Why Your Northbrook Garage Could Become a Pest Shelter This Winter

As temperatures drop in Northbrook, pests start searching for places to spend the winter. There are a multitude of options on most properties, but garages offer multiple entry points and shelter options. Even well-maintained garages can attract unwanted visitors during the colder months. Northbrook, IL, pest control starts with homeowners being aware of what pests may attempt to shelter in. Mosquito Squad Plus of Chicago can help you manage pest activity around your property.

Why Do Garages Attract Pests During Winter?

For pests like rodents, access to a garage can also mean easier entry into your home's interior. Small openings around utility lines, doors, and foundations provide convenient pathways, making preventative maintenance especially important.

The first thing that makes a garage appealing during winter months is heat retention. An attached garage will retain heat better than a shed or woodpile. Garages offer hiding spaces, nesting materials, and even food. IF you are using your garage for storage, cardboard, unused belongings, and stored patio furniture create particularly appealing conditions. Detached garages have the added benefit of minimal foot traffic compared to an attached garage.

Which Pests Might Invade Your Northbrook Garage?

Garages are a common favorite of multiple pests for shelter and rest during colder months.

1. Mice and rats are among the most concerning because they can damage stored belongings and contaminate surfaces. They need surprisingly small openings to squeeze through and begin establishing nests.
2. Spiders tend to seek quiet rest places with access to prey. Garages are appealing, as so many other pests, cockroaches and ants, for example, use the area to rest and shelter.
3. You may also find stink bugs sheltering in the garage. They commonly seek shelter during fall, hiding away in cracks or wall voids, periodically emerging during mild weather.

Signs of Pest Activity in Your Garage

Pests can go unnoticed in your garage during winter, especially if you aren't using the space as often. Mice and other pests may hide behind shelves, inside storage containers, or beneath equipment, so it's worth checking these areas periodically.

Look for rodent droppings, gnaw marks, shredded insulation, or scratching sounds coming from walls or stored items. You may also notice signs of spider activity, such as webs building up around windows, ceiling corners, and shelving.

How Can You Limit Winter Pest Access?

Limiting access to the garage and minimizing pests hanging around starts with understanding what is attracting pests and addressing access points.

• Seal cracks around foundations, pipes, and utility connections.
• Before cold weather moves in, check weather stripping and around the garage door for gaps or damage.
• Store pet food, birdseed, and other things that will attract pests in tightly sealed containers.
• Move storage boxes off the floor to keep cleaning and inspecting easier.
• Check stored belongings periodically for evidence of pest activity. Mouse droppings or chew marks could indicate active rodent presence. Shed skins, small stains, and webs may point to other pests.
• Maintain the landscaping around the garage. This may discourage pests from gathering near potential access points. Allowing branches to touch the structure or leaves to build up around the foundation provides shelter to pests.

Professional Pest Control for Northbrook Homeowners

Contact Mosquito Squad Plus of Chicago or call (630) 556-8315 for a free quote on pest control services. Our team can help you understand signs of pest activity and what services may fit your property and lifestyle best.