Pumpkin Pie and Pests: Why Your Holiday Baking Could Attract Unwanted Guests

The holidays are all about family, food, and festive fun, but nothing ruins a celebration faster than discovering a pest in your kitchen or, worse, in your holiday meal. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner or bringing a dish to a holiday party, you want your pumpkin pie, turkey, and sides to be delicious and pest-free. Contaminated food isn’t just embarrassing; it can also pose serious health risks.

Unfortunately, pests are more active in kitchens during the holiday season, putting your baking and food at risk. Here’s how to protect your home, your ingredients, and your family with expert tips from Lindsey Pest Services.

​Why Pests Show Up Around the Holidays

There are two main reasons pests show up during the fall and winter months:

1. Seeking shelter and food

Changes in temperature and humidity can drive pests, such as rodents, cockroaches, and ants, to seek out stable, sheltered spots indoors. Your home may also provide easy access to food, making it an ideal environment for pests to settle in, particularly during the holiday season when treats are abundant.

2. Brought in accidentally

Pantry pests, such as weevils, Indian meal moth larvae, or flour beetles, often hitch a ride into homes via groceries. These pests can infest dry foods, such as flour, cereal, and spices, spreading quickly from one package to another if left unchecked.

How to Protect Your Holiday Baking from Pests

Food contamination is a major concern when pests get inside. Rodents, cockroaches, and pantry pests can spread bacteria and other pathogens, making your holiday meal and baking unsafe. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep pests out:

• Inspect groceries before purchase: Avoid products with torn or dented packaging or obvious holes.
• Check food at home: Inspect ingredients before storing them.
• Use airtight containers: Transfer dry foods from cardboard or paper packaging to sealed, hardsided containers.
• Seal and store food properly: Do not leave ingredients or leftovers on the counter or exposed.
• Keep a clean kitchen: Wash dishes, wipe counters, and clean floors promptly after cooking.
• Manage trash: Take out garbage regularly.
• Address moisture issues: Fix leaks and address humid areas to reduce indoor moisture.
• Seal entry points: Close gaps around windows, doors, vents, and utility lines.
• Tidy your yard: Remove lawn debris, trim overgrown plants, and eliminate standing water to make your home less inviting to pests.

What to Do If You Spot Pests in Your Home

Even with the best prevention, pests sometimes get inside. Signs include droppings, shed skins, or nesting materials. Ignoring these signs can allow infestations to grow.

Lindsey Pest Services offers professional home pest control to protect your family, friends, and holiday meals. Our local experts handle a wide range of common pests and provide three flexible home pest control plans, each including:

• Quarterly treatments to cover seasonal pest activity
• Protection against over 30 common household pests
• The Lindsey Pest-Free Guarantee

Compare our plans today and schedule a home pest inspection. Don’t let pests ruin your holidays; get expert protection from Lindsey Pest Services and enjoy a safe, stress-free season.