Keeping Your Shed Free From Animal Pests

18 October 2017
 Categories: , Blog


While you probably take plenty of steps to keep animal pests, such as rodents, away from your home, you might not have paid as much attention to the shed you use as a workshop or storage space. Unfortunately, leaving this part of your property can actually make it easier for pest animals to make their way into your home. Once they have made a home in your shed they have easier access to your house. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to keep pests out of the shed, and potentially away from your home.

Build A Foundation

If your shed was set up on bare earth, you may want to consider adding a concrete foundation or slab to help prevent animals from gaining entrance. The concrete acts as a barrier, helping to keep animals that might burrow their way inside at bay. These animals might include rabbits, gophers, or moles, depending on where you live. If the shed is relatively small, you can simply pour a concrete slab next to its current location and slide it onto the concrete. For larger sheds, you may want to contact a contractor for help. It's a good idea to have any outdoor structures on your property placed on concrete to help keep pest animals away.

Secure Doors And Windows

Drafts might not be a major concern in a shed, but the open spaces around door frames and windows can create an entry point for smaller animals, such as mice or rats, to gain entry into the shed. Take some time to add weather stripping or caulk cracks around the doors, and inspect windows for any potential entry points. Take this time to look for other entry points around the shed as well, such as small holes in the roof or siding.

Store Organic Materials Properly

If your garden shed is being used to house organic materials, such as fertilizer or potting soil, take steps to store these items securely. You can place them in heavy-duty storage bins that feature a secure lid, or you can place them in metal trash cans. Look for containers that have an option for adding a padlock, as locking the containers can prevent animals from prying their way in around the lid. If you store potted plants on the shelves in your shed for planting later, consider adding chicken wire around the shelves to make the plants harder to get to.

If you suspect you have a problem with animals in the shed, contact a pest control expert. He or she can put out traps and offer additional advice for how to keep these pesky animals away from your shed, your yard, and your home.


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