The last thing you want to find when you pull things out of your shed is that pests have been making themselves at home in your belongings. There are, however, a few things you can do to pest-proof your shed.
Insects
Insects are attracted to standing water, dirt, wood, compost, and the like. So one of the most important things you can do to keep your shed pest-free is to keep it clean. Take the time to spray grass and dirt off the mower and let it dry before putting it away. Do the same with garden tools. Don’t store compost or firewood in the shed if you can help it. And make sure there’s no standing water around or in your shed.
If you’ve spotted pests, do a thorough inspection and caulk any cracks, seal holes, and apply weather stripping, so it’s not easy for insects to make it into your shed. Most bugs are repelled by peppermint and lavender essential oils, so you may have good results by periodically rubbing one of those around your doors and windows and putting a few drops in the corners of your building.
Rodents
Making sure there are no holes for rodents to gain entry is most important. But also, be sure to store firewood away from your shed. Don’t keep potting soil, seeds, or bird feed laying around either. If you have partially opened bags, transfer them to airtight plastic containers so mice and other rodents don’t catch the scent. Again, sealing, caulking, and weather stripping is vital to keeping rodents and larger pests away.
Of course, your biggest deterrent to pests is having a high-quality shed! If your old shed is poorly constructed or has damage that is hard to repair, you can spend a lot of time trying to pest-proof it, but you may not have luck. Old or poorly-fitted doors and windows are pretty much impossible to seal off. If that sounds like your old shed, let us introduce you to an Old Hickory® Building! These high-quality buildings come in an array of sizes to fit each and every need. We can even custom order a building to your exact specifications. If it’s time you upgraded your backyard shed, come check out our selection of Old Hickory Buildings at one of our three convenient locations in Rhinelander, Stevens Point, or Schofield. We’ve got what you need to keep your life organized and pest-free!
