How to protect your deck and house from bug damage?

Your outdoor deck space is a place for you and your family to relax and entertain. It’s no fun to have bugs crawling around or buzzing around your deck like ants at a picnic. Worse yet, these bugs can travel down your deck and into your home, causing serious damage to your property. Therefore, it is important to take the necessary steps to protect your deck and home from bugs.

We can treat your deck and house for bugs. This is is a great way to keep your home free from pests. There are many ways to keep a deck from letting bugs in. If you are a homeowner who is considering building an outdoor deck, you might first consider using pressure-treated lumber or composite decking materials that are virtually impossible for bugs to destroy. But if you already have an outdoor deck, even if it was built years ago, you can find new ways to keep insects out. Here are some tips on how to keep bugs off your deck and house.

Adding screening under your outdoor deck

Even if you choose a bug-unfriendly material like composite decking, you may still have to deal with them. The underside of a deck can be a nice, shady place for many creepy crawlies to live.

If you’re worried about bugs getting in through the gaps between the floors, you may want to put a screen under the floor of your deck. But before you make any changes, check the deck’s warranty to confirm if you could accidentally void it.

Installing Screening Under Existing Decks

Putting under-deck screening between the joists can be a good way to keep bugs out. Installing a shelter under an already-built deck floor may take more work than laying it down before you build it. But depending on how your deck is made, adding the screening is usually as easy as nailing the material to the bottom of the structure.

Seal any cracks or gaps in the deck or flooring. Any cracks or crevices can provide easy access for bugs. Caulk any cracks or gaps with a caulking gun and then use a sealant to make sure the area is completely sealed.

Putting up a deck screen while it’s being built

On the other hand, when your deck is being built, it is usually easier to erect the screen under the deck. You can put the screens on the joists 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 could void the warranty.

More Ways to Keep Bugs Off Your Deck

You don’t have to put a screen under your deck floor, and it’s not always the best option. A mesh screen that hangs from the ceiling and goes all the way around the outdoor deck is another option to consider. This extra layer of the screen will keep the bugs away and give your guests a more private space.

You can also install screens on your windows and doors. This is one of the most effective ways to keep bugs away from your deck and house. Screens are designed to keep bugs out while allowing air and light in. Make sure to check screens regularly for signs of wear and replace them when needed.

Having the right amount of light can also help keep bugs away. For your outdoor lighting, you may want to switch to something like a 2700K LED bulb, which is less bright but has a warmer color temperature. Flying insects are much less likely to be interested in these lights.

Make sure your yard and outdoor spaces are clean and free of clutter. Piles of leaves, trash, and other items can attract bugs, so it’s important to keep these areas clean. Make sure you mow your lawn regularly and remove any fallen branches or sticks.

Preventing insect infestations

Termites and other burrowing insects will not be deterred by the screens under your deck. The best way to prevent insects from damaging your deck is to build your outdoor deck with materials that are resistant to insects. Most modern wood decks are chemically treated to keep bugs out, but over time, this material loses its effectiveness. Composite decking, on the other hand, is virtually impossible for bugs to get into, due to the nature of the material.

Adding a deck skirt made of composite decking

Even if you have the best under-deck shielding, bugs will still crawl around the edges of your deck. But a deck skirt can cover the space between the edge of your deck and the ground, making it impossible for bugs to get under your deck in the first place.

Building a deck skirt may be more expensive and require more work than using under-deck screening, but it’s also one of the best ways to keep bugs off your deck. Just make sure your skirt is made of WPC material to keep pests like termites out.

If you consider these tips before you build your outdoor deck, you can enjoy it for years to come without worrying about bugs. Even if you already have a deck, some of these tips can help you make it more bug-proof so you can spend more time outside.