Pests Hiding in Stored Christmas Decorations and How to Avoid Them
The holidays are finally here. You head to the attic, garage, or basement to pull out the Christmas decorations, excited to bring out the lights, wreaths, and ornaments that make your home feel warm and festive. But as soon as you open that first storage bin, you notice something unsettling. Maybe it is a strange smell, tiny droppings, or a chewed corner of the box. Suddenly, your holiday spirit takes a hit.
If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Your stored Christmas boxes create the perfect hideout for all kinds of pests. They offer shelter, warmth, and sometimes even food, which makes them incredibly attractive to insects and rodents looking for a quiet place to overwinter.
At Pure Pest + Lawn, we believe you should be able to decorate your home for the holidays without worrying about what might be hiding inside those boxes. You deserve a home that feels comfortable and safe, not one filled with unwanted surprises as you unpack your holiday traditions. This guide will walk you through the common pests to watch for, the signs of trouble, and what to do if you find something crawling, nesting, or chewing where it does not belong.
Why Pests Love Christmas Storage Boxes
Before we dive into specific pests, it helps to understand why holiday decoration storage attracts them in the first place. Most decorations are stored for eleven months out of the year, usually in areas that are already vulnerable to pests.
Attics, basements, and garages provide pests with:
Quiet, undisturbed darkness
Warm insulation or cardboard for nesting
Hiding spots in boxes, wrapping, and fabric
Access to moisture from leaks or humidity
If pests manage to get inside, these storage sites offer everything they need to settle in until spring. When you return for your decorations, you unknowingly discover the pests that have been using your boxes as a winter retreat.
The Most Common Pests Found in Stored Christmas Decorations
1. Mice and Rats
Rodents are one of the most common pests found in holiday storage areas. They are especially attracted to cardboard, fabric, and soft linens. As you open boxes, you might find shredded tissue paper or chewed garlands, which are signs that a mouse or rat has made itself at home.
Signs of rodent activity include:
Small dark droppings
Chewed corners or holes in boxes
Nesting material like shredded paper or insulation
Strong musky odors
Scampering sounds in the attic or walls
Rodents are not just a nuisance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rodents can carry and transmit diseases that pose health risks to humans. You can learn more at the CDC’s Rodent Control page.
If you find any of these signs, avoid handling the area without gloves and schedule professional service. Rodents reproduce quickly, and even one nest can lead to a larger infestation.
2. Spiders
Dark, undisturbed boxes are the perfect place for spiders to hide, especially species common in Missouri such as the brown recluse, cellar spider, and wolf spider. Fall and winter are prime seasons to encounter spiders because they often move indoors seeking warmth.
Look for:
Webs in corners of boxes or lids
Egg sacs tucked into fabric decorations
Spiders crawling along the sides of bins or shelves
While many spiders are harmless, the brown recluse is venomous and often found in attics, basements, and storage spaces. The Missouri Department of Conservation provides detailed identification information.
If you find multiple brown recluses, it is a good sign your storage area needs attention.
3. Centipedes and Millipedes
These pests thrive in areas with moisture. Basements and garages tend to be especially attractive to them. While centipedes are predators and millipedes feed on decaying plant matter, both can end up in storage boxes when seeking shelter.
You may find them curled up in the corner of a container or scurrying away when you lift a wreath or ribbon.
4. Silverfish
Silverfish love starchy materials, which means holiday decorations that include paper, old books, cardboard, or fabric are at risk. They can slip through tiny gaps in storage containers and will eat paper goods, tape, cardboard edges, and even the binding of old holiday books.
Signs you have silverfish include:
Paper with small irregular holes
Shed skins
Yellow staining on paper or fabric
Small silver insects moving quickly when disturbed
5. Cockroaches
Cockroaches can hide in cardboard boxes for months. They are especially attracted to corrugated cardboard, which provides warmth and layered shelter. Stored decorations left untouched become ideal roach harborage sites.
Roaches leave behind:
Droppings that look like coffee grounds
A musty odor
Smear marks
Shed exoskeletons
Cockroaches can spread bacteria and allergens, so professional treatment is recommended if signs are found.
6. Beetles and Moths
Certain beetles, such as carpet beetles, and several species of moths can infest holiday storage boxes, especially those containing fabric, natural materials, or food-based decorations.
You may find:
Small holes in stockings or tree skirts
Cocoons or larvae in fabric
Dead adult moths or beetles inside boxes
If your decorations contain dried foods like old popcorn garlands or cinnamon ornaments, these items become magnets for pests over time.
Why Even Clean Homes Get Pests in Storage Areas
Many homeowners feel frustrated or embarrassed when they find pests in their holiday decorations. The truth is this has nothing to do with cleanliness inside the home. Storage spaces naturally collect dust, cardboard, moisture, and warmth, which makes them attractive to pests even when the main living areas are spotless.
Spiders, rodents, and insects choose these areas because they are dark, quiet, and rarely disturbed. If pests enter through cracks, vents, or gaps around garage doors, they often head straight for the storage areas because there is little human activity there.
How to Inspect Your Holiday Decorations Safely
Before bringing boxes inside the living space, inspect them outside or in the garage. A simple inspection can prevent unpleasant surprises indoors.
Here is what to check:
Look for droppings or chew marks on the exterior
Use a flashlight to illuminate corners inside the box
Shake items gently before bringing them into the house
Wear gloves if you suspect rodent or spider activity
Vacuum around the storage area once boxes are removed
This careful approach keeps pests contained and helps you identify problems early.
How to Prevent Pests in Holiday Decorations Next Year
With a few simple changes, you can protect your holiday décor and prevent pests from returning.
1. Switch from cardboard to plastic
Plastic bins with tight-fitting lids keep pests out much more effectively than cardboard, which rodents and insects can chew or slip through.
2. Seal gaps and entry points
Inspect the attic, basement, or garage for cracks, holes, or gaps around doors. For guidance on sealing techniques, visit the University of Missouri Extension’s resource on rodent-proofing:
https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g9443
3. Keep storage areas dry
Use a dehumidifier in damp basements or garages. Pests thrive in humid environments.
4. Avoid storing edible decorations
Popcorn garlands, candy ornaments, and cinnamon ornaments should be discarded after the season.
5. Store fabric items in airtight bags
Tree skirts, stockings, and table runners should be sealed to prevent moth and beetle infestations.
6. Declutter storage spaces
Pests hide in cluttered environments. Keep items off the floor and organized.
When to Call a Professional
If you find active pests, multiple nests, or signs of infestation, professional help is the safest option. Pure Pest + Lawn provides tailored solutions that eliminate pests and protect your home long term.
Our team offers:
Rodent control
Spider and insect treatments
Year-round protection with the Pure Protection Plan
You should't have to worry about pests ruining your holiday traditions. With professional help, you can enjoy a clean, safe, pest-free home all season.
Holiday decorating should be joyful, not stressful. When pests take up residence in your storage boxes, they rob you of peace of mind and create unexpected problems right when you are trying to celebrate.
At Pure Pest + Lawn, we help St. Louis families protect their homes from pests year after year. You deserve to enjoy your decorations, traditions, and celebrations without worrying about what is living in your attic or garage. With professional support and a few smart storage habits, you can keep your home pest-free throughout the season.
You never have to worry about pests in your holiday decorations again, because you have Pure Pest + Lawn.
