At Schendel, one of our favorite things to do is offer our customers pest prevention tips. This is because we know that prevention is the best way to keep pests from bothering our customers and it is our mission to please our customers, deliver consistent service and keep their homes pest free. We’ve been providing Kansas City pest control for over 66 years and in that time we’ve learned a thing or two about pest control. Well, in the spirit of the holiday season, we would like to offer you a few more helpful pest prevention tips, but this time in relation to all your holiday decorating. As you pull out those boxes of holiday décor, trim the tree and get ready for the big holiday, please keep these things in mind to help prevent pest infestations from taking over your Christmas.

1. Remember that pests like rodents and spiders like undisturbed areas. Since holiday decorations stay pretty much untouched for 11 months out of the year, holiday decorations are in danger of being infiltrated by pests. When unpacking decorations, first examine them carefully for signs of an infestation; you may even want to unpack these boxes outdoors before bringing the decorations inside. Introducing Kansas rodents like rats or mice into your home on your holiday decorations is a good way to spoil your holiday spirit.

2. Shake out your fresh Christmas tree before you bring it indoors. Pests like rodents, spiders and insects may all be hiding in your tree, so make sure you give it a good look-over before you bring it indoors. Keep in mind that pine needles are sharp, so wear protective eye-wear when carefully examining the interior of your tree.

3. Never store edible Christmas decorations or ornaments from season to season, unless they are stored in very heavy-duty, plastic bins with tight fitting lids. These items tend to attract hungry ants, cockroaches and rodents, so unless you want to be dealing with these pests, just throw them away at the end of the season.

4. Purchase heavy duty plastic containers with tight fitting lids to store all of your holiday decorations for next year. Although it may seem like an expensive exercise, especially when you already have cardboard boxes, plastic containers typically can’t be infiltrated by rodents and insects, so your valuable Christmas ornaments and decorations can remain safe while in storage.

At Schendel Pest Services, we want to be your one-stop pest control company. We can offer control solutions for a cockroach infestation, rodents inside your home or business, ants, wildlife and even bed bugs. Give us a call today to learn more about our Premium Care program for year round pest control, solutions for mole control, mosquito control services, wildlife removal services, termite services or bed bug extermination services in Kansas City and throughout our extensive service area. And because it’s that time of year, we are sending you warm Holiday wishes from our family to yours!