No one wants uninvited guests, especially not the eight-legged kind, in their Christmas tree! While spiders are “self-stringing,” you probably prefer your holiday decorations to be bug-free. Here at The Spider Guys, we’ve got some helpful tips to keep your festive decor a pest-free zone.
Before You Deck the Halls: Inspecting Your Tree and Firewood
Bringing a live tree or firewood indoors can inadvertently introduce pests into your home. Here’s how to prevent that:
- Shake and Inspect Your Tree: Before bringing a real Christmas tree into your house, give it a good shake outside. Thoroughly inspect it for any signs of spider cocoons or webbing. Spiders and other insects can lay eggs that will hatch when they sense warmer, “spring-like” temperatures inside your home.
- Burn Firewood Quickly: If you’re bringing in firewood for cozy holiday fires, aim to burn any wood within 24 hours of bringing it indoors. This minimizes the chance of insect eggs hatching and pests, like spiders or beetles, emerging into your living space.
Unpacking Decorations: Look for Warning Signs
As you pull out your beloved holiday decorations, take a moment to inspect them for any unwelcome visitors.
- Check for Signs of Activity:
- Roaches and rodents often leave behind droppings and urine spots.
- Rodents, termites, and carpenter ants will leave noticeable chew marks on cardboard boxes or fabric decorations.
- Other insects, like spiders, might simply squeeze through cracks in storage containers. Be particularly cautious if you’re in an area where dangerous spiders like the brown recluse, black widow, or yellow sac spider are present.
- Open Boxes Outdoors: Whenever possible, open your decoration boxes outside your home. This way, if anything has nested inside, it can escape outdoors rather than into your house.
Storing Decorations: Keep Pests Out for Next Year
Proper storage is key to preventing pests from infesting your holiday decor during the off-season.
- Wash Fabric Decorations: Before putting away any fabric decorations (like stockings, tree skirts, or fabric ornaments), wash them thoroughly. Roaches and other bugs are attracted to bacteria, and unwashed fabrics can be a magnet for pests.
- Clean Hard Ornaments: Wipe down plastic or metal ornaments with an alcohol wipe or soapy water. This removes any residue that might attract pests.
- Use Plastic Totes: This is perhaps the single best way to protect your stored decorations. Store all your decorations in airtight plastic totes with secure lids. These provide an impenetrable barrier against both insects and rodents.
- Care for Artificial Trees: If you have an artificial tree, shake it out to remove any dust or crumbs, wipe it down, and then store it in a large plastic tree storage bag. This keeps it clean, crumb-free, and less inviting to pests.
- Limit Food Decorations: If possible, avoid storing food-based decorations. Food is a major attractant for pests. If you have sentimental food ornaments, place them in a plastic zip-lock bag before putting them into your main storage totes.
- Maintain Storage Areas: Keep your storage areas, such as basements, attics, and garages, dry and well-ventilated. Bugs and rodents are drawn to damp, secluded environments.
- Reduce Clutter: A cluttered storage area provides ample hiding spots for bugs and rodents, making them feel safe and encouraging them to settle in. Decluttering regularly can deter them.
- Consider Year-Round Pest Treatments: For ongoing peace of mind, consider investing in year-round pest control treatments for your home. A professionally inspected and treated home will significantly reduce the chances of bugs and rodents getting into anything you have stored.