How To Keep Winter Insects Out Of Your Garage
When winter brings cold and rainy weather, your dark and sheltered garage will certainly seem enticing to insects. If you’ve noticed an influx of bugs and pests in your garage space, you might be wondering why they’re here and how to keep them at bay.Â
In this article, we’ll guide you through how to keep winter insects away from your garage to keep it free from infestation.
Why are pests attracted to garages?
Winter brings rain, freezing temperatures and sometimes snow. All these uncomfortable conditions mean that insects will look for refuge indoors.Â
Depending on the type of pest, garages provide shelter, hiding spots, comfortable conditions, light sources and sometimes even food sources. It’s therefore no wonder that they are highly attractive to bugs at this time of year.Â
But how do you know if your garage is infested?Â
5 signs of an infestation
Different pests or insects will leave different signs that they’re present. However, some common indicators to look for include:Â
- Seeing the pests themselves
- Presence of droppingsÂ
- Damage to your stored itemsÂ
- Strange smells or noisesÂ
- Nests or websÂ
Some of these things may be hidden away, so take a look in less obvious areas and dark corners.Â
How to keep bugs away from the garage
If you’ve noticed the presence of pests or insects in your garage, or are simply worried that your garage is at risk, here are a few things you can do.Â
- Ensure your garage door is properly installed and well maintained. A door that is damaged, bent or old may provide an entrance for insects. Consult with a garage door professional, such as the team here at Doormatic, if you suspect that the quality of your garage door is making it too easy for pests to gain access. We will be able to advise on a replacement or repair.
- Use weatherstripping or caulk on your garage door, windows or any other relevant entry points.Â
- Clear out your garage as too much clutter piled up provides lots of shelter for pests. A tidy garage means a less attractive home for any outsiders.Â
- Regularly sweep and clean your garage to get rid of webs, food crumbs and debris.Â
- If you keep human or animal food in the garage, ensure it is properly sealed to prevent attracting any unwanted visitors. Likewise, keep any bins or waste containers sealed too.Â
- Smells such as peppermint or citronella can deter flying insects so it’s worth investigating if a certain smell is a known deterrent for a specific pest.Â
Whatever you do, it’s not advised to use pesticides or harsh chemicals as they can be harmful to pets and children. Always explore natural and humane techniques as your first option.Â
Here at Doormatic, we stock and install hundreds of garage doors from world-leading brands. We also provide essential repairs and maintenance to keep your garage weathertight and free from outside pests. Our experts serve the whole of the South East, so get in touch to discover more.Â
