wise to take a few precautionary measures outside to make it less likely that pests move into your house. All-American recommends:
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Moving firewood piles away from your home
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Clearing leaf litter and lawn debris
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Inspecting around patios, doors, and windows for any signs of pests
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Cutting back foliage around the perimeter of your house
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Reducing moisture around your foundation
What Are the Quickest Fixes if You Spot a Pest Before Guests Arrive?
You’re just a few hours away from your guests arriving when you spot a pest. What now? First, take a breath. Don’t panic. Go ahead and vacuum up the pests you can see, then give the area a quick clean and check for any other signs of activity nearby. If you spot anything else that concerns you, give All-American Pest Control a call. We won’t show up in the middle of your party, but we’ll find a time that works for you to take a look and make sure there’s nothing more going on.
Get in Touch With All-American for Your Holiday Pest Control Needs
Make your holiday hosting easy and pest-free this year with the help of All-American Pest Control. Our inspections and Perimeter Plus pest control offer the peace of mind and protection you need for a pest-free holiday and a pest-free new year.
Your Trusted Nashville, TN Pest Control Experts
Since 1961, All-American Pest Control has been your go-to team of trusted pest experts for homes, businesses, and home builders throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our expert team offers termite treatments, mosquito reduction, rodent removal, ant and spider control, and wasp nest removal—keeping your property protected year-round. As a local, family-owned company, we take pride in offering reliable, professional pest solutions with outstanding customer service.
We proudly serve: Lewisburg, Chapel Hill, Cornersville, Petersburg, Archer, Beasley, Belfast, Berlin, Caney Spring, Cochran, Delina, Farmington, Graball, Holts Corner, Lunns Store, Milltown, Mooresville, Rich Creek, Robertson Fork, Silver Creek, South Berlin, Verona, Yell, and the surrounding areas.
For trusted pest control in Nashville, TN, and these surrounding communities, contact All-American Pest Control today! Call (615) 824-8814 or Schedule a Free Consultation online.