On Your Side: Pest-Free Holiday Tips

We are on your side with tips to make sure pests don’t put a damper on your holiday festivities.

Families across the Mid-South will begin pulling out boxes of decorations and digging into pantries for baking ingredients.

But with these annual traditions comes the risk of bringing a variety of pests like mice, spiders and a group of insects known as “pantry pests.”

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) urges homeowners to take precautions against these pests by following some simple tips when baking and decorating:

• Inspect live, fresh cut evergreen trees, wreathes and garlands for spiders, insect nests or eggs before purchasing. Shake greenery outdoors to remove any pests before bringing them inside.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet from the home on a raised structure, such as concrete blocks or poles. Check for pests before bringing indoors.
• Unpack decorations outside so pests aren’t released into the home.
• Check expiration dates on ingredients before use and only purchase food in sealed packages that show no sign of damage.
• Store freshly baked sweets and opened ingredients in airtight containers.
• Add a bay leaf to canisters and packages of dry goods like flour and rice – the pungent scent repels many pantry pests.
• Repack decorations in durable, sealed containers that pests can’t chew through.

For more information on common household pests, prevention tips and to locate a qualified pest professional, visit www.pestworld.org.