When you keep the interior of your home spotless and free of pests, your property can still be vulnerable to unwanted critters, especially if you have a garage or backyard shed. These spaces are ideal hiding and nesting areas for all types of insects, from spiders to rodents. Furthermore, if you live in a humid climate, you have probably waged war against pests like roaches and crickets that are always on the hunt for any dark, moist space.

Even after you recruit the assistance of pest control specialists to eradicate insects, arachnids and rodents from your garage and detached structures, you need to follow-up with maintenance tasks and regular inspections from professionals. The following guide provides you with an outline of the most essential follow-up chores.

De-Clutter the Space

It is easy to let your garage and shed become the final resting space for old electronics or just a dumping ground for anything you do not want to keep inside the house. However, if you fail to organize hardly-used items, your garage will turn into a cluttered mess and an ideal nesting area for all types of pests.

Getting an exterminator to come and spray the garage will do little in the long run if you fail to clean up and de-clutter after the pest treatment.

The first thing you need to do is sort through your belongings and get rid of things you do not need. If you have not used something in the last few years, ask yourself if you really need it. If you have a ton of stuff that you think can be useful to someone else, hold a garage sale and make some cash from your clutter.

Store Items Properly

Add shelving units for storing items off the floor. When you have boxes on the floor, you are providing a home for silverfish, roaches and food for termites. Boxes that are packed close together also create areas of moisture that insects love. In addition, when you keep the floor clear, you can easily detect signs of pests like droppings and sawdust piles from termites.

Transfer items from boxes into sturdy plastic containers. Look for sales of storage items at big box department stores if you need to purchase a lot of containers.

Put garments and fabrics that were stored in cardboard boxes into vacuumed sealed bags before placing them in plastic bins. In general, you should eliminate any storage containers made of cardboard or other paper materials. Beetles, silverfish, moths and termites will eat right through the material.

If you have a lot of garden equipment and tools in your storage area, add hooks to the walls to hang these items. If you want to store food in your garage or shed, make sure that it is in a refrigerator or freezer. Never store food in boxes, even on shelves, in your storage area. You are just asking for a pest invasion if you do.

Seal Openings and Cracks

If your garage and shed has small openings and cracks, you are basically saying "come on in" to insects and rodents. You need to seal garage doors and windows to keep the pests out. You can purchase garage door sealing kits from hardware stores.

Another advantage of sealing the garage is that it helps to regulate the temperature inside the space. Your garage will be cooler in the summer and warmer during the cold months of the year. If you have windows, make sure to seal openings around these fixtures as well. In addition, replace or repair damaged screens.

If you like to work in your garage with the door open during the spring and summer, invest in a garage door screen. You will be able to enjoy fresh air, natural light and good weather and keep insects out at the same time.