Three client tips for a pest-free holiday season

The holiday season is upon us, which means homes will be buzzing with activity as families and friends come together, gifts are opened and meals are enjoyed. While holiday traditions like these create memorable moments, they also may create unforgettable encounters with pests.

As a pest management professional, you can help give your clients the best gift of all this winter: a pest-free home. The following three client-focused tips can be easily communicated to homeowners to help them prepare for the increased pest pressure that comes with the holidays.

Key takeaways for clients

Combat “cleanup fatigue”: Advise clients to maintain a strict nightly routine of wiping down counters and properly putting away leftovers to cut off the food supply for rodents and other pests.

Prioritize trash removal: Remind clients that a surplus of boxes and food waste creates both harborage and a food source. They should break down cardboard and keep trash stored as far away from the home as possible.

Inspect post-guests: Suggest a thorough inspection of guest rooms after overnight visitors depart, as they may unintentionally transport hitchhiking pests like bed bugs from hotels or public transit.

1. Address the Kitchen Buffet Created by “Cleanup Fatigue”

The kitchen often becomes the most used room over the holidays, as endless snacks, entrees and desserts are prepared to feed the masses. This constant baking and feasting inevitably leads to a surplus of food spills, crumbs and leftovers.

These remnants can sustain rodents and other pests for months. While clients may struggle to find the motivation to clean up after a day of cooking and celebrating, following a nighttime routine of wiping down counters and putting away leftovers is a great way to avoid attracting hungry pests.

2. Emphasize timely recycling and trash pickup

The holiday rush often includes exchanging gifts, which can lead to a surplus of empty boxes and packaging that accumulates quickly. If cardboard and other goods are not broken down and removed promptly, they can create an ideal harborage site for a wide range of pests looking for a cozy place to hide before making their way into the home.

It is important to advise clients not to miss recycling and trash pickup days. A bonus tip is to remind clients that trash should be stored as far away from the home as possible. While trash cans kept right outside the back door may be convenient, pests that find the trash won’t have far to travel to gain easy access into the home.

3. Prepare for pests that overnight guests may bring

Travelers are expected to be out in high numbers over the holidays. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), about 119 million Americans are expected to travel by car or plane over the holidays.

Some of these travelers may unintentionally pick up hitchhiking pests on public transit or in hotels as they complete their journey. To mitigate the risk of an unfortunate infestation after the holiday season is over, scheduling a thorough inspection of any guest rooms immediately after an overnight visitor departs is a critical step.

In Summary

The increased activity and corresponding debris of the holiday season present unique challenges for maintaining a pest-free environment. By communicating these three targeted, client-focused tips — proper food and crumb cleanup, efficient trash and cardboard removal and post-guest inspection — PMPs can ensure their clients’ focus remains on celebrating, not controlling pests.