Santa Isn’t the Only One Coming to Town: How to Keep Holiday Pests Out

By AAA Exterminating | December 15, 2025

The holiday season brings family, friends, decorations, and delicious meals into our homes. But along with the cheer, it can also invite some unwanted visitors: pests.

When it gets colder in Indianapolis, rodents, ants, and cockroaches start looking for warm places to stay. With more food, deliveries, and visitors coming and going, December is a surprisingly active month for pest problems.

If you would like to enjoy the holidays without worrying about pests, here are some tips to help keep them out of your home.

1. Inspect Holiday Decorations and Storage Bins

When you take out wreaths, garlands, or ornaments, remember that stored holiday decorations can hide spiders, silverfish, or even rodents. Decorations kept in attics, basements, or garages are more likely to have pests.

 

Before bringing them inside:

  • Unbox items outdoors or in a garage
  • Shake out artificial greenery and fabric decorations
  • Check storage bins for droppings or chew marks

When it's time to put decorations away, try using sealed plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes.

2. Watch for Hitchhikers in Firewood and Packages

Cozy nights by the fireplace are a winter favorite, but be careful where you keep your firewood. Ants, spiders, and overwintering pests like stink bugs and boxelder bugs can catch a ride inside.

  • Store firewood at least 20 feet from your home
  • Bring in only what you plan to burn immediately

Keep an eye on delivery boxes too. Cockroaches and pantry pests can sometimes get in through cardboard packaging, especially if packages are left outside.

3. Keep Food (and Crumbs) Under Control

Holiday baking and big family dinners mean there's lots of food around, and pests love having easy access to snacks.

  • Keep baking ingredients and leftovers in sealed containers
  • Wipe down the counters and sweep up crumbs daily
  • Put pet food away at night instead of leaving it out
  • Take out the trash often, especially after a big meal

Even a few crumbs can attract ants or cockroaches, and overflowing trash can bring rodents indoors.

4. Prepare for Houseguests, But Not the Uninvited Ones

When guests visit, their suitcases and coats can sometimes bring in pests like bed bugs or fleas. It's rare, but it's smart to be careful.

  • Vacuum guest rooms before and after visits
  • Wash bedding in hot water
  • Inspect luggage and sleeping areas if guests stayed elsewhere before arriving

If you travel for the holidays, check your bags for pests when you get back home, too.

5. Seal Entry Points Before Winter Sets In

Mice can squeeze through holes as small as a dime. Before it gets colder, walk around your house and check for:

  • Gaps under doors or around garage doors
  • Cracks in foundations or siding
  • Loose or missing weatherstripping

Sealing these areas can help keep pests out during the colder months.

Call in the Experts Before the Guests (or Pests) Arrive

Don't let pests ruin your holiday season. AAA Exterminating provides pest control and inspections that help protect your home, pantry, and peace of mind.

 

As a trusted pest control company in Indianapolis, Indiana, we know how winter pests behave and how to stop them.

 

Schedule your service online to help keep the holiday season joyful and pest-free.

Call AAA Exterminating Today
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