Blog Layout

Keeping Your Home Pest-Free for the Holidays

YESpestpros • November 28, 2018

Ah, yes. The magic of the Holidays is upon us, friends. The lights, the music, the food, the fun. These are the moments that make memories, right?

Whether you’re hosting parties this season, or just cozying up by the fire with a mug of eggnog, you probably aren’t interested in entertaining any uninvited guests. And no, I’m not talking about the in-laws. I’m talking about bugs!

Pest control isn’t a thing we think a lot about during the colder months. Many of the most common pests in Indiana lay dormant in winter, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t deal with infestations. Here are a few tips for holiday pest control so you can get your merry on.

Inspect Holiday Decorations

Pests can get creative when it comes to getting inside a home. Most people store their holiday decorations in the attic, basement, or garage – perfect hiding spots for pests. Before bringing decorations in for the season, be sure to shake them off and inspect them for creepy crawlies. To prevent pests getting in your stored decorations next year, try storing them in air-tight sealed containers.

Be Mindful with Firewood

What’s better than the warm glow of a crackling fire during the holidays? Maybe the warm glow of a crackling fire that doesn’t include a home invasion by pests.

Stacks of firewood become the perfect home for all sorts of bugs, especially ants and spiders. When you bring firewood inside, you may be inadvertently inviting them in to your home for a visit. Before bringing wood inside, tap it on the ground to shake off any bugs that might be living in it. Avoid storing firewood indoors for too long to keep pests from making your home their home.

Having a stack of firewood near the house is convenient, but you probably don’t need a surplus stacked against your home year-round. Leaving the firewood next to your home all year encourages pests to make their home next to yours – a little too close for comfort, I’d say. After the season, move any unused firewood away from the home.

Check Trees, Plants, and Greenery

Many folks like to use fresh Christmas trees, wreaths, garland, and other live plants to decorate for the holidays. Live Christmas trees and other holiday plants are often home to spiders, insects, and other pests. Before bringing them inside your home, give them a gentle shake to knock any critters loose.

Another method to get rid of pests on live plants is to make a peppermint spray. Add about 20-30 drops of peppermint essential oil to water in a spray bottle. Most bugs are repelled by peppermint and other minty plants. Spraying interior plants and Christmas trees with this safe solution can help keep the bugs away. Bonus points: your house will smell even more Christmassy!

Call Yes Pest Pros

Of course, one of the easiest solutions to home pest control at any time of year is to call a professional. Whether you’re battling bed bugs , spiders, rodents in a crawlspace, or any other pests (except the in-laws – you’re on your own with that one), we’re your guys. Our team is a group of pest control experts who are continuously trained and ready to tackle any job. Give us a call today!

What Bugs Feed on Human Blood? Blood Eating Bugs

June 15, 2022
Insects that feed on human blood can cause incredible discomfort. In many cases, we don't even know we've been bitten until after they have had their meal. Some inject an anticoagulant into the bloodstream to suck up their meal faster, while others clamp on and indulge in our life-preserving liquid. It helps to know which of these creatures to be watchful of before they attack. That way, we can take active steps to avoid the misery before they get a chance to start.

Can Fleas Travel on Clothing?

June 15, 2022
We often think of fleas as a nuisance for your cat or dog. They have an annoying way of getting into their fur, and it can be a real problem to get them out. But it is their uncanny ability to get into your home and cause a significant infestation that is a source of concern for many, especially if their presence is not properly eliminated. This has become a significant problem for many people. No doubt, the best way to ensure you don’t get a flea infestation in your home is to make sure they never get inside in the first place.

Are Bed Bugs Visible With the Naked Eye?

June 15, 2022
Waking up with tiny little bite marks all over your body is never a good thing. As you look at your irritated skin with the tell-tale red spots that itch persistently, you're sure that they result from bed bugs. No one wants their bed infested with these creatures, so you want to get rid of them as soon as possible. But before you decide to launch an all-out attack on these irritants, you need to be sure of what you're dealing with. Unfortunately, plenty of other pests may invade your mattress, and using the wrong treatment to eliminate the problem could delay getting you relief or even worsen the situation. Before you decide on a method of extermination, you need to make sure of what you're actually dealing with. Still, because these bugs are so tiny, you might wonder if they can be seen with the naked eye. The answer is - sometimes. Bed bugs are usually visible in the later stages of development, but there's a good chance that if you can identify bed bugs in their adult stage, many younger ones are lying around, just waiting to take a bite out of you.

Are Carpet Beetles Dangerous?

June 15, 2022
As their name implies, carpet beetles infest carpets and other fibers and are especially active during springtime. The first sign of an infestation is often a dead carpet beetle trapped in a window sill. But you can be sure if there’s one; there are many more. Carpet beetles typically live outdoors but are wintering insects . They will seek the warm cozy interior of your home after temperatures drop, and once inside, they become a threat to your property and food and can cause rashes with their tiny hairs. Carpet beetles feature: “Mottled” coloring of black, brown, white, or yellow. Oval-shaped bodies. Adult length between 1/16 - 1/8 inches. The first concern with any infestation is safety.

What Spring Bugs Should You be on The Lookout For?

June 15, 2022
As spring approaches and temperatures begin to rise, all sorts of creepy crawlies emerge in search of food, warmth, and a place to reproduce. Unfortunately, your home could be the perfect place to find all three. If you're not quick to eliminate these pests, you could have a serious infestation on your hands. Here are a few spring bugs that you should keep an eye out for as winter comes to an end. 

Are Spiders Active in Winter?

By YESpestpros • June 15, 2022
Aracniphobs everywhere look to winter as a moment’s respite from spiders. The myth goes that spiders are cold-blooded and can’t survive the winter, but the truth is complex. There are 400 different species of spider in Indiana and 3,500 nationwide. Each one has different behaviors and approaches to surviving the cold. Some die off before winter, like the North American black and yellow garden spider, but others adapt. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

How to Get Rid of Moths

By YESpestpros • February 28, 2022
Moths can be pretty pesky little things; the larvae they leave behind can quickly chew through a wide variety of substances, including your clothes, bedding, and food. In addition, many people can have adverse allergic reactions when they are in their vicinity.  While moths play an essential role in our environment, they tend to be […] The post How to Get Rid of Moths appeared first on Yes Pest Control.

What Types of Ticks are Dangerous?

By YESpestpros • February 15, 2022
At first glance, ticks do not appear to be dangerous. But don’t let their tiny size and small mouths fool you. These guys are voracious eaters, and the females are known to suck at least 200 times their body weight in blood. They need this feeding cycle to develop through the different stages in their […] The post What Types of Ticks are Dangerous? appeared first on Yes Pest Control.

How to Get Rid of Moles in Your Yard

By YESpestpros • January 30, 2022
Nothing can make a homeowner more proud than the exterior beauty of a perfectly landscaped yard. However, all your dedication to beautifying your outdoor space can be tainted when you have underground guests come to visit.  When you start to notice a series of small holes in your yard that seem to emerge out of […] The post How to Get Rid of Moles in Your Yard appeared first on Yes Pest Control.

Can Mouse Droppings be Harmful?

By YESpestpros • January 15, 2022
So you’ve been noticing strange things happening in your house, and you assume that you have a rodent problem. You’ve noticed the corners of your cereal boxes appear to be chewed on. You found a hole in your couch cushions. You may have even seen a mouse or two in the house! But now you’ve […] The post Can Mouse Droppings be Harmful? appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
More Posts
Share by: