Tired of taking out patio furniture and other items in the spring and finding them swarming with ants, spiders and other pests? Homeowners often give little thought to the condition of outdoor storage areas before packing away their outdoor furniture and other gear for the winter. All too often, they remove the items in the spring only to discover that they’ve been chewed on, coating with droppings or otherwise damaged.

It doesn’t have to be this way. By taking a few simple steps, you can whip your outdoor storage areas into shape to protect your belongings from pests.

Empty Them Out

First, remove everything from the shed or other outdoor storage area. Sure, this means it will take a lot longer. However, it’s the only way to ensure that pests aren’t lurking behind hidden nooks and crannies.

Sweep, Dust and Scour

Once everything has been removed, you can easily wipe down the entire interior of the storage area. Dust it thoroughly as well, and then give it a thorough sweeping. If applicable, you might also want to mop.

Examine the Interior

Not surprisingly, many pests gain access to storage spaces through tiny cracks and holes. Examine the interior carefully, and use caulk and other tools to seal them up.

Examine the Exterior

Pests often get into outdoor storage areas via woodpiles and other items that are leaned up against them. Make sure the exterior is clear of these kinds of things.

Bring in the Professionals

The best way to keep your storage areas pest-free throughout the year is by having them handled by a professional pest control company. Existing pests will be removed, and steps will be taken to keep them from coming back. When you open your shed in the spring and are greeted only by the items you stored, you’ll be glad you took these steps!