To keep pests from spoiling the holidays, clean the kitchen after every meal, check live trees and stored decorations before they come inside, and keep regular pest control going through the cooler months. Holiday cooking and decorating mean more crumbs, more stored food and more items carried in from outdoors or storage, which is exactly what household pests look for. Saela Pest Control is a residential and commercial pest control company with every-other-month and quarterly plans. For a longer checklist, see Saela’s guide to preparing for a pest-free holiday.
Keep the Kitchen Clean After Every Meal
Crumbs, spills and uncovered leftovers are the main draw for ants and cockroaches in a busy holiday kitchen. Wipe counters and floors, put leftovers in sealed containers, and wash dishes after each meal instead of leaving them overnight; clean where crumbs collect out of sight too, such as under the refrigerator, inside cabinets and between appliances. The University of California’s cockroach guide recommends removing food and water sources and sealing cracks as the base of cockroach control. If cockroaches are already established, Saela’s cockroach treatment for German cockroaches uses gel baits, crack-and-crevice applications, monitoring devices and a follow-up visit.
Check Trees, Wreaths and Stored Decorations for Hitchhikers
Live trees, wreaths and garlands can carry insects indoors, but Penn State Extension notes that none of the species that might come in on a real Christmas tree are dangerous to the home, its contents or occupants. Shake the tree vigorously before bringing it in, scrape off any egg masses, and vacuum up insects that appear later. Penn State also warns never to spray aerosol insect sprays on a Christmas tree, because they are often flammable and usually not labeled for indoor use. Unpack stored decorations outside or in the garage, and look for droppings, chewed material or nests that point to rodent activity in storage areas.
Keep Regular Pest Control Going Through Winter
Prevention habits lower the risk, but an established infestation of rodents, cockroaches or spiders usually needs a professional plan, and Saela is listed in QualityPro’s directory of accredited pest control companies. Every Saela plan includes a 50+ point property inspection covering entry points, attics and basements. In a February 2024 Google review, Danny Vian wrote, “John did a great job… I would like him to continue to do my property.”
You can compare plan options and what affects the price before you choose.
For the pests most likely to move in after the holidays, Saela’s guide to protecting your home from winter pests covers what to watch for.
If pests show up during the holidays, book a call with Saela 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.
