What do you love most about the holidays? We’re guessing that spending special time with family and friends is way up at the top of the list, but bugs and wildlife have a different list. Here are the things those pests love most about this festive season.

Oh, Christmas tree. As you’re singing this Christmas tune, remember that there are lots of pests that love those Christmas trees. The one you need to watch out for most is spiders. These creatures leave their eggs in trees. When these egg sacks get into your nice warm house, they are going to think it is springtime–and that will lead to lots and lots of baby spiders decorating your walls. Be sure to shake your tree vigorously before you bring it inside. This can dislodge egg sacks, and also loose needles, from those festive boughs.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Bugs and rodents love to be warm. If they figure out that it is warm inside your house, you may have some uninvited company this holiday season. There isn’t much you can do about this particular attractant. It isn’t practical or comfortable to keep the temperature set at 32°F all winter long, but what you can do is keep those pests out. Inspect the exterior of your home for rotted holes or other openings and use a caulking gun to fill them in. Make sure all your weather stripping and door sweeps are working properly, and inspect your door and window screens for holes.

Dashing through the snow. Holiday is a time for travel, but we’re not the only ones who love to travel during the holidays. This is a prime season for bed bugs to spread. If you plan to spend the night somewhere away from home, be sure to learn how to detect these pests and prevent them from laying their eggs in your clothing or luggage. Bed bug eggs do not need the mother to hatch. That means a single batch of eggs tucked in your belongings could result in a full-blown infestation in a few short months.

You’re a bad banana with a greasy black peel. This line from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas gives us a hint at something else those pests love the holidays for. They love food. But not just any kind of food, they specifically enjoy rotting food. That is why it is important to make sure you throw away any pantry items that are past their due date, and consider keeping items that come in cardboard or paper packaging sealed inside hard plastic containers instead. This will help those items last longer and keep all forms of pests out.

Protect your family this holiday season by properly shaking your tree, sealing your walls, learning what signs bed bugs leave behind, and keeping food sources away from those pests. And always remember that the team at Active Pest Control is here if you need us. Happy holidays!