WARNING! This blog could give you the heebie jeebies! 🐜🪳🐀 😱
The holidays are just around the corner, and while you’re preparing for gatherings and merrymaking with friends and family, there might be some uninvited guests gearing up to crash the party—house pests!
Picture this: You’ve cleaned and decorated every nook and cranny of your home, and then, gasp! A line of ants decides to form a conga line across your kitchen counter. What’s a holiday host or hostess to do?
Fear not! Here’s some ways to keep those unsightly home invaders from ruining your holiday spirit. They may not work on Negative Aunt Nancy or your overbearing in-laws, but this simple guide could help keep your holiday season free from other unwanted guests.
The ‘uninvited’ list
1. Cockroaches
Ah, the timeless residents of surprise appearances. They’ve been hanging around since the Jurassic Age like tiny, unwanted dinner guests that never leave. Have you heard the urban myth that cockroaches can even survive a nuclear blast? While there’s no evidence they actually could, these critters have the tenacity of a determined in-law!
They love to operate in damp areas under the cover of darkness, especially under kitchen cabinets and appliances. Keeping your kitchen clean is essential to keeping them there, along with some strategically sprinkled boric acid to send them scuttling back to their nearest bomb shelter.
You can also use a mixture of flour, baking soda and sugar. Place a generous amount on a large plate, cooking sheet or even a piece of cardboard and place under the sink, appliances, or in cabinets. This sweet treat means lights out for uninvited night crawlers.
2. Sugar ants
They march in like an organized troop on a mission to steal your cookie crumbs. Attracted by the scent of holiday sweets, this time of year the ultimate picnic crashers have their antennae waving toward the goodies on your table, kitchen counter and in your pantry.
A mixture of vinegar and water sprayed along their trails acts as a swift eviction notice. Or try mixing fragrant peppermint oil with water and spray it near entry points to deter these tiny trespassers. Works great on spiders, too, and bonus: your home will smell like a candy cane wonderland!
3. Mice/Rats
These wretched rodents can slip through the smallest cracks and crevices and leave their mark (and droppings – gross🤮!) everywhere. In fact, a rat can squeeze through a hole the size of a nickel and mice can make it through holes the size of a dime.
They’re attracted to food and water sources, as well as places they can nest in, so fill small holes with steel wool. Put caulk around the steel wool to keep it in place or use spray foam. Use lath screen or lath metal, cement, hardware cloth, or metal sheeting to fix larger holes.
RELATED READ: How to Seal Up to Prevent Rodent Infestations
4. Bed bugs
Visions of sugar plums may not be the only thing dancing around your head this holiday. The elusive vampires of the bedroom, these tiny bloodsuckers can quickly turn your cozy sanctuary into a horror show.
Bed bugs (double gross 🤮🤮!) are like tiny nocturnal hitchhikers, waiting for you to drift off to dreamland before they start their midnight snack. Vacuuming mattresses regularly and washing bedding in hot water can help keep them from disturbing your long winter’s nap. You can also consider investing in mattress encasements or calling in the cavalry of professional pest control to banish them from bedrooms.
The cost of unwanted company
Let’s talk turkey. These and other unwanted common house pests can take a serious bite out of your holiday home care budget. While you often don’t see them until it’s too late, termites alone can chew through your savings faster than a Black Friday sale, causing an estimated $5 billion in damages annually in the U.S. (That’s why regular inspections and timely treatment are key!)
According to Homeguide.com, pest control costs $300 to $900 per year on average. Hiring an exterminator costs $40 to $75 per visit for monthly pest control service, with a $150 to $300 fee for the initial inspection and treatment. Pest control prices for one-time extermination range from $100 to $600, depending on the infestation.1
As you gear up for the holiday season, don’t let these uninvited guests put a damper on your good cheer. It’s important to prevent and treat pest infestations as soon as possible, as they can affect the value and safety of your home.
Curious as to what the resale value of your home may be worth? That doesn’t cost anything. Get a free cash offer and home inspection to make sure your house doesn’t have a pest problem before selling. Start here at offerpad.com.
1How Much Does Pest Control Cost? (2023 Guide) (homeguide.com)
Author’s Note: Some AI-generated content was used in creating this blog. (Thanks for your help, ChatGPT!)