With the winter well and truly in full swing, we are now on the countdown to Christmas and with that comes the added risk of some unwanted guests getting into your homes while you decorate for the Yuletide season.
Common Christmas preparations such as retrieving decorations from attics, lofts and garages, or setting up ‘live’ Christmas trees can inadvertently invite unwanted pests into homes.
Rentokil, Ireland’s leading pest control provider, has noted seasonal increases in callouts for pests such as rodents and silverfish. These increases highlight the need for vigilance during winter, particularly as families prepare their homes for the festive season.
What are the key pests to look out for during Christmas preparations?
Rentokil advises homeowners to be on the lookout for several smaller pests during their Christmas preparations as many will be looking for somewhere warm with shelter to cover themselves as the festive temperatures tumble towards the minus figures.
‘Christmas presents unique pest challenges,’ says Retnokil’s Regional Technical Manager, Colm Moore. ‘Attics, lofts, garages, boxes of decorations, and warm homes can provide the perfect environment for pests seeking shelter and food.’
Rats and mice are attracted by food, warmth, and shelter, so your freshly decorated home with warm lights and cosy crevices is the perfect hideout when things begin to freeze.
They also tend to chew through wires, utility lines, and other materials, which can cause significant and often costly damage to your home—not what you want at Christmas!
Cluster flies, which are often found in attics can gather in large numbers according to rodent experts becoming a nuisance to get rid of at a later date. Similarly, Textile Moths and Wood Boring Beetles can also find their way into the home while decorating takes place, damaging clothing, decorations and wooden structures internal and external.
When it comes to larger guests such as birds and squirrels, they can easily find their way into your attic or loft area, only to be discovered when you make the annual climb up to retrieve your Christmas tree.
What are some preventative measures homeowners can take this Christmas?
‘Following simple preventative measures, people can protect their homes from pest infestations and enjoy a pest-free festive season,’ says Colm. ‘People can learn more at our website or follow the below pest-proofing tips for Christmas.’
Sharing some of the top tips, Colm advises that homeowners inspect their decoration boxes and Christmas trees before bringing them indoors, especially if they’ve been in the garage or shed since last year.
He said: ‘Open boxes outside to check for signs of insects or rodents, such as droppings, nesting material or gnaw marks. Both natural and artificial trees can harbour insects and their eggs.’
When it comes to edible decorations like gingerbread, while a nice touch to your festive decor they can become an attractive ornament that might invite unwanted guests into your home this Christmas.
‘Replace food-based ornaments like gingerbread people or candy canes with non-edible alternatives,’ Colm said.
He also advises that homeowners dispose of wrapping paper and packaging to eliminate any hiding places for pests and rodents — so when Dad comes around with the bin bag on Christmas Day, make sure you get all of that used wrapping paper thrown away!
Even after you’ve closed up the attic following the decoration of the house, Colm notes that somebody should still be double-checking for signs of pest activity to rule out the risk of damage in the New Year.
‘Check for signs of pest activity, such as droppings, nests, or chewed materials,’ he said.
What are the main entry points for rodents that homeowners should be aware of?
Speaking previously to Extra.ie, Colm pinpointed exactly what entry points were helping rodents and pests gain access to homes nationwide, adding that there are more than many may think.
According to Colm, gaps around pipes, beneath outer doors, broken drains, and missing airbricks are all common locations where rats and mice can squeeze through and subsequently make their way into kitchens, halls, and living areas.
The expert also warned that rodents can budge up and downpipes, into gaps in facia boards, and through open doors in their attempts to enter a warm property.
Homeowners must ensure all of these possible entry points are secure to halt any rodent infestations that may take hold.
