As the festive season approaches, many households head up to the loft or another storage room to retrieve boxes of Christmas decorations that have been tucked away all year. But before you reach for that box of baubles or untangle the fairy lights, it’s worth considering what might have been sharing the space with your festive treasures.
Lofts are often warm, dry, and undisturbed for much of the year — the perfect hideaway for unwanted guests such as rats and mice. These rodents often seek shelter in lofts and roof spaces during colder months, using insulation for nesting material and chewing through boxes, wires, and decorations alike.
Find out what risks they post and what you can do to keep your decorations and items safe all year-round.
A Common (& Unwanted) Winter Surprise
Every year, towards the end of November and the start of December, pest control companies receive a surge in calls from homeowners who’ve discovered unpleasant surprises in their lofts, garages, basements or similar. Decorations that were neatly packed away the previous year are found chewed, shredded, or covered in rodent droppings and urine.
Aside from the frustration of damaged ornaments and ruined decorations, this kind of contamination poses a genuine health risk. Rodents can carry several serious diseases, including:
- Leptospirosis (Weil’s disease) – a bacterial infection that can be transmitted through contact with rat urine.
- Hantavirus – a viral infection spread through exposure to rodent droppings or urine.
- Salmonellosis and Listeria – other bacterial infections that can spread via contaminated surfaces.
If you come into contact with items that may have been soiled by rodents, it’s essential to wear gloves, avoid touching your face, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Never use decorations that have been contaminated — it’s safer to dispose of them properly.
Why Lofts & Garages Attract Rodents
Rats and mice are opportunistic and resourceful. They can enter homes through gaps as small as a coin, often using walls, vents, or roofing to gain access to loft spaces. Once inside, they find ideal conditions:
- Warmth and shelter away from predators
- Plenty of nesting materials from insulation or stored fabrics
- Food sources such as bird seed, pet food, or forgotten snacks
These conditions make the loft and similar areas a favourite nesting spot — especially when it remains untouched for most of the year.
Preventing Pests in Loft-Like Areas
Before packing your decorations away again after the holidays, take some preventive measures to reduce the risk of future infestations:
- Inspect boxes before storing them, and use sealed plastic containers rather than cardboard.
- Avoid leaving food or crumbs anywhere near storage areas.
- Check for signs of rodent activity, such as droppings, gnawed packaging, or scratching noises.
- Seal any entry points around the roofline, eaves, or vents.
- Consider professional pest-proofing services for added peace of mind.
Professional Help When You Need It
If you discover signs of rodents in your loft — droppings, chewed cables, or damaged insulation — it’s important to act quickly. DIY traps may catch one or two mice, but they rarely address the full extent of an infestation.
A professional pest control service can:
- Conduct a thorough inspection to identify nesting sites and entry points
- Safely remove rodents using humane and effective methods
- Decontaminate affected areas to remove harmful bacteria and odours
- Provide advice and proofing solutions to prevent future infestations
We offer all of these services to keep your home safe – even across the Christmas holidays.
Summary
Your loft may seem like a safe, quiet space for storing decorations year-round — but it’s also a prime hiding place for rats and mice. As the festive season approaches, take a cautious approach when retrieving boxes, and remember: if your decorations show signs of contamination, handle them carefully and protect your health.
For safe, professional rodent removal, pest-proofing and cleaning, contact Pest ID today.
Our team provides fast, discreet, and effective pest control services to help keep your home — and your holidays — safe and pest-free.
