As soon as December rolls in across Northeast Wisconsin, most families start digging through their storage bins, attic spaces, and garage shelves to find holiday lights, wreaths, ornaments, and holiday décor. But there’s one problem homeowners in Brown, Outagamie, Winnebago, and the surrounding counties run into every winter: rodents love those storage areas too.
Mice and rats are notorious for sneaking into attics, crawlspaces, sheds, and garages as the weather gets colder. Unfortunately, your holiday decorations are exactly the type of cozy, undisturbed nesting material they’re looking for. Before you unpack your bins this winter, here are some simple ways to protect your decorations—and your home—from unwanted furry guests.
Why Rodents Target Holiday Decorations
To a rodent, holiday storage areas are basically five-star real estate. They’re dark, warm, undisturbed for months at a time, and full of soft materials. Here’s what attracts them:
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Cardboard boxes
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Paper or fabric decorations
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Insulation around string lights
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Plastic bags
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Scented candles or potpourri
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Tissue paper, old blankets, or packing materials
Once a mouse gets inside a storage box, it will chew through decorations, shred soft items for nesting, and leave droppings behind. Many homeowners in Northeast Wisconsin don’t discover the problem until they open their boxes in December—and by then, the damage is done.
Use Rodent-Proof Storage Containers
The first and easiest step in protecting your holiday decorations is upgrading your storage containers. Cardboard is basically an open invitation for mice. Instead, choose:
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Thick, sealed plastic bins with tight-locking lids
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Containers that are elevated off the floor
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Waterproof tubs for garage or shed storage
Plastic containers make it much harder for rodents to chew through, and a tight lid keeps pests from slipping inside.
Store Items Properly Before Packing Away
Once the holidays are over, how you store your items will make a big difference next season. Before packing anything away:
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Wrap fabric items (like stockings and tree skirts) in airtight bags.
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Clean ornaments and décor to remove food, crumbs, or scents.
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Coil and secure light strings so mice can’t access the wiring.
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Avoid storing food, candy garlands, or scented pine cones in the same box as décor.
Rodents have an incredible sense of smell—anything with a scent can attract them.
Seal Entry Points Around Your Home
Most rodent issues start long before you open a storage bin. Winter in Wisconsin means small openings become prime entry points. Walk around your home and check for gaps around:
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Garage doors
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Foundation cracks
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Window frames
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Utility lines
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Dryer vents
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Exterior doors
If you can slip a pencil through the gap, a mouse can get through too. Sealing entry points is one of the most effective ways to prevent winter rodent problems, and Werner Pest & Odor Control offers professional rodent proofing for homes throughout Northeast Wisconsin.
Keep Storage Areas Clean and Clutter-Free
Rodents love clutter because it gives them hiding spots. Your attic or basement doesn’t need to be spotless, but organizing the space can make a big difference.
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Keep items off the floor
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Leave space between bins and walls
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Sweep up crumbs or debris
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Avoid storing fabric or cardboard directly on concrete
A clean, open space makes it harder for rodents to move around unnoticed.
When You Find Signs of Rodents
If you open your holiday decorations and notice chewed boxes, shredded material, droppings, or damaged wiring, there’s a good chance mice have been active for a while. DIY traps won’t solve an established infestation—and they definitely won’t address the entry points.
Werner Pest & Odor Control provides expert rodent control and full rodent proofing services across Northeast Wisconsin. From removal to prevention, they’ll help restore your home and protect your decorations for seasons to come.
Protect Your Home with Werner Pest & Odor Control
Don’t let rodents ruin your holiday cheer. If you’re seeing signs of winter rodent activity—or want to prevent problems before they start—Werner Pest & Odor Control is here to help.
Contact Werner Pest & Odor Control today to schedule rodent control or proofing services and keep your holiday décor (and your home) safe all winter long.
