The holiday season is all about warmth, comfort, and gathering with family and friends—but unfortunately, that cozy atmosphere can attract some less-welcome visitors. As temperatures drop across New England, rodents like mice and squirrels begin searching for a warm place to spend the winter. And your attic, basement, or kitchen pantry may look like the perfect holiday getaway.
The good news? With a few preventative steps and a proactive mindset, you can keep these unwelcome guests from crashing your celebrations.
Why Rodents Love the Holiday Season
When it’s cold outside, rodents are driven by two simple needs: food and shelter. The holiday months offer both in abundance. Warm homes, holiday baking, decorative storage boxes, and leftover crumbs create ideal conditions for mice and squirrels to move in and settle down.
Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a dime, while squirrels can gnaw through wood and even aluminum to reach your attic. Once inside, these pests can cause costly damage—chewing electrical wires, contaminating food, and nesting in insulation. Even worse, rodents reproduce quickly, meaning a small problem can turn into an infestation before the decorations come down.
Common Entry Points Around Your Home
Rodents are resourceful, but they typically enter homes through predictable access points. During late fall and early winter, it’s smart to check these high-risk areas:
- Gaps around doors and windows – Especially basement bulkheads, garage doors, and storm doors.
- Utility and pipe openings – Dryer vents, AC lines, and foundation gaps are favorite rodent highways.
- Rooflines and attics – Squirrels and mice can climb trees or gutters to enter through vents or soffits.
- Cracks in foundations or siding – Even tiny openings can invite pests indoors.
Inspecting these areas early can save you from a mid-winter headache later.
Holiday Habits That Invite Rodents In
Even when your home is sealed tight, daily habits can unintentionally attract pests. Consider these small but effective adjustments:
- Store food securely. Keep holiday cookies, candy, and pet food in airtight containers rather than bags or boxes.
- Clean up promptly. Wipe counters, sweep crumbs, and store garbage in sealed bins to eliminate food sources.
- Declutter storage spaces. Cardboard boxes and old decorations make ideal nesting materials—switch to plastic totes with lids.
- Inspect decorations before storing or unpacking. Rodents often nest in garages, sheds, or attics—shake out wreaths and storage bins before bringing them inside.
The Dangers of Ignoring a Rodent Problem
It’s easy to dismiss a few droppings or scratching sounds as a minor issue, but rodent infestations can escalate quickly. Beyond the unpleasant odors and contamination risks, rodents can:
- Chew wires, increasing the risk of fire.
- Damage insulation, reducing your home’s energy efficiency.
- Spread disease, including hantavirus, salmonella, and leptospirosis.
- Attract secondary pests, such as fleas or mites.
During the holidays—when families are home more often and kitchens are fully stocked—rodent activity tends to spike. Acting fast at the first sign of a problem helps prevent costly damage and keeps your home safe for everyone inside.
Professional Rodent Prevention from Cornerstone
If you’ve heard scratching in the walls, noticed droppings, or seen chew marks, it’s time to take action before the problem grows. Cornerstone Pest Control specializes in rodent prevention and exclusion, using proven techniques to seal entry points and stop infestations at the source.
Our Home Protection Program provides year-round coverage for rodents, spiders, and other common household pests—so you can enjoy peace of mind through every season. Whether it’s inspecting your attic, sealing entry gaps, or protecting food storage areas, our team takes a thorough, proactive approach tailored to New England homes.
Enjoy a Pest-Free Holiday Season
Don’t let uninvited guests ruin your holiday cheer. Now is the perfect time to ensure your home is protected for the winter months ahead.
Contact Cornerstone Pest Control today to schedule a winter inspection or learn more about our Home Protection Program. Keep your home merry, bright—and pest-free—all season long.