Garage & Shed Pest Prevention Checklist

Check the garage door bottom seal for wear or deformation — close the door and shine a bright flashlight from the inside along the bottom; if you see light coming through, there is a gap (rodent entry point)

Inspect garage door side and top frame weatherstripping — any gap larger than 6mm needs replacement; rubber seals shrink and age after one winter-summer cycle

All wall penetrations for pipes, gas lines, and electrical conduits — stuff with steel wool first, then seal with caulk; garage wall penetrations are typically numerous and large

Check any pet food, birdseed, or grass seed stored in or near the garage — must be transferred from original packaging into sealed hard plastic or metal containers; rodents can chew through original bags in seconds

All cardboard boxes, old newspapers and magazines, and fabric stored in the garage — replace with sealed plastic bins or discard; cardboard boxes equal a five-star rodent hotel with an all-you-can-eat buffet

Firewood, tools, and clutter stacked against walls — move at least 30cm away from walls to maintain airflow and leave inspection access; the space behind items pushed against walls is the best nest site for rodents and spiders

Inspect ceiling corners, overhead beams, and roof rafters — look for wasp nests (gray papery ball shape), dense spider web clusters, rodent droppings, and gnaw marks

The door connecting the garage to the living space — the bottom and all four sides of the door frame must have intact weatherstripping; this is the last line of defense preventing rodents from entering living areas from the garage

Pesticides, herbicides, antifreeze, and other chemicals — store in a locked cabinet to prevent leaks from attracting pests and to protect children and pets

Do a full garage tidy-up and sweep once a month — do not give pests an undisturbed hiding environment for months at a time; keeping the garage dry and clutter-free is the most effective prevention