People hate yard work mostly because it never ends: weeds return, plants need constant attention, every season brings new chores, and moles or voles can undo weeks of lawn care. Some of that work also decides which pests settle in, because weeds, leaf litter, standing water and clutter give insects and rodents food and shelter. Saela Pest Control is a residential and commercial pest control company, based in Orem, Utah, whose services include mole control. Below are the most disliked yard chores, with practical ways to make them easier and less inviting to pests.
Tricky Weeds
Weeds are frustrating because pulled weeds regrow from roots left in the soil and new seeds keep arriving. UC IPM’s guide to weed management in landscapes recommends removing young weeds by hand before they flower and set seed, digging out all the roots of perennial weeds, and spreading 3 to 4 inches of coarse organic mulch, or about 2 inches of fine mulch, to keep new weeds down. Weedy, overgrown edges matter for pests too, since UC IPM notes that voles live in dense vegetation and protective ground cover.
Stubborn Flowers
Flowers frustrate people when they are hard to keep alive or spread faster than planned, so ask a local nursery or extension office which low-maintenance plants suit your region. Some plantings also help pests: UC IPM’s guide to rats notes that climbing ivy, star jasmine and honeysuckle on fences or buildings are conducive to roof rat foraging. It recommends pruning densely growing plants 2 feet or more away from buildings and from one another.
Impossible Grubs, Moles, and Voles
Moles and voles damage lawns in different ways, and neither problem is solved by the same fix. Moles are insectivores that tunnel for earthworms and insects, leaving raised ridges and volcano-shaped mounds, while voles eat plants and bark and leave surface runways; UC IPM’s guide to moles calls trapping the most dependable mole control and notes that reducing white grubs may make turf less attractive to moles, but this has not been confirmed by research. If you suspect grubs, check these signs of grubs in your lawn before treating.
Infinite Work
Each season brings its own chores, from spring cleanup and summer mowing to fall raking, and some of them double as pest prevention. To make a yard less attractive to ticks, the CDC’s guide to preventing tick bites advises removing leaf litter, clearing tall grasses and brush around homes and at lawn edges, and mowing frequently. For mosquitoes, the CDC recommends that once a week you empty and scrub, turn over, cover or throw out items that hold water, such as buckets, planters, toys, birdbaths and flowerpot saucers. A few changes can cut the workload and help at the same time:
- Stack firewood neatly and in a dry area, which the CDC notes discourages rodents
- Place a 3-foot-wide strip of wood chips or gravel between the lawn and wooded areas, as the CDC suggests for ticks
- Get rid of containers you don’t need so there is less to empty each week; see what attracts mosquitoes to your yard
Costly Mistakes
Some yard habits cost more than time, because they create the food, water and shelter pests depend on. Common ones include:
- Leaving water in flowerpot saucers, buckets, toys, pools or trash containers, since mosquitoes lay eggs near water
- Leaving fallen fruit on the ground, compost uncovered or extra pet food out, which UC IPM advises against to keep rats from finding food
- Letting tree limbs grow within 6 feet of the roof, which UC IPM recommends removing to keep roof rats off the house
The key is steady, small chores rather than a once-a-year overhaul. If moles are already tunneling, Saela’s mole control identifies active tunnels and places mapped traps inside them, with follow-up checks. For other pests, every Saela plan includes a 50+ point property inspection that covers outdoor structures as well as entry points and nesting sites.
Saela provides residential and commercial pest control, including mosquito treatments aimed at resting sites such as shaded foliage and areas beneath porches. In a February 2024 Google review, Alexander Dove wrote: “They always do a great job keeping pests out of our house.”
Saela quotes based on pest type, location, property size, visit frequency and treatment products, so compare Saela’s plans and pricing before choosing. On Google, Saela’s Altamonte Springs, Florida location is rated 4.9 out of 5 from 341 reviews as of October 2026.
If yard pests are making outdoor chores harder, book a call to schedule an inspection.
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.
