Getting Your Home Back in Order After the Holidays (And Keeping Mice & Pests Out)
The holidays are over, the decorations are coming down, and the Elf on the Shelf has finally packed up and gone back to wherever elves go once their seasonal surveillance duties are complete.
But while the elves may be gone, the aftermath of the holidays often lingers — extra clutter, boxes, leftover treats, and a home that feels a little out of rhythm.
For homeowners across Central and Coastal Maine, this post-holiday downtime also creates opportunities for rodents and other pests to infest. Cold weather pushes them indoors, and holiday leftovers can make your home more inviting than you realize. The good news? A simple reset can help you get your house back in order and keep pests out for the rest of winter.
Why Pests Love the Post-Holiday Season
Winter pests in Maine aren’t looking to ruin your New Year’s resolutions; they’re just trying to survive. Cold temperatures drive mice, ants, spiders, and other house-infesting pests indoors, and the holidays often provide exactly what they need:
Extra food stored in pantries, garages, or basements
Cardboard boxes and clutter that create hiding spots
Doors opening frequently for guests and deliveries
Decorations pulled from sheds, garages, or crawl spaces
Once pests find warmth and food, you can be sure they won’t leave on their own.
A Simple Post-Holiday Reset That Helps Keep Pests Out
Now that you know why mice and other pests are more active after the holidays, the next step is taking that seasonal chaos and turning it back into a barrier. The good news is that keeping pests out doesn’t require a major renovation, just a few smart, post-holiday adjustments that make your home less inviting to unwanted guests.
Start with the easiest win: cleaning up what the holidays leave behind.
Tackle Holiday Clutter First
Before focusing on pest prevention, start with a clean slate.
What to prioritize:
Break down and remove cardboard boxes (a favorite nesting material for mice)
Store decorations in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard
Clear clutter from basements, garages, and spare rooms
Vacuum crumbs from under furniture and around baseboards
In Maine homes, mice often nest in garages, basements, wall voids, and storage areas, especially when clutter gives them cover.
Lock Down (or Remove) Holiday Food Sources
Even small food scraps can attract pests during winter.
Don’t forget to:
Wipe down pantry shelves and cabinets
Store dry goods in airtight containers
Clean under appliances like stoves and refrigerators
Remove unsecured pet food from garages or mudrooms overnight
Mice only need a tiny amount of food each day, so even overlooked crumbs matter.
Inspect for Potential Entry Points
After the holidays is a great time to do a quick walk-around of your home.
Common mouse entry spots include:
Gaps around utility lines and vents
Cracks in foundations or siding
Garage door gaps
Worn weather stripping around doors and windows
If a pencil can fit through a gap, a mouse probably can too.
Reduce Outdoor Attractions Even if There’s Snow on the Ground
What’s happening outside your home matters just as much as what’s inside, even when snow is covering the ground. Winter conditions don’t stop pests from seeking warmth and food.
Helpful winter pest tips:
Keep firewood stacked away from the house
Trim back tree branches that touch the roof or sides of the house
Remove fallen bird seed or pet food from yards
Make sure trash bins are sealed tightly
Check doors, vents, and screens for gaps where pests could enter
These steps help reduce the chances of pests getting close enough to find a way inside.
Know When It’s Time to Call a Pest Control Company
If you’re hearing scratching noises, finding droppings, or spotting pests during the day, there’s a good chance the problem is already established.
DIY traps and sprays may help temporarily, but they rarely solve the entire problem. That’s because there are likely nests hiding out of sight, potential entry points, or a population already established. Of course, the fluctuating weather (you know where it’s 4℉ one day and 40℉ the next) disrupts their outdoor activities and sends them scurrying indoors.
That’s where a local pest control professional makes the difference.
Start the New Year Pest-Free with Advanced Pest Solutions
At Advanced Pest Solutions, we’re proud to be a locally owned and operated pest control company serving Central and Coastal Maine. We understand the pests that target Maine homes during the winter and know where they hide, how they enter, and how to effectively stop them for good.
Whether you’re spotting signs of mice or dealing with ants, spiders, or other winter invaders, our home pest control services can help you take control and keep your home protected year-round.
Ready to get your house back in order after the holidays?
Contact Advanced Pest Solutions today and start the new year with peace of mind.