Each year, friends and families get together to enjoy the holiday season. As part of this tradition, houses come to life with decorative lighting, laughter, and the smells of delicious food. But let’s face it, the festive season is less enjoyable when spent with unwanted company—especially pests! Unfortunately, when it’s cold outside, insects tend to seek shelter in our cozy homes.

Why Bugs Love the Holiday Season

• Mites, aphids and scale insects love hanging around on pine and fir Christmas trees. Trees may also carry eggs from larger pests—like bark beetles, praying mantis and spiders.
• Bedbugs, cockroaches and spiders can hide in parcels sent from abroad. Cardboard boxes provide a warm shelter and a perfect hiding place for pests, so be sure to carefully check the gifts you receive before opening.
• During the holiday season, it is common for households to have more guests than usual. During this time, doors are opened and closed often, and people may walk around inside with outdoor shoes. When friends and family come and go, this is a perfect opportunity for pests to get inside.
• Garages are a handy storage place for food, beverages and garbage bags during Christmas. But be careful, as insects may crawl under the garage door if they suspect there’s food lying around. It is also possible that squirrels or raccoons may smell the food and come onto your property looking for a feast.

Steps to Keep Pests Away From Your Home

• When shopping for a Christmas tree, inspect branches and trunks for tiny insects. If you see little holes, webs or empty casings, pick a different tree.
• Shake your Christmas tree outside before bringing it in the house. This way, if there are any bugs hiding on your tree, they’ll stay outside where they belong.
• If you’re planning to receive gifts from family or friends living abroad, be sure to open packages outside or in the garage before bringing them inside as a preventative measure.
• Store food and beverages in the basement fridge or cold room instead of the garage to prevent pests or wildlife from being attracted to your supply.
• Kindly ask guests to remove their shoes upon entering your home, and be sure to keep all doors closed once your guests arrive.

If pests still manage to make their way onto your tree, avoid using pesticide sprays. Sprays can create a fire hazard when they come in contact with the decorative lights on your tree. Instead, vacuum dead insects up from the floor and remove those you find on your tree. If the problem persists and you are unsure how to deal with it, call a pest control expert at ICE Pest. We have experience safely and effectively removing of unwanted bugs from both inside and outside the home.

Pest Control in Oakville, Toronto and Surrounding Areas

ICE Pest Control & Wildlife Removal offers residential pest control in a number of locations, including Oakville, Mississauga, Toronto, North York, Richmond Hill, and Brampton. Whether you are in need squirrel removal, ant control, or any other pest removal service in the Toronto area, our specialists at ICE Pest can help.
Contact us today to receive a free quote and book an appointment. We’re here to ensure that your holidays are as merry as possible!