During the winter, pests, including bugs and rodents seeking shelter and food, might try to make their way into your home. While some critters enter via pipes and vents, many more gain access via garage doors and other entryways. Besides keeping your doors shut when not in use, the following tips can help you keep unwanted guests out. 

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Garage 

1. Seal Gaps & Holes 

Rodents and bugs often come in through damaged or deteriorated weatherstripping around garage doors, but you can eliminate entry points by closing gaps in garage doors and walls. Weatherstripping can be replaced, and gaps can be sealed with caulk or hardware cloth to keep critters out. Another option is to use a garage door rodent seal, which contains a mixture of fabric and metal encapsulated in rubber or a stainless steel door jamb. These are more effective than rubber sealant alone, as rodents can’t chew through the metal.

2. Tidy Up

Pests prefer places where they can hide from predators and nest comfortably. Tidying up and eliminating clutter can encourage them to look elsewhere for a home. Also, since mice like to chew on cardboard, replacing boxes with plastic alternatives can make your garage less appealing. 

3. Keep Pet Supplies Inside 

Other than shelter, pests are most enticed by food. Eliminating resources can make your space less attractive. For example, if you store pet food or birdseed in the garage, consider placing it on a shelf in a sealed plastic container so pests can’t access it. If you feed your pets in the garage, remove leftover food and wash the bowls when they’ve finished their meal. Mice sometimes also feed on cat feces, so you might want to keep the litter box indoors too. Cleaning and removing any crumbs and spills will also prevent hungry critters from sniffing out a meal.

4. Use a Natural Repellent 

Pests, including rodents, have highly developed senses of smell. This can work to your advantage if you use a natural aromatic repellent that signals them to stay away. Such deterrents are available in oils, powders, liquids, and sprays and can inhibit or confuse pests to keep them at bay without harming them. Examples of scents that rodents dislike include peppermint oil, cloves, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Some homeowners even plant these herbs in pots near their garage doors to keep pests at bay.

Pest-proof your garage with new seals from MP Garage Doors in Dothan, AL. This repair and installation business has served the Southeast Alabama Tri-State Area for over 25 years, earning a gold star reputation as one of the community’s most trusted resources for reliable service and quality garage doors. Visit the website for a complete list of services, or call (334) 793-2089 to request a quote.