Christmas is one of the most joyous times of the year. Don’t let the threat of nuisance pests sour your holiday season. Pest control problems can happen during any period, even in the chilly fall and winter days leading up to Christmas. At Truly Nolen Canada, our Guelph technicians specialize in pest removal and can give you tips and tricks to keep the holidays free of unwelcome invaders. Check out these ways to keep pests out when decorating your home for the Christmas season.

Christmas Tree Surprises

The centrepiece of most homeowner’s Christmas display is their tree. A live Christmas tree is beautiful and smells amazing. However, it’s important to understand there may be a possibility of bringing pests inside your home with a cut Christmas tree. A tree may have ticks, spiders, mites or other insects hiding in the branches and needles. Our pest experts recommend that you do a thorough inspection of any tree before bringing it home. Look for eggs, spider webs, signs of bugs and anything else that seems unusual.

Many tree farms offer Christmas tree shaking to remove debris, dead needles and potential pests. It may also be smart to leave your tree outside for a day to rest before setting it up in your home. Keep the tree sufficiently watered and be prepared to vacuum any debris or loose needles that fall on the floor.

Greenery and Garland Problems

Other types of holiday décor that may also be housing pests include natural greenery and garlands. Decking the halls and putting up garlands throughout your home can bring in brightness and holiday cheer, but you have to be careful that you’re not also bringing in unwanted critters.

Beautiful Christmas wreaths made with natural materials are also potential hosts for insects. Garlands, greenery and wreaths may use items from nature, such as fir branches, pine cones and dried berries. While pretty, some of these materials may be difficult to maintain and keep pest-free. One solution is to choose artificial greenery items that are less likely to house bugs.

It’s still possible to choose real garlands and greenery if you take steps to prevent them from holding onto pests. Do a complete visual inspection of the greenery before buying. Avoid any that has webs or signs of insects on the needles. Additionally, give everything a good shake before taking it home.

Holiday Ornament Issues

While some sources of a pest problem can come from outdoor trees and greenery, other invaders may arise from your holiday ornaments kept in the attic or basement. Don’t get a nasty surprise when you pull out holiday decorations from storage and discover signs of insects or other pests. Rodents and some types of bugs may find your holiday decorations appealing and nest there.

You can keep pests out of your holiday décor during storage with a few changes to how they are put away. First, stop placing them in flimsy cardboard boxes or bags that don’t seal all the way closed. Instead, neatly pack décor in plastic containers with tightly fitting lids to keep any unwelcome visitors out.

If you enjoy the wonder and beauty of Christmas lights in and around your home, it’s vital to also store them properly. When you get your lights out for decorating, be sure to check for signs of pests, such as chew marks and snags in the wiring. If you see any damage, you’ll need to replace your lights. Chewed up wires can cause electrical problems in your display and become a fire hazard.

Pest Removal Guelph Solutions

Protect your holiday celebrations and décor from nuisance pests by using our services and professional advice at Truly Nolen Canada. Check out our seasonal pest guide to learn more about how to keep undesirable creatures out of your home year-round.