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The Creepiest Crawlies That Could Be Lurking In Your Garage

The Creepiest Crawlies That Could Be Lurking In Your Garage

Your garage makes a great home for your car, bike, tools, and other garage-y things. Unfortunately, it also makes a cosy home for creepy crawlies like spiders, snakes, mould… and bin chickens, perhaps.

If you’re guilty of using your garage as a dumping ground for stuff, filling every corner with old paint tins, sports equipment and other items you may or may not ever need again, your garage could be at a high risk of attracting unwanted visitors.

And because we love a good scare tactic, we’ve listed some of the creepiest crawlies that could be setting up camp in your garage. You know, to give you another reason to clean it out next weekend.

 

Sneaky Spiders

Spider in garage

With eight legs and no mercy, it’s no wonder a fear of spiders is one of the most common specific phobias in the world. Australia is known for hosting plenty of these hairy guys, and as they like dark, undisturbed places, this makes your garage prime real estate.

Common Types of Spiders in Australian Homes

  • Black House spider
  • Common House spider
  • Daddy Long Legs spider
  • Funnel Web spider
  • Huntsman spider
  • Redback spider
  • White-Tailed spider
  • And so on (Australia has a lot of spiders, OK?)

What to Do if You Find a Spider in Your Garage

Don’t freak out. Most house spiders aren’t venomous (Funnel Web and Redback spiders are the ones to look out for) and are happy just chilling out, not biting you. The best thing to do is leave the spider be. If you can identify the spider as non-venomous, you might like to try catching it in a jar and releasing it in the garden.

If you have a particularly bad infestation of eight-legged pests, call an exterminator.

 

Slippery Snakes

Snake in garage

No, we’re not talking the delicious jelly lolly kind. Snakes are another critter Australia is known for, and the country is home to some of the most deadly species in the world. Luckily, they’re also pretty shy, and won’t go out of their way to bite unless they’re defending themselves. But this doesn’t mean you should let them live in your garage.

Common Types of Snakes in Australian Homes

  • Coastal Carpet Python snake
  • Spotted Python snake
  • Common Tree snake
  • Brown Tree snake
  • Eastern Brown snake
  • Keelback snake
  • Red-Bellied Black snake

What to Do if You Find a Snake in Your Garage

Don’t try to pick it up yourself while your buddy films you on his smartphone. If you spy a snake in your home, call a snake catcher. Going viral is just not worth the risk.

 

Pesky Possums

Possums in garage

Sure, they’re cute, but you don’t want these noisy buggers bumping and shrieking in your garage through the night. While possums generally like hanging out in trees and bushland, it’s not uncommon for them to show up in the suburbs, taking shelter in houses.

Common Types of Possums in Australian Homes

  • Brushtail possum
  • Ringtail possum

What to Do if You Find a Possum in Your Garage

For starters, don’t feed them. This will only encourage them to stick around, hoping for another meal. What you can do is wait for the possum to leave the garage to feed at night, then close off any holes. If that doesn’t work, give pest control a call.

 

Wiley Wasps

Wasp in garage

There’s nothing like a wasp sting to put you off entering your garage forever. Wasps make their nests in sheltered areas with easy access to the outside, making your garage the perfect spot.

Common Types of Wasps in Australian Homes

  • Paper wasps
  • European wasps
  • Yellow Jacket wasps

What to Do if You Find a Wasp in Your Garage

There are a few ways you can get rid of wasps yourself, like making DIY traps and insecticide spray. But if you’ve got a large nest in your garage, you might be better off calling in the professionals.

 

Menacing Mould

Mould in garage

No, it’s not an animal, but it’s alive! And it can cause health problems like coughing, wheezing, throat irritation, and even more serious issues like reduced lung function and asthma. Mould grows in dark, damp environments (like your garage), but thankfully, it’s pretty easy to remove and prevent.

Common Types of Mould Spores in Australian Homes

  • Cladosporium (black mould)
  • Penicillium (causing food spoilage)
  • Aspergillus (mostly found in decaying leaves and plants)
  • Alnternaria (these buggers cause hayfever and asthma)

What to Do if You Find Mould in Your Garage

You can remove mould from your home by scrubbing with a commercial cleaner or bleach. Be sure to only use these chemicals in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhalation, and always wear protective gloves and goggles.

Prevent mould from growing in your garage by keeping the space dry. Remove condensation with a squeegee, and reduce humidity by opening windows or using a dehumidifier.

 

No one wants to come home to these nasty guys. Reduce the risk of hosting unwanted visitors* by keeping your garage clean and tidy with this article.

*Pests only. National Storage cannot be held liable if your mother-in-law still drops by unannounced.

 

Nowhere else to put the stuff in your garage? Move it into a self-storage unit. Discover our affordable, flexible options here and book today.

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