12 "Pesty" Christmas Facts

From ants to rodents, pests don’t take a holiday break. Pests remain active throughout the festive season, often taking advantage of warmer weather, food waste and reduced site monitoring. Read on to find 12 surprising pest facts you might not expect this festive season — and what they mean for homes, businesses and public spaces.

Because while we’re decking the halls, pests are looking for warmth, food and shelter.

12 "Pesty" Christmas Facts
 
1. Termites love a Christmas Eve storm 
Warm rain + humidity = perfect swarming conditions. 
If the weather turns sticky on Christmas Eve, termite alarms often follow Christmas morning. 

2. Fairy lights attract more than holiday cheer 
The warmth and glow of outdoor lights draw moths, mozzies, beetles and even spiders, including redbacks, who hide behind displays. 

3. Storm season supercharges ant colonies 
Moist soil after December storms makes nest-building easy. Expect coastal brown ants and Argentine ants to boom. 

4. Summer fruit bowls invite festive ant parades 
Cherries, mangoes, and stone fruit have strong sugars. 

5. Mosquitoes hatch from leftover Christmas water 
Esky puddles, kiddie pools, tinsel buckets and tree stands quietly breed mozzies. Numbers spike 10-14 days after rain. 

6. Christmas beetles are fewer but still around 
Habitat loss and dry soils have reduced city sightings, but the iconic beetles still emerge where soils stay moist. 

7. BBQ prawns + ham = fly heaven 
Outdoor Christmas lunches bring blowflies, vinegar flies, and March flies thanks to sugary drinks, seafood shells and drink spills. 

8. Meat ants will "clean up" the BBQ for you 
Highly active in summer, meat ants can strip an exposed bone in under an hour, especially around bins and pet bowls. 

9. Cockroaches celebrate the heat too 
December-January is peak activity for German, American, and Australian cockroaches. Warm kitchens and late night cooking are perfect for them. 

10. Real Christmas trees bring unintended guests 
Moisture and organic debris can attract insects like earwigs, beetles, and ants once the tree is indoors. 

11. Fireworks disorient insects on NYE 
Moths, beetles, and flying pests often surge around street lights right after New Year's Eve celebrations. 

12. The 12 days of Christmas, peak breeding season 
Hot, humid weather between Christmas and early January fuels rapid breeding for mosquitoes, termites, pantry months and cockroaches. 

As the festive season kicks into gear, pests are more active than you might expect. By keeping these 12 facts in mind, you can take simple steps to prevent unwanted visitors and protect your home, business, or community spaces. From storing food properly to checking for signs of rodent activity, a little awareness goes a long way. Wishing you a safe, pest-free, and happy holiday season!

To find out more information, reach out to our team.