Ways to Ensure Your Garage Stays Free From Bugs
Written by: Uplift Garage
Bugs may have their place and purpose in nature, but they certainly don't belong in your garage. Unfortunately, bugs love garages. Learn what you can do to prevent these unwanted visitors from finding their way into your garage.
How Garage Pests Gain Entry
Bugs are resourceful little creatures. If there is a way to get inside your garage, they will figure it out.
Bugs and other pests can gain access to your garage by doing the following:
- Coming in through an opened garage door or window - The easiest way to get into the garage is just by going through an open door. That is exactly what bugs and other pests will do.
- Enter through cracks and gaps - Bugs will often find their way into the garage through small cracks and gaps that have formed around the frame or base of the garage door
- Holes in the walls of the garage
- Traveling on items - Bugs may be inside a box that you are storing or keeping in the garage. Once the box is inside the garage, the bugs may find their way out.
Why Bugs Love Garages
Bugs tend to thrive in places that are warm, dark, and damp. That is exactly the type of environment that can be found in most people's garages.
Garages tend to have plenty of small, dark nooks and crannies that would make the perfect home for numerous bugs.
Another factor is accessibility. Bugs and other pests find garages appealing because they can easily access them due to the constant opening and closing of the door and its proximity to the great outdoors.
Common Garage Pests
All types of bugs and other pests can find their way into your garage. However, some bugs and animals are more likely to make their home in garages than others.
The following are some examples of the bugs and pests that homeowners throughout the area may find in their garage:
- Silverfish
- Crickets
- Spiders
- Ground beetles
- Flies
- Mice
- Birds
- Cockroaches
- Raccoons
- Box Elder Bugs
Seasonality Factors
Bugs and other pests can find their way into your garage all year long. However, you will start to notice that it seems like more bugs and pests find their way into your garage during the fall and winter months. That is because these animals are seeking shelter from the low temperatures and freezing rain and snow.
A garage is a warm, damp place that will provide bugs and other pests with the type of environment they need to thrive and survive.
How to Get Pests and Bugs Out of Your Garage
How do you get rid of small animals and bugs once they have made your garage their new home? There are several things you can do.
First, you will want to completely remove the small animals or bugs from your garage. This can be done by trapping the animal, luring it outside, or by other means. If you are uncomfortable with removing the animals and bugs yourself, or you are unsure of what to do, a local pest control company can help you create a plan of action for how to successfully remove all unwanted garage guests.
Some other ways to get rid of bugs and pests in your garage include:
- Cleaning the garage - You may be able to eliminate a bug infestation just by simply cleaning the garage and removing any dust, dirt, or debris inside
- Setting up traps
- Keep the garage dry
Use Weather-stripping
You can close any cracks or gaps that may be found along the bottom of your garage door with the use of specialized weather-stripping material. The material will help create a strong, secure seal around the door. Bugs will find it difficult to get in when the seal is so strong and secure.
It is important that you use the right weather-stripping material for your garage door. For effective pest prevention, you want weather-stripping material that is not only strong and sturdy, but one that properly fits your garage door.
For help finding the best weather-stripping material for your garage door, contact Uplift Garage. Our experienced technicians at Uplift Garage can help you in your search.
Proactive Pest Prevention
Yes, bugs and other pests will find a way into your garage. However, there are things you can do that will make your garage less appealing to bugs and other pests. If you want to be proactive in the fight against unwanted garage guests, consider doing the following things:
Spray Bottom of Baseboards
Spraying an insecticide along the baseboard of your garage door can help keep bugs out. Make sure to spray the insecticide on both the inside and outside the baseboards.
If you are unsure of what type of insecticide to use, contact a reputable pest control company. They can help guide you in finding an insecticide that is not only effective at killing the types of bugs you get in your garage, but one that is safe for you, your family, any pets you may have, and even the environment.
Fill in the Gap with Caulk
Use a silicone caulk to fill in any and all holes that may be present in your garage. No hole is too small for bugs. They can use the smallest of holes to get into the garage.
Look for holes in the following areas in your garage:
- Walls
- Around the windows
- Around the frame of any door that leads into or out of the garage
- Corners
Get Rid of Cardboard Boxes
Bugs and pests, ranging from termites to mice, have an uncanny attraction to cardboard boxes, making them less than ideal for storage in your garage. The vulnerabilities of cardboard to the elements and the temptation it poses to unwanted visitors underscore the importance of seeking alternative storage solutions.
Plastic or metal containers not only deter bugs and small animals but also offer a sturdier defense against the elements compared to their cardboard counterparts. Termites and mice are less attracted to the materials used in these containers, reducing the likelihood of an unwelcome infestation in your storage space.
Maintain Your Garage Door
Want a bug-free garage? Make sure you keep up with the maintenance of your garage door. A well-maintained garage door often does not have any gaps or cracks. If any gaps or cracks are found, they are corrected right away. The faster the issue is corrected, the less likely it is that your garage will be filled with bugs and other pests.
Want to keep your garage bug-free? Call Uplift Garage. Our technicians can assist you in learning how to keep bugs out of garage spaces. Whether you need a new garage door, looking for help maintaining an existing one, or just want to make sure your garage door is secure and keeping bugs out, we can help. Call us today.
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