There’s nothing more useful than a shed. That being said, sheds can often become a pain. This is especially true when they fall into disrepair. Something that can also happen to reduce its allure is that you may have to deal with pests in sheds. By way of example, here are a handful of the most common pests that are known to infest sheds.
Pests in sheds you should watch out for
1. Rodents
Creatures like rats, mice, and squirrels are by far the worst pests in sheds. These animals come into your shed because they are looking for shelter and a warm place to live. Once there, they can damage the structure with their defecation, urination, nest building and gnawing. If you have rodents in your shed, it’s probably due to two reasons.
Firstly, they’ve found a place to get in. Secondly, they’ve found a source of food inside. To repel rats from garden sheds, keep you shed in good shape, and avoid storing things like pet food or food derived fertilisers. You’ll also want to keep your shed free of clutter as much as possible.
2. Wasps
Wasps are another example of pests in sheds. These pests can get in through tiny holes and gaps in your shed. They’re particularly attracted to the inside corners. These make excellent places to build their nests. You may also get wasps if you do not go into your shed all that often. Once these pests have entered, they will build their nest fast. By the time you discover this has happened it can be too late, and you might find a full colony in there. Our suggestion is that you do not tamper with invading wasps. These pests are far more dangerous than you think. For example, many people are allergic to wasps and do not know it. The best thing to do in this scenario is call in a wasp control specialist like Diamond.
3. Spiders
Spiders also love sheds because they can spin their webs in corners. You’ll sometimes get spiders in lurking around in disuse. While most spiders are harmless, some, such as the false widow spider can give you a nasty nip.
Arachnid pests in sheds can usually be cleared away with a broom or vacuum cleaner. A good strength insect spray will also kill them. Just be careful when entering your shed over the next couple of months in case there is an autumn spider invasion.
4. Moths
If you’re storing anything like clothing or things made out of natural materials, then watch out for moths. These pests feed on fabrics of all kinds and can completely destroy them. The best thing to do here is routinely inspect your shed. Be aware that moths can invade and be sure to take the necessary precautions. The best way of doing this is leaving moth balls in there, or place pheromone traps.
Shed photo courtesy Steve Block licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.