Don’t Invite Pesky Bugs to the Thanksgiving Table
When purchasing items for a Thanksgiving banquet, ensure the food is stored safely in the cooking area and pantry.
Thanksgiving is when most people desire their house and table filled with guests and family. Regrettably, uninvited and unwanted visitors, such as pests, can find their way inside, too. If that doesn’t seem like something to be happy about, here are a couple of practical suggestions to keep common household bugs out of homes this Thanksgiving and through the winter season.
Store food products securely
When purchasing items for a Thanksgiving banquet, ensure the food is stored safely in the cooking area and pantry. Cardboard boxes and wrappers are not pest-proof, and bugs and mice can chew through these products. Instead, use airtight containers that fully seal to ensure these pests stay out of the kitchen, specifically if purchasing items ahead of time. Likewise, think about putting boxed and bagged items in the freezer or fridge to protect them.
Keep the kitchen clean
Making a kitchen as unattractive as possible is critical to keep roaches from entering the area. Start by thoroughly cleaning it, and be diligent about keeping it clean and tidy.
Food is the number one attractant for roaches. Ensure any crumbs or food spills are completely swept and wiped up, as roaches may feed upon any offered leftovers. When prepping food for Thanksgiving dinner, be watchful about putting away any ingredients that are no longer needed. Also, don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink; they attract various pests.
Unfortunately, as soon as a roach is spotted, there are potentially dozens of others in hiding. While natural remedies can aid with pest control, homeowners are much better off contacting a pest control expert.
Eliminate food trash
Ensure all perishables are either put away safely or thrown out. Store all trash bags inside a lidded trash can as an additional preventative measure. Remove all garbage from the home as soon as possible. If putting it outside isn’t an option, put the trash in the garage at the farthest point from the doorway. Ensure it’s tightly sealed to avoid attracting critters like rats, raccoons, and skunks.
Perform a bed bug check
When traveling and staying in a hotel this season, there are steps to take to reduce the chance of taking bed bugs home. Upon arrival in the room, perform a fast check for bed bugs. Utilize a flashlight to look at mattress crevices for bed bugs; they are small but still visible without magnification. Also, inspect the sheets thoroughly for any unusual stains. Bed bugs leave slight blood discolorations in their wake. If there are any indications of bed bugs living in the hotel room, request another room immediately.
Once the space passes the bed bug check, take a few other preventive measures to help ensure a bug-free stay. Never put a suitcase on the bed or leave it open on the floor. Instead, use a travel luggage rack or chair. Once all needed items are removed from the suitcase, zip it up completely. Once back home, put all washable clothes from the trip into the washer. Heat kills bed bugs, so use a heated drying cycle if the clothing manufacturers’ instructions allow it.
Homeowners in the unenviable position of a pest infestation should contact a respected pest control company. The experts can effectively treat the home to eliminate the bugs and offer advice on preventing them from returning.
Focusing on these tips and reaching out when expert help is needed will leave homeowners better-prepared to enjoy their holiday season with just the visitors they’ve invited. Now that’s something for which they can indeed be thankful!
Kinder Safe Pest Solutions offers 17 years of experience in commercial and residential pest control serving Manatee and Sarasota counties. Call (941)254-2180 today!