What do you use your garage for? If you’re like us, you might store a car in your garage, plus tools, bikes, gym equipment plus a place to put donated food until we deliver it to the Food Bank. 😉 What you probably don’t want your garage used for is a perfect shelter for bugs and rodents. Since your garage can sometimes be left open for extended periods of time it can provide easy access to your home for insects and other small critters seeking protection from the outdoor elements.
Here’s a list of what pests you might find in your garage from pestworld.com.
Spiders
Feeding on smaller insects, house spiders have a difficult time surviving in modern-day homes that employ effective pest control methods. As a result, they migrate to areas of the house that are more susceptible to pests, such as garages, in order to feed themselves. Once inside, they will get started spinning webs and laying eggs.
Ground Beetles
Ground beetles get their name from their general habit of occurring on the ground. They are usually found hiding underneath stones during the daytime. Most species are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. Ground beetles enter homes by crawling under poorly sealed garage doors.
Silverfish
Known to infest almost all parts of the house, silverfish are particularly fond of garages. They either gain entry by sneaking under doors or by being brought in via infested items like cardboard boxes. Once inside, these fast and agile pests will feed on paper items, glue, clothing, and food such as flour, meat, and even other silverfish. An infestation can quickly grow, as females can lay up to three eggs per day, hiding them in cracks and under objects.
Rodents
Mice and rats will seek shelter from the harsh conditions in garages. While these invaders will build nests in storage boxes and wall voids, they can even sneak into cars for extra protection. Plus, cars have an abundance of chewable items – from food crumbs to wires – making garages even more enticing to them. Able to squeeze through holes as small as a pencil, mice can easily make a home out of any garage that is not properly sealed.
Threats posed by pests in the garage
Although you may not spend much time in your garage, an infestation in this part of the house can still be troublesome. House spiders, ground beetles, and silverfish do not pose any serious health threats, however, rodents can cause damage by chewing on items such as clothing, upholstery and present the risk of spreading many diseases since they leave their urine and droppings everywhere. Flies can harbor more than 100 different kinds of disease-causing pathogens.
Tips to keep pests out of the garage
Just like other areas of your home, eliminating access points and therefore minimizing the pests’ chances to enter your home is essential to keep pests out of your garage. Check your windows and doors for effective weather stripping and seal any cracks or holes with a silicone-based caulk, steel wool, or a combination of both. Some pests are attracted to moisture, so fix any leaky pipes.
Cleanliness is key, as well. Reduce clutter by organizing storage items and keeping them off of the floor. Use resealable plastic containers rather than cardboard boxes when possible to remove potential nesting spots. Remove food crumbs, spider webs, and eggs by routinely sweeping or vacuuming. Additionally, inspect items for pests before storing them in the garage (or anywhere else in your home for that matter).
How to get rid of pests in the garage
The most effective way to get rid of pests is to let us help you. Give us a call and we will conduct an inspection looking for entry points and signs of pest damage. Upon completion of the inspection, we will provide you with recommendations for proper treatment. Call or text: 925-732-2310.