How Bug-proof is Your Outdoor Holiday Decor?

Your holiday decor is meant to draw attention to your home, but is it catching the eye of un-welcomed guests? Dressing up your indoor and outdoor spaces with the flora and fauna of the season can encourage bugs of all kinds to hitch a ride onto and even right inside your home.

Make things festive without making your house a holiday haven for insects with these decorating tips.

Tips for Keeping Pests Out of Holiday Decorations

Here’s what you need to be cautious of when your using the great outdoors as a decorating space.

• Many people here in Alabama like to place bails of hay next to the house, or they arrange pine needles to where they are touching the exterior. All of this is a bad idea because it invites bugs to come right up to your doorstep. It’s best to keep these decorations a good distance from the exterior of your home so that bugs stay out in the yard.
• Trim trees so they aren’t touching the house or close enough for rats or squirrels to jump from the trees onto your home.
• Don’t string lights between your house and trees or shrubs for the same reason.
• Before hanging a wreath on your door make sure the bugs aren’t a part of the decoration. Treat the wreath with an insecticide to get rid of any possible stowaways.
• Don’t use anything edible on your wreaths and decorations. Bugs like ants will catch a whiff of the holiday treat and be devouring your decorations in no time.
• Check all decorations with plants, including those with dried flowers, for bugs before putting them in your yard, on your porch or on your deck.
• Don’t let your pesticide treatments lapse. Even though it’s cooling off outside keeping up with your regular bug treatments is a must. Even better, you can get your natural outdoor decorations treated at the same time.

Using natural and man made decorations out around your house is a great way to celebrate the holiday season with your family and friends. Take a few precautions and you’ll be able to keep bugs off the guest list.

Image Source: www.flickr.com/photos/jcapaldi/2136775179

Original Source: https://www.vulcantermite.com/home-pest-control/how-bug-proof-is-your-outdoor-holiday-decor