It’s the most wonderful time of the year. People are merry, families are together, and it’s time to decorate your home with festive decorations. However, if you store your holiday decorations in cardboard boxes, you may be in for a rude awakening when you go to unpack them. That’s because there are a number of pests that will make their homes inside of these boxes for the majority of the year when the decorations are not in use. Not only can this be unsettling to those opening up the boxes to discover pests inside, but, depending on the pests, it can also be dangerous. That’s why you need to know the best methods for unpacking holiday decorations, as well as some techniques to better protect yourself in the future.
Pests That May Be Hiding In Decorations
One of the most harrowing aspects of opening a cardboard box and finding pests inside is that there is no telling which pest it might be. That’s because there are a number of pests that like to live in or enter into cardboard boxes. These include rodents, cockroaches, silverfish, and crickets. Even if you don’t find the pest themselves, there could be signs that they were in the box previously. Either way, it means you have a pest problem that needs to be addressed.
Additionally, pests like rodents and cockroaches can spread harmful bacteria and human pathogens, so you need to be cautious if you suspect either has infested your decorations. Of course, these pests can also damage or destroy your decorations, which means spending money on replacing them at an already costly time of year.
Techniques For Unpacking & Storing Holiday Decorations
If your holiday decorations are already being stored in cardboard boxes, there are some steps you can take to help limit your exposure to certain threats should they be infested with pests. First, take all the boxes outside before opening them. That way, if pests are inside, they will not escape into your home. Next, inspect the decorations for signs of pest infestations. This includes chew or bite marks from rodents and feces from cockroaches at the bottom of the box. If you do notice any signs of infestations, contact the professionals here at White Knight Pest Control as the pests will probably still be in your home.
When the holiday season winds to an end, and it becomes time to pack the decorations away once more, try storing them in more durable plastic containers with tight-fitting lids rather than cardboard boxes. Not only will this help protect from pest infestations, but it can also help to protect your decorations from other damaging factors such as water damage.
For More Advice & Assistance
If you have any further questions regarding pests around your holiday decorations, or if you have noticed an infestation already, contact the professionals here at White Knight Pest Control for assistance. That way we can take care of any pest problems you have so that you can get back to enjoying your holiday season.
However, you should also consider being proactive about your pest control. After all, no one wants to take time away from their holiday season by dealing with pests and infestations. Ask us about our variety of pest control treatment plans. Here at White Knight Pest Control, we offer a number of ongoing pest control treatment plans to ensure that your home is pest-free, not just during the holidays, but all year long. So, give us a call today, and let us worry about pests for you.