Tidy Up the Kitchen Before the First Course

The kitchen is the heart of every holiday gathering—but it's also the number one target for pests during the season. From bustling meal prep to buffet-style spreads, it's easy to overlook small messes that can attract cockroaches, ants, mice, and other uninvited guests.

To protect your Hamilton home during Thanksgiving and fall festivities, follow this kitchen-specific pest prevention checklist:

1. Clean As You Cook

• Wipe down countertops and stove surfaces immediately after each cooking task.

• Use disinfectant or vinegar-based cleaners to eliminate food residue and scent trails left by pests.

• Clean up flour spills, crumbs, and drips—especially when baking holiday treats.

2. Sweep and Mop Daily

• Focus on high-traffic areas like under the kitchen table, along baseboards, and in corners.

• Mop up sticky spills and sauces that can draw ants and roaches from across the house.

• Don’t forget to clean under appliances where grease and crumbs tend to accumulate.

3. Store Food Securely

• Transfer all open food packages—especially sugary or starchy items like cereal, flour, and snacks—into airtight, pest-proof containers.

• Keep fruit in the fridge or a sealed bowl to avoid attracting fruit flies.

• After meals, refrigerate leftovers promptly instead of leaving them on counters.

4. Empty Trash and Compost Bins Frequently

• Take out the trash daily during busy holiday cooking days, especially if meat scraps or peelings are involved.

• Use garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and line them with strong, sealed bags.

• Rinse out compost bins regularly and keep them covered when not in use.

Inspect Entry Points Before Visitors Arrive

While you’re busy preparing to welcome guests this holiday season, don’t forget about the visitors you don’t want—pests like rodents, insects, and even raccoons who see your warm, food-filled home as the perfect hideout from the cold. In Hamilton, ON, fall weather often triggers a wave of pest movement indoors, making it crucial to inspect and secure common entry points before your holiday gatherings begin.

Follow this entryway inspection checklist to fortify your home:

1. Examine Doors and Windows

• Inspect door sweeps at all exterior entrances. Replace any that are cracked, torn, or don’t make full contact with the floor.

• Check weather stripping around doors and windows for gaps or signs of wear—worn strips should be replaced immediately.

• Ensure doors and windows fully close without any gaps. Even a small crack can allow ants, spiders, or mice to slip through.

2. Seal Foundation and Wall Gaps

• Walk the exterior perimeter of your home to identify any cracks or holes in the foundation, siding, or brickwork.

• Use silicone caulk or expandable spray foam to seal gaps around:

  • Utility lines (like HVAC units, water pipes, and cable wiring)

  • Dryer vents and exhaust outlets

  • Outdoor faucet entry points

3. Safeguard Vents and Chimneys

• Install fine mesh screens over attic vents, crawl space openings, and chimneys to prevent wildlife like squirrels, raccoons, and birds from getting inside.

• Double-check that vent covers are securely attached and intact—warped or rusted covers should be replaced.

• Use chimney caps with mesh guards to maintain airflow while keeping pests out.

4. Monitor Garage Access

• Keep garage doors closed when not in use, especially if your garage is connected to the main living space.

• Inspect the weather seal at the bottom of the garage door—a rodent can squeeze through a gap as small as 1/4 inch.

• Avoid storing pet food, garbage, or bulk dry goods in your garage unless they are tightly sealed and elevated off the ground.

Don’t Forget Guest Rooms and Bathrooms

With the focus often on the kitchen and living areas during holiday prep, it’s easy to overlook guest bedrooms and secondary bathrooms. However, these quiet, low-traffic areas can become unexpected hideouts for pests—especially during the cooler months in Hamilton, ON. Rodents, spiders, and even silverfish may take shelter in these undisturbed zones, which could lead to unpleasant surprises for your holiday visitors.

To make sure your guest spaces are clean, welcoming, and pest-free, follow this checklist:

1. Deep Clean Guest Rooms

• Vacuum thoroughly: Pay special attention to hidden areas like under beds, behind furniture, and along baseboards where dust and pests tend to accumulate.

• Launder all linens: Wash sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and duvet covers that haven’t been used in a while. Insects like silverfish and carpet beetles are attracted to the natural fibers in bedding.

• Dust and declutter: Wipe down surfaces, window sills, and closets. Reduce clutter to limit hiding spots for pests like spiders or moths.

2. Inspect for Entry Points and Warning Signs

• Check window seals and screens: Look for tears, gaps, or deterioration that could allow pests inside.

• Inspect corners and behind furniture: Look for common pest indicators such as:

  • Cobwebs

  • Mouse droppings

  • Shed insect casings or carcasses

  • Strange musty odors (which can signal rodent activity)

3. Refresh Bathrooms

• Run water in unused bathrooms: Flushing toilets and running sinks helps prevent stagnant water and deters pests that are drawn to humidity, like drain flies or silverfish.

• Clean drains and sinks: Scrub buildup that could attract pests and consider using a natural drain cleaner to eliminate organic material.

• Inspect for moisture issues: Look under sinks and around tubs for any leaks or dampness. Moist environments are magnets for cockroaches and ants.

4. Add Finishing Touches

• Use pest-repelling sachets: Place sachets with natural repellents like lavender, cedar, or peppermint in drawers and closets to keep insects at bay.

• Keep doors closed: Prevent pests from migrating into these areas by keeping doors shut until guests arrive.

With a bit of preparation, your Hamilton, ON home can remain clean, safe, and pest-free all season long.Before the first guest knocks or the turkey hits the oven, take steps to secure your home. And if you spot any signs of pests—or simply want to be proactive—Petty Pest Control is here to help.

Book your holiday pest inspection today and ensure your home is ready for celebration, not infestation.

[https://pettypestcontrolservices.co]