Holiday Pest Pressures: Keep Your Season Merry, Not Buggy

 

The holidays in Florida bring so much to look forward to — cozy gatherings, delicious food, sparkling décor, and time spent with family and friends. But while you’re decking the halls and planning festive celebrations, some uninvited guests may also be making plans to crash your holiday fun.

Unlike many parts of the country that experience deep freezes and snow, Florida’s subtropical climate allows pests to stay active year-round. That means while others are dealing with icy driveways, Floridians may be dealing with ants in the kitchen, rodents in the attic, or cockroaches near the holiday cookie trays. With mild winter temperatures and plenty of warmth indoors, the holiday season becomes one of the most common times for pest activity to spike.

Whether you’re hosting relatives for the week, pulling boxes down from the attic, or baking batch after batch of cookies, your home offers everything pests are looking for: warmth, shelter, and food. Let’s unwrap why pests love the holidays — and how you can keep your home merry, bright, and pest-free all season long.

Why Pests Love the Holidays

From a pest’s point of view, the holidays are a time of abundance. Homes are bustling with activity, pantries are stocked, and new hiding places appear as décor and boxes are moved around. Here are some of the main reasons pests love this time of year:

1. Storage Areas Become Pest Highways

Many families store holiday decorations in attics, garages, or outdoor sheds — the same places pests love to call home. Spiders, silverfish, cockroaches, and rodents often nest inside boxes filled with fabric, paper, or cardboard. When you bring those boxes inside to decorate, you might unknowingly be inviting these pests into your living space.

2. Warm Weather Means No Winter Break

In colder states, freezing temperatures drive pests into hibernation. In Florida, “winter” feels more like an extended fall — mild, comfortable, and perfect for continued pest activity. Ants, roaches, and rodents don’t slow down; they just shift their focus indoors, searching for consistent warmth and moisture.

3. Holiday Cooking Creates Food Sources

From cookie crumbs to turkey drippings, holiday feasts can leave behind irresistible treats for pests. Even small spills, open candy jars, or unsealed flour containers can attract ants and cockroaches. The more people in your home, the greater the chance that food scraps or sugary spills will go unnoticed.

4. More Guests, More Open Doors

The constant flow of deliveries, family members, and friends means doors and garage entries are opening more often — and staying open longer. Each time that happens, you’re giving pests an easy entry point.

5. Christmas Trees and Greenery Bring Hidden Hitchhikers

Fresh-cut trees, garlands, and wreaths can harbor small insects like aphids, mites, and spiders. While they’re harmless outdoors, once they’re inside, they can become an unexpected surprise among your ornaments.

Common Holiday Pests in Florida

Florida’s warm, humid environment makes it home to a wide range of pests, but during the holidays, a few are especially active. Here’s who might try to join your festivities:

Ants

Ants are the number one culprit during the holidays. They’re drawn to sweets, moisture, and grease — all of which are abundant during baking season. They can sneak through the tiniest cracks, marching toward countertops, sinks, and pantry shelves. Once they’ve found a reliable food source, they alert the rest of the colony, leading to large infestations that are tough to control without professional treatment.

Cockroaches

Florida’s cockroaches — particularly the American (or “palmetto bug”) and German varieties — thrive in warm, dark spaces. They hide behind kitchen appliances, in pantries, or under sinks, coming out at night to scavenge. During the holidays, the extra crumbs, moisture, and cardboard clutter give them everything they need to thrive. Roaches aren’t just unsettling; they can also spread bacteria and trigger allergies.

Rodents

Rats and mice are particularly active this time of year, seeking warm nesting spots inside attics, garages, or even storage closets. Insulation and holiday décor boxes make perfect nests. You may hear scratching noises in the walls or find gnaw marks on wires, boxes, or even food packaging. Rodents multiply quickly, so a small problem can escalate fast.

Spiders

Spiders aren’t usually aggressive pests, but they’re often a sign of other insects nearby (since that’s their food source). They love undisturbed areas like basements, attics, and storage bins — exactly where your decorations live for 11 months out of the year. When you start unpacking ornaments and lights, you may find a few web-weaving stowaways.

Stored Product Pests (Pantry Moths & Weevils)

If you’re stocking up on flour, rice, or cereal for baking, be cautious — pantry pests like Indian meal moths and weevils can infest dry goods. These small insects often hitch a ride from the grocery store and can quickly spread to other food items.

Turner’s Holiday Pest-Free Checklist

Keeping your home pest-free during the holidays doesn’t require a Christmas miracle — just a bit of prevention and consistency. Here’s a checklist from Turner’s pest experts to help you stay ahead of the problem:

• Inspect decorations before bringing them inside.
• Seal entry points around doors and windows.
• Keep kitchens and dining areas clean.
• Store sweets and treats securely.
• Schedule a preventive pest service before guests arrive.
• Manage moisture.
• Keep firewood and outdoor décor away from the house.
• Check trees and greenery for hitchhikers.
• Don’t forget the attic.
• Keep an eye out for warning signs.

The Gift of Peace of Mind

The holidays should be about joy, not jumping at the sight of a cockroach skittering across the kitchen. A proactive pest control plan gives you one less thing to worry about. Turner Pest Control’s comprehensive residential services cover the full spectrum of Florida pests — from ants and roaches to rodents and spiders — with customized treatment plans designed for your home and lifestyle.

Whether you’re a year-round customer or looking to schedule a one-time seasonal inspection, our licensed professionals can help protect your home before pests get the chance to settle in. Think of it as a holiday tune-up for your home — ensuring it’s clean, cozy, and pest-free from attic to kitchen.

Schedule Your Winter Pest Inspection Today

Your home should be the heart of your holiday celebrations — not a haven for pests. Turner’s trusted technicians provide preventive treatments, inspections, and customized protection plans to keep your season merry, bright, and bug-free.

Call 800-225-5305 or schedule online today to secure your holiday pest protection.

New customers: Ask about our limited-time holiday pest inspection specials for additional savings this winter!