Fill the Holidays with Joy, Not Cockroaches! Learn How to Protect Your Decorations and Home to Keep Your Holiday Roach Free
As the holiday season approaches, we look forward to decking the halls with festive decorations. But did you know cockroaches can sometimes hitch a ride with your holiday decor, especially if they’ve spent the last 11 months in storage?
These pests are attracted to dark, warm environments, making decorations, especially those kept in basements, attics, and storage sheds, an ideal hiding spot. Don't have a basement or attic? Your decor may still have roaches. They love holiday hiding spots such as closets, garages, storage bins, under-bed storage areas, and even off-site storage sheds or storage units.
In this guide, we'll help you recognize the signs of cockroaches in your decorations, explain how to prevent infestations, and offer tips for keeping your home pest-free during the holidays.
How Cockroaches End Up in Your Holiday Decorations
Cockroaches look for dark, warm places where food and moisture might be present. Do you store your holiday decorations in a hallway closet or a garage? These areas provide the perfect environment for cockroaches to thrive.
They often hide in boxes, wreaths, and ornaments and can easily travel into your main home when you bring them out for the season. Cockroaches are also attracted to the remnants of food particles or organic matter that might have accumulated in your decorations while packing up after last season.
Why Should You Care About Roaches on Your Decor?
Cockroaches are considered "gross" because of their filthy habits, ability to transmit diseases, unpleasant smell, and unpredictable behavior. They carry bacteria, parasites, and pathogens that can certainly dampen your holiday festivities. Some of their most filthy habits include feeding on decaying matter, human hair, and crumbs/pet food.
Did you know they can live for a week without their heads and hold their breath for 40 minutes? Have you ever tried just washing one down your bathroom drains only to see it come racing back a few minutes later? This is why. The resilience of roaches is why you need pros to handle a roach infestation.
Signs of Cockroaches in Your Holiday Decor
When unpacking your holiday decorations, look for signs of cockroaches, such as droppings (small, dark, cylindrical pellets), egg cases (brown or black ovals), or a musty odor. You may also spot live or dead cockroaches around the boxes or decor.
If you see any of these signs, you are likely to have an infestation. Cockroaches prefer hiding in cardboard boxes, fabric items like cloth table runners or stockings, and dark corners of decorations such as artificial trees or wreaths.
How to Prevent and Remove Cockroaches from Your Holiday Decor:
To prevent cockroaches from nesting in your holiday decor, store decorations in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes, which are more inviting to pests. Clean items thoroughly before storing them, especially fabric items, and inspect them for signs of pests.
If you find cockroaches, discard any boxes or packaging that housed them and/or their egg casings. Use a vacuum or damp cloth to remove cockroach droppings or egg cases. After unpacking decorations, inspect your home for signs of roaches and clean the areas where you've placed them. Any valuable items that were boxed with the roaches can be taken outside for your professional pest control technician to inspect.
Protect Your Home from Rodents This Holiday Season!
Keep Your Holidays Pest-Free! If you suspect a cockroach infestation in your decorations or home, don't wait—contact us today for a thorough inspection and pest control solutions. Our experts can help ensure your home stays safe and pest-free during the holidays and beyond!
If you need support, call our team at Turner Pest Control at 800-225-5305 or complete an inspection form HERE. You can also get a FREE quote for your customized home pest control solutions.
