DIY

Keeping Pests Out of Your Garage

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Going from the inside of your house to your garage or stepping out of your car, there are some things that you just can’t miss seeing, even if it is only a few seconds of an encounter. In most cases, you’re usually hoping that your own eyes are simply playing tricks on you.

However, this brief encounter becomes more and more apparent as you see undeniable evidence of little pests scurrying around. From looking at a trail of ants and specs of mouse droppings on the garage floor to accidentally stepping on a big fat cockroach with a crunch that makes your flesh crawl, you will know when it is time to take action.

If you do not want the signs and symptoms of a pests becoming a problem in your garage and ultimately spreading to the inside of your home, you will need to pay close attention to what is actually going on. Once you have identified what the problem is and where it’s coming from, you need to find a solid and credible solution that will help you with keeping them out.

Start Getting Organized

One of the first things homeowners should do in any of these situations is to devise a plan that starts with getting organized. When you have a critter problem inside of your garage, it may be due to a number of different issues including the lack of organization.

Therefore, if you want to make sure that you are properly getting rid of these critters, you need to get some stuff organized in your garage.

For instance, you may need to install some shelving inside of the garage to provide places that things can be stored off of the garage floor. This step usually entails getting rid of anything that will cause pests and insects to hang around in the crevices.

By organizing your garage, it will also make it much easier to keep things clean and maintained properly.

Use an Insect Prevention Solution

Once you have everything in the garage sectioned off in an orderly fashion that’s easy to keep clean and maintain, you need to focus on making sure that you have an insect prevention solution that you can use too.

For starters, you should make sure that you are sealing off the perimeter of the garage during the spring, fall and the summer months.

To make sure this seal is tight, you should concentrate on sealing up all cracks and gaps so that it will make it impossible for insects and other pests to get in from the outside. When these key places are closed off tightly, you should spray pesticide in these areas, particularly around the baseboards of your garage.

Exterminate the Pests

Putting an insect prevention plan in place is a big part of eliminating this problem. However, if you really want to make sure that you do not see any of these little critters again, you can take it a step further by implementing a pest extermination plan.

According to Rid My Critters, an extermination plan is needed before, during and after the insect prevention is being set up. For instance, you should always make sure that you are setting traps and putting repellents in the corners of the garage.

If you are having problems with getting rid of mice, rats, raccoons and other animals, this will help you to be proactive. These are some of the measures that will help you to keep pests out of your garage and assist you in ensuring it remains pests free.

For other helpful critter control tips, check out Rid My Critters on Twitter.

Categories DIY

Keeping Your Garage Cool in Summer

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Working or relaxing in your house during hot summer days can be very uncomfortable due to the high temperatures. Everybody at this time tries to cool things down by installing air conditioners or other temperature regulation devices. Your garage also needs to be cool in the summer since working in a hot environment just isn’t fun.

Even in the winter it’s easy to sweat working in the garage but once you factor in the heat of summer, it’s not only uncomfortable but also not healthy. There are various ways of cooling your garage in the summer and even one thing can make a huge difference.

What makes your garage so hot?

The best way to solve a problem is to know the cause and deal with it. The same applies to your garage so analyze factors leading to the high temps. Explore all possible causes and try to fix them. Here are some of the main factors that can lead to unbearably high temperatures in your garage:

  • Garage color – Dark colors absorb heat from the sun and the bright ones reflect the rays. If you have painted your garage with dark colors like black then that could be the reason why the temperatures are too high. Consider repainting your garage with a lighter color like white or light gray to at least reflect the sun’s rays and reduce the temperatures inside the garage.
  • Door location – In case your garage doors face west, the sun’s rays will directly hit your garage and heat it up. If you have any windows that face the afternoon sun, expect that to be a factor as well. While you can’t rotate your garage, you can put in a simple window covering like blinds.
  • Lack of ventilation – Ventilation is key even in our home so if your garage is not well ventilated, you risk higher temperatures in summer. Consult garage experts to install proper ventilation and enjoy working in a cool environment.
  • Parking vehicles in your garage after a long drive in the hot sun will almost immediately heat up your garage as it absorbs the heat from the car. Consider parking your car outside on the hottest days.
  • Lack if insulation in your garage.

What are some techniques to cool down your garage?

The first step to solving a problem is to understand the cause, and now you have an idea of what can be making your garage too hot. Here are some of the best strategies you can employ to keep your garage cool even during hot summer:

1. Proper ventilation

Natural ventilation should be your first solution to an overheating garage. In case your garage does not have windows or a back/side door, consider installing one or more. If they are already there, consider opening them wide during the day to increase air circulation. Keep the garage door open as well while you are working to keep the garage cool.

2. Upgrade your garage insulation

In many cases, people tend to insulate their garages poorly. It may because the garage is old or the budget simply didn’t allow it at one time or another. It is therefore advisable to always upgrade your garage insulation if possible.

Painting your walls a light color helps as well but in an unfinished garage, adding insulation to the walls and covering with drywall is a must. Alternatively, you can use blown-in insulation and install weather stripping.

3. Install a ceiling fan

Another excellent way to reduce the high temperatures in your garage is to install a ceiling fan if your ceiling is high enough. A large fan with blade length between 7 and 9 ft. is recommended. In case you are not sure what model to go with, consult the experts near you to help you choose the best fan for your garage.

4. Consider installing an air conditioner in your garage

Installing an air conditioner in your garage like that in your house can be expensive but portable air conditioners are a good option which are less costly and more convenient. Weigh out situations in terms of budget to see if an air conditioner for your garage will work for you.

There are other ways that you can also use to cool down your garage which include, parking your car outside for some time to cool down before taking it to the garage. You can also clean your garage regularly and organize it properly to allow proper air circulation. Consider rescheduling your working hours and always go in your garage when the sun temperatures are somehow accommodating. Feel free to use any of the above strategies and enjoy working in a cool environment.