A Pest-Free Halloween in Victoria: How to Keep Creepy Critters Outside Where They Belong
Don’t Let the Candy Attract More Than Kids
Halloween may be for the kids—but the candy can be a feast for pests too. Sweet treats left unattended can lure ants, rodents, and cockroaches right into your home. The combination of sugary snacks, food crumbs, and increased activity creates a perfect storm for pest problems if you’re not careful.
Here’s how to protect your home from pest-related candy catastrophes:
1. Store Candy Properly
Use sealed, airtight containers to store both opened and unopened candy. Avoid decorative bowls or open trays that are easily accessible to pests.
Keep candy off counters and store it in high cabinets or pantries, out of reach of both children and crawling critters.
2. Clean Up Candy Spills Immediately
Wipe down countertops and floors with a mild cleaning solution to eliminate sugary residue.
Use a handheld vacuum to pick up crumbs or broken pieces that fall under tables, couches, or corners.
3. Inspect Trick-or-Treat Bags
After trick-or-treating, go through your child’s candy haul and look for:
Torn wrappers
Open packages
Crushed or sticky candy
Dispose of any compromised items right away—pests can detect sugar residues through the packaging.
4. Manage Trash Responsibly
Empty indoor garbage frequently, especially after parties or candy-sorting sessions.
Use trash bins with tight-fitting lids to prevent odors and pest access.
Rinse any sugary packaging before recycling, as even a small amount of residue can attract pests.
Seal Up Your Haunted House
While ghosts and goblins are only around for Halloween, real-life creepy crawlers and rodents are all too eager to turn your home into their seasonal hideout. As the temperatures cool in Victoria, BC, pests start looking for warm places to settle in—and cracks or gaps around your home become open invitations.
Use this checklist to make sure your haunted house only welcomes trick-or-treaters this October:
1. Inspect the Exterior for Entry Points
Carefully examine your foundation, siding, window frames, and door frames for cracks, holes, or gaps—no matter how small.
Pay extra attention to spots where pipes, cables, or wires enter the home, as these are common pest access points.
Use silicone-based caulk or steel wool to seal up gaps. For larger holes, consider mesh or expandable foam.
2. Secure Doors and Windows
Install or replace door sweeps on all exterior doors to prevent pests from crawling underneath.
Apply weather stripping around windows and doors to eliminate small gaps and improve insulation.
Check for warping or damage to screens and repair any tears that could allow flying insects inside.
3. Review Seasonal Decorations
Before setting up Halloween decor like corn stalks, hay bales, or scarecrows, inspect them for signs of insects such as spiders, beetles, or ants.
Avoid placing decorations directly against the siding of your home, as they can trap moisture and offer cover for pests.
After Halloween, store decorations in sealed plastic containers to prevent rodents and insects from nesting in them during the off-season.
4. Don’t Forget the Upper and Lower Levels
Attics and crawl spaces are favorite entry and nesting spots for mice and other rodents seeking warmth.
Ensure attic vents have secure screens, and check for signs of gnawing or droppings around insulation and ductwork.
In crawl spaces, seal any vents or access points, and use rodent-proof mesh if ventilation is necessary.
Keep Your Yard Festive—Not Infested
Halloween decorations bring spooky joy to your home’s exterior—but if you're not careful, they can also serve as cozy hideouts for real-life creepy crawlers. With Victoria’s mild, damp fall climate, outdoor décor can easily become a haven for pests seeking warmth and shelter. Follow these yard-friendly tips to keep the fright fun and pest-free:
1. Elevate Decorations Off the Ground
Place props like foam tombstones, skeletons, or hay bales on elevated surfaces or platforms to deter crawling pests and rodents.
Avoid letting decorations sit directly on grass or mulch, where moisture and hidden insects thrive.
Use plastic totes or wooden pallets to create separation from damp soil, especially for larger displays.
2. Rake and Remove Yard Debris
Regularly rake fallen leaves and clean up piles of sticks or organic debris that provide cover for ants, spiders, beetles, and even rodents.
Keep decorative straw, corn stalks, or wreaths away from your home’s siding and foundation, as they can harbor nesting pests.
Consider using mulch sparingly around the base of your home to reduce potential insect harborage.
3. Be Strategic with Pumpkins and Gourds
While jack-o'-lanterns add festive flair, rotting pumpkins can attract a range of pests:
To prevent pest problems:
Place pumpkins at least a few feet from doors and windows.
Set them on a plastic tray or stand to avoid direct contact with porch surfaces.
Dispose of pumpkins promptly after Halloween—don’t let them sit and rot.
4. Tidy Up After Trick-or-Treating
Once Halloween night ends:
Remove candy wrappers and spilled treats from lawns, walkways, and porches—leftover sugar attracts ants and rodents quickly.
Sweep porches and stairs to eliminate crumbs or sticky residue from festivities.
Take down string lights, inflatables, and props within a day or two to prevent them from becoming long-term nesting sites for spiders or bugs.
This October, protect your home from real scares. A pest-free Halloween means fewer health risks, less cleanup, and more time enjoying pumpkin carving and costume fun.Ready to keep the creepy crawlies away? Contact Pest in the City for a fall pest inspection and customized prevention plan today. Let’s make sure your only uninvited guests this Halloween are in costume.
