Nobody loves their sheds being invaded by pests because it often indicates a bigger problem. Unfortunately, you are highly unlikely to notice a pest infestation until it has got beyond control. During winter, pests usually look for a place to stay, making your shed their first option.
Shed maintenance is an important aspect of home improvement, a vital task to ensure the integrity of the building. And knowing how to keep bugs out of shed space is essential!
Why keeping your shed pest free is crucial?
Having a pest-proof shed is crucial to preserve the lifespan of garden tools and for health reasons. Bug infestation can lead to health complications that may progress into a life-threatening condition. Once bugs infest where your shed sits, they begin to lay eggs, making the problem even worse. And in some cases, they act as a food source and attract other insects.
Homeowners must combat any pest invasion effectively before it gets out of control.
How to make your shed bug- and pest-proof?
Having a bug-proof shed saves you a lot of stress and unnecessary expense. Whether you use it as a garden shed to store your gardening equipment, a private office, or a place of sanctuary, you want to prevent pests from invading your shed.
Let's look at how to bug-proof your shed and stop bugs from gaining access.
Seal Any Cracks in Your Walls
A well-built shed should have zero cracks and holes in the walls. Small insects can enter through the tiniest holes. So seal entry points to block their entrance.
Take time to inspect your storage shed, including the windows and doors, to ensure there are no holes that serve as an open invitation to bugs. Seal gaps, cracks, or holes using construction caulk or silicone caulk. This is easily the most effective way to prevent bugs.
Insulate your shed
It's important to properly insulate any storage shed, not just just for keeping bugs away but also for efficient energy saving. Use expandable foam to insulate your shed, or install roll insulation as a low-cost option.
Roll insulation works well on the siding and the shed roof. It gives extra protection from insects. Make sure all shed windows are also insulated because they are prime entrance points for bugs and other animals.
Keep Garbage Away from the Shed
Garbage cans inside are an invitation for bugs to visit your shed frequently. The bug population sees garbage as food and will make your shed a haven. Garbage will attract mice, rodents, and other animals as well.
A clean shed is the best way to deter pests because they hate a clean environment. So, eliminating any garbage is a quick and easy way to get rid of pests.
Don't Keep Open Seed Bags
Rodents, rats, and other bugs love open seed bags, as they love munching on seeds. If you have leftover seeds, store them in an airtight container.
Do you have so many bugs in your storage shed that it looks like something from a horror movie? Then start to remove things that attract them!
Keep the Shed Watertight
Bugs prefer environments with moisture buildup because they need a water source to thrive and grow. Water damage can cause mold to form in sheds and will attract flies and other pests. To prevent this, patch all leaking holes and fill any gaps in the walls.
You can also place steel thresholds to prevent rain from penetrating the floor.
Check our guide for more information on how to spot and prevent condensation and moisture in your shed.
Wrap Wire Mesh Around the Structure
For a shed/storage unit built a few inches off the soil, using a wire mesh to seal other entrance points guarantees to prevent bugs from gaining access.
Any opening at the bottom of a shed will allow snakes and other crawling animals to enter. Steel wool is one of the most effective pest traps homeowners can use to achieve a pest-proof shed because common pests like critters and mice don't like it.
Hire professionals to wrap wire mesh around a shed correctly without compromising the shed's natural ventilation.
Keep the Roof in Perfect Condition
The last thing you want is a damaged roof. Whether it's summer or winter, the roof condition is just as important as the shed itself. Leaks are the fastest way to allow insects like wasps into a shed, and holes can allow bird droppings to enter.
Using mineral felt on the roof makes it hard for many types of pests to invade your shed. Mineral felt is usually water-resistant, which means water cannot get through, no matter how heavy the rain may be.
If you notice any roof damage, contact professional services to repair it before it worsens.
Hoover
Cleaning and hoovering ensure pests won't stay long or survive in your shed. Pests invade where there's dirt, so when you clean regularly, you ruin their safe residence.
For example, spiders love dusty sheds. To have a spider-proof shed, clean out any cobwebs, and eliminate unnecessary clutter, as these attracts spiders.
Thorough cleaning will get rid of spiders. Vacuum/hoover around the perimeter, nooks and crannies, windows, doors, beneath shelves, and under furniture.
The best way of spider-proofing a shed is by using a vacuum/hoover because it will easily remove dust from hard-to-access corners.
Don't store food inside the shed
Your best bet to get rid of pests like flies is eliminating any food sources. If you store potting soil, birdseed, or grass seed, keep it in an airtight container. Don't leave food trash in your shed, as most pests are attracted to leftovers.
Keeping excess debris under control will prevent termites from seeking warmth and shelter in sheds.
Keep Soil Outside
The best place to store/keep soil or compost is outside. Bugs prefer camping inside it and laying their eggs there. So, if you need to store compost or sawdust, ensure you create a storage space away from your shed building.
Spray with Pesticides
Spray insecticides to deter pests and eliminate them. Different types of insecticides are available from hardware stores, and even a few drops are effective. Be careful, though, because some chemicals should not be sprayed inside your shed.
Use AirTight Containers
Airtight containers are important if you store clothes or camping gear in your shed. Insects like bed bugs can be hard to treat when they have already invaded fabrics. So, to prevent this, one of the best ways is to use airtight containers to restrict airflow.
Use Repellent Lining Paper
Repellent lining paper will prevent crawling insects and spiders from invading your shed. Use a repellent lining to cover the door of your shed and other entry points.
Remove Permanent Light Sources
An outdoor light is a bad idea - it attracts moths and other insects that love lighting. If you need a light source inside your shed, keep any lights to a minimum because dimmer lights won't attract insects.
You can also design an electrical system that will illuminate every nook and cranny, so you can figure out where pests may hide.
Decoy
Decoying is a very creative and low-cost option to deter insects. They love dark corners, so you can create one for them. Get some cardboard, preferably dark-colored, and put food scraps inside while ensuring there are enough entry points. This will effectively redirect some of the pests away from your garden shed.
Clear Away Plants
Some plants are hosts to insects, and having these types of plants around your shed will result in an infestation. Plants nearby should always be pest-free to ensure you're not creating a breeding space for pests.
Bugs are plant lovers, so if you plan on growing vegetables, do it away from your garden shed. Unless you don't mind your flowers and carrots being nibbled on!
Peppermint Oil
Dealing with a spider infestation? Have you tried using peppermint oil?
Spiders hate the smell of natural oils, and putting a few drops around your shed is an excellent way to protect your shed from spiders. If you don't have peppermint oil, use herbs like lavender or eucalyptus, as they both have a strong scent.
Utilize a weapon of nature
Cats hate spiders, so if you have a cat, you're in luck. Having pets in your shed is an easy way to curb insects and even repel rodents and reptiles. The natural instinct of a cat kicks in when it senses there's a spider in the same space. They usually chase it out of the shed.
Upgrade to a high-quality shed
The best way to achieve a bug-proof shed isn't using mothballs, lavender, or eucalyptus but by building a shed using high-quality materials.
A high-quality shed is one without holes and cracks. When there are no cracks in the windows or other entry points, the risk of pest problems is eliminated. The moment you notice a leak in your shed, replace the damaged part or let the experts handle it.
Urban Sheds is a top choice when it comes to bug-proof sheds because their sheds are durable and airtight and available at competitive prices. So, you can be sure you won't have to deal with a pest invasion.
Which are the most common shed pests and animals, and how to get rid of them?
In general, a pest infestation isn't something any property owner wants to deal with. Certain pests are more prone to attacking a garden shed than others.
Rodents and other mammals
Dealing with unwanted rodent visitors like mice, groundhogs, skunks, squirrels, and raccoons can be very frustrating because they cause harm to many items.
Rodents thrive in dirty environments, so removing clutter and regular cleaning are excellent preventative measures, creating a natural defense mechanism. Mice love to exploit openings in weather stripping, so ensure you call a professional to fix such problems.
A few tips on how to rodent-proof your shed:
Stop storing leftover food in your shed, as it's an open feast invitation for rodents.
Set traps, but be careful not to get injured in the process. You can call a professional to help.
Get a pet cat.
If the situation is out of control, engage animal control services.
Bugs and insects
Bugs get into sheds through holes and cracks, but when all the holes are covered, there is no means of entry. Here's how to eliminate bugs without the help of professionals:
Get a glass jar and fill it with beer. Bury it deep into the soil so that only the top of the jar is visible. The beer attracts bugs, so this is a sure way to redirect them to the beer and away from your shed.
Make use of insecticides to bug-proof your shed and eliminate any bug invasion.
Destroy any nests that pests have built in your shed.
Reptiles
Reptiles can be quite dangerous if they stay in your shed and may also compromise your health. You can eliminate them using these steps:
Keep branches and grass trimmed
Use reptile repellent
Remove their shelter (i.e., firewood, hoses, etc.)
How to Remove Animals from Under Your Shed and Deck?
Eliminating animals from under your shed can be challenging, but not impossible. If you don't want to go through the hassle of animal control, try the following methods:
Use strong smells like lavender. Mothballs also work for the same reason.
Illuminate dark and secluded corners.
How to Get Rid of Animals and Pests Living in Your Shed Walls?
Removing pests like bugs and aphids from shed walls is a process that needs to be handled by professionals. But there are steps you can take to prevent it from happening:
Remove any food sources.
Dust the window and door of your shed frequently.
Don't store potting soil inside your shed, as it attracts bugs and spiders.
Conclusion
Keeping your shed pest-free isn't as tasking as you might think. Make time to regularly sweep the ground around your shed and vacuum hard-to-reach corners, the sides of windows, and shelves.
You can use insecticide spray and silicone caulk to seal gaps that termites and other pests may penetrate.
However, it's best to contact animal services if you have a full-blown pest invasion.
FAQ
1. How do I keep my shed pest-free?
There are a few things you can do to keep your shed pest-free.
Regularly clean up any food or water sources that might attract pests.
Seal up any cracks or holes that could provide an entry point.
Use a sturdy trash can with a lid to store garbage.
Keep your shed free of clutter to deny pests hiding places.
Use pest control products like traps or bait stations to help keep pests away.
2. How do I get rid of pests in my shed?
Try the following methods:
To eliminate pests like ants and spiders, use a household cleaner with vinegar or lemon juice. Mix equal parts of the liquid with water in a spray bottle and spritz away.
If you have mice in your shed, try setting out mouse traps baited with cheese or peanut butter.
If you have larger pests like rats or raccoons, you may need to call a professional pest control company to get rid of them. In the meantime, try to keep your shed as clean as possible and seal up any cracks or holes that pests could use to get inside.