The holiday season is here and so is one of the busiest shopping times of the year. While some prefer to be out in stores, others like to shop from the comfort of their own home. Online shopping is great, but it’s important to watch out for unexpected deliveries. Bugs like to escape the cold and shipping packages are a great hiding spot. We’ve made a list of tips to help you avoid shipping pests to your home.
Inspect Packages
As exciting as deliveries are, you don’t want to rush to bring your package inside. Take a few minutes to inspect the box or bag for signs of pests or damage. You’ll want to watch out for any scratches or holes on the outside of the package.
Open Packages Outside
Even if your package looks okay on the outside, you’ll want to inspect the interior before taking it in your home. Open the package outside and check for any hitchhiking pests. You’ll also want to make sure you don’t see eggs or pest droppings.
Check Gifted Plants
Plants can make wonderful gifts, but they can also attract pests. Before decorating your home with that gifted poinsettia, inspect it for signs of plant pests. Examine the leaves and near the stem of the plant for pests and their eggs.
Don’t Store Boxes
One of the best ways to avoid uninvited guests is to remove any shipping materials from your home. Pests, like cockroaches, love cardboard boxes so you don’t want to leave them lying around your house. Break the boxes down and discard them in a tightly sealed bin.
Wash Fabric Items
If you order fabric items like bedding and clothing, you’ll want to make sure bed bugs aren’t hiding in them. These bugs multiply quickly and can easily travel. Wash and dry your new items on a high setting to avoid a bed bug infestation.
Eliminating Surprise Pests
If you find pests in your packages, you can still prevent them from getting inside. Remove your items from the package, making sure there aren’t pests or eggs on it. Immediately break down the box and discard it. If pests do slip inside, you can still have a pest-free holiday season. Using a natural plant-based insecticide will kill pests on contact while also providing you with residual repellency.
There’s no denying that shopping from home has its benefits. Despite pesky bugs, you don’t have to give up your online shopping. Taking the time to check your packages can help ensure you don’t have any surprise guests this holiday season. If pests are trying to crash the festivities, we want to help! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective Pest Control products.