Lower your Pest Risk this Holiday Season

pest control holiday season

pest control holiday seasonNashville, Murfreesboro, Knoxville and Chattanooga TN

That chill is back in the air, and that means bugs in the Nashville area are going to seek out shelter and warmth inside any building that they can find. This includes your home. As you look ahead to your holiday schedule, the last thing you want to find under your Christmas tree is a pest infestation. That is why, today on the blog, we compiled this guide to help you lower your pest risk during this holiday season.

What pests are most common inside homes during cold weather?

  • Ants
  • Spiders
  • Wasps
  • Box elder bugs
  • Stink bugs

Some of these pests carry risks to people. The sting of a wasp, while also being painful, could cause anaphylactic shock from someone who is allergic. Although most species of spider are harmless, the bite of the black widow and brown recluse can be painful. Stink bugs are harmless, but a nuisance, emitting a foul odor if you squash them. Small black ants could be mistaken for carpenter ants, which chew on wood and other items with cellulose in your home.

5 Steps to lower your risk of pest problems during the holidays

  1. Clean out your gutters and keep them free of debris – That excess rainwater can make the soil on the perimeter of your home inviting for insects seeking a shelter for the cold months to come. This also removes organic debris that can serve as possible nests for spiders and box elder bugs.
  2. Maintain your yard – Cleaning up errant leaves takes away another place near your home that bugs can find shelter as the temperatures drop. Raking is only part of the regimen; you also need to trim bushes, clear away any errant vines and cut tree branches that hang too close to your home.
  3. Dry it up – Those pesky insects need water to survive, just like any other creature. Police any areas of standing water or moisture in or outside your home, ensure you do not have any leaky pipes or appliances and fill any areas near the foundation of your home where puddles collect.
  4. Food and trash – Pests need food to survive, too. Take away a potential buffet from them by storing fruit in sealed containers, keeping your sink free of dirty dishes and taking out the trash regularly. This applies to pet food as well. Never leave it laying in the dish and store excess food in sealed containers.
  5. Inspect decoration boxes – You likely keep any holiday decorations stowed in a box in an out-of-the-way area of your home out of season. When you pull out those boxes to decorate, keep in mind they could be a nice harbor for any pests that have made their way into your home. The same applies for any other unsealed boxes and containers you have stored in an area of your home that does not get much traffic.

Pest control in Murfreesboro and Nashville, Tennessee

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that you will never experience a pest problem inside your home. However, regular preventive treatments applied by an experienced and highly trained pest control professional represent the best protection possible. Schedule a free consultation with one of the technicians at Ameri Care Services today. Just call (615) 893-7111 or complete our contact form online.