Why Rodents Love Your Storage Totes – And How to Protect Holiday Decorations in Lebanon, MO

When the holidays end in Lebanon, MO, most families pack away decorations into storage totes and place them in garages, basements, attics, or sheds. But winter also brings a surge of rodent activity, and these bins become an unexpected target for mice and rats looking for warmth and nesting materials. Without proper protection, your favorite holiday items can be damaged long before next season arrives.

Why Rodents Target Storage Totes in Lebanon Homes

Lebanon’s winter temperatures push rodents to look for indoor shelter. Storage totes offer the perfect hiding place for several reasons:

• Warm, safe environments: Storage areas—garages, attics, and crawlspaces—stay warmer than the outdoors, attracting rodents seeking shelter.
• Ideal nesting materials: Totes filled with tissue paper, fabric ornaments, garland, and ribbon provide everything a rodent needs to build a nest.
• Low activity zones: Rodents prefer quiet spaces, and storage areas often go untouched for months.
• Easy access: Even heavy totes can be chewed through if rodents are determined enough.

Where Lebanon Homeowners Are Most Likely to See Rodent Activity

Rodents are opportunistic, and Lebanon’s variety of home layouts give them plenty of options during winter.

1. Garages

Garages are one of the most common rodent entry points. Gaps under doors or near utility lines allow rodents to walk in and target totes stacked against walls or in corners.

2. Attics

Attics stay warm during cold months, especially in older Lebanon homes. Rodents climb insulation, pipes, and wall voids to reach stored holiday décor.

3. Basements and Crawlspaces

Low, quiet, humid, and undisturbed—these areas are perfect for rodents looking for long-term shelter.

4. Outdoor Storage Sheds

Many Lebanon residents store seasonal décor in sheds, making them prime targets since sheds often lack proper sealing from the elements.

Signs Rodents Have Reached Your Holiday Decorations

• Chew marks on storage tote lids or corners
• Torn tissue paper or shredded wrapping materials
• Droppings near or inside storage bins
• Chewed extension cords, lights, or ornaments
• Unpleasant odors from nesting materials

How to Protect Your Holiday Decorations from Rodents

1. Upgrade to Rodent-Resistant Totes

Choose high-quality, thick plastic totes with locking lids. Avoid cheap bins that crack or bow easily.

2. Raise Totes Off the Ground

Store bins on metal shelving or wooden pallets. Elevation keeps rodents from directly accessing your containers.

3. Keep Storage Areas Clean and Organized

Rodents love clutter. Clean, open storage areas make it harder for rodents to hide unnoticed.

4. Seal Entry Points Around the Home

Check for gaps around garage doors, vents, utility lines, and the foundation. Rodents can squeeze through openings the size of a dime.

5. Avoid Using Cardboard Boxes

Cardboard absorbs odors and is easy for rodents to chew through. Plastic totes always last longer and offer better protection.

6. Add Natural Rodent Deterrents

Peppermint pouches, cedar blocks, and vapor barriers can help repel rodents in storage areas.

When to Call a Professional

If you see any signs of rodent activity—or if your storage areas have been untouched for months—it's wise to schedule an inspection. Rodents reproduce quickly, and damage can escalate fast. A professional inspection ensures your storage items and living areas remain safe all year long.

Protect Your Holiday Décor Before Next Winter

Your holiday decorations hold memories and sentimental value. Don’t risk opening your totes next year only to find chewed ornaments, shredded materials, or damaged lights.

Plank Termite & Pest Control provides effective rodent prevention and winter pest protection for Lebanon, MO homeowners.

Call us at 573-368-3333 to schedule your rodent inspection or book your winter protection service today.