You likely would never consider living in your garage. You probably do not have any heating and cooling in your garage. That means you would be sweltering during the summer and fighting hypothermia in the winter. Additionally, garages do not usually boast the necessary appliances you’ll need for daily use, such as an oven, microwave, washing machine, dryer, and toilet. But just because your garage isn’t appealing to humans doesn’t mean there isn’t anything that wouldn’t consider this space a worthy home. In fact, many different pests would love to take up permanent residence in your garage! Thus, you need to learn about garage pest control. Here is our guide to garage pest control:
Common Pests Found In Garages
First, before you can practice garage pest control, you need to know what types of critters you might encounter. There are many different types of animals that enjoy taking up residence in garages. Among them are:
1. Mice
Don’t let their cute, tiny faces deceive you. Mice are bad news. They may look fuzzy and innocent, but these little guys are capable of wreaking destruction on your belongings as well as spreading diseases. Common diseases spread by mice include Hantavirus, Leptospirosis, Tularemia, and Plague. For this reason, it is important to take care of any mice infestations right away. Mice breed rapidly, and they spread feces and urine across any space they inhabit.
2. Rats
Rats are larger—and sometimes meaner—than their relatives, mice. These creatures are also harbingers of disease and destruction. Both rats and mice will bite if they feel cornered. They also chew through electrical wiring and almost anything else you can think of. Treat rat infestations as an emergency, just as you would a mouse infestation.
3. Snakes
If you get rodents in your garage, you can expect snakes to take up residence as well. Snakes consider rodents tasty treats. Where there are rodents, snakes are sure to follow if you leave in an area where a lot of wild creatures are.
4. Spiders
Many spiders are harmless. There are only two venomous species of spider in the United States that can cause serious harm to humans, the black widow and the brown recluse. That being said, you still don’t want an infestation of these creatures in your garage, especially if you are an arachnophobe.
How to Keep Garage Pests Away
Okay, now you know what you’re up against. Now you can fight back with common garage pest control techniques. Here are three easy ways to prevent critters from invading your garage and taking up residence:
1. Purchase a Garage Door Pest Guard Or Get Professional Help
Small creatures can get in through the cracks beneath your door and along the sides. Garage door pest guards seal up these spaces, making it harder or even possible for rodents, insects, arachnids, and other critters to come in. You can purchase a garage door pest guard online and install it yourself, or you can hire a garage door professional for rodent exclusion. Professional rodent exclusion involves sealing up any holes and cracks as well as installing guards.
2. Keep Your Garage Clean
Pests love clutter. Clutter gives them plenty of space to hide and nest. So if you are someone who likes to hang on to stuff, it might be time to rethink how much your possessions really mean to you. Newspapers, magazines, decorations, and blankets are all things that you may want to consider getting rid of. Additionally, making sure you do an occasional dust and sweep. When you are frequently cleaning, you will notice signs of pest infestation early on and be able to take care of it right away.
3. Don’t Store Food In Your Garage If Possible
Storing food in your garage inevitably attracts pests. After all, you’re offering them free meals! Why wouldn’t they come in and stay for a while? Even substances like bird seed and pet food can attract pests. If you must use your garage for food storage, keep everything in sealed containers. Mice and rats can easily chew through bags to get at tasty snacks.
We Can Help With Garage Pest Control!
Hopefully, you will be able to Our team doesn’t offer extermination services. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t help you with garage pest control. Our experts can help maintain and repair your garage door annually to ensure this space is shut up tight against unwanted guests. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you!