Pests in Christmas decorations often go unnoticed until you’ve got the boxes in your living room. Your decorations sat in a dark garage, attic, or shed all year, and nobody has looked inside since January.
Our technicians at Evergreen Lawn & Pest Control have treated pests at Florida properties since 1991. This guide covers what to check outside the holiday decoration box, what droppings do and don't tell you, and how to pack decorations for next year.
Call (321) 396-1129 or request a pest inspection online, and our Florida technicians will identify what's living in your storage areas before you unpack.
Why Do Stored Decorations Attract Pests?
Stored decorations give pests shelter, food, and months of quiet. Cardboard boxes hide roaches and silverfish, and the cardboard absorbs moisture in Florida's humidity. Silverfish favor dark, cluttered spots and feed on materials with starch or glue, while decorations made from seeds, dried flowers, or other plant material attract stored-product insects (pests infesting dry goods).
When we inspect a garage, attic, or shed, we follow Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a method focused on causes first. This means we assess moisture, clutter, and entry points before recommending treatment.
What Pests Might Be Hiding in Your Decoration Boxes?
Each pest leaves a different trail.
Stored decorations might hold:
- Rodents – Gnaw marks on boxes, chewed light wires, and dark pellet droppings.
- Cockroaches – Pepper-like specks, plus egg capsules tucked into box folds or packing paper.
- Silverfish and booklice – Small pests in dark, cluttered corners, often near glue and starch.
- Spiders – Webbing in ornaments and box corners, especially in boxes kept in garages.
- Moths – Chewed holes in wool, felt, and other fabric decorations.
Our technicians name the pest, explain the product they choose, and tell you why.
Should You Unpack Decorations Outside First?
Yes. Carry every box outside, and open the lid on a driveway or patio. Check seams, folds, and corners for droppings, gnaw marks, and webbing. Shake ornaments and lights over the pavement, and look for egg cases.
Natural pieces need extra attention. If seed ornaments, dried flowers, or other plant-based decorations show insects, freeze them for at least four days.
We check overlooked spots on every property, such as driveway cracks and shrub lines, and box seams deserve the same attention.
What Do Droppings in a Decoration Box Mean?
Droppings confirm something has lived in your storage area, and size alone won't identify the pest. Mouse and rat droppings look like dark, elongated pellets, while cockroach droppings look like small dark specks. Mice and roaches often leave similar-looking debris, so call before you guess.
If you find droppings, take these steps:
- Keep the box outside or in an isolated area, and don't carry the box through your house.
- Don't sweep or vacuum dry droppings, because disturbed droppings can release contaminated particles into the air.
- Put on disposable gloves, then follow the CDC's wet-cleaning steps: wet the droppings with disinfectant, let the disinfectant soak, and wipe up the droppings with paper towels.
- Discard heavily contaminated cardboard. Wash or discard fabric decorations by their care instructions, and wipe hard decorations with household disinfectant per the product directions.
- Check nearby boxes, shelves, and walls for more droppings.
A cleaned box doesn't remove the source. If you find more than a few droppings, our technicians can identify the pest and trace the entry point before any treatment starts.
How Should You Store Decorations Next Year?
Use clean, dry plastic containers with tight-fitting lids instead of cardboard. Before you seal each lid, inspect decorations for insects, webs, and egg cases, because a sealed bin locks any live pest in with your ornaments. Wash and dry fabric items, and wipe down the shelf or floor where the bins will sit.
If your garage or attic stays damp, tell our technician, because moisture is one condition we check first.
When Should You Call a Pest Professional?
Call when you find repeated or substantial evidence: multiple droppings, nesting material, live insects, gnaw marks, or activity returning after cleaning. These signs mean treating one box won't reach the source.
Our IPM process identifies the conditions behind the problem, applies a targeted treatment, and monitors results, and we offer same-day service when available. If you'd rather not sign up for a plan, we also offer one-time pest control treatments.
Request a Pest Inspection Before You Unpack
Check your boxes outside, treat droppings as unidentified until a technician confirms the pest, and repack decorations in sealed plastic. Evergreen Lawn & Pest Control has treated properties since 1991. Our licensed, insured technicians explain each step, and if you're not completely happy with the results, we make things right, no questions asked.
Request a pest inspection online or call (321) 396-1129, and we'll trace the source of the droppings in your Florida garage or attic.