Pests That Love Your Garage (and How To Keep Them Out)

Garages are a favorite among pests, but they're bad news for you and your belongings.

At A Better Garage Door, we provide overhead door installations in Parker as a first line of defense against pests. A functioning garage door is the best way to keep pests away.

Read on to learn more about pests and how to keep them out!

Why Do Pests Love Garages?

Most people have come into contact with a pest in their garage at some point. But why do pests love garages so much?

• Garages are great protection. Your garage keeps pests safe from extreme weather, predators, and more. Another reason pests may flock to your garage is if their outdoor home was destroyed.
• They're the perfect environment. Garages tend to be warm, dark, and moist. They also have a lot of materials to make nests and burrow in.
• Garages are full of enticing smells. Food products, plants, spills, grains, animal food, and birdseed all have alluring smells. Other pests are attracted to the opposite kind of smells, like garbage or sweat.

What Are Some Common Garage Pests?

Lots of different kinds of bugs and pests pose huge threats to both your garage and potentially your safety. Let's go over some of the most common kinds of pests found in garages.

Rodents

In 2017, almost half of Americans saw a rodent in their home - and almost half of those rodents were spotted in the garage. Mice and rats can spread mites and fleas, as well as cause serious damage to your belongings. And they are also almost never alone.

Termites

Termites are potentially the most destructive pest in America and cause billions of dollars' worth of damage every year. They can eat away at the foundation of your home and cause major problems. Terrifyingly, termites eat 24/7!

Beetles

There are around 30,000 different kinds of known beetles in the United States- and even more are waiting to be discovered. While beetles don't commonly spread diseases, they are a huge threat to the belongings in your garage. They especially feed on stored food products in your garage, but can also eat wood and fabric.

How Do You Keep Your Garage Free of Pests?

Here are some tips to keep bugs and pests out of your garage.

Remove existing pestsRemove existing pests

There are a couple of steps you need to take to successfully remove existing pests.

• Examine the garage. Examine every part of your garage. You need to be really thorough, looking in boxes, under shelves, in stored items, the overhead door- everywhere possible. Look for chew marks, holes, feces, and any other signs that a pest was present.
• Identify the pests. Now, look up what you've found and try to narrow down what you might be dealing with. This will help you properly exterminate the pests, as well as inform you if you should check the rest of your house.
• Remove the infestation. Use pesticides or traps to get rid of the pests in your garage. Also consider consulting with a pest control company.

Clean Your Garage

Cleaning your garage is the best preventative measure you can take to avoid pest infestation.

• Keep your garage dry. If there are any areas of dampness or wetness, find the source and take care of it. Dry any wetness with a towel and then point a fan towards it to ensure that it dries all the way. Ensure proper ventilation to limit humidity.
• Remove debris. Pests and insects build their nests and hide in debris and clutter, so get rid of any unnecessary items. Sweep the floor to get rid of any dirt, dust, or residue. Make sure any food or similar items are in airtight containers.
• Seal up garbage. If you keep garbage in your garage, it needs to be in a can with a lid. Trash and recycling should never be exposed in your garage.

Check Your Garage Door

Your garage door is your most important blockade against pests and bugs. However, it can't do its job if it isn't properly maintained. Here are some things to look for.

• Correct closure. Make sure your garage door closes completely with no gaps. If your door doesn't create a complete seal, it won't keep bugs out.
• No cracks. Look for cracks or damage on your overhead door.
• Insulation. Ensure that all weather-stripping and insulation is up-to-date and intact so pests can't sneak through.
• Windows. Check the windows on your garage door to see that they are sealed correctly, free of damage, and completely closed.

Garage Door Maintenance

Checking your garage door is fine and dandy, but you need to maintain it. Overhead door maintenance will keep pests away and also keep your garage door operating smoothly.

Garage door maintenance consists of:

• Consistent inspection. Regularly inspect the operation of your door. Visually look for gaps or cracks, and audibly listen to see if there are any changes in how your door sounds when opening and closing.
• Keeping it clean. Routinely clean your garage door and wipe away dirt and debris. A buildup of dirt and debris can damage your door.
• Lubrication. Lubricate all the moving parts of your door occasionally to keep it in the best shape possible.
• Replacement. It's important to have a new garage door installation every once in a while, especially if you're finding a lot wrong with your current door.

How Our Garage Door Repair Pros Can Help

We have over two decades of experience providing new garage doors and garage door repairs in Denver and the surrounding metro area. We've performed thousands of overhead door installations to successfully help people control pests in their garages.

No more torn-up belongings! With a new garage door, pests are the last thing you'll have to worry about.