Garages can be one of the most cluttered spaces in a household. Most of us use them as a storage space and as a place to keep all of the things that we don’t regularly use. With temperatures dropping, critters and pests are now searching for warm and cozy places to build their nests in, and a messy garage is a perfect nesting ground.
Just because your garage is messy, does not mean that it has to be infested as well. Here are a few tips to keep your garage pest-free all year around!
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1. Check for Entry Points
The first thing to do is to look for places that these pests can come in and out of your garage. Seeing as most garage doors in South Australia are roller doors, it is a good idea to check on how your rollers are operating. Open and close the roller door to check if it’s closed all the way, and that there are no cracks or spaces in between. Check the rollers by the side of the door to ensure that it’s well lubricated and working well. It’s best to have maintenance done every 6 to 12 months on your rollers.
2. Seal Any Cracks
These critters will find any and every opening to come into your garage and make it their new nests. More than just holes, they will use any available crack too. Check both the interior, and the exterior of your garage for any cracks or holes.
Due to the constant weather changes in Australia, the weatherstripping on your garage is more susceptible to damage. Rodents especially will be able to penetrate it just by chewing the weatherstripping on your garage door to gain access into your home. Examine the weatherstripping closely, especially around the bottom of your door, and if you notice any damage, contact experts to schedule a replacement.
A quick and easy way to keep pests out of your home is to tighten the seals around the vents and drains in your garage. This way, if they happen to come in through the garage, they will no longer have any entryways to the rest of your home. While you’re doing that, it’s always good practice to double check the garage heating and air conditioning connections to make sure that they’re tightly sealed. Not only will this help to keep pests out of your garage, but it will also protect the units from damage.
More than just keeping windows closed in your garage, you should run your fingers along the windowsill and the surrounding areas to check if the windows are closing fully, and if there are any small openings. If you do happen to notice an opening, use some caulking to fill and seal the space.
3. DIY Natural Pest Repellent
An organic, chemical free, and humane method of keeping pests out of your garage is by trying a PETA certified natural pest repellent that can be made by using ingredients in your kitchen.
In a bowl add some salad oil, horseradish, garlic, and lots of cayenne pepper. Put some cling film on top of the bowl and set it off to the side to sit for about 48 hours. Transfer this mixture into a spray bottle.
Be aware that this mixture should be kept away from children and should not be ingested as it can be potent. Use this mixture sparingly as you carefully spray it into the potential entry points that pests can enter from.
4. Declutter
Critters love mess, and that’s no secret. Messes make for an easy hiding spot, and clutter also means that they have a safe, warm, and perfect place to make their nest. When they get comfortable in a messy space, they can reproduce at an alarmingly fast rate.
Take this opportunity to get organised and declutter your garage thoroughly. A good way to start is to bring all of the boxes and things from your garage into your driveway. This gives you an opportunity to go through them and sort your things out. This would also be a good time to donate to charity if you find things that you don’t have a use for.
When the garage is empty, start walking around with hawk eye vision to check for any nests, debris, and residue leftover from the pests. Now would be a good time to use the DIY Natural Pest Repellent outlined above. After letting that sit for a bit, dry the garage thoroughly, and ensure that there are no damp or wet spots left. If you want to speed up the process, you could use a fan.
These are just a few tips that can help keep your garage clean and free of critters and enjoy a pest free garage!