With the holiday season behind us, most of us have already begun (or maybe even finished) cleaning up from the gatherings and festivities that mark that time of year. How thorough is your clean up though? Is it enough to reduce your risk of a pest infestation? Yes, that’s something you have to worry about even in the winter. So what should you do to reduce your risk of an infestation?

Deep Clean Your Kitchen

Easy access to food and water are the biggest attractions to pests of all varieties. After all, they need food and water to survive just as much as we do. A messy kitchen provides that in abundance. With all the cooking and eating that happens in the kitchen regularly, especially around the holidays, it’s only natural for your kitchen to be a bit messy. Take some time to deep clean your kitchen to reduce its attractiveness to pests. Clean your sink and drain, scrub your trash can, and scour all those nooks, crannies, and corners where crumbs like to hide. Consider it an early start on spring cleaning.

Pack Holiday Decor with Care

You took time to decorate your house for the holidays with care. Show those decorations the same care and consideration as you pack them away. Sturdy plastic containers with tightly sealed lids offer the best protection against pests. That’s especially important if you store your decorations in places where pests may be plentiful, such as your attic or a storage unit.

Check the Seals around Doors and Windows

Some pests need hardly any space to enter your home. Cracks in the seals around your doors and windows make your home vulnerable to invaders. Check the seals around them and make note of any damage. You may need to re-caulk sealings or replace weatherstripping, depending on what you find. Not only will this protect your home against pests, but it will also help cut down on any draftiness in your home.

The holidays are often as crazy as they are wonderful. Once we get into the new year, we have a bit of a break before there’s another holiday, offering a much-needed opportunity to rest from the festivities. The last thing you want to deal with after the holiday season is a pest infestation. If you need some extra pest control support, partner with Proterra Pest Control. We’re here for you!

Did you know that you still need pest control in the winter? Click here for Proterra Pest Control’s take on why winter pest control matters.