Your garage is one of the most important features of your home. Not only is it a space for your car, but it also gives you a place to store items that you don’t use regularly. Unfortunately, the same garage can also be a breeding ground for pests and insects. It offers them a warm and cozy space to grow. Therefore, maintaining your garage and keeping it pest free is incredibly important. You can instantly transform your garage into a light, bug-free area by following the tips given below:
Remove Existing Pests
The first step towards ensuring a bug-free garage is eliminating existing pests. Below are steps you can take to get rid of pests currently in your garage:
Examine the Garage: Check your garage in detail and examine every nook and corner. Check the shelving, ceiling, flooring, boxes, and other stored items for pests. Look for signs indicating an infestation like a scratch or chew marks, shells, carcasses, nesting piles, or damage to your belongings.
Try to Identify the Pests You Find: If you find signs of infestation, try identifying the bugs. This will help you determine the extermination process and tell you where else you can check in the home.
Clean the Garage
Pests love clutter. So a clean garage can help keep them at bay. Some things you can do to keep your garage clean are:
Keep it Dry: Clean damp areas. Identify the cause of the moisture and fix it. Keep your garage properly ventilated to promote airflow and reduce humidity.
Remove Debris: Insects love to build nests and hide in clutter. So remove any unnecessary items from your garage to keep it clutter-free. Sweep your garage floors to ensure it is clean and free of any residue that might attract pests.
Seal Garbage: If you keep garbage in your garage, ensure it is sealed well. Empty trash cans and take out garbage bags regularly. Don’t keep the trash cans or bags open for long, lest they become a breeding ground for the pests.
Clear All Spiderwebs
Spiders can be both bad and good for your environment. While they catch other bugs in their webs, they can also create a mess in the garage. In addition, they can also leave dead insects all over the floor. Dust all the corners of your garage and remove all spiderwebs.
Spray Bottom Baseboards
Spray the bottom baseboards of your garage from the inside and outside with an insecticide. Any insects that come in contact with the sprayed baseboards will be immediately killed. Ensure you respray the baseboards from the outside if it rains.
Check Garage for Cracks
Bugs and pests can enter the garage through cracks in the wall. You can seal cracks using silicone caulk. Common areas to look for cracks include:
- Foundation
- Ceiling
- Walls
- Windows
Use Weather-stripping
Most garage doors may have gaps at the bottom from which insects and bugs enter. You can buy weather-stripping material or rubber seals to close these gaps. Take measurements and purchase the right size to close any open gaps in the door.
Remove Food Sources
Food products are one of the largest causes of pest infestations in your home and garage. Eliminating any food sources can keep your garage bug-free. Ensure no food or food products are lying around. Seal any pantry items or stored food securely. If you store your grill in the garage, thoroughly clean it before keeping it in. And finally, if you have pet food, place it in secure containers when not in use.
Eliminate Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard boxes are a great home for termites. These boxes will also shelter bugs like cockroaches, rodents, and silverfish. Get rid of extra cardboard boxes. If you have items in them, make sure you move them around, open them and check them occasionally.
Install a Garage Screen
Many people tend to keep the garage door open when in use. Unfortunately, an open door is like an open invitation for pests and rodents. Consider installing a garage screen if you use your garage for activities other than parking your car. You can contact companies like Chicago Garage Door to install your garage door screen. Their garage door screens can help you convert your garage into a pest-free, airy space.
Insects and pests can cause havoc in your garage. Not only will they damage stored goods, but they are also a health hazard. Follow the tips given above to keep your garage pest free.
