When the holiday season approaches, families across the country will begin pulling out boxes of decorations and digging into pantries for baking ingredients. But with these annual traditions comes the risk of bringing a variety of pests - from mice, rodents and spiders to a group of insects known as "pantry pests" - into homes. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) encourages homeowners to use caution to prevent unwelcome pest guests this season.

当节日临近,全国各地的家庭将开始做圣诞树和烤面包。但是这些历史传统沿袭下来的风俗也带来多种害虫的风险-从老鼠类啮齿动物动物到昆虫,蜘蛛，这是一群被称为“餐室害虫”的家庭。全国的害虫管理协会(NPMA)鼓励房主要小心谨慎，在这个季节要特别注意防止那些不受欢迎的客人进入。

"Mice, rodents, spiders and other pests find their way into homes by hiding in boxes of holiday decorations that have been stored in attics, basements and garages since last season," says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the NPMA. "They create homes in these undisturbed items and then find new places to infest once these boxes are moved into family living quarters such as dens and kitchens."

“老鼠,啮齿动物,蜘蛛和其他害虫进入家门之后，会迅速找到他们的隐藏目标，比如在节日装饰盒内，存放杂物的阁楼,地下室,车库等。NPMA公共事务的一位工作人员说:“他们会在这些地方创建一个家，然后安静地生存并在不久后将不停地造访你的厨房。”

To prevent such pests from hitchhiking into homes, NPMA recommends that homeowners keep holiday decorations - especially items like dried foliage, potpourri and Indian corn - in airtight containers during off-seasons. Decorations should be unpacked outside and inspected carefully. Similar caution should be taken to inspect live foliage that is brought indoors during the holidays, including Christmas trees, wreaths and garlands that can harbor pests.

要防止这样的害虫搭便车进家,NPMA建议业主保持节日用的一些装饰品——尤其是一些物品,如干树叶,百味和印第安玉米——要放入密闭容器中。那些装饰物应该打开来认真检查。应采取类似的小心检查室内，包括圣诞树、花环等

Pantry pests, meanwhile, earned their name because of their tendency to be found in pantry foods including flour, cereal, dry pasta, spices, dried nuts and fruit. They can also be found in decorations that contain dried flowers or potpourri. The most common pantry pests include beetles, ants, weevils and Indian meal moths.

害虫们,与此同时,赢得了他们的名字,因为他们被发现在食品周边，倾向食物(包括面粉、谷物、干意大利面食、香料、乾果仁和水果。他们也被发现在一些用剩的装饰品里。最常见的害虫食品包括甲虫、蚂蚁、田埂和印度菜肴蛾子。

"Pantry pests are often brought into homes through infested packages of food from the store," says Henriksen. "It is important to carefully examine pantry items before use - especially items that haven't been used since the past year. If you do find pantry pests, consult with a pest professional to keep them from multiplying and contaminating other foods."

食品通常是带进家的那些害虫出没的重要原因。“这是很重要引来害虫的原因——尤其是在过去的一年。如果你发现了害虫,请与虫害专家联系。

The NPMA also recommends the following tips to keep pantry pests away:

NPMA以下小贴士来预防害虫。

•Store food items in insect-proof containers such as glass or plastic, with tightly sealed lids.

储存食品的容器(例如玻璃或塑料,必须紧紧地封闭盖子。

•Do not mix old and new food items, as this can spread an infestation.

•不要混合新旧食品,因为这可以传播感染的。

•Never purchase groceries if the packaging is broken.

如果购买杂货•不要买包装破损的。

•Keep cabinets, pantries and countertops clean and free of crumbs.

•保留橱柜、配餐室和台面的清洁和无碎屑。

•Dispose of any food that is expired or shows signs of a pest infestation.

处理任何食物•已经过期或有迹象要过期的，其中可能会有害虫感染。

•To remediate pest infestations, contact a licensed pest professional.

•发现虫害,请及时咨询有执照的专业害虫防治公司。