Top 5 Spots Pests Love During the Holidays (And How to Keep Them Out)

The holidays fill your home with warmth, food, and activity, which also attracts pests looking for shelter. Decorations, leftovers, and extra clutter create dozens of new hiding spots for insects and rodents trying to ride out the cold. Most of the time, they move in quietly and stay well into the new year.

Here are the five places pests are most likely to take advantage of during the holidays and what you can do to stay ahead of them.

1. Attics and Storage Areas

When you pull decorations from storage, you may also uncover pests that have been nesting. Mice, spiders, and wasps thrive in attics because they are warm, undisturbed, and full of materials that make easy nesting spots.

Try this: Before moving boxes, scan insulation for flattened or discolored spots, which often show nesting. Open bins outside and shake out items like garlands or wreaths that may hide insects. 

When you pack up again, store everything in sealed plastic containers on shelving rather than cardboard boxes on the floor. Adding cedar blocks inside helps mask scent trails and repel small insects.

2. Kitchens During Baking Season

Holiday cooking creates the perfect conditions for pantry pests. Flour beetles, ants, and moths are drawn to ingredients that stay open for long periods and to the fine dust that settles around stoves and mixers.

Try this: Wipe shelves with warm soapy water or vinegar before restocking and pour dry ingredients into airtight containers. Rotate older ingredients forward to use them first. Sweep and vacuum around baseboards and behind appliances where crumbs tend to collect.

If you notice small brown moths or beetles near pantry lights, check open bags of flour and cereal.

3. Guest Rooms and Closets

When guest rooms sit unused for most of the year, they create quiet environments for carpet beetles, silverfish, and spiders. Opening them up for visitors can send pests scattering into other areas of the home.

Try this: Wash bedding and towels in hot water before use. After guests leave, air out the space for a day and run a fan to lower humidity. Keep closets open and place lavender or cedar sachets on shelves to deter insects that like dark, closed environments.

4. Firewood, Trees, and Wreaths

Seasonal decor and firewood often come with hidden passengers. Termites, beetles, and overwintering wasps use bark and branches for shelter and quickly become active once they reach indoor warmth.

Try this: Store firewood away from the house and bring in only what you plan to burn that evening. Shake out wreaths and garlands before bringing them inside, or let them sit in the sun for a few minutes to drive off hidden insects. When the season ends, seal greenery in plastic bins to prevent eggs from hatching in storage.

5. Warm, Moist Utility Areas

Pests that need warmth and moisture to survive winter gravitate toward spaces behind appliances, under sinks, and near water heaters. These areas trap condensation and crumbs that keep ants and roaches active even in cold weather.

Try this: Slide major appliances away from walls slightly to improve airflow and clean the floor behind them. Place a moisture absorber or a shallow dish of baking soda under sinks to reduce humidity. Repair any small drips or leaks right away since they can keep pests alive for months.

Bonus: Garages and Entryways

Packages, foot traffic, and cold weather create opportunities for pests to slip through. Rodents can squeeze through a gap the width of a pencil, and crickets often sneak in along garage thresholds.

Try this: At night, turn off the lights in the garage and look for gaps where daylight shines through. Install door sweeps and new weather stripping if needed. Store pet food in sealed containers to avoid attracting mice from outside.

Takeaway

Holiday routines often create the same conditions pests look for: warmth, food, and shelter. With a few preventive steps, you can protect your home from unwanted guests long before you notice signs of activity.

For an expert inspection or help closing up pest entry points, contact Bug Zone Pest Control at (972) 867-9800 or visit bugzonepest.com. Our local team understands how Texas pests behave in cooler months and can keep your holidays peaceful and pest-free.