Prep the Pantry and Clean the Kitchen

Your kitchen is the heart of your home—especially during the holidays in Corpus Christi, TX. From baking pies to preparing Thanksgiving dinner, this space gets a lot of use. Unfortunately, all that activity can attract uninvited guests like ants, cockroaches, and pantry beetles if proper precautions aren’t taken.

Follow these essential steps to keep your kitchen pest-free this season:

1. Store All Food in Airtight Containers

• Use glass, metal, or heavy-duty plastic containers with tight-fitting lids.

• Transfer flour, sugar, rice, pasta, and cereal from their original packaging into sealed bins.

• Don’t forget pet food—it’s a favorite snack for ants and roaches.

2. Inspect Pantry Items for Signs of Infestation

• Check boxes and bags for small holes, webbing, or powdery residue—signs of pantry moths or beetles.

• Toss any expired or infested food immediately and wipe down the surrounding shelves.

• Use bay leaves or pantry-safe traps to naturally deter insects.

3. Wipe Down Counters and Sweep Floors Daily

• Clean up crumbs, grease splatters, and sticky spills promptly after cooking.

• Pay close attention to corners, behind appliances, and under the fridge.

• Use a mild disinfectant or vinegar solution to wipe surfaces clean and eliminate attractants.

4. Never Leave Dirty Dishes Overnight

• Even a small smear of food left on a plate can invite roaches or ants.

• Rinse and load dishes into the dishwasher immediately after use.

• For hand-washed items, dry and put them away to reduce moisture that attracts pests.

5. Take Out the Trash Frequently

• Empty garbage bins at least once a day during heavy cooking periods.

• Always use trash cans with secure, tight-fitting lids to lock out pests.

• Clean the inside of your trash bin weekly with hot soapy water or a disinfectant to remove lingering food residue.

Rodent-Proof Your Home Before the Feasting Begins

That delicious Thanksgiving turkey aroma isn’t just tempting to your guests—it’s also an open invitation to rodents. As fall sets in and temperatures drop in Corpus Christi, TX, mice and rats start actively looking for warm, food-filled shelters. Your home can quickly become their ideal hideout if preventative steps aren’t taken.

Here’s your Rodent Prevention Checklist to keep unwanted critters out before holiday hosting begins:

1. Seal Entry Points

Rodents can squeeze through openings as small as a quarter inch.

• Carefully inspect your home’s foundation, siding, and utility entry points for cracks or gaps.
  
  

• Use steel wool, caulk, or rodent-proof mesh to block holes near plumbing, wiring, and vents.

• Don’t forget under-sink cabinets, where rodents often sneak in through gaps in pipes.

2. Install Door Sweeps and Weather Stripping

• Attach door sweeps to exterior doors, especially garage and patio entries where gaps are common.

• Replace worn weather stripping around windows and doors to eliminate drafts and entryways.

• Check that screens and vents are tight-fitting and damage-free.

3. Clear Clutter in Storage Areas

Clutter gives rodents both hiding places and nesting material.

• Remove or recycle unused cardboard boxes, newspapers, and paper bags.

• Store holiday decorations and stored items in plastic bins with secure lids.

• Elevate stored goods off the floor and away from walls to limit shelter opportunities.

4. Inspect Attics, Garages, and Basements

These quiet, low-traffic spaces are ideal nesting zones for rodents.

• Look for signs such as rodent droppings, chewed wiring, shredded insulation, or scratch marks along baseboards.

• Check for nests made from fabric, paper, or insulation in corners, boxes, or old furniture.

• If signs are present, schedule professional intervention before an infestation grows.

5. Maintain a Clean and Inhospitable Environment

• Clean up crumbs and food spills immediately—especially in the kitchen and pantry.

• Secure all food (including pet food) in sealed, rodent-proof containers.

• Take out trash daily and clean bins regularly to reduce attractants.

Deep Clean Guest Spaces for Peace of Mind

Planning to host overnight guests for Thanksgiving or holiday festivities in Corpus Christi, TX? A welcoming guest room isn’t just about fresh sheets and fluffy pillows—it’s also about ensuring your space is free of pests that might creep in unnoticed. Spiders, silverfish, and even bed bugs can make an unwelcome appearance if rooms go uninspected or uncleaned for long periods.

Here are the essential steps to prep your guest spaces for a comfortable, pest-free stay:

1. Vacuum Carpets, Corners, and Under Beds

• Use a vacuum with strong suction and a crevice tool to reach into baseboards and tight corners.

• Pay special attention to under beds, where dust and pests like to hide undisturbed.

• Vacuum upholstered furniture, especially if it's been unused for weeks or months.

2. Launder All Bedding and Linens

• Strip beds completely and wash sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and duvets in hot water.

• Dry on the highest heat setting to kill any potential insect eggs or larvae.

• Don’t forget extra linens stored in closets—give them a fresh cycle too.

3. Declutter Closets, Drawers, and Storage Bins

• Remove unused clothes, paper clutter, and stored boxes that can provide shelter to pests.

• Wipe down closet shelves, inside drawers, and under furniture.

• Store belongings in plastic containers with tight lids instead of cardboard, which pests can chew through or nest inside.

4. Check for Signs of Pests

• Look for cobwebs in ceiling corners, behind curtains, or under furniture.

• Inspect window sills and baseboards for small droppings, shed insect skins, or dead bugs.

• Use a flashlight to examine mattress seams and headboards for any signs of bed bug activity, such as small reddish stains or pepper-like specks.

With a few preventative steps and help from Total Pro Pest Control, your home will stay clean, cozy, and pest-free all holiday season long.Serving Corpus Christi, TX and surrounding areas, we’re your trusted partner for reliable, discreet, and thorough pest protection—before, during, and after the holidays.

Schedule your pre-holiday inspection today and enjoy the season with peace of mind!

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