This week is Thanksgiving in the US. For my international friends, it’s a complicated holiday that I won’t get into. It involved a lot of food, family, and friends. Pests are not supposed to be invited, but they still manage to sneak in. Here are some things to think about when it comes to the holidays.
Food – we know that so many pests are attracted to the food we provide them. That may be raw ingredients like flour or nuts, fruits or vegetables like potatoes and apples, and prepared foods like casseroles and baked goods. Everything from stored product pests, cockroaches, rodents, and more are going to be quite happy with the feast. Infestations may begin even before the cooking begins. They will definitely be quite pleased to help with the leftovers! The food that doesn’t make it to the refrigerators or the little bits that get thrown in the trash are more than enough for pests to indulge.
More food - Then there are all the crumbs and bits that get dropped while preparing and cooking. The stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher rarely get pulled out and cleaned underneath. So the flies, cockroaches, ants, and more find not only food, but a nice warm and damp environment to happily raise their families.
Recycling - Great for the environment and the huge meal is going to produce many containers that will go to the recycling bin. That little bit of soda left in the can, the leftover salad dressing in the bottle, and everything else stuck to the plastic, metal, or glass is going to sit there, smelling great, until trash day.
People - All the guests and travel create additional pest problems. Bed bugs are great hitchhikers and will go from one place to the next. Cockroaches like corrugated cardboard so all the boxes and bags going from place to place can carry those pests. People are going to be coming in and out much more. Doors will stay open and windows too (maybe to clear out the smoke from burning something in the oven!). Openings allow pests to just walk in. The great smells of the cooking food is another draw.
More people - If you think you can avoid all this by eating at a restaurant, they are going through the same issues as everyone else. They may send you home with some unwanted friends with your leftovers.
It would be great if pest problems always stayed the same and treating them was simple. Every day, conditions change and the holidays present some interesting problems. You don't have to panic, contact me to see what I can do for you to make your holiday run as smoothly as the rest of the year with your clients.
