How to make your garage pest free?

Pests in your garage can be one big nuisance you can do without. These creepy crawlies, including spiders, ants, rodents and other bugs pose health hazards too. Once they are comfortable in the garage, it will only be a matter of time before they will find their way into your home. We bring you quick tips to keep your garage pest free.

1. Clean and de-clutter

Garage filled with clutter is one attractive place to animals and insect pests as it gives them access to little nooks and corners to lurk and hide.  First, clean up and sort your garage. Remove all the     stored itemsfrom the garage. Clean the floors and most importantly get rid of unnecessary items and any moisture. Furniture, storage containers, cartons, clothes etc. can easily provide shelter to insects and other pests. If possible, store the items off the ground, organized in shelves and bars. Installing shelves or cabinets is a good investment as these forms of storage are very effective in keeping your garage organized and uncluttered. Consequently, this will minimize the chances of pets find any nesting or hiding areas and increase the flow of air to keep moisture in check.

2. Seal up any spaces

Does your garage have any cracks, holes and other openings along your garage door and windows? Inspect your garage very thoroughly to look for any cracks that may give opportunity to pests to enter. Seal any gaps you find. Weather stripping or sealing around the edges of the garage will keep the critters and small animals out while also keeping a tab on your heating and cooling bills.

3. Be careful with what you store and keep in your garage

• Don’t keep trash cans in or around your garage. This is possibly one major reason that could attract these unwanted visitors who would wander in for food. If you must, make sure all the garbage bags are tied tightly so that the food content doesn’t spill over.
• Remove any container that holds water.
• Don’t store any pet food and bird seeds inside the garage. If you have to, make sure the food is kept inside the sealed containers and not in the bags.

4. Spray pesticide and set traps

If you can’t see any insects during the inspection, don’t make the mistake of assuming that there are apparently no insects. If you find any dead pests, droppings, chew mark on wires, unaccounted plastic bags, these signs may be an indication that your garage is indeed home to creepy crawlies or other creatures. If your house is infested with pests, simply deep cleaning will not solve the purpose. You would need to spray insecticides or pesticides or set traps within the garage. Follow the instructions carefully before spraying the chemical.

• If you have small kids and pets, you need to be extra careful with the pesticide use and setting bait stations. There is always an underlying risk of small children or pets exploring the garage and end up getting poisoned or hurt. If your child or any other family member has allergies, you may want to reconsider the spraying option as toxic fumes from the spray can trigger or aggravate any serious allergies. Find safe, natural alternative available in the market instead.

5. Call the professionals

Tried deep cleaning, spraying pesticides and organizing the garage but still struggling with keeping the pests out? Call the pests control professionals.