Keep Pests Away Over the Holidays

A cockroach indoors in Eastern TN - Johnson Pest ControlThe holiday season is many peoplesโ€™ favorite time of the year. Thereโ€™s so much to look forward to, but one of the downsides of the holidays (and winter in general) is the opportunity for pest problems to arise. Spiders, cockroaches, rodents, and pantry pests are just some of the unwanted guests that weโ€™ve been called about over our years serving Eastern TN during the holiday season. If youโ€™re looking to prevent pests during the holidays this year, read on for advice from our exterminators at Johnson Pest Control!

Why Do Pests Spread During the Holidays?

If youโ€™ve never experienced a pest infestation during the holidays in Eastern TN, youโ€™re one of the lucky ones. There are many ways that the holiday season creates pest problemsโ€”here are the main three:

  • When you stow away your decorations in boxes after the holiday season, they have almost a year of undisturbed time to house all sorts of pest populations. Bringing them out can spread an infestation throughout your home.
  • The surge of online shopping during the holiday season creates endless opportunities to spread. By sneaking into or chewing through packaging, they can find temporary shelter and a fast-track ticket to a new home and plentiful resources.
  • Holiday greenery, like trees, garlands, wreaths, and other plants can all provide temporary shelter for pests in your home.

Need Help with Holiday Season Pest Control?

3 Tips to Prevent Holiday Season Pests On Your Own

The holiday season is one of the most important times to take extra measures to prevent pest problems. Here are our top three tips to keeping pests from multiplying inside your home this holiday season:

  1. Shake out your Christmas tree, wreath, or other festive plants before bringing them inside. They could be hosting insects.
  2. Make sure that there are no bugs hiding in your firewood before bringing it inside. You should be storing your firewood outside, off of the ground, and away from your home.
  3. Before bringing out your decorations, check your boxes and storage area for evidence of any pest activity. This could be droppings, scratches and bites, discarded wings, and more.

Professional Pest Control for the Holidays

A pest infestation is the last thing that you need to worry about during all of the hectic hustle and bustle of the holidays. If youโ€™re worried about the possibility of a pest outbreak, let your local pest control company take a look at your home. Our technicians at Johnson Pest Control are able to conduct all-encompassing pest inspections, labeling any active pest populations and vulnerabilities to put a stop to. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you and receive a free quote!

Pantry Bugs to Watch This Thanksgiving

As the holiday season ramps up, families will soon be spending more time in the kitchen. Cooking turkey dinners and baking pumpkin pies are popular traditions this time of year. However, we want to remind everyone to check their cabinets and seldom-used ingredients for pantry bugs that can become a hassle during this joyous time of year.

Pantry Pests 101

Indian Meal Moth identification in Sevierville TN - Johnson Pest Control
Indian Meal Moth

Merchant grain beetles and Indian meal moths are among the most common pantry pests found in kitchens. Theses pests contaminate stored ingredients that are typically used to bake delicious holiday treats, such as flour, dried fruit, nuts, and chocolate.

Pantry bugs donโ€™t pose serious health or property threats, however, they can infest an area in a short amount of time. One of the easiest ways to prevent an infestation is to routinely clean out pantries and cabinets, and sift through common stored products like flour and spices.

How to Prevent Pantry Pests

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recommends some additional tips to keep pantries pest-free during the busy holiday baking season:

  1. Store food in plastic or glass containers with secure lids.
  2. Add a bay leaf to canisters of dry goods. The herbโ€™s pungent scent repels many pantry pests.
  3. When grocery shopping, carefully inspect food products in cardboard packages for signs of damage prior to placing it in your cart.
  4. Only purchase items that show no sign of damage.
  5. Check expiration dates on baking ingredients before use.
  6. Keep kitchen counters, floors, and sinks clean because crumbs and spills quickly attract pests.
  7. Dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles.
  8. Seal cracks or holes around the stovepipes and water pipes.
  9. Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains.

If you discover any pests in your pantry, thoroughly clean the shelves with a vacuum, and discard the infested food in an outdoor trash bin. If you discover an infestation, it is important to consult a licensed pest professional.