The holidays are all about cozy decorations, festive lights, and gathering with family. But while you’re bringing seasonal cheer into your home, you might also be unknowingly inviting something else inside: pests.
In Northwest Florida, mild winters mean pests don’t fully disappear, they just look for warmer places to settle in. At Brock Lawn & Pest Control, we often see an increase in indoor pest activity during the holiday season, and decorations are a surprisingly common culprit.
Here’s how pests hitch a ride indoors during the holidays and what you can do to stop them.
How Holiday Decorations Attract Pests
1. Live Christmas Trees
Live trees are one of the most common ways pests sneak indoors during the holidays.
Common pests found in Christmas trees include:
- Spiders
- Ants
- Roaches
- Aphids
- Beetles
These pests often hide in the branches or trunk while the tree is outdoors. Once inside your warm home, they become active and suddenly you’re seeing bugs crawling near presents or walls.
Holiday pest prevention tip: Before bringing a live tree indoors, give it a good shake and inspect the trunk and branches. If possible, let it sit in a garage or covered area for 24 hours to flush out hidden pests.
2. Stored Decorations From Attics & Garages
Holiday décor stored in attics, garages, or sheds can become nesting spots for pests throughout the year.
Common hiding spots include:
- Cardboard boxes
- Wreaths
- Artificial trees
- Storage bins
Rodents, spiders, and roaches often settle into these areas during cooler months.
Holiday pest prevention tip: Use sealed plastic storage bins instead of cardboard boxes, and inspect decorations before bringing them inside.
3. Lights, Garlands & Outdoor Décor
Outdoor decorations can attract insects looking for warmth, especially when lights produce heat.
When these items are brought indoors, pests come with them, especially ants and spiders.
Holiday pest prevention tip: Clean outdoor decorations before storing or moving them indoors, and avoid placing them directly on carpeted areas.
Rodents Love the Holidays, Too
As temperatures dip in Northwest Florida, rodents look for food and shelter and your home offers both.
Why rodents are more common during the holidays:
- More food out during gatherings
- Warm indoor spaces
- Cluttered storage areas
- Less frequent cleaning during busy weeks
Rodents can chew through décor, wiring, and even gift wrap, creating both health and fire hazards.
Simple Holiday Pest Prevention Tips
You can enjoy the season without worrying about pests by taking a few proactive steps:
- Seal entry points around doors, windows, and utility lines
- Vacuum and clean regularly, especially around food areas
- Store décor properly in sealed containers
- Keep food covered during parties and gatherings
- Schedule preventative pest control before the holidays begin
Florida Winters Don’t Stop Pests
Unlike colder states, Florida’s mild winters mean pests stay active all year. Roaches, ants, spiders, and rodents don’t hibernate, they relocate.
That’s why holiday pest prevention is especially important for homeowners in:
- Panama City
- Panama City Beach
- Destin
- Marianna
- Pensacola
- Tyndall Air Force Base
And throughout Bay, Gulf, Jackson, Washington, South Walton, Holmes, and Calhoun counties.
Protect Your Home This Holiday Season
The best time to deal with pests is before they show up. At Brock Lawn & Pest Control, we offer proactive, family-safe pest control solutions that keep unwanted guests out, even during the busiest time of year.
