Feasting with the Family, Not Pests
The Thanksgiving holiday is just over one month away, and already our mouths are watering with thoughts of tables adorned with juicy turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and other family favorites! As many households and kitchens in the Chicago area are filled with laughter and chefs, the holidays can be a time to focus on the feast rather than the pests that also want your food! The colder weather forces pests indoors that are usually quite happy outside. Protecting the perimeter of your home keeps pests at a distance, preventing them from being bothersome, and allows outdoor activities without being pestered by bugs, insects, and their droppings!
Effective Ways to Keep Pests at Bay
The most effective way to keep pests at a distance during major holidays is through a high-quality pest control treatment plan. Low-toxicity pest treatments allow families, kids, and pets to stay in the home without coming into contact with poisonous products. Spot treatments are another way to address existing problems before a house is fully occupied, making your guests’ stay more enjoyable. These immediately effective pest control measures can be done by a professional, and instantly, people will notice the absence of ants, flies, roaches, spiders, and other nasty pests.
Pests, Pests, Go Away
And don’t come again some other day! Thinking about how to keep pests away during busy kitchen times is a small step that has a big impact. Let’s face it, the holidays mean more food, more foot traffic, more open doors, more full trash bins, and more leftovers. As house guests grab a plate of cold turkey to watch football, there is no telling where crumbs will end up. However, all is not lost because there are things that can be done to minimize the attraction to rodents and other pests during Thanksgiving, through Christmas, and into 2026!
Handling Leftovers
Hopefully, many hands in the kitchen means lots of people helping with cleaning up, too. However, it is important to be mindful when disposing of Thanksgiving leftovers. Carelessly throwing things into the bin can create a haven for rats, ants, and roaches. Beyond these pests carrying disease, they will cause a disaster where they are placed.
Don’t Leave Things Out Overnight
The day turns into evening, turns into a card game that can leave leftovers unattended on the counter. As visitors pick through leftovers, it is important to put extra food away in storage containers as soon as possible. Room temperature food is not only an attraction for pests like ants and roaches, but it can also create foodborne illnesses. Nobody wants memories of Thanksgiving feasts to include feeling sick to their stomachs or worse!
Protect Against Trash Invader Pests
If only it were as easy as putting trash into a bag and tossing it in the bin. Over the holidays, some areas of Chicago will experience delayed trash pickups, causing trash and food remnants to sit in the bins, smell, and naturally attract more pests from a greater distance. Perimeter pest control treatment can ward off pests, but otherwise, these are very vulnerable. A tip is to place something heavy on top of the bin to prevent raccoons, rodents, and possums from accessing it and leaving a giant mess! Bungie cords are another popular way people fortify their bins to keep pests out. Of course, you can’t keep ants out, but at least large pests can’t get in.
Diligent Cleaning Matters
After a full day of cooking, cleaning the pots, pans, dishes, and cleaning spaces in the kitchen can make a significant difference. Crumbs and smears of pumpkin goodness left will attract pests that are inside the home. Even when you can’t see pests in your home, if you are not on maintenance pest control, they are there and will come out when they want something. You won’t regret keeping cockroaches away! Pests are eager to capitalize on our messiness. One way to keep pests away after a big holiday feast is to clean the counters, sinks, and indoor trash receptacle areas thoroughly!
The Host with the Most Has No Pests
If you are hosting Thanksgiving or another holiday meal this year, take these small but powerful steps to keep pests away so you and your guests can focus on the food and the memories. If you don’t have a pest control company or want to prepare for the colder weather, consider Bigfoot Pest Control. We are locally owned and operated and are the most reliable pest treatment business throughout DuPage County and Cook County. Let Bigfoot’s low-toxicity products and methods keep your home, yard, and community pest-free this Thanksgiving and focus on the feast, not the pests!
Call Bigfoot today for a free inspection at 847-891-8852!