When family and friends start making holiday plans, most of us think about clean sheets, a stocked fridge, and a seat at the table for everyone. In Florida, getting your home guest-ready should also include a quick pest check. Our warm climate means rodents, ants, and roaches can stay active well into the holiday season, and a few simple checks now can help prevent an unwelcome surprise when the house is full.

 

Our founder spent 25 years as a home inspector before starting BBC Pest Services, so we look at every home the way an inspector would: room by room, with a focus on entry points, food, moisture, and shelter. Here is a checklist you can use before Thanksgiving and Christmas guests arrive.

 

Common Florida Pests to Watch for Before the Holidays

 

Roof rats are one of the most common rodents in Florida homes, and they often nest in attics and other high, quiet spaces. Ants and cockroaches follow food and moisture indoors, while occasional invaders like spiders and crickets can slip in through gaps around doors and screens. Even a very clean home can still show pest activity, because pests look for more than crumbs. They also want water and a safe place to hide.

 

Your Room-by-Room Holiday Pest Checklist

• Kitchen and pantry: Store dry goods in sealed containers, wipe up spills promptly, and check under the sink for leaks. Look behind the refrigerator and under appliances for droppings or insect activity.
• Trash areas: Keep indoor and outdoor bins closed with tight-fitting lids, and empty them often during busy weeks.
• Garage: Check for droppings, gnaw marks, and gaps beneath the garage door. Cardboard boxes stored on the floor can give roaches and rodents a place to hide.
• Attic: If you can access it safely, look for droppings, shredded insulation, or greasy rub marks along rafters. Scratching sounds at night are another clue.
• Guest rooms: Open closets, look under beds, and check along baseboards. Keep food and snacks out of sleeping areas.
• Patios and entryways: Inspect door sweeps, weatherstripping, and window screens for tears or gaps. Check where pipes, cables, and AC lines enter the home.

What to Check When a Room Has Been Closed for Months

 

A guest room, garage, or attic that has not been used in several months is exactly the kind of quiet space pests like. Before anyone sleeps there, open the room, let in fresh air, and look for droppings, nesting material, webs, or shed insect skins. If you find rodent droppings, do not sweep or vacuum them. The CDC recommends wearing gloves, spraying droppings with a disinfectant or bleach solution, letting it soak, and wiping it up with paper towels.

 

What If You Have Not Noticed Any Pests Yet?

 

Our advice is to look for the conditions that attract pests, not just the pests themselves. Open food, standing water, plumbing leaks, clutter, and small gaps around doors, screens, and utility lines all make a home more inviting. Many pests are active at night, so signs like droppings or gnaw marks often appear before you ever see the pest.

 

Get Your Home Guest Ready With BBC Pest Services

 

If you would like a second set of eyes before the holidays, our team is here to help. We serve homeowners in Land O' Lakes and across the Tampa Bay area, bringing a home inspector's approach to every visit. Call us at 727-212-6565 or contact us online to schedule an inspection before your guests arrive.