They’re Attracted to the Same Foods You’re Cooking…
The smell of turkey roasting in the oven. Pecan pie is cooling on the counter. Grandma’s famous cornbread dressing is waiting to be devoured. The holidays on the Gulf Coast are all about food, family, and tradition.
But here’s something nobody wants to think about while they’re basting the ham: you’re not the only one drawn to those delicious aromas. Mice and rats have an incredibly keen sense of smell—and everything wafting out of your kitchen is sending them an engraved invitation to dinner.
Before you set that holiday table, let’s talk about keeping your guest list limited to the two-legged variety.
Why Rodents Love the Holidays as Much as You Do
It’s not a coincidence that rodent calls spike between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. The holiday season creates a perfect storm of rodent attractants:
- More food, more often. Between cookie baking, big family meals, and party platters, there’s simply more food out and available than at any other time of year. That cheeseboard you set out for guests? The candy dish on the coffee table? The leftovers are cooling before they go in the fridge? All of it registers on a rodent’s radar.
- Busier schedules, less attention to details. When you’re juggling shopping, decorating, hosting, and travelling, those crumbs under the stove don’t get swept up as quickly. The trash sits a little longer. The pantry door doesn’t get closed all the way. Rodents notice what we overlook.
- Open doors and deliveries. Between guests coming and going, packages arriving daily, and trips to the car for more groceries, your doors open more frequently in December than almost any other month. Every opening is an opportunity for a mouse to slip inside unnoticed.
- Storage areas get disturbed. Pulling holiday decorations from the attic, garage, or storage shed can inadvertently bring rodents—or their nests—right into your living space. That box of ornaments might be harboring more than tinsel.
The Foods Rodents Can’t Resist
Contrary to cartoon logic, cheese isn’t actually a rodent’s first choice. Here’s what really gets them excited—and you’ll notice it reads a lot like a holiday menu:
- Nuts and seeds. That bowl of mixed nuts by the fireplace? The pecans for your pie? Rodents will work hard to get to these high-fat, high-protein favorites.
- Sweets and baked goods. Cookies, cakes, candies, and anything with sugar. Mice have a serious sweet tooth. Your holiday baking is their holiday feast.
- Grains and breads. Stuffing, dinner rolls, cornbread, pie crusts—all the carb-heavy comfort foods we love are equally appealing to rodents.
- Meats and fats. Bacon grease in the pan, turkey drippings, ham scraps in the trash. These protein-rich foods are highly attractive, especially in winter when rodents need extra calories.
- Pet food. In the chaos of holiday hosting, Fido’s food bowl might sit out longer than usual. Rodents aren’t picky about whose dinner they’re eating.
- Fruits. That decorative bowl of citrus on the counter or the fruit salad waiting to be served—all fair game.
Signs Rodents Might Already Be in Your KitchenSometimes rodents have already moved in before we notice. Watch for these warning signs, especially during your holiday prep:
- Droppings. Small, dark pellets (rice-sized for mice, larger for rats) in cabinets, along baseboards, or near food storage areas.
- Gnaw marks. Check food packaging, especially cardboard boxes and plastic bags. Rodents will chew right through to get to what’s inside.
- Sounds at night. Scratching, scurrying, or squeaking in walls, ceilings, or under appliances. Rodents are most active when your house is quiet.
- Grease marks. Dark smudges along walls or around small openings. Rodents travel the same paths repeatedly, leaving oily residue from their fur.
- Nests. Shredded paper, fabric, or insulation gathered in hidden corners—behind appliances, in cabinets, or in storage areas.
- Unusual pet behavior. Dogs and cats often detect rodents before we do. If your pet is suddenly fascinated by a particular wall or cabinet, pay attention.
Protecting Your Holiday Kitchen
You don’t have to let rodents ruin your festivities. Here’s how to keep them out of your holiday spread:
- Store food properly. Transfer dry goods from cardboard boxes and plastic bags into airtight containers—glass or heavy-duty plastic with tight-sealing lids. This includes flour, sugar, cereals, pasta, rice, and baking supplies.
- Clean as you go. We know it’s hectic, but wiping down counters, sweeping up crumbs, and washing dishes promptly eliminates the easy meals rodents are looking for. Don’t leave that stack of dirty pots “soaking” overnight.
- Manage garbage carefully. Use trash cans with tight-fitting lids. Take garbage out frequently, especially bags containing food scraps. Don’t let trash pile up in the garage or by the back door.
- Handle leftovers immediately. Get food into the refrigerator promptly rather than leaving it out on the counter or stove. Those “cooling” hours are prime feeding time for rodents.
- Check deliveries and decorations. Before bringing boxes inside—whether from the porch or the attic—give them a quick inspection. Look for droppings, gnaw marks, or nesting materials.
- Seal entry points. A mouse can squeeze through a gap the size of a dime. Walk around your kitchen and look for openings around pipes under the sink, gaps where the stove or refrigerator meet the wall, and any cracks in baseboards or around cabinets.
- Don’t forget the pantry. This is ground zero for rodent activity. Organize items so you can see what’s in there, rotate stock so nothing sits untouched for months, and clean up any spills immediately.
What About the Rest of the House?
Your kitchen might be the main attraction, but rodents don’t limit themselves to one room:
Dining room. Crumbs under the table and in chair cushions add up. Vacuum or sweep after meals, especially big holiday gatherings.
Living areas. Those snacks you set out for guests and movie nights leave traces. The candy dish, the chip bowl, the plate of cookies—clean up completely before bed.
Guest rooms. If you’re hosting overnight visitors, remind them not to leave snacks out and to keep luggage closed and off the floor.
Garage and storage areas. If you store extra beverages, pantry overflow, or pet food in the garage, make sure it’s in rodent-proof containers.
When to Call for Backup
Here’s the reality: if you’re seeing signs of rodent activity, there’s rarely just one. Mice reproduce rapidly—a single pair can produce dozens of offspring in a matter of months. What starts as one mouse in the pantry can become a full infestation before you know it.
DIY traps and bait can help with minor issues, but they often only address the rodents you can see, not the ones nesting in your walls or the entry points that keep letting more in.
Professional pest control gets to the root of the problem. At Paramount Pest Solutions, we don’t just set traps—we identify how rodents are getting into your home, eliminate current populations, and seal up entry points to prevent future invasions.
Start the New Year Rodent-Free
The holidays should be about family, food, and making memories—not worrying about uninvited pests. If you’ve noticed signs of rodent activity or you just want peace of mind heading into the new year, give us a call.
We’re offering 30% off winter pest control services for new customers this month. It’s our gift to Gulf Coast families who deserve to enjoy the season without sharing their holiday dinner with rodents. Just say the code phrase:
“Guard your nickel and dime, for beg bugs wander with hungry pockets.”
Call Paramount Pest Solutions at (228) 896-PEST to schedule your inspection.
From our family to yours—happy holidays, and here’s to a pest-free new year.
About Paramount Pest Solutions
Locally owned and operated, Paramount Pest Solutions has been protecting homes and businesses along the Mississippi Gulf Coast from unwanted pests. From rodents to termites to mosquitoes, we deliver customized solutions and the kind of service you’d expect from your neighbors. Because that’s exactly what we are.
