Best Ways to Keep Bugs Out of Your Garage

Finding bugs in your garage is super common—and honestly, not all that surprising. Garages are basically the perfect hangout for bugs: they’re dark, have tons of hiding spots, often have food lying around, and are super easy for pests to sneak into. Let’s dive into the best ways to keep bugs out of your garage so you can avoid an infestation (and the headache that comes with it).

Why Bugs Love Garages in the First Place

When you think about your garage, it’s probably not a place you’d pick to cozy up for long periods of time. So what makes garages so irresistible to bugs? Turns out, there are actually quite a few reasons.

Clutter

Even if you swear you’re going to keep it clean, clutter somehow piles up in the garage. It’s the perfect spot to toss all the things you don’t know what to do with—yard tools, old stuff you’re not ready to part with, random odds and ends.
And the more clutter you have, the more hiding spots there are for pests. Bugs love staying hidden and safe, and a messy garage offers them tons of perfect hideouts.

Stored Pet Food

It’s pretty common to store pet food in the garage, especially if you buy it in bulk. The problem is that pet food can be like a dinner bell for bugs.

Most pet food bags aren’t exactly pest-proof, so it’s super important to transfer food into sealed glass or plastic containers if you want to keep the bugs at away.

Cardboard Boxes

Garages and cardboard seem to go hand-in-hand. Maybe you stack empty boxes there “for later,” or maybe you store things inside them.

Either way, once bugs find their way into your garage, they’ll happily take advantage of all that cardboard. Some bugs will munch on it, while others will build their nests inside. Either way, it’s a major bug magnet.

Moisture

Garages tend to trap humidity and moisture, and most bugs absolutely love that. A moist environment gives them everything they need to nest and thrive.

Gaps in Doors and Windows

Sure, you probably jump to fix any issues with doors and windows in your house, but garages often don’t get the same attention. A tiny gap around a window frame or a small crack under a door might not seem like a big deal—but for bugs, it’s like rolling out a welcome mat.

Bugs can also wander right in through the big garage doors, especially if they’re left open for long stretches of time.

Seasonal Temperature Changes

When the seasons shift, your garage becomes a cozy refuge. Even without heat or AC, it’s usually cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter compared to the great outdoors. Bugs love the shelter it provides when the weather starts getting extreme.

8 Best Ways to Bug-Proof Your Garage

1. Seal Cracks and Gaps

Blocking off those sneaky entrances into your garage is key. Use caulk or weather stripping to seal up cracks around baseboards, windows, and garage doors.

Even though you obviously need to open the doors to get in and out, try to close them quickly so you’re not giving bugs a big open invitation.

2. Keep It Clean and Clutter-Free

Take a day—or if your garage is like mine, maybe a whole weekend—to and get rid of stuff you don't really need. Fewer hiding places = fewer bugs.

Also, make a habit of sweeping the floor and keeping cardboard piles and stacks to a minimum to cut down on pest activity.

3. Install a Door Sweep or Threshold Seal

While you’re sealing up cracks, don’t forget about under the garage door. Adding a door sweep helps close off that easy entry spot where pests love to sneak in—especially at night.

4. Use Natural Repellents or Essential Oils

Some essential oils, like peppermint, eucalyptus, and cedarwood, smell amazing to us—but bugs can’t stand them!
You can apply them around the outside of your garage to help deter bugs, but don’t count on these oils getting rid of them. 

5. Properly Store Food and Trash

If bugs find a food source in your garage, they’re not going anywhere.

Make sure pet food, bird seed, or any other food items are sealed up tight in hard-sided containers. And if you store your garbage cans in the garage, make sure they have lids that fit snugly and empty them regularly.

6. Use Dehumidifiers or Improve Ventilation

Pests like mosquitoes, flies, and silverfish are drawn to humid spaces.

If your garage feels damp, run a dehumidifier or open windows (with screens!) and use fans to get the air moving.

7. Install Mesh Screens on Garage Vents or Windows

If you're improving airflow by opening windows, don’t forget the screens.

Torn or missing screens basically offer bugs a free pass into your garage, so repair or replace them as needed.

8. Schedule Routine Pest Control Treatments

For year-round peace of mind, regular pest control treatments are the way to go.

With a perimeter treatment from All-American Pest Control, you’ll have an extra layer of protection that keeps bugs out no matter the season.

When to Call a Professional

If you’ve tried everything but pests are still popping up, it’s time to get help.

Seeing signs of an infestation means it's smart to take action before it gets worse.

All-American Pest Control has you covered with services that handle both prevention and active infestations. Whether you need our Perimeter Plus Pest Control plan to cover 47+ common pests or a Complete Care bundle for pest, mosquito, termite, and yard control—we’ve got a solution.

Contact Us Today For a Bug-Free Garage

Comprehensive Pest Control Solutions in Nashville, TN & Nearby Areas

Since 1961, All-American Pest Control has been your go-to team of trusted pest experts for  homes, businesses, and home builders throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our expert team offers termite treatments, mosquito reduction, rodent removal, ant and spider control, and wasp nest removal—keeping your property protected year-round. As a local, family-owned company, we take pride in offering reliable, professional pest solutions with outstanding customer service.

We proudly serve: Franklin, Nolensville, Spring Hill, College Grove, Grassland, Cool Springs, Fieldstone Farms, Sullivan Farms, Forrest Crossing, Bent Creek, Bridgemore Village, Kings’ Chapel, Downtown Franklin, The Highlands at Ladd Park, Berry Farms, Polk Place, Rebel Meadows, River Landing, Rogershire, Shadow Green, Simmons Ridge, Southall Heights, Fernvale, Fountain Heights, Ehtridge, Lawrenceburg, Thompson Station, Santa Fe, and the entire Williamson County and Greater Nashville areas.

For trusted pest control in Nashville, TN, and these surrounding communities, contact All American Pest Control today! Call (615) 824-8814 or schedule a free home evaluation online.