Garages add extra value to a home, but they don’t always get the same TLC as the rest of the house. Homeowners utilize the extra space in garages to store tools, seasonal items, and other equipment, yet cleaning the garage often stays at the bottom of our to-do lists.

All the extra clutter and neglected messes, unfortunately, become the perfect hiding spots for unwanted visitors. To keep your garage pest-free, follow these handy tips to kick pests out and prevent future bugs from making their way inside.

Who’s Living in There?

It’s an unpleasant thought, but many pests view garages as ideal harborage areas. Some of these intruders include, but are not limited to:

• Flies
• Cockroaches
• Rodents
• Spiders
• Ants
• Silverfish
• Termites
• Raccoons
• Birds
• Beetles
• Moths
• Bedbugs

Pest Control for Your Garage

The pests holed up next to your old roller skates are there primarily for food, shelter, and water. Before throwing up your hands, take measures to practice prevention and banish existing bugs and rodents before an official invasion breaks loose.

SEAL OFF ENTRY POINTS

Garage doors are commonly left open for long periods of time, offering entry to bothersome pests. Bugs not only come in through the garage door, but also through gaps in weather stripping, small holes, and cracks in the walls and foundation. Many of these tiny entrances can be sealed with silicone caulking or remedied by replacing worn-out weather stripping and seals.

REACH FOR THE BROOM

Cleaning up dropped scraps of food or spilled beverages from the garage floor may be a lower priority than sweeping up indoors, but these messes act as a magnet to hungry insects and rodents. Pests are drawn to food aromas, especially in moist places, so any leaks, spills, or messes should be cleaned up promptly.

Also be sure keep any food stored in the garage (including pet food) in airtight containers and up off the floor where pests have easier access. Be sure that trash can lids fit securely, and consider moving garbage cans outside.

KEEP ITEMS STORED PROPERLY

The tent you tossed into the corner after that long, tiring camping trip last summer might have created the perfect hideout for pests. Ideally, items in your garage should be stored in airtight containers and placed off the floor on shelves or pallets. This not only clears the ground so you can better monitor pest activity, but also deters pests from finding an easy residence in a pile of winter gear or deflated pool toys. Items raised off the floor are less likely to gather moisture as well.

USE DETERRENTS

To prevent pests from coming around in the first place, load up on useful deterrents specifically designed to discourage pests. These products emit unpleasant odors and irritable chemical disruptors. Different deterrents cater to different pests, so make certain you’re employing the most effective solution for the specific bug or rodent that is common in your area. Not sure? A quick call to pest control experts can help guide you in the right direction.

TRY TRAPS

If you’re already seeing pest activity in your garage, you may need some offensive solutions. You can get rodent and pest traps at your local home and garden store, but be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and instructions accurately. Not all traps are approved for indoor use, and traffic to and from the garage might spread chemicals indoors, on valuable equipment, or into your vehicle. When placing traps, make sure to change them regularly and stay diligent on their upkeep.

Your garage keeps your car and other belongings safe and is an important part of your house. If you’re having trouble keeping your garage pest free, contact our team to help. Our pest control professionals are trained to handle any pest infestation, and our number one priority is that you feel comfortable and secure in every part of your home.

 

SOURCES:

https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=24161
https://www.pestworld.org/multimedia-center/infographics/rodents-in-the-home-survey/
http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/structural-pest-control/occasional-invaders
https://www.steel-line.com.au/prevent-pests-from-entering-garage/
https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/publications/books/housing/cha04.htm
https://www.southernperimeter.com/2019/03/21/pests-found-in-a-garage/