Keep Bugs and Pests out of Your Garage

Bugs and other pests aren’t fun in any part of your home, but they can be particularly frustrating in your garage. After all, if you’re like many people you may feel that there’s little you can do about this situation thanks to your garage’s openness to the outdoors. Insects and all kinds of other little critters seek out garages at all times of the year, but particularly during very hot or very cold temperatures as a means of shelter. 

But you don’t have to just learn to live with it. There are actually a variety of measures you can take to both remove pests from your garage and help prevent new ones from entering. Here’s a quick guide:

Keep Your Garage Clean

One of the most important things you can do in keeping your garage bug-free is to keep the space clean. This is a great time to go through items and get rid of things you don’t use. Reducing the amount of loose items in your garage will take away shelter spots for pests, and they are less likely to hang out in there when they don’t have places to hide. Likewise, it’s a good idea to avoid storing any food in there that isn’t inside a fridge, cooler or other sealed container. 

Use Smart Storage Solutions

Pets tend to find their way inside cardboard boxes all too easily, so it’s a good idea to start storing your items in plastic storage containers. These will also help reduce clutter and take away places for insects and bugs to hide. Building shelves and keeping storage elevated will also help in reducing accessible hideaways, and it will also help you keep the space clean. 

Patch Up Cracks

While many pests enter through your garage door opening itself, it’s very possible that they are getting in through other means. After cleaning your garage, inspect carefully for any cracks, holes or gaps along the walls, the garage door or even the foundation itself. Be sure to check the ceiling and around any windows as well. In most cases, you can fill up any holes or cracks with silicone caulk, though more serious damage may require professional attention. 

Consider Traps

More serious bug problems may warrant the use of traps alongside the perimeters of your garage, including near any potential entryways. Just be sure not to set them anywhere that you (or anyone else) may accidentally step on them. You may also want to consider spraying pesticides along walls and windowsills. Keep in mind that if you are experiencing different kinds of pests (say, silverfish and mice), you may need to employ different kinds of traps at once. 

Update Your Garage Door

The average garage door does not offer much protection against pests (or even human intruders, for that matter). It’s worthwhile looking into one that’s more secure, especially if you still have the original one your house came with or one that is decades old. There are a lot of different garage doors available today, and many have tighter seals and thicker barriers against bugs, insects, and small animals. You can even have one custom-fitted to your home to ensure there are no gaps when it is shut. 

If you don’t want a totally new door, it’s still a good idea to have your current door looked at. Small areas of wear and tear can be fixed up, while weather stripping can be replaced.