How to Prevent Garage Pest Problems

Learn how to prevent pests in the garage in Washington - Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt PestWe all know that pests love to try to get inside our homes. However, there may be an even more suitable shelter for many types of pests: your garage! Whether you keep your holiday decorations stored away in the garage or your gardening tools, you likely want to avoid dealing with pests every time you have to rifle through your garage. Unfortunately, garages can be somewhat of a haven for pests considering the food, shelter, and water they can provide. In order to protect your garage from a potential infestation, it’s important to learn how to prevent pests from getting inside in the first place.

What Pest Problems Are Common in Garages?

Garages can provide pests the perfect shelter, especially in the colder winter months. The most common pests you’ll encounter in garages include:

  • Mice & Rats. Particularly in the winter, rodents will seek shelter in garages. They can easily build nests in storage boxes and wall voids or even sneak into your car.
  • Spiders. Arachnids are known to spin webs in boxes and in rarely-accessed corners. You can be sure to come across spiders when pulling out holiday decorations from your garage every year.
  • Silverfish. These tiny insects are especially fond of garages and cardboard boxes. Once they are in your garage, they can feed on a number of items: paper, glue, clothing, flour, and more. While mostly harmless, silverfish are nonetheless a nuisance.
  • Flies. Especially in the hot summer months, flies can be a major nuisance. House flies can be found resting on nearly any surface including on walls, floors, window sills, and other various objects found in the garage.

How to Keep Pests Outside Your Garage

Similarly as you would for your home, it’s crucial to eliminate pests’ access points and make the garage less inhabitable to them in general. This includes installing effective weather stripping, as well as sealing cracks and crevices with silicone-based caulk or steel wool (or both). Promptly fix any leaky pipes or moisture problems. Lastly, consider storing all goods in plastic containers with tight-fitting lids instead of cardboard boxes, and always store everything up off the ground.

Need Help Pest-Proofing Your Garage?

If you’ve done all you can to prevent pest problems in your property but still have problems, it’s best to consult your local pest control experts. The pros at Western Exterminator will work with you to ensure pests stay out of your garage for good.

Keep Bugs Away From Your Outdoor Living Space

Tips to stay pest-free in your Marysville WA yard - Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt PestBugs and pests are a common part of outdoor life. If you’re spending more time outdoors this year than ever, you’ve likely noticed the influx of insects! Especially here in Washington, pests are at full-force in the summer and early fall. But they don’t have to ruin your time spent outside. To avoid mosquitoes in your birdbath, ants on your barbecue, or wasps in your deck, it’s important to learn how to make your yard less attractive to pests. At Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest, we are committed to ensuring our customers live pest-free—both inside and outside their home. Keep reading to learn more about our best bug-free outdoor living tips and tricks.

Top Tips to Prevent Pests in Your Yard

Most pests are simply a nuisance. House flies surrounding your outdoor trash cans or spiders crawling around in your garden are to be expected. But what about mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas? Because these pests in particular can be dangerous for you and your family, it’s important to learn what to do to prevent them. Our top tips to keep pests away from your outdoor living space are:

  1. Remove standing water. Mosquitoes only need a half inch of standing water to breed.
  2. Keep your lawn and shrubs trimmed. Overgrown grass provides mosquitoes and ticks with shelter.
  3. Be on the lookout for ant hills. Even a tiny mound can contain thousands of ants inside.
  4. Thoroughly inspect wood structures. Your deck or porch may be vulnerable to termite or carpenter bees.
  5. Regularly clean up your outdoor space. Crumbs or spilled liquids will attract ants and other insects.
  6. Burn a few citronella candles. While not a long-term solution, this will repel mosquitoes.
  7. Try replacing light bulbs. Yellow bulbs or sodium vapor lights will not attract as many insects.
  8. Apply an insect repellent. Any repellent with DEET will help repel mosquitoes and ticks.
  9. Wear appropriate clothing. If you are going to be outdoors for a longer period of time, consider wearing long sleeves or pants to keep pests from biting.
  10. Use a tight-fitting lid on your trash can. Food items in an unsealed container will attract all types of pests.
  11. Store firewood away from the home. Piles of wood are a magnet for multiple kinds of pests.
  12. Plant a garden. Certain plants and herbs, including marigolds, mint, and basil, act as a natural insect repellent.

Hep With Outdoor Pests

To avoid a pest infestation inside, you need to prevent them outside first! If you are looking to implement pest prevention into your yard maintenance routine, the pest control and lawn care experts at Western are happy to help. Call our team today to learn more!

How to Keep Spring Pests Away

Prevent spring pests by deep-cleaning your Everett WA home! Learn more from Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest.Anyone that lives in Washington knows that pests are a problem year-round, but infestations surge in numbers every spring. As the weather warms up, pests that may not have been as active in the months prior come back with a vengeance! However, spring is just the beginning of pest season.

Now is the time to safeguard your home or business against pests in spring, summer, and fall! Keep reading for expert tips from the team here at Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest.

Most Common Spring Pests in Washington

While some of these pests are active year-round, there tends to be a peak in activity this time of year. The pests you should be aware of in spring include:

  • Ants. Warming temperatures encourage ants to start invading once more.
  • Flies. In the spring and summer, flies are more active than ever and can be a big nuisance.
  • Rodents. Although they’re active year-round, rats and mice are a problem in the spring.
  • Stink bugs. After overwintering, people report a resurgence in stink bugs.
  • Stinging insects. Wasps and hornets are gearing up to build nests this time of year.

Spring Cleaning Tips for Pest Prevention

If you’re already planning on deep-cleaning your home this spring, why not implement pest prevention measures as well? To keep pests out of your building, it’s important to adhere to a number of protocols. On a regular basis, inspect your property for pests or vulnerabilities that could contribute to a pest problem. Thoroughly sanitize, ensure doors and windows are securely sealed, and focus on keeping a tidy environment free of clutter.

Spring cleaning applies outside, too! Keep a tidy yard, get rid of debris, trim tree branches and shrubs away from the foundation, and clear out gutters.

Preventing and Controlling Seasonal Pests

If you’ve done all you can to prevent pests this spring but still are dealing with flies, rats, or stink bugs, it’s best to enlist the help of a professional pest control company. Here at Western Exterminator, our team will work with you to ensure you, your family, and your home is safe from pests this spring and all year long.