Keep Your Christmas Pest Free
It is that time of year when we crawl up into the attic, open up boxes that have been reasonably sealed since last December, and we never know what we may find! Undisturbed spaces, like attics, basements, and closets, are ideal hiding spots for all kinds of Christmas critters in Chicago! Nothing quite kills the holiday spirit like opening a seemingly sealed box to find a dead snake, rat droppings, or silverfish. Knowing is half the battle when it comes to what you may face as you break open those holiday boxes from dark and quiet spaces in and around your home. The second half is working to ensure these pests are gone and don’t come back – Bigfoot Pest Control can do that for you!
Bigfoot Pest Control 847-891-8852
Keeping the Holidays Cheerful
Preventing pests is always the best approach. Once pests are inside, they often try to enter during the holiday festivities, when lots of food and extra items are on the floor. However, a pest control plan can keep pests out of the home and the perimeter of the property. There are some things to avoid that can help minimize pests’ attraction to coming inside in the first place.
Keep it Outside
Those boxes from the attic. Please open them outside the home. If pests are hiding inside, you would much rather have them in your yard than your living room. Boxes can be homes to rats, spiders, roaches, and other pests. When repacking, try to use air-tight plastic containers that are more effective at keeping pests out until next year.
If traveling this Christmas, be mindful of any pests you may bring home. You can prevent traveling pests by inspecting luggage and keeping luggage elevated and off the floor whenever possible. Bed bugs travel, and if they are in your hotel room, they can easily catch a ride back with you and your family. Wash clothes when you return home before putting them away.
Keep Natural Decorations Beautiful
One of the incredible things about Cook County is the natural garland, wreaths, plants, and, of course, Christmas trees used to adorn homes and businesses. When choosing this approach to holiday decorating, remember that these items come from outside, where pests, insects, and critters happily live. Anytime you bring something from outside in, shake it well (some videos show people using blowers to remove debris and anything hiding in their trees). Even a treated home may experience pests getting a free ride inside! Although some people prefer not to spray their natural decorations before bringing them inside, applying a safe, eco-friendly spray to poinsettias to control fungus and flies can significantly reduce the risk of them becoming an annoyance during the holidays. Ask your pest technician if they have something to help – contact Bigfoot today for a free inspection and get your home pest-free for the holidays!
Keep Holiday Food in Its Place
One of the first things to consider if you only bake around the holidays is that spices left open and unused can become a pest’s home. In Chicago, many families find that containers of spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and flour can harbor maggots, beetles, and even eggs, so always check your spices before you use them, or budget to get new ones each year! Don’t have time to get new ones, or want to save them year to year? Here are some tips to keep your spices beetle-free!
After everyone is full and platters and dishes are still full of goodies, store the food in containers and refrigerate it to keep pests like ants, flies, and roaches out. Baked goods and anything with sugar will be an instant attraction for ants. Mice tend to feast on breads, cheeses, and pretty much anything else that smells good. When mice and rats get hold of food, they return to their nests, which attracts other pests to the home. Keep counters clean and don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink. This is a perfect job for the kid table! Leaving dishes in the sink invites all kinds of gross pests.
It is probably apparent that pests carry disease, contaminate food and surfaces, and make people sick. An eco-friendly pest treatment plan can protect the inside and outside of the home year-round!
Bigfoot Helpful Holiday Tips Against Pests
Bigfoot is always here to help our customers in DuPage County and Cook County. We are locally owned and operated, dedicated to helping everyone keep the happy in their holiday happy this Christmas! Contact Bigfoot today at 847-891-8852 for an inspection, a concern, or an affordable treatment plan using only the highest quality products that are safe and eco-friendly, so no time is lost in this precious season.
Happy December, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Bigfoot Pest Control!