Your home attracts pests when it offers food, water and shelter they can reach easily: dirty dishes, crumbs and open food, clutter, garbage, gaps in the exterior and excess moisture. Removing those enticements is the most useful prevention step a homeowner can take, and it makes any treatment work better. Saela Pest Control is a residential and commercial pest control company whose integrated pest management approach includes sealing entry points and reducing the food, water and shelter that support infestations.
Dirty Dishes
Dirty dishes left in the sink overnight give cockroaches, ants and other pests an easy meal of food residue. Penn State Extension’s German cockroach guide advises against leaving dirty dishes overnight, and the EPA’s guide to asthma triggers recommends cleaning dishes, crumbs and spills right away. Washing up before bed, or at least rinsing dishes and running the dishwasher, removes that food source.
Easy Access to Food
Accessible food is one of the main reasons pests move in, and even small amounts count: UC IPM’s cockroach guide notes that tiny crumbs or liquids caught in cracks provide a food source. Clean up spills and crumbs as they happen, including under the toaster and around pet bowls. UC IPM’s guide to ants recommends storing food in clean, sealed containers rather than plastic bags or open packaging. Pick up pet food after meals instead of leaving it out all day.
Clutter
Clutter gives pests shelter even when it holds no food. UC IPM recommends removing piles of papers, cardboard boxes and other clutter to reduce cockroach hiding places, and UC IPM’s house mouse guide notes that mice build nests from finely shredded paper and other fibrous material. Store seldom-used items in sealed plastic bins, keep them off the floor where you can, and donate or recycle what you no longer need.
Garbage
Garbage that sits too long or isn’t sealed draws insects and rodents even into an otherwise clean home. Penn State Extension recommends emptying kitchen garbage each evening into a sturdy container with a tightly fitted lid. Outdoors, keep bins closed and away from doors, and rinse them out regularly so leftover residue doesn’t keep attracting pests. Saela’s article on what rodents love about your house covers the outdoor attractants rodents look for.
Holes and Cracks
Holes and cracks in your home’s exterior are open doors for insects and rodents, and the CDC’s guide to sealing rodent entry points notes that mice can fit through a hole the width of a pencil. Check the roof line, doors and windows that lack weather stripping, the foundation, attic and crawl-space vents, and holes around electrical, plumbing, cable and gas lines. Small gaps can be sealed with caulk and weatherstripping, while larger or hard-to-reach openings are better handled by a professional. Saela’s rodent exclusion service includes inspecting for access points, repairing openings and placing traps for rodents still inside.
Excess Moisture
Insects and rodents both need water, so leaks, drips, standing water and damp rooms make a home more attractive to them. UC IPM recommends fixing plumbing and irrigation leaks to reduce sources of water for cockroaches. Check under sinks, behind the dishwasher and around water heaters regularly, and use a dehumidifier in damp basements or laundry rooms. Wiping sinks and tubs dry at night removes another easy drink for pests.
A professional inspection finds the conditions that are easy to miss from inside the house. Every Saela plan includes a 50+ point property inspection covering entry points, structural gaps and nesting sites, and Saela’s pricing page explains how plans are quoted.
Finding the conditions behind a problem matters as much as treating the pests. In a February 2024 Google review, kay mccallop reported that Saela identified rodent-prevention issues and repaired them that day.
Saela’s Better Business Bureau profile for its Orem, Utah headquarters showed an A+ rating and accreditation since June 2022 when checked in October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What attracts mice into a house?
Mice are attracted by food, shelter and small openings they can squeeze through. The CDC notes that mice can fit through a hole the width of a pencil, so stored food, clutter for nesting and unsealed gaps around pipes and vents together make a home inviting.
Can a clean home still get pests?
Yes, a clean home can still get pests, because some arrive on their own or hitch a ride. Penn State Extension notes that German cockroaches can enter on boxes, grocery bags and suitcases, and UC IPM points out that ants often come indoors seeking water or refuge from hot, dry weather.
How can I tell where pests are getting in?
Sticky traps placed along walls, under sinks and behind appliances show where insects are traveling, and UC IPM calls them the best way to detect and monitor cockroaches. For rodents, look for droppings and gnaw marks near the gaps the CDC lists, such as vents and utility openings.
Get help with pest-proofing your home
If you’ve removed the obvious attractions and still see pests, book a call to schedule an inspection. Saela’s American Fork, Utah location is rated 4.9 out of 5 from 118 Google reviews as of October 2026.
Who wrote this article?
Devin Hutchings (Marketing Director at Saela Pest Control) wrote this article.
Devin leads Saela’s marketing and growth strategy. He brings more than 15 years of marketing experience across Uber, C.R. England, Lugg, and Neighbor. His background spans customer acquisition, retention, and developing marketing channels for service businesses and consumer marketplaces.
