How can you prevent pests from causing damage to your deck and house?
Your outdoor deck is a place where you and your family can relax and have fun. If left unchecked, bugs and pests can cause damage to your deck and even infiltrate your house. Not only can these pests cause structural damage to your home, but they can also be a nuisance to you and your family. Therefore, it is crucial to protect your deck and house from pests.
So, how should we maintain a comfortable and pest-free living environment? There are many ways to keep bugs off your deck. If you live in a house and want to build an outdoor deck. You should first consider using some decking material that is bug-proof, such as composite decking or PVC decking. If you already have an outdoor deck, you can also find new ways to keep bugs away.
In this guide, we’ll explore effective strategies and precautions to protect your deck and house from unwanted insect invasion. Ultimately ensuring your peace of mind and the longevity of your outdoor space.
Table of Contents
Add screens to the underside of your outdoor deck
Even if you choose a composite decking material that bugs don’t like, you may still have to deal with them. Many bugs like to live on the underside of your deck because it’s cool and shady.
If you’re worried about bugs getting in through the gaps between the floors, you can install a screen on the underside of the deck. But before you make any changes, check the deck’s warranty to see if you could accidentally void it.
Installing a screen for an existing deck
You can keep bugs out by installing under-deck screening between the joists. Placing a screen under an already-built deck may take more work than putting down a screen before building the floor. However, depending on how your deck is built, adding a shelter is often as simple as nailing material to the bottom of the structure.
Then fill any holes or cracks in the deck. Bugs can enter your home through any cracks or holes. Fill in any cracks or holes with a caulking gun and then use a sealant to make sure the area is completely sealed.
Installing deck screens during construction
If you’re in the middle of an outdoor deck project, it’s an easier time to put screens on your deck. You can put the screens on the frame and use the weight of the deck boards to hold them in place. This doesn’t always mean you have to use nails, glue or make other changes that might void the warranty.
Keeping bugs out
Under-deck screens won’t stop termites and other insects that digging themselves out of the ground. A good way to prevent insects from damaging your outdoor deck the most is to build it with materials that insects don’t like.
Most modern wood decks have been chemically treated to keep bugs out. But over time, their insect-proofing effectiveness diminishes. On the other hand, composite decking materials are produced using recyclable plastic. Such a material composition eliminates the devouring and reproduction of pests.
Deck skirt with composite decking material
Even with the best protection under your deck, bugs will still crawl around the edges. But a deck skirt covers the space between the edge of your deck and the ground. Thus making it difficult for bugs to get into the space under your deck in the first place.
Building a deck skirt may be more expensive and require more work than using an under-deck shelter, but it’s also one of the best ways to keep bugs off your deck. Just make sure your skirt is made of composite decking material to keep bugs like termites out.
More ways to keep pests out
You don’t necessarily have to install a screen underneath your deck boards. You can also use a fabric screen that hangs from the ceiling all the way around the outside deck. This extra screen will keep the bugs away and give your family a more private area.
You can also install screens on your doors and window frames. This is one of the best ways to prevent bugs from entering your deck or house. Screens work by keeping bugs out while letting air and light in. Check screens frequently for signs of wear and replace them as necessary.
Having the right amount of light will also keep bugs out. You may want to switch to 2700K LED bulbs for your outdoor lighting, which are less bright but have a warmer color temperature. Flying insects are much less likely to be interested in these lights.
Make sure your yard and other outdoor areas are clean and free of trash and other things. Piles of leaves, trash, and other things can attract bugs, so it’s important to keep these areas clean. Make sure you mow your lawn regularly and pick up any fallen sticks or branches.
Conclusion
If you think about these issues before you build your outdoor deck. You can use it for years without having to worry about bugs. Even if you already have an outdoor deck, some of these tips can help you make it bug-proof so you can spend more time outside.