Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

How to Keep Bugs Out of Sheds

...
Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Sheds are basically miniature versions of our houses, used more for storage than for living. However, they experience the same difficulties as our homes, including insect infestations. You're more likely to find insects in sheds than in homes because sheds are typically used less, meaning that there's less to scare the bugs away and more dirt and dust tends to build up on the surfaces. Sheds are generally also less insulated and sealed, allowing room for the bugs to invade. Keep bugs out of your shed in seven steps.

Seal all cracks and gaps in your shed with silicone caulk. Even a crack as thin as 1/8 inch wide can allow ants and other small bugs into your shed. Seal around any windows in the shed, as well as all joints between shed pieces.

  • Sheds are basically miniature versions of our houses, used more for storage than for living.
  • You're more likely to find insects in sheds than in homes because sheds are typically used less, meaning that there's less to scare the bugs away and more dirt and dust tends to build up on the surfaces.

Sweep out the shed at least once per week to remove dirt and dust. Bugs can hide in dirt and dust and are attracted by unclean areas.

Move all food stores out of your shed, except those that are sealed in air-tight cans or bottles. Open food is an open invitation for bugs.

Set sticky traps or pest-specific traps -- ant traps, roach traps -- around the doors and windows of your shed. These traps will kill any bugs that get trapped in them; some contain bait that a single bug can bring back to a colony to kill the whole infestation.

Improve lighting in your shed. Make it so that any time you're in the shed, the lighting illuminates all corners of the room. Many bugs, including spiders, will run from areas clearly inhabited by humans.

  • Sweep out the shed at least once per week to remove dirt and dust.
  • Move all food stores out of your shed, except those that are sealed in air-tight cans or bottles.

Close the shed door whenever it's not in use, or if you're going to be in there for an extended period of time. This limits the entry points for bugs.

Treat insects with specific sprays as long as there are no pets, children or food stores that can be affected by the spray. These sprays are poisonous to insects but also to people and animals in some cases, so apply with caution. You can treat the whole shed, or just the areas in which you have seen insects.

Tip

If you're not sure how to handle the bugs in your shed, contact a professional pest exterminator for help. Professionals have methods and chemicals for treating insects that are unavailable to the average homeowner.

Related Articles

How to Get Rid of Mice Nests in My Shed
How to Get Rid of Mice Nests in My Shed
How to Get Rid of Little Brown Lady Bugs
How to Get Rid of Little Brown Lady Bugs
What Causes Spiders to Appear in a House?
What Causes Spiders to Appear in a House?
How to Get Rid of Possums in the Yard
How to Get Rid of Possums in the Yard
Natural Fly Repellent for Goats
Natural Fly Repellent for Goats
How to Keep Wasps From Building Nests
How to Keep Wasps From Building Nests
How to Keep Squirrels out of a Shed
How to Keep Squirrels out of a Shed
How to Get Rid of Centipedes in a Swimming Pool
How to Get Rid of Centipedes in a Swimming Pool
How to Kill a Cricket Infestation
How to Kill a Cricket Infestation
How to Kill Guinea Wasps
How to Kill Guinea Wasps
Does Vinegar Work as a Spider Repellant?
Does Vinegar Work as a Spider Repellant?
Classification of Spiders
Classification of Spiders
How Does a Scarecrow Scare Birds?
How Does a Scarecrow Scare Birds?
How to Control Box Elder Bugs With Vinegar
How to Control Box Elder Bugs With Vinegar
How to Decorate an L-Shaped Basement
How to Decorate an L-Shaped Basement
What Is Safe to Spray for Bugs in Food Cupboards?
What Is Safe to Spray for Bugs in Food Cupboards?
What Can I Do to Keep Rats Away From My House?
What Can I Do to Keep Rats Away From My House?
How to Kill Fleas Outside in Patio Areas
How to Kill Fleas Outside in Patio Areas
Garden Guides
×