Deck the Halls… and Seal the Crawlspaces

The holidays are right around the corner. 

Soon, the lights will be twinkling, your kitchen will start smelling like cinnamon, and your to-do list will become unending. 

But while you’re decking the halls, there’s something else quietly decking your halls… 

PESTS

That’s the funny thing about December. While you’re cozying up indoors, pests want some of that warmth and cozy too. 

Before the deep freeze hits, a few outdoor precautions can make sure your holidays stay merry, bright, and pest-free.

Photo credits to pexel.com

Why Pests Peak During the Holidays

As temperatures drop, pests of all types have a decision to make. Either freeze to death, or get inside and survive. 

That makes December prime time for intrusions. Plus:

• Cold temperatures drive towards your house. Mice can’t regulate their heat well, so they migrate toward garages, crawlspaces, and near basements.
• Holiday food prep creates irresistible scents. Flour dust, cookie crumbs, chocolate, and fruitcake (yes, even fruitcake) attract mice and ants. So if they’re hiding somewhere in your yard, they’re making their way in for sure. 
• Decorations stir up hidden pests. Boxes stored in garages, sheds, or storage rooms often harbour spiders and beetles.
• Clutter increases hiding zones. Wrapping paper rolls, cardboard boxes, and gift bags create nesting pockets.

Here’s how to make sure your place is pest-proof. 

Step 1: Start With the Exterior

Your exterior sets the tone. If pests can’t get inside, they can’t cause trouble. Do a quick perimeter scan, and:

• Look for cracks in the foundation
• Check siding gaps and loose panels
• Inspect soffits and fascia for chew marks or openings
• Replace worn or missing weather-stripping
• Ensure garage door seals are tight and flush to the ground
• Peek at attic vents. Screens should be intact, not rusted or torn

Snow piles and leaf piles are often ignored, and you can’t afford to do so. When debris collects against your foundation, rodents see it as a warm, protected tunnel straight into your home. Clear them away before the first heavy snowfall.

Blocked gutters can also cause moisture build up that attracts insects, not to mention ice dams that lead to bigger headaches.

Keep this simple rule in mind: if wind can whistle through a crack, a mouse can waltz through it too.

Step 2: Check The Crawlspace & Basement

If your attic is Santa’s workshop, your crawlspace is where pests will come looking for presents. These areas are naturally warm thanks to rising heat. They’re also perfect hiding spots because most homeowners rarely check them.

Here’s what you want to look out for:

• Gnawed insulation
• Torn vapour barriers
• Moisture pockets
• Droppings
• Nest-like clumps of debris
• Gaps around pipes, ducts, or vents

Crawlspaces are notorious for harbouring mice and rats that make their way in from your yard, and even the occasional over-wintering wildlife like raccoons or skunks. Adding or repairing a vapour barrier reduces moisture and limits insect and rodent attraction (more on that later).

Step 3: Protect Rooflines, Vents & Decorating Zones

Before hanging lights or garlands, check for loose soffits, gaps around chimneys, torn vent screens, or chewed shingles. These are prime access spots for rodents and overwintering insects.

Outdoor holiday lights can unintentionally attract spiders and insects if placed too close to cracks or vents. When hanging them, do a passive inspection for any weak points.

Step 4: Garbage, Compost & Outdoor Food Sources

Holiday garbage piles are an open invitation for raccoons and mice. We know it’s too cold and you’d rather not make the effort of moving garbage away from your home, but you have to.  

• Keep garbage and compost lids latched
• Store bins away from the home if possible
• Clean BBQ drip trays (even if you swear you’re not using the BBQ until spring)
• Clear spilled birdseed from feeders
• Avoid placing compost against the house

Step 5: Inspect Winter-Only Pest Hotspots

Some pest problems only show up when winter routines kick in, and these areas often go unnoticed until it’s too late.

• Firewood piles: Spiders, beetles, and even overwintering wasps love hiding in stacked wood. Mice tunnel through the base for warmth. Store firewood 20+ feet from your home and give each log a quick knock before bringing it inside.
• Holiday storage: Ornament bins, wrapping paper tubes, and basements filled with once-a-year decorations are ideal hiding spots for silverfish, spiders, cluster flies, and fabric-loving pantry beetles. Before carrying boxes into living spaces, inspect them for webs, shed skins, or live insects.

Step 6: Winterize Your Home’s Moisture Control

Heat isn’t the only thing pests seek in winter; humidity is just as attractive. Many winter pests thrive where condensation or excess moisture collects.

• Check for window condensation, especially in older homes. Moisture on sills attracts silverfish, ants, and even mould mites. Tighten seals or use a dehumidifier in humid rooms.
• In bathrooms, long hot showers create steam pockets spiders and other insects love. Make sure exhaust fans are working and vents aren’t blocked by snow outdoors.
• Watch for winter leaks, particularly around rooflines, plumbing fixtures, or where ice dams form. Melting frost that drips into attics or walls creates damp pockets that invite pests immediately.
• Floor drains can attract drain flies if they dry out. Pour a cup of water or run a little diluted bleach into unused drains every few weeks. Read the manufacturer’s instrcitions for the products you’re using. 

Step 8: When it’s Time for a Professional

Winter is the worst season to delay pest control because once pests find warmth, they won’t leave until spring. Buzz Boss offers outdoor pest exclusion services.

Call a professional if you notice:

• Scratching noises coming from around the outside of your house (a sign pests or wildlife already found a way in)
• Mouse droppings in your yard, garage or deck
• Activity around vents, chimneys, or crawlspace openings
• Chewed siding, soffits, or fascia boards

We’ll identify outdoor vulnerabilities and apply targeted treatments to keep your home pest-free all winter.

Make This the Season All About for Cheer, Not Critters

As you deck the halls, don’t forget the less glamourous side of winter: keeping pests off your property. A little prevention now keeps your home peaceful all season long.

Buzz Boss offers Pest Exclusion Services across Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Regina, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg, providing you with guidance on sealing entry points, securing crawlspaces, reinforcing attics, blocking winter pests before they enter.

Book your free assessment today and enjoy the holidays knowing the only creatures stirring in your home are the ones you invited.