Holiday Pests: Why Rodents Love Your Christmas Decorations (and How to Stop Them)

For many of us Christmas decorations are something we think about only once a year when we joyously dig them out to start off the holiday season. But what happens when we discover that our precious holiday decorations have become homes or worse for rodents? In today’s blog we will be looking at why rodents love Christmas decorations and what you can do to stop them.

Why do pests love Christmas decorations?

One of the main reasons why pests love Christmas decorations so much is simply how they are handled. Christmas decorations are often stored in basement storerooms, attics or garages which are already ideal nesting places for rodents during the winter as they are relatively warm and have little human traffic. Rodents are often looking for places to nest, and Christmas decorations provide them with an ample source of nesting materials. They can use tinsel and other materials directly and may even strip your Christmas lights for the soft rubber used to coat the wires, they may also use the wires themselves to sharpen their teeth.

What are the signs of rodents in my Christmas decorations?

One of the main indicators that rodents may be present in your Christmas decorations is the smell, if there is a rotten, musty or ammonia-like odor in your storage area there may be rodents present. You should also be on the lookout for gnaw marks on things like boxes, plastic or wires, this is usually a surefire indicator that rodents have moved in. Rodents tend to leave droppings or urine marks in areas they frequent so be on the lookout for these in your storage areas.

How can I prevent rodents from getting into my decorations?

The first thing you should do is inspect your home for pest entry points like noticeable cracks or openings that they can use to access your home and seal them up. When it comes to the decorations themselves you should be sure to pack them securely in sealed plastic containers, this makes them less attractive to rodents. Be sure to clean items like tablecloths or table runners thoroughly as food and food smells left on them can draw rodents to the area. Clean your storage areas regularly so you can be on the lookout for rodent activity before it becomes serious, cluttered areas are also more attractive to rodents as it gives them places to hide. Lastly if you have recurring rodent problems or are currently dealing with an infestation you might want to contact a professional pest control service to deal with the problem.

We hope we have been able to provide you with some useful insights into how you can protect your Christmas Decorations from rodents. If you have any questions about pests or professional pest control services, please feel free to contact us.

Gilpin’s Pest Control is a family-owned business operating on the Lower Mainland in Greater Vancouver and the BC Interior including Kamloops, Revelstoke, and Sicamous. After 35 years in the business, we do a stellar job and are proud of our rapid response time. 

If you have any questions about this article or you would like to talk to us about pest control needs, please call us toll-free at (800) 770-2428.