You wouldn’t think of your garage as the most pleasant place to be, but pests love it. Are you finding that insects, rats, or squirrels are making their way into your garage? Here are some tips and tricks from the experts on keeping them out.
Why Your Garage?
Firstly, why is your garage such a draw to pests? You may not think that much of it as a place to live, but pests think it’s perfect. It creates excellent shelter from the elements and predators that may be looking for pests to eat. A garage will also offer nesting materials, especially if you store things in there. It makes it the perfect place to hide away and breed.
Your garage may also offer a good source of food and water for pests like ants and mice. If they’re able to get out into your yard or garden for food, then make their way back into the garage for shelter, then it’s the perfect hideout.
Now that you know this, you need to know how to prevent rodents and other pests.
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Remove Any Existing Pests
Before you do any work on pest-proofing your garage, ensure that there are no pests already making their home here. Look for chew and scratch marks, holes, abandoned shells, nesting piles, and other damage. You may also come across the pests themselves, although with some it’s not likely.
If you do find anything, find help from a professional to remove them.
Replace Your Garage Door Seal
The first thing to do is to take a look at the seal on your garage door. This is the rubber strip at the bottom of the door. This is there to keep the wind and rain out of your garage, but also pests. If it’s become damaged though, they can easily get in.
Look for any wear and tear, brittleness, or bite marks in the seal. If you see any damage, it’s time to repair it. It’s quite simple to do yourself, so pick up a new seal from the hardware store, and follow the instructions to install it. This will go a long way in keeping the pests out.
Clean Out Your Garage
Your garage is tempting to pests if there’s lots of clutter. This gives them more space to hide, and lots of materials to make nests in. Clean out as much as you can, and remove all debris. Sweeping and mopping the floor will go a long way to putting pests off.
As garages tend to be a water source for pests, check for any possible damp spots. Repair whatever is causing the damage, and dry out the garage. Ensure the building is well ventilated to stop damp spots from appearing. Also, if you keep garbage in the garage, seal it up tight in trash cans and empty them once they get full.
Look for Entry Points
It’s not just your garage door that a pest can get through. If there are any gaps, they can easily gain entry. Even the smallest cracks will let them in, so hunt them down and fill them. Make sure you check everywhere. Those cracks could be on the floor, ceiling, or walls. They can also be around windows, so ensure they’re properly sealed.
Remove Food Sources
There are more food sources than you’d think in your garage. The more food there is, the more tempting it is for pests to get in. Do your best to remove them, so they don’t have a reason to get in.
For example, if you keep your grill in the garage, ensure it’s thoroughly cleaned before you store it away. Pet food is another culprit. Seal any pet food or bird food containers tightly, and consider feeding your pets indoors to keep the pests out. Don’t forget any stored food you may have in the garage. Seal it up in airtight containers to make it safe.
If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to keep those pests out of your garage and in the wild, where they belong. It just takes a little maintenance and cares about how you store food and belongings. Take these precautions, and your garage will be safe from pests.
