There’s so much to do in preparation for the holidays, from cleaning and baking to wrapping gifts and hosting parties. To ensure that yuletide spirit keeps rocking all season long, do all you can to keep unwanted visitors out of your house. We’re talking about pests such as rodents and insects.

Our pest control technicians in Phoenix, AZ would like to share some tips for preventing pests from taking over your festive home this season.

Seal Your Baking Supplies

If you haven’t yet headed to the grocery store to pick up the ingredients for your cakes and pies, heed these tips:

• Take a beat to inspect the packages of any signs of damage while in the store.
• If you spot a hole, tear or dent, put it back and choose another one that is free from damage.
• If you spot flies, fleas or other flying insects around food or produce, pass it by.
• Once you return home, give the packages another once-over before putting them in your pantry.

Store Food in Sealed Containers

Sugar, flour, and other common staples found in kitchens and pantries can quickly become pest breeding grounds if you’re not careful. To prevent insects, rodents, and moths from infesting your ingredients and supplies, store them in airtight containers with lids instead of the paper or plastic they came in.

Keep a Tidy Kitchen

Bugs and rodents are attracted to homes where they are well fed. If you keep a tidy kitchen, they will have no choice but to move on. But just because you wipe your counters down to remove crumbs and store your sugar in tightly sealed containers doesn’t mean pests are not finding sustenance elsewhere.

Not every source is obvious. Pay attention to any grease buildup between the countertop and stove, and check for spills or crumbs under the fridge. Even that innocent-looking gingerbread house your kids made can entice pests.

Check Your Christmas Tree For Pests

If you plan to buy a live tree from a lot or tree farm, don’t bring it into your home without inspecting it and giving it a good shake. This will help to dislodge any spiders and bugs that may be clinging to the branches.

Inspect Stored Holiday Décor

If you store your holiday décor in the attic or basement, inspect each piece before you start decorating. Cardboard boxes of décor can be hotbeds for pest activity, as they’re often out of the way in dark, quiet hiding places for a majority of the year. Look for signs of damage such as shredded material, chew marks, feces, and live bugs. Always store your seasonal décor in heavy-duty plastic bins with locking lids rather than flimsy cardboard boxes.

Simply Green Pest Control – Phoenix, AZ

If all your pest-proofing efforts still fail, set up an inspection with our Phoenix AZ exterminators. Contact us at Simply Green Pest Control or call 480-550-9220. Get in touch now before the craziness of the holidays sets in!