What happens if you keep boxes in your garage, exterminators say

The congestion in your garage could attract spiders, mice, rats and snakes.


Like the basements and the attics, the garages are one of these spaces in our houses which accumulate things that we do not use for the moment. Sports equipment, children's clothing and holiday decorations are stacked on each other in the corners and are often forgotten. But the garage is a bridge to the great outdoors, and critters like cockroaches, spiders, mice and Even snakes Can easily find their way in the same corners to find a dark and not disturbed place to hide. Finally, they can wreak havoc In the garage, and even enter your house. To understand what is really going on if you leave boxes in your garage, read the rest to hear exterminators.

Read this then: 6 things in your garage that bring mouse to you .

Cockroaches, spiders and other bugs like boxes in the garage.

roaches on cardboard box
Vitahima / Shutterstock

If you keep boxes in your garage, you are likely to attract a variety of parasites, including cockroaches, spiders and termites.

"The cockroaches love cardboard boxes because they find space to lay eggs and grow their nursery," said A.H. David , founder of Control of weekly pests . "Termites and silver fish are other small parasites who like to hide and eat boxes."

Rick Conti , harmful inspector and owner of Doctor sniff , Explains that the boxes provide a place for these creatures to hide and make nests - even more if the boxes are filled with materials that can be used as bedding.

"Recently, I had a client whose garage became infested with wooden cockroaches", Share Conti. "These horrible cockroaches ended up invading his house until he finds the source: a garage cluttered with many old boxes."

Rats and mice are looking for nesting places.

rat in box
Liudmila Chernetska / Istock

In addition to insects and spiders, these boxes could provide a comfortable nesting point for mice, rats and other small critters.

According Charles Van Rees , PHD, conservation scientist and founder of Gulo in nature The blog, from the point of view of small fauna living around your garage, keeping additional boxes around, empty or full, creates what biologists call the structure of the habitat.

"Compared to a large open space, a garage with a bunch of boxes has much more space so that small animals can navigate," explains Van Rees. "Small spaces can remain warmer and more comfortable and can make protected places for a winter nest. Animals like mice and rats will undress in cardboard to use for nesting liners. It is as useful as for us!"

And perhaps an even worse consequence to have rodents in your garage is that snakes can slip into the search for these critters as well as food. So what can you do to alleviate the situation? Here are five tips for exterminators.

Read this then: 9 cleaning habits that attract spiders .

1
Make sure your garage is well suited.

white man insulating garage door
Shutterstock / Radovan1

Natasha Kulinski of Castor pest control Said that the first step to protect the personal effects of your rodent garage is to make sure that your garage is as well sealed as possible to prevent their entry. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

The use of bumper joints or hair at the bottom of the door of your garage can prevent rats and mice. "Make sure you check it regularly because rodents will eventually chew if they really want to enter," warns Kulinski.

David Price , certified entomologist associated with Joe mosquito , suggests sealing with silicone caulking, warehouses and rubber seals.

2
Use plastic bins instead of the box.

inline skates in plastic bins
Isaeva Studio / Shutterstock

Kulinski strongly suggests using plastic boxes with tight lids to store items. "Rats and mice will use cardboard, paper, clothing fabric or linen, and insulation as a nesting materials, so keeping them in a plastic container can keep these rodents annoying at a distance."

Price says the same tactic will also prohibit bugs. "Cardboard boxes can be particularly problematic because they are easy to chew and power them and provide them with a comfortable place."

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3
Keep the boxes of the ground.

white storage bins on wooden rack in basement
Shutterstock / seventy-five

Kulinkski recommends keeping the items out of the ground, because rats and mice are attracted to congested areas where they can hide without being disturbed.

"Keeping your items on the shelves and off the ground will make the space less attractive for rats and mice, and can also help you easily see signs of rodent infestation in the early stages."

4
Keep food out of the garage.

pet food in open box
Hadrien / Shutterstock

The price notes that boxes in the garage are particularly likely to attract parasites if they contain items that can be attractive to them, such as food, clothing or paper products.

"Remove foods while sweeping crumbs, sealing garbage bags closely and using sealed containers for pet food and bird seeds."

5
Turn and clean regularly.

middle aged couple cleaning garage
Shutterstock / Monkey corporate images

One way to keep rodents is to regularly rotate the items in your garage. "The rats, in particular, are neophobic, which is a fear of something new in their environment," explains Kulinski. "If you think the rats have entered, run your boxes and your items will make your garage less attractive because they will see it as a new environment."

But, if you are going to move boxes that have been sitting for a long time, "be sure to do it carefully so that you have no surprises," warns Van Rees.


Categories: Smarter Living
Tags: Home / / Safety
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