Keeping unwanted pests out of your home this Christmas is easy when you have the knowledge.
Now that November is here, we can begin counting down the days to Christmas, which means we are likely to be opening the doors of our home up to welcome visitors we would prefer didn’t enter, often in the form of family, distant friends, or even work colleagues.
While this is an emotional upheaval, these unwanted visitors are likely to leave after a few hours, unlike rodents and cockroaches who plan to be permanent squatters.
This article, therefore, looks at three of the most unwanted pests that tend to be more prevalent at this time of year:
- the rodent,
- the cockroach,
- and the thief.
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THE RODENT
Rats and mice don’t tend to hibernate in the winter months, but they do look for somewhere to build a nice warm shelter – which is often found in domestic environments, such as your loft, under your floorboards and in wall cavities. This time of year is when unwanted pests like rats are looking for a prime piece of real estate. This means that if you hear some scratching in the walls, they have their eyes set on your home!
When it comes to dealing with rats, you will want to call in professional pest control services. While there are some products that can be used to tackle the problem it tends to require a multifaceted approach. Plus, what is available to you, versus what is available to professionals, is vastly different.
If you’re a fan of prevention, then ensure they don’t have a food source; meaning, don’t leave food lying around in the kitchen or in other rooms. In addition to shelter, the one thing they will be looking for is a reliable and easily accessible source of food.
In this sense, it can be useful to utilize a sturdy closed bin in the kitchen that rats cannot get into. It might also help to acquire a feline security guard.
THE COCKROACH
There are many different types of cockroach, but one of the most common of these is the smoky brown cockroach. Just like humans, they don’t tend to like the cold and flee indoors for protection from the elements.
In winter, many cockroaches enter a state of dormancy akin to hibernation. However, if they are within a warm home with plenty of food, they can remain active throughout winter.
The best way to ensure cockroaches aren’t helping themselves to your leftover turkey this Christmas is to seal all cracks and crevices that they could use as a point of entry. Also, ensure you don’t leave dirty dishes or scraps of food in the kitchen overnight. Store all pantry good in sealable containers. Finally, try to avoid leaving pet food out overnight– as this is when they are most active.
THE THIEF
As we approach the festive season, police forces across the country prepare their campaigns to raise awareness of the risk of burglary. It’s a sad fact that a lot of people steal in order to survive. Often, their theft comes from a place of wanting to provide for their family. This does not, however, excuse it. Of course, not all thieves have such a compelling backstory… many are drug addicts, that would steal their Nana’s toaster, in order to get their next fix.
The one thing you need to know when it comes to protecting yourself from burglary is that burglars tend to be lazy, opportunistic and fear being caught.
If we break that down, thieves are lazy, meaning they look for the path of least resistance. They don’t want the hassle, Therefore, you want to make it as bothersome as possible for a burglar to enter your property.
Here are some deterrents. For instance, if they think you are in rather than out… if they hear the deep bark of a dog as they approach the driveway… if they feel that you might be a heavy set martial arts dude, rather than a young woman living alone. All these aspects make the would-be thief think again, as they don’t want resistance and struggle.
The other consideration is that thieves are opportunistic. Similar to rats, they want an easy and accessible route to your possessions. Therefore, burglar alarms, locked windows, sturdy doors with complex locks and floodlights in the garden are all ways you can make it less easy to would-be-thieves.
The Takeaway
In summary, your house is your castle and as such you have a right to protect it against unwanted visitors. Although, if these unwanted visitors are relatives, that can prove a whole lot more challenging! Prevention is better than cure with regard to all three of these unwanted visitors, and now is the time to take action.
She has a B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education/English and a Spanish Minor. In addition, she holds a Certificates in Natural Health and Herbology from accredited programs. She pursued these natural wellness certifications due to her love for herb gardening.
Despite freelancing to make a living, her love is "all things home."
Deborah grew up in a family that grew a large vegetable garden and a fruit orchard, helping her parents pull weeds and can home-grown foods as part of her childhood. In fact, she had no idea that she could purchase veggies and fruits in pre-packed steel cans until she went to college and made a food run.
Today, she lives in Bertie County, North Carolina, an agricultural rural area with more chickens than people. She lives with her husband and two rescue pets a sweet toy fox terrier and a cat who showed up one day and moved into the house. Together, they enjoy DIY projects, furniture refinishing, gardening, and canning.
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