We have shared a few posts recently on keeping pests out of your home over Christmas. This time we want to look at the other end of the season: how to avoid packing pests away along with the decorations.
When the festivities wind down, out come the cardboard boxes. We wrap the decorations in tissue paper, drop them loosely into boxes, and stash everything up in the loft or out in the garage. And that is it until next year. Out of sight, out of mind, at least as far as you are concerned.
While you happily forget about that box, the pests in your loft or garage are settling in. The tissue paper you used to protect your delicate baubles makes ideal bedding for common household pests, so you may be handing them a cosy home without realising it.
Swap the cardboard for airtight plastic containers with lids. Your decorations stay just as well protected, and pests cannot simply chew their way in the way they would with a cardboard box.
One of the bigger risks is rodents gnawing through wiring. That includes your fairy lights, and chewed wires can become a fire hazard the moment you plug them back in next Christmas.
As ever, prevention beats cure. Sealed plastic boxes go a long way to stopping pests nesting in your stored decorations, but make sure nothing has already moved in before you pack up. Give every item a good shake before it goes away so any insects or pests drop off first.
If you have spotted a pest infestation in your home, do not wait. Call our pest specialists and we will come out to deal with the problem quickly and professionally. We are open every day except Christmas Day, from early until late.