This time of year is full of excitement, joy, and traditions for many people. There are many holidays to celebrate and many ways to enjoy these celebrations. With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, you don’t want to be stressed out by unexpected pest problems in your Jacksonville home. Unfortunately, pest concerns can crop up even during the wintertime, and some of the pests in the area can even get into holiday decor. You could end up being surprised by home invaders that crawl out of cardboard boxes that you store in your attic or garage. This guide is here to help you learn how to protect your Jacksonville home from holiday pests.
Pests That Invade Christmas Decorations
Many people store their Christmas and holiday decorations in cardboard boxes or other boxes and put them away somewhere forgotten about for most of the year. Unfortunately, this makes for ideal conditions for many pest species such as rodents, cockroaches, silverfish, and spiders.
Rodents, cockroaches, and silverfish all will consume or chew on cardboard boxes, and rodents will even gnaw through plastic tubs. Spiders don’t chew these tubs or boxes, but they can slip in through small openings while in the pursuit of their prey
Some of these pests, such as silverfish, are mostly just annoying nuisance pests, but others, like rodents and cockroaches, can be dangerous. Rodents and cockroaches can spread many diseases, including salmonella and gastroenteritis, and they can also trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks. As far as spiders go, while most are harmless, some species like the black widow spider have dangerous venom. Rodents will damage more than just your decorations. With teeth that never stop growing, they must constantly gnaw to keep them in check and will chew through wires, plastic, furniture, drywall, and even structural elements in your home.
Finally, all of these pests are apt to become an issue in your home if their populations are allowed to grow. They reproduce quickly and will spread throughout the home in hard to reach areas. Whenever possible it is best to stop populations before they start.
Avoiding Pests When Opening Holiday Decorations
When you are taking down your Christmas or holiday boxes for the first time in nearly a year, there are some things you can do to avoid letting pests directly into your living room. First of all, make sure to bring the boxes outside and check for signs of pest problems. You can look for chew marks on wiring or the bugs themselves or look for droppings or dark stains.
Then, when you go to put your decorations away again when the holidays are over, make sure to store them in a dry, organized area. Also, invest in plastic bins with secure lids. While these won’t completely deter rodents, they can deter most other pests. Lastly, the best way to protect your home from pests is to contact the residential pest control experts at Trad’s Pest Control.
Protecting Your Home From Pests Year-Round
If you’ve noticed pests around your home, no matter what time of year it is, contact Trad’s Pest Control today. We offer ongoing residential pest control services that address spiders, cockroaches, rodents, silverfish, and many more common Jacksonville pests.
To learn more, give us a call. You can also set up an inspection.