With the clutter and forgotten messes, your garage can become a haven for unwanted visitors. From arachnids to insects and rodents, the garage is a constant battleground against pests and bugs for most New Jersey homeowners. In this article, we share the top reasons pests love your garage and provide strategies to create a pest-free zone.
Why Your Garage Is a Magnet for Pests
Every living organism needs water, shelter and food to survive. Pests can easily find these three essentials in your garage.
Before determining how to prevent bugs and pests in your garage, let’s explore what draws them to your space in the first place:
- Easy entry points: From the gap between the drywall and the foundation to the hairline cracks in the concrete flooring, garages have multiple entry points for pests. Even the worn-out seals on your doors and windows can be an open invitation to bugs.
- Environmental attractants: New Jersey’s humid summers and coastal climate are the ideal breeding grounds for bugs and pests. The moisture in the atmosphere can lead to condensation and damp conditions inside your garage, attracting pests that need water to survive.
- Food sources: Many homeowners store pet food and trash cans in their garages, which can serve as food sources for bugs seeking sustenance.
How to Get Rid of Bugs in Your Garage
You can remove pests from your garage using three simple steps:
1. Incorporate Pest Management Techniques
Starting with a nonchemical approach will help you limit toxins from entering your home. Here is a mini pest management checklist to keep handy:
- Remove all garbage: Whether it’s an overflowing trash can or a growing pile in the corner, garbage can create perfect nesting conditions for pests. Gather and dispose of all trash in your garage to maintain a clean space.
- Sweep cobwebs and debris: Grab the broom and clear out dirt and spider webs.
- Clean spills: If you have oil or antifreeze spills, clean them up, as they can serve as a water source for common garage pests.
- Store food safely: Ensure that all food, including pet food, stored in the garage is in airtight containers. If you keep trash in the garage, use tight-fitting lids for trash cans and limit their dwell time in there.
2. Bug-Proof Your Garage
An effective way to get rid of common garage bugs is to seal off entry points. Inspect the doors, vents and wall joints for small openings that bugs can take advantage of. Fill these gaps using a silicone or polyurethane caulk. For much larger openings, like those around pipes, use expanding foam or even steel wool.
3. Use Natural Repellants
Depending on the types of pests in your garage, there are some natural repellents you can use:
- Spiders and moths: If arachnids and moths love your space, fill small bags with dried basil, lavender or peppermint. You can also use these plants to create repellent sprays. Mix peppermint or lavender essential oils with water and alcohol or witch hazel in a container.
- Carpenter ants: You can get rid of these wood lovers with diatomaceous earth. This powder can drive out the bugs and end the infestation. Remember to sprinkle it directly onto the colonies for the best results.
- Silverfish: These moisture-loving pests found in garages get irritated by the sharp, zesty aroma of citrus, making it a good repellent. Spray some citrus essential oils or leave peels around the corners of the garage.
- Cockroaches: Apart from essential oil sprays, such as peppermint and tea tree oil, you can use a mixture of borax and sugar to control these garage pests. Although a naturally occurring substance, borax is toxic if ingested, so be sure to keep it out of reach of children and pets. Mix the powder with syrup, honey or a sweet base of your choice, and place the mixture where you know the roaches frequent.
You can also use insect monitors to find infestation areas. These sticky traps will not necessarily help you get rid of the bugs, but will help you identify the type of pests in your garage. An accurate diagnosis can help you know which natural repellent to use.
How to Prevent Future Garage Bug Problems
Bug and pest prevention need a long-term strategy focused on garage maintenance and good habits.
Organize Your Garage
One of the best ways to prevent infestations is to declutter and organize your space. Use wall-mounted shelving to lift everything off the floor. Storing containers off the floor will limit hiding spaces for rodents and other pests in the garage. Instead of using cardboard, which can actually serve as food for some pests, opt for heavy-duty plastic or lightweight metal containers.
Create a monthly garage cleaning schedule that includes sweeping, dusting and removing cobwebs. For grease or oil spots, use a degreaser compatible with the flooring in your garage.
Maintain Your Garage Door
Your garage door is one of the best defenses against bugs and pests. Keeping it in good condition can help keep those unwanted visitors out.
Each season, conduct a thorough garage door inspection. Run your hand along the bottom seal. Does it feel brittle, cracked or flat? These are signs that it’s time to consider a replacement.
During your inspection, also pay attention to the weather stripping. Do you notice any light coming through? Weather stripping replacement can help you regulate interior temperature while making it difficult for pests to infiltrate your space. Getting ahead of these repairs will be more affordable than dealing with infestations and high energy bills.
FAQs About Bugs in Garages
Here are some common questions homeowners have about finding and removing pests from various spaces in their garage.
Is It Normal to Have Bugs in Your Garage?
Yes, it’s common to have bugs and pests in your garage, especially in the New Jersey climate. Factors such as foliage and proximity to water bodies can increase the likelihood of bugs in your garage. However, you can prevent bug infestations with a few strategic techniques.
How Do You Keep Bugs out of Boxes Stored in the Garage?
Most pests love cardboard boxes, so you will need to use a different storage method altogether. We advise plastic or metal storage containers. You can also place sachets of cedar inside the containers as an added layer of protection.
How Do You Keep Bugs out of Garage Cabinets?
Thorough cleaning is the best way to prevent bugs from infesting your cabinets. You can create a biannual schedule that includes a deep clean of the cabinets. Remember to seal any gaps you notice around the corners and the backs of the cabinets. If possible, avoid storing food items in the cabinets.
How Do You Stop Bugs From Coming Into the Garage?
One of the most effective ways to keep bugs out of the garage is to ensure that the door closes tightly against the floor, the bottom seal is secure and that the weather stripping is free from gaps.
Need More Help? Contact a Garage Door Professional Today
A secure garage door is the first step toward effective pest control in the garage. At Liberty Door and Awning, our local experts can help you diagnose and resolve garage door issues, including seal and alignment problems. Our team has been helping make New Jersey garages secure since 1968.
Let us help you prevent bugs and pests from taking refuge in your garage. Schedule a repair service today.