Thanksgiving Pest Control: Keep Unwanted Guests Out This Season

Thanksgiving is all about spending time with family, but the last thing you want is for pests to crash your holiday dinner.

That’s where these Thanksgiving pest control tips for Iowa City, IA comes in handy. As the weather cools, rodents and insects look for a warm spot—often inside your home. That’s why it’s important to get ahead of the problem and safeguard your space before they move in.

With just a few smart pest-proofing steps, you can keep your home cozy and pest-free, ensuring your guests (and not the pests) feel right at home this Thanksgiving.

Why Pests Are Attracted to Your Home During Thanksgiving

While Thanksgiving brings warmth and togetherness, it also creates ideal conditions for pests to make their way indoors. Understanding why they target your home during this time can help you stay ahead of them:

Food Overload: From lavish meals to leftovers, Thanksgiving creates a food paradise—not just for your family but also for pests like ants and rodents. They’re drawn to easily accessible crumbs, spills, and food storage areas.
Disturbances Outside: Holiday preparations like putting up lights or moving firewood can disrupt pests’ natural habitats, forcing them to find new shelter inside your home.
More Openings: With guests frequently arriving and leaving, doors and windows are often left open, providing pests with easy entry points. Small gaps around windows and doors are also gateways for these critters.
Cluttered Spaces: Extra holiday decorations and storage boxes give pests new places to hide in rarely used spaces like attics, garages, and basements.

By being aware of these factors, you can take steps to reduce the chance of pests inviting themselves into your home this Thanksgiving.

Pests You Should Watch Out for This Thanksgiving

With all the cooking, extra food, and guests coming and going, some pests will try to take advantage of the Thanksgiving chaos. Here’s a look at the pests most likely to sneak into your home and cause trouble:

Ants and Cockroaches

The combination of spills, leftovers, and garbage make kitchens a prime target for ants and cockroaches.

Ants form lines to march toward any food they can find, while cockroaches thrive in warm, hidden spots like behind appliances. Both pests can contaminate food and quickly turn your Thanksgiving meal into a nightmare.

Rodents (Mice, Rats)

Colder weather means mice and rats are on the lookout for warmth, and they’re good at finding it in your home.

Whether it’s cracks in the walls, gaps around windows, or spaces under doors, these pests can slip inside easily. Once in, they can chew wires, damage insulation, and even spread diseases, making them a bigger problem than just a few crumbs on the floor.

Pantry Raiders (Moths, Weevils)

These tiny invaders target your dry goods like flour and cereal—spoiling your holiday baking before you even notice.

They often hitch a ride in packaged foods, multiplying in dark corners of your pantry. Damaged packages, webs, and larvae are clear signs they’ve already moved in.

By knowing which pests are most likely to appear, you can take steps to stop them in their tracks and keep your Thanksgiving gathering peaceful and pest-free.

Simple Steps to Keep Pests Out This Thanksgiving

Now that you know which pests may try to disrupt your holiday, it’s time to take steps for Thanksgiving pest prevention. The last thing you need is pests finding a way inside right before the festivities.

By putting a few straightforward measures in place, you can keep your home safe from pests and enjoy a stress-free Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

1. Close Off Any Pests’ Pathways

Pests can easily find their way into your home through the tiniest of gaps. As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s a good idea to inspect your home and address any potential openings. Here are a few ways to block off those entry points:

Seal cracks around doors and windows: Apply caulk or weatherstripping to close off any small spaces that could allow pests inside.
Examine your home’s exterior: Take a walk around your property and look for any cracks or holes in the foundation or walls, then seal them to prevent pests from entering.
Check areas where utilities enter your home: Be sure to inspect where pipes or cables come into your house and fill any gaps around them to stop pests from slipping in.
Ensure a tight fit for doors and windows: Make sure they close snugly, and consider adding door sweeps to block any space beneath the doors.

These proactive steps will help keep unwanted critters outside, so you can enjoy a worry-free holiday season.

2. Keep Food Sealed and Stored Safely

Nothing draws pests like the smell of food, especially during a busy holiday like Thanksgiving. To keep your kitchen off-limits to critters, follow these simple food storage tips:

Store dry goods like flour, cereal, and snacks in airtight containers to block pests from getting to them.
After meals, clean up any spills and avoid leaving food out overnight, which can attract insects and rodents.
Keep your garbage tightly sealed and empty it regularly to avoid luring pests into your kitchen.
Make sure pantry staples are properly sealed after each use to prevent pests from sneaking in.

By staying on top of food storage and cleanup, you can minimize the risk of pests getting into your home during the holidays.

3. Keep Your Kitchen Spotless

A tidy kitchen plays a huge role in keeping pests at bay. By staying on top of cleanliness, you can stop pests from settling in. Here are a few simple ways to keep things pest-free:

Tackle spills immediately: Clean up any food or drink messes as soon as they happen to avoid attracting pests.
Wipe down surfaces after cooking: Regularly clean your countertops to remove any food debris that could tempt pests.
Sweep or vacuum crumbs from floors: Don’t let food bits linger on the floor—clear them up to make your home less appealing to unwanted guests.
Take out the trash often: Keep garbage bins covered and empty them frequently to prevent pests from rummaging through your waste.

By keeping your kitchen spotless and organized, you’ll reduce the risk of pests crashing your Thanksgiving festivities, leaving you to enjoy a peaceful, pest-free holiday.

How to Keep Pests Away This Thanksgiving

Even with your best efforts, pests might still try to sneak in during Thanksgiving. To give yourself extra peace of mind, consider taking a few additional steps to keep them out.

By adding these protective measures, you can keep your home comfortable and pest-free, letting you fully enjoy the holiday with your guests, without any unwanted interruptions.

Inspect Storage Areas

While sealing off entry points helps, pests often hide in less frequented spaces like storage areas. Holiday decorations, old boxes, and cluttered spots in basements or attics can provide perfect hiding places for them. Here’s how to keep these spaces free from pests:

Regularly check storage spaces: Inspect areas like basements, attics, and closets for signs of pests, such as droppings or damaged items.
Look for warning signs: Stay alert for any nests or other evidence of pest activity in your stored belongings.
Choose the right storage containers: Use sturdy plastic bins with tight lids instead of cardboard boxes, which pests can easily chew through.
Declutter often: Remove unnecessary items to eliminate potential hiding places, making the area less inviting to pests.

Keep Pests Out of Your Trash

With holiday gatherings creating extra food waste, your trash can easily become a beacon for pests like raccoons, rodents, and flies. Here’s how you can keep your garbage from becoming a pest hotspot:

Choose bins with tight lids: Use trash cans that close securely, both indoors and out, to prevent pests from scavenging through your waste.
Position bins away from your home: Place outdoor garbage cans farther from entryways, windows, or other access points to reduce the chance of pests being drawn closer. Locking lids can add an extra layer of protection.
Clean bins regularly: Rinse out trash cans to get rid of any food debris or odors that might attract pests looking for an easy meal.

Use Safe, Non-Toxic Pest Control

Even after taking precautions, pests might still make their way indoors. The good news is, you can handle them without using harsh chemicals. Here are some safe, eco-friendly methods to help keep your home pest-free:

Diatomaceous Earth: This natural powder is safe for both pets and people but highly effective against pests. Sprinkle it around entry points like windows, doors, and baseboards to block their access.
Essential Oils: Natural oils like peppermint, lavender, and citronella can repel pests. Mix them with water to create a simple spray and apply it in areas where pests tend to gather.
Pet- and Kid-Friendly Traps: There are non-toxic traps available that safely catch pests without risking the safety of your children or pets.

By choosing these non-toxic solutions, you can effectively manage pests while keeping your home safe for your family.

When to Call a Professional for Thanksgiving Pest Control

While DIY pest control works for small issues, there are times when calling in an expert is the best solution.

Certain pests are stubborn, and despite your best efforts, an infestation can get worse over time. Here are situations when it’s wise to bring in professional help:

Persistent Signs of Pests

If you keep seeing droppings, property damage, or regular sightings of pests, it could point to a bigger problem. Rodents can chew through wires, creating fire hazards, and pests like ants or cockroaches can multiply quickly, making it harder to control on your own.

Ensuring a Healthy Home

Pests like rodents and cockroaches can carry bacteria and germs, which can threaten your family’s health. If you spot these pests, calling in a professional ensures they’re dealt with swiftly, helping you maintain a clean and safe home throughout the holiday season.

When Infestations Get Out of Hand

If pests are multiplying faster than you can manage, it’s a clear sign that professional help is needed. A licensed pest control expert can locate the source of the problem and implement long-term solutions to stop the infestation in its tracks. Their expertise ensures that pests don’t keep coming back, giving you peace of mind during the busy holiday season.

When DIY Methods Aren’t Enough

If your home remedies haven’t resolved the issue, it’s a sign that expert help is needed. Professional pest control services come equipped with the right tools and know-how to handle even the toughest infestations. This is particularly important during Thanksgiving, when you want your home to be pest-free and ready for visitors.

Noticing these warning signs? Don’t wait to bring in a pest control expert. They can help restore your home to a safe, comfortable space, so you can focus on what really matters—enjoying the holiday with your loved ones.

Conclusion: Celebrate Thanksgiving Without Worrying About Pests

Thanksgiving is a time for laughter, good food, and making memories—not stressing over pests sneaking in. By taking these proactive steps, you can keep your home comfortable and uninvaded by unwelcome critters.

If you’re dealing with persistent pests that aren’t responding to home solutions, bringing in a professional is the smartest way to safeguard your space. They’ll handle the heavy lifting, allowing you to enjoy your holiday with peace of mind.

To keep pests at bay long after Thanksgiving, consider scheduling regular pest control visits. With expert support, your home can remain a cozy, pest-free retreat throughout the winter months and beyond.

About the Author

Derek Brownmiller, Area Manager at Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Management, leads with 16+ years in wildlife and pest control. Licensed and experienced, his Iowa City-based team excels in comprehensive, customer-focused solutions. Their mission: superior service in Iowa City and beyond, ensuring homes are safe from wildlife and pests.