A garage can be a convenient place to store your car, tools, and other equipment. However, it can also become a haven for unwanted pests, including bugs, rodents, and spiders.
The good news is that there are several ways to keep your garage pest-free, especially if you’re living in Australia, where the warm climate can attract all sorts of creepy crawlies.
If you’ve been wondering how to keep bugs and other pests out of your garage, you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s get straight to the point
To keep bugs and pests out of your garage, store items in airtight containers, reduce clutter, and avoid using cardboard. Inspect for and seal any gaps or cracks, especially around doors and windows.
Clean thoroughly to eliminate food sources and moisture, which attract pests. Set traps or use deterrents if necessary. Common pests include mice, spiders, silverfish, and flies.
If the infestation persists or involves dangerous pests, consider hiring professional pest control. Regular maintenance and cleanliness are key to preventing pests from settling in.
Why Do Insects and Pests Love Garages?
Shelter from the Elements
The garage offers pests a safe, sheltered environment from the harsh Australian weather.
Whether it’s the extreme heat of summer or the colder winter months, pests often seek refuge in garages to escape the elements.
Similar to Their Natural Habitat
Many pests find that a garage provides conditions similar to their natural habitats.
The dark, damp corners, the occasional spilled food, and even clutter can provide an ideal breeding ground for bugs, rodents, and insects.
Attractants in the Garage
Garages often house items like food supplies, pet food, grains, and even spilled drinks.
Pests are highly attracted to these smells, along with trash, sweat, and other odours that might linger in your garage.
The presence of these attractants can make your garage irresistible to pests.
Why It’s Important to Keep Your Garage Pest-Free
Damage to Property
Insects and rodents aren’t just an annoyance; they can cause serious damage to your belongings.
Mice, for example, are known for chewing through electrical wires, which could lead to expensive repairs or even pose a fire hazard.
Health Hazards
Certain pests, such as rats and flies, can carry diseases and bacteria. These diseases can be transmitted to humans, making it essential to eliminate pests from your garage to ensure a healthy environment.
How to Keep Pests Away from Your Garage
There are several steps you can take to create a pest-free garage. By following these tips, you can prevent pests from getting comfortable in your space.
Store Your Items Safely
One of the best ways to keep bugs and rodents out of your garage is by properly storing your items.
Use airtight containers and store items on shelving rather than on the floor. This not only keeps your belongings safe but also makes it harder for pests to access them.
Reduce Clutter
Pests love to hide in cluttered spaces. Take the time to clean and organise your garage by getting rid of unnecessary items, especially those that haven’t been used in a long time. This will reduce the number of hiding places available for pests like spiders and mice.
Avoid Storing Cardboard
Mice and other pests are drawn to cardboard boxes, especially in winter when they’re looking for nesting material. Instead, use plastic storage bins with secure lids to store items.
Repair What Needs to Be Fixed
Pests often enter garages through small gaps or cracks. Inspect your garage for any signs of damage and seal any gaps with silicone caulking.
Check the weather stripping around your doors and windows to ensure they are in good condition, and replace them if necessary.
Check Your Garage Door Seals
Garage doors are a common entry point for pests. To ensure your garage door is properly sealed, stand inside during the day with the lights off. If you can see light streaming through gaps in the door, then pests can get in as well.
Replace the threshold seal at the bottom of the door if it’s worn out, and ensure the door fits snugly in its frame.
Prevent Pest Entry
It’s much easier to prevent pests from entering your garage than it is to get rid of them once they’re inside.
Consider using pest deterrents such as sprays, powders, or oils around the entrances to your garage.
You can also contact pest control professionals if you’re unsure which deterrents will work best for your specific pest problem.
Eliminate Existing Pests
Before focusing on prevention, make sure that there are no pests already living in your garage. Inspect your garage thoroughly, checking under shelves, boxes, and corners for signs of infestation, such as droppings, bite marks, or nests.
Use Traps and Bait
To get rid of pests, you can use traps or bait available at most hardware stores. Mouse traps, ant bait, and fly strips can help eliminate common pests. Be sure to regularly check and replace the traps as necessary.
Clean Thoroughly
Cleaning your garage is one of the best ways to keep pests at bay. Sweep the floors, remove cobwebs, and wipe down surfaces. Pay particular attention to areas where food might have spilled, as these can attract ants, flies, and other insects.
How to Organise and Clean Your Garage to Prevent Pests
Keep the Garage Dry
Pests are attracted to moist environments, so it’s essential to ensure that your garage stays dry. Fix any leaks and use a dehumidifier or fan if necessary to reduce moisture levels.
Remove Food Sources
If you must store food in your garage, make sure it’s sealed tightly in airtight containers. Avoid leaving food out or storing pet food openly, as this will quickly attract pests like flies and rodents.
Maintain Proper Waste Disposal
Keep garbage cans securely closed and clean. Pests are attracted to the smell of food waste, so be sure to regularly take out the rubbish and clean your bins to eliminate odours.
Common Garage Pests in Australia
Mice and Rats
Deer mice and other rodents are common garage pests, particularly in cooler weather. They can damage stored items and even pose a health risk by carrying diseases.
Spiders
Australia is home to many species of spiders, some of which are drawn to garages. By eliminating other pests like flies and bugs, you can reduce the food source for spiders and help prevent their presence in your garage.
Silverfish
Silverfish are small, fast-moving insects that love damp, dark environments. They’re attracted to paper and fabric, so keeping your garage dry and organised is key to keeping these pests out.
Flies and Crickets
Flies are drawn to odours in your garage, especially from food or garbage. Crickets, on the other hand, seek out cool, dark places and may find refuge in your garage during the warmer months.
If It’s Getting Out of Hand, Call a Professional
Sometimes, DIY pest control methods aren’t enough, and it’s time to call in the experts. Consider hiring a pest control company if:
- You’ve tried various DIY methods, but the infestation persists.
- There are wasps, spiders, and other dangerous pests that require professional removal.
- You’re dealing with a severe infestation that’s hard to control on your own.
Conclusion
Keeping your garage pest-free is essential to protecting both your belongings and your health.
By ensuring your garage is clean, organised, and well-sealed, you can prevent pests like mice, spiders, and bugs from making your garage their new home.
If the problem gets out of hand, don’t hesitate to call professional pest control services to help.
Regular maintenance, including sealing cracks, removing food sources, and setting traps, will go a long way towards keeping bugs and other pests out of your garage in the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Effective Is Pest Control?
Within a day or two, you should start to observe a marked decrease in insect activity. The length of time required to achieve the desired effects is based on the type of pest we are fighting and the products we decide to use.
What Is the Best Time to Do Pest Control?
Early spring is ideal for having your home sprayed. Spraying in the early spring allows you to eliminate nests or colonies when insect populations are at their lowest. The treatment requires less effort from the patient and has a longer duration as a result.
How Long Does Pest Control Take?
Common pests can be prevented with a 15- to 30-minute treatment. Depending on how extensive an infestation is, it can take anywhere from 90 to 120 minutes to get rid of ants or cockroaches. To kill termites, heat for at least four hours.
How Often Should Pest Control Be Done?
Having a monthly or bimonthly appointment with a pest control provider is strongly suggested. You can use this to prevent spiders, silverfish, and other insects and rodents from entering the interior of your home.
Why Pest Control Is Required?
Having your home or business protected by a pest control service is important because insects may spread disease and cause expensive damage.
In most cases, when people think of “pest management” or “pest control,” they envision the elimination of insects like cockroaches, spiders, and fleas.
