New Year, New Pests? - How to Avoid a Festive Fiasco

Why Are Pests Rife around Christmas & New Year?

We don't need to spell it out, over the festive period homes up and down the country are indulging in lots of fantastic food, enjoying a tipple or two and welcoming lots of friends and families into their homes. With all this excess, there's a real potential to invite additional guests to your home, which you may not want there at all - We're talking about pests!

We've outlined some top tips to help you ensure your home stays protected from unwanted pests and rodents. You don't want to be rolling out the red carpet for them, and here's how you can batten down the hatches. 

Firstly, it's important to understand a few reasons behind why pests are more likely to make an appearance around this time.

Excess Food

We've already mentioned the excess food each household is likely to prepare. Most of it will be consumed, but some will inevitably go to waste. This creates a huge draw for potential pests as they are often on the lookout for sources of food. 

Irregular Waste Collection

If excess food waste wasn't enough of a problem for attracting potential pests, the amended refuse collections certainly don't help matters. Changing bin collections, missed bin days and overflowing bins all factor into a pretty perfect environment for drawing in potential pests such as rats and birds. 

Colder Weather

The colder weather is not enjoyable for most people, and for pests and rodents this is no different. Unwanted pests are on the look out for a warm environment during the winter period. It's essential that you protect your home from becoming an attractive option. Many pests including rats and mice will seek the warmth of your shed or garage as they usually contain a number of materials well suited to bedding. 

How Can I Protect My Home from Pests?

Don't panic, whilst the issue around pests is very real. There are a number of steps you can take to help mitigate the risk of problem pests. 

Get Rid of Cardboard Containers

If you're using cardboard boxes for storage, especially in areas partially exposed to the elements, such as in garages and sheds, it would be wise to replace these with plastic. Cardboard tends to be an excellent source of bedding for rodents and other pests looking to seek warmth in the winter months. You can deter them straight away by removing cardboard from these areas. 

Clean Your Air Vents

Air vents are pretty good at preventing dirt from entering your home. They can over time collect a lot of debris that may create a problem. If you can see a build up of dust and debris, it would be prudent to clean and remove this from your vent to ensure they don't attract insects and other nasty pests into your home. 

Store Your Rubbish Securley

It's common for households to have rubbish that exceeds the capacity of your bin. It is absolutely imperative you ensure all rubbish is stored in a secure container, if your bin is full you'll need to find a suitable container to store it, preferably something with a lid that can be tightly sealed. Leaving a bin bag near or next to your full bin is not enough to keep your home safe from pests. 

With the recent snow and ice causing havoc across the UK, many have had refuse collections missed. If this has happened, try and take any excess waste to your nearest recycling centre yourself where safe to do so. This will remove the risk of pests finding sources of food in your home. 

Remember, prevention in the first instance is always the best way of dealing with pests. Around the festive period households become more relaxed, and rightly so! Pests do not relax, and the colder weather just makes them even more determined to find a warm home with lots of food. 

What If I Already Have Pests in My Home?

If you are already dealing with a pest in your home, it would be wise to speak to a professional pest controller. The expert team at Hampshire Bird and Pest Solutions offer a no obligation, FREE quotation on a range of pest problems. Get in touch using the form below, or give us a call and we'll help advise on the best course of action for your pest.