Nothing ruins a good meal faster than pests, and what better meal is there than Thanksgiving dinner? There’s turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, potato salad, mac and cheese, food, food, and more food. Oh, and gravy, you can’t forget the gravy! The only problem is, all of this fantastic food can be ruined by just one pest. A rat runs across the floor, and Thanksgiving is over, your guest finds a cockroach in the potato salad, and everyone loses their appetite. This year we want to help homeowners prevent Thanksgiving pest problems. If you are ready to keep pests out, we have some information you are going to want to hear.
Common Thanksgiving Pests
Here in Texas, we don’t see cold weather much; therefore, pests never really go away during the fall and winter months. Any pests that bothered you during the summer months will still be around to ruin your Thanksgiving holiday.
Pests such as ants will look for opportunities to steal food. If they are brave enough, you might even find them on your kitchen counters while preparing your Thanksgiving feast. These tiny scavengers can spread bacteria onto the surfaces and food they travel over. If you are not careful, this could get one of your family members sick.
Other pests like rodents may also invade. You most likely won’t see much of them while your guests are over, but you will see the results of them scavenging the morning after, especially if any food is left out. Just like ants, these furry disease carriers can have a significant impact on your family’s health. If rodents are around your kitchen prior to the big day, they could contaminate food sources and put your family at risk.
Cockroaches are also a big problem around Thanksgiving. These insects carry and can spread 33 types of bacteria, 7 human pathogens, and 6 parasitic pests—you don’t want these bugs anywhere around your Thanksgiving food or in your kitchen—before or after your feast.
Finally, we have bed bugs. If you didn’t know, bed bugs are hitchhiking pests. If any of your relatives are dealing with bed bug problems, these tiny insects may catch a ride to your home this Thanksgiving. Although they won’t ruin the big meal itself, they sure will cause trouble for months after your relatives have gone home.
Prevention Tips For Pests
If your home does not already have a pest problem, there are some things you can do to keep them away. Below is a detailed list of things you can do to keep a wide variety of pests out of your home this Thanksgiving.
- Make sure your yard is debris and clutter-free.
- Seal openings in your foundation using a caulking gun and high-quality caulk.
- Seal up gaps around utility pipes as well as door and window frames with caulk.
- Replace or repair broken window and door screens.
- Install door sweeps on all doors leading outside.
- Clean, clean, and clean some more. The cleaner your home is, the less chance most pests will stick around.
- Pick up pet food and water bowls before going to bed.
- Make sure all of your indoor and outdoor trashcans have tight-fitting lids.
- Invest in insect-resistant lightbulbs for outdoor lights.
- Store leftover food inside a sealed glass, plastic, or metal container, or the fridge.
- Repackage dry foods into larger sealed plastic containers.
Why Professional Pest Control Is Your Best Option
All of the above steps can be great at keeping out pests, however, if they are already in your home, or you don't have the time or energy to do all of the tasks above, professional pest control is the way to go. Here at Roberts Termite & Pest Control, we have comprehensive control services that are designed to keep out the wide range of pests that could ruin your Thanksgiving.
Reach out to us today if you have any questions or to schedule services. Let us make your home pest-free this Thanksgiving.