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“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a tiny mouse in the pantry.” Wait, are those the wrong lyrics? Although some people might argue that ending up with dozens of different birds by the end of the song is no better than a house full of pests, at All-American Pest Control, we firmly believe in the Christmas magic of a pest-free home. Pests often invade homes at this time of year, looking for food, water, and warmth, so it’s important to know which pests to look out for over the holidays and how to handle the ones you find.
1. Mice in the Pantry
Mice are drawn indoors by cold weather and easy-to-access food. Crumbs, snacks, and unsealed goods make kitchens irresistible. Even foods stored in boxes or bags are easily accessible to mice due to their ability to chew through most materials. When mice get indoors, they often build nests under or behind appliances, in the back corners of pantries, or in storage areas.
2. Ants at the Dessert Table
Ants often come indoors in the fall as their foraging behaviors increase to prepare for winter. If they find a good food source and a warm place to nest, they might decide to bring their entire colony inside for the winter. Indoor ant colonies stay active year-round, and your holiday sweets, sticky spills, and baking ingredients left out invite steady trails of foragers to your countertops.
3. Cockroaches Behind the Oven
Roaches thrive in warm, moist areas, especially kitchens that are filled with lots of holiday cooking. Cockroaches will eat almost anything, but love grease, crumbs, and cluttered cabinet corners. They often nest under sinks or even inside drains where moisture and organic matter are plentiful.
4. Spiders in the Wreath Box
Spiders often nest in decor boxes that haven’t been touched since last year. They hide in garlands, tree skirts, and faux greenery stored in attics or garages, happy to have a secluded space to call home. When you bring these boxes out to decorate for the holidays, you may be in for a surprise.
5. Silverfish in the Wrapping Paper
Silverfish chew through paper, cardboard, and fabrics. Holiday wrapping paper, stored linens, and unused guest closets are prime real estate for these pests. They also require a highly humid environment, making basement storage spaces especially appealing.
6. Stink Bugs on the Windowsill
Overwintering pests like stink bugs may wake up on warmer winter days. They crawl out from attic voids or window frames into your living space, looking for light. These pests can stain fabrics and emit an unpleasant odor if crushed.
7. Lady Beetles in the Corners
Asian lady beetles cluster in wall voids and attics in the winter. When temperatures rise indoors, they may wander into common areas. You may see clusters of these pests in the corners of your ceilings on warm days. Asian lady beetles can bite, and they can also stain surfaces and leave behind an odor if crushed.
8. Carpet Beetles in the Tree Skirt
Carpet beetles feed on wool, felt, and other natural fibers. They’re often found in stockings, tree skirts, or decorative fabrics that have been left in storage too long. These pests will damage your fabric items if left to their own devices.
9. Fruit Flies in the Glass of Bubbly
Even in winter, fruit flies can show up in your house. Once inside, they will find ripe fruit, wine, juice, or sticky spills from holiday parties or your day-to-day living. Keeping food and drinks covered and taking your trash out regularly are two ways to minimize your chances of a fruit fly problem.
10. Rodents in the Wreath Storage
Wreaths made of fabric or natural materials, or that are packed in cardboard, attract rodents looking for nesting spots. Mice and rats can easily shred these materials and chew through boxes, damaging your belongings in the process.
11. Termites in the Firewood
Termites and ants, especially carpenter ants, may be brought indoors with firewood. Once inside, they can move onto other wooden structures in your house, chewing tunnels through the wood and causing structural damage in the process. Store your firewood at least 20 feet from your home, elevated off the ground, and inspect logs for signs of pests before bringing them inside.
12. Boxelder Bugs Behind the Drapes
Boxelder bugs and other overwintering insects may come out of hiding when indoor temperatures spike. They’re mostly a nuisance, but their sudden appearance can startle your family and guests. They can also stain fabrics and give off an unpleasant odor.
How to Prevent Holiday Pests Before They Arrive
The best thing you can do to avoid the 12 Pests of Christmas this year is to implement some preventative strategies now and combine them with proactive pest control. Being proactive will help stop pests before they get indoors to ruin your holiday season. All-American Pest Control recommends:
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Shaking out and inspecting decorations before bringing them inside.
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Use airtight plastic bins instead of cardboard for storage.
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Wiping down surfaces, especially in your kitchen, after meals.
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Keeping food stored in sealed containers and taking out the trash often.
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Sealing cracks around windows, baseboards, and your foundation.
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Cleaning up wrapping stations, entryways, and guest rooms.
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Reducing moisture inside and outside.
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Eliminating unnecessary clutter in storage spaces.
Contact All-American Pest Control for Your Holiday Pest Control Needs
Whether you’ve seen pests around your house or want to make sure that you don’t, contact All-American Pest Control to make sure that pests don’t steal your holiday cheer. By booking a seasonal pest inspection and treatment, you can be certain that the only guests you’ll have to deal with over the holidays are the ones you’ve invited into your home. Get in touch with us today to request a perimeter pest control treatment for total pest protection this Christmas.
Reliable Pest Control in Nashville, TN & Nearby Neighborhoods
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: Cane Ridge Farms, Crieve Hall, Forest Hills, Green Hills, Hillwood, Lenox Village, Old Natchez, Sylvan Park, West Meade, White Bridge, Antioch, Donelson, Donelson Hills, Hermitage, Inglewood, Lockeland Springs, Maplecrest, Maplewood Heights, Nashboro Village, Neely's Bend, Priest Lake Park, Stewarts Ferry, and the entire Davidson County and Greater Nashville 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.