A shed can be a big help to gardeners – but you want it to be an insect-resistant, rodent-proof shed. Having a dedicated spot for your gardening tools, fertilizer, etc., saves a lot of time and trouble, especially if you don’t have a garage or it’s already packed with items. But the last thing you want is to fight through spider webs or be surprised by rodents.
Why do bugs and vermin infest sheds anyway? Like most living creatures, they’re seeking water, food, and shelter.
How Do I Get Rid of Bugs in My Shed?
Start by making your shed less attractive to bugs and pests. Because they aren’t used as much, the solitude of a shed – combined with the dirt that can build up there – makes it a great hiding place for pests of all kinds.
- Sweep out your shed at least once a week to keep dirt from building up.
- Seal any cracks with silicone caulk. Insects can use even a sliver of an opening to get into the shed.
- Don’t store food in the shed. If items like birdseed are stored there, keep them in tightly sealed containers that can’t be chewed through.
- Periodically wash the shed’s walls
- Keep shrubs, firewood, etc. clear of the area around the shed
Improving the lighting in the shed can also help by eliminating dark corners where bugs can hide. If the shed isn’t wired for electricity, look into stick-on battery-powered lights or solar options.
How Do I Keep Spiders Out of My Shed?
To keep spiders out of a shed, start with the tips above for a bug-proof shed. Sheds can practically be an arachnid magnet, though, so a few extra tips can help.
Pay close attention to the shed’s windows because spiders are especially adept at exploiting any tiny opening to get through. Ventilation is important, though, to prevent moisture and mildew build-up. Install 20-mesh screens for when you do open windows and consider a door curtain of the same material for when you’re going in and out a lot and leaving the door open.
Lining paper is another idea. It works even better if you spray it with an insect repellent.
An odd tip is to select a blue shed or to paint your shed blue. It’s unclear where the idea first originated, but research has shown that spiders react to the color blue. Some theorize it’s because spiders have a more limited range of color vision than humans.
A more intensive step is installing polyester roofing felt as an additional barrier against spiders. Some gardening enthusiasts will even use it in places inside where spiders have gotten in despite caulk and sealant.
Professional spraying is also an option. Talk to the experts at Arrow for more information.
How Do I Get Rid of Mice in My Shed?
For a rodent-proof shed, start with the tips above to seal the gaps and remove things that attract mice. The rule about not storing food and keeping birdseed secure is even more important to keep your shed from becoming a mouse haven.
Removing items that mice like to nest in is also crucial. That means those bags of wood mulch, compost, and soil should be stored in tightly sealed, thick plastic tubs or something else that will deter mice.
If there’s a slightly larger hole that silicone caulk or draft seal wouldn’t handle, stuff it with steel wool. Mice can’t chew through steel wool. Make sure to keep the roof well maintained. Mice will exploit any opening, crack in the roof, or gap in the weather stripping… and they can squeeze through an opening the size of a nickel!
Once a yard or shed is infested with mice, they can be hard to repel. Call us at Arrow – we have solutions.
Arrow Can Handle All of your Pest Concerns
Whether bugs or rodents, if you have a problem, call in the professionals at Arrow Exterminating. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can help you live in a critter-free environment. To get started, contact Arrow Exterminating today.
