Fixing Gaps That Let Pests Into Your Garage

Title: Fixing Gaps That Let Pests Into Your Garage

We have all been there. You walk into your garage, flip on the light, and spot a trail of droppings, a half-eaten bag of birdseed, or worst of all, the frantic scurry of a mouse heading for cover. Welcome to the uninvited guest list that nobody asks for. Pests love garages because they are dark, warm, and usually full of cozy hiding spots. But the real reason they get in? Gaps. Tiny, overlooked spaces that we swear are sealed tight but definitely are not.

From our experience running Brigs Garage Doors in Hamilton, we can tell you that nine times out of ten, the entry point is right there on your garage door system. You might not see it until you look closely. But FYI, once you start looking, you cannot unsee them. Let’s fix those gaps so your garage stays yours and yours only.

Why Your Garage is Basically a Five-Star Hotel for Pests

Think about it from a pest’s perspective. Outside is cold, wet, and filled with predators. Your garage is dry, sheltered, and often has cardboard boxes they can chew into nests. Guess where those little guys end up? Inside your garage, enjoying the warmth.

We see this all the time when we do a garage door service in Hamilton. Homeowners tell us they have traps everywhere but still find mice. The problem is usually not the traps. The problem is that the front door—the garage door—has gaps big enough for a mouse to squeeze through. A mouse only needs a gap the size of a dime. A rat needs a quarter. If you can slide a pencil under your door, congratulations: you have a pest highway.

So, where do we start? Let’s walk through the most common trouble spots. We will point them out, tell you why they matter, and give you the fix. No fluff, just real talk.

The Bottom Seal: Your First Line of Defense

We cannot stress this enough: the bottom seal of your garage door is the most important barrier you have. This rubber strip runs along the bottom edge of the door. When the door is closed, it presses against the concrete floor. In theory, it seals everything out. In reality, it gets brittle, cracks, and curls up over time.

How to check if your bottom seal is failing

Kneel down and look at the gap between the bottom of the door and the floor. Run your hand along the entire length. Do you feel any drafts? Is the rubber torn or flattened? If you see daylight coming through, pests see an open door.

We recommend replacing this weather seal every few years anyway. The cost is minimal compared to having to call an exterminator later. A garage door roller replacement can also cause the door to sit unevenly, which opens up gaps. When we do a garage door spring adjustment, we always check the seal alignment too. It is a quick check that saves headaches.

If your seal is shot, head to a hardware store or call us at Brigs Garage Doors. We carry heavy-duty rubber seals that actually last through Hamilton winters. Honestly, spending a little on a seal is the most affordable pest prevention you can buy.

The Side Gaps: Where the Track Meets the Wall

Most people only look at the bottom of the door. But the sides? Those are prime real estate for spiders, ants, and mice. The gap between the vertical track and the wall framing is often a half-inch or more. That might not sound like much, but to a mouse, it is a superhighway.

Sealing the side gaps without breaking your garage door

We have seen homeowners try to fill these gaps with spray foam. Do not do that. Spray foam expands too much and can push the track out of alignment. That causes binding, which leads to needing garage door track repair sooner rather than later.

Instead, use a metal or vinyl weatherstrip that fits into the track channel. This creates a solid seal that moves with the door. Another option is to install rubber gaskets on the jambs. We prefer the gaskets because they are cheap and easy to replace.

If you notice that the door itself is not sitting flush against the side stops, you might need a garage door cable repair or a torsion spring adjustment. When cables or springs are off, the door can tilt or sag, creating gaps on one side. That is a common cause we fix at Brigs Garage Doors in Hamilton.

The Top Gap: The Overhead Culprit

Look up. No, really. The gap at the top of your garage door is often the most overlooked. When the door is fully closed, the top panel meets the header. But if the opener is set to stop too high, or if the door is out of adjustment, there can be a noticeable gap.

Birds love these gaps. Bats love them even more. We have seen raccoons squeeze through a three-inch gap at the top. You do not want that. Trust us.

Adjusting the close limit on your opener

Most garage door openers have a close-force limit adjustment. You can usually find a dial or screw on the motor unit. Turn it to make the door travel slightly lower. But be careful: if you go too far, the door will slam into the floor, which can cause a dented garage door panel or damage to the bottom seal.

A safer bet is to call for a garage door spring adjustment. The springs carry most of the weight. If they are too tight or too loose, the door will not sit level at the top. That is a job for professionals. Garage door torsion springs are dangerous to mess with if you do not know what you are doing. Seriously, they can snap and cause injury. We do that part for you.

The Dreaded Gap Around the Service Door

Wait, you have a walk-in door attached to your garage? Check that one too. We often focus on the big overhead door and forget the man-door. That door has a threshold, a sweep, and weatherstripping. Over time, all of it wears out.

We had a customer in Stoney Creek who could not figure out why mice kept coming in. We checked the overhead door. Looked fine. Then we opened the side door. The bottom sweep was completely torn off. We installed a new one, and the problem stopped immediately. Sometimes the fix is that simple.

The Sensors and Wires: Hidden Entry Points

Garage door sensors are great for safety. But the wiring and mounting brackets can create gaps. The sensor itself usually has a small bracket that sits about six inches off the floor. Behind that bracket, there is often a hole in the wall or a gap in the trim.

We suggest putting a dab of silicone caulk behind each sensor bracket. Close up any holes where wires enter the wall. Spiders and ants use those tiny gaps to travel inside.

Also, check the junction box for your opener. If you have a garage door opens by itself problem, it might be a sensor alignment issue. But sometimes the wire hole is just a direct entrance for bugs. Fill it.

Commercial Spaces Need Extra Attention

If you run a business in Burlington or Brantford, your commercial garage door is a different beast. Commercial doors are bigger, heavier, and have larger gaps overall. The bottom seals on commercial doors wear out much faster due to heavy daily use.

We have done garage door installation for commercial clients and always emphasize the seal package. Spend a bit more upfront on heavy-duty rubber, and you will save on pest control later. The same logic applies to garage door replacement projects. When you swap out an old door, do not skimp on the weatherstripping.

What About the Concrete Floor?

Your garage floor is not perfectly flat. Over time, concrete settles, cracks, and heaves. This creates uneven gaps under the door. A standard bottom seal can only flex so much. If your floor is badly cracked, you might need a threshold seal that sits on the floor itself.

These are rubber ramps that glue down to the concrete. The door closes onto them, and they conform to the uneven surface. We use these a lot for garages in older homes in Hamilton. They are affordable and work wonders for keeping out water and pests.

The Most Common Signs You Have a Pest-Friendly Gap

Here is a quick checklist. If you see any of these, you have work to do.

• Droppings or urine stains near the garage door corners.
• Chewed cardboard or wood around the bottom seal.
• Drafts or light coming in around the door edges.
• Webs or nests in the track or sensor wires.
• Strange smells that accompany unwanted roommates.

When you call Brigs Garage Doors for a garage door service in Hamilton, we look for all of these signs. It is part of our inspection. We want your garage to be pest-free, not a neighborhood rest stop.

Useful Table: Common Garage Gaps and Their Solutions

Three Common Questions About Pest Prevention and Garage Doors

Question 1: I have a brand new garage door. Can pests still get in?

Yes, absolutely. A new door does not guarantee a tight seal. The installation process needs to include proper weatherstripping and adjustments. If the door is not perfectly level, or if the bottom seal is not the right type for your floor, pests will find the gap. That is why we always recommend a final inspection after any garage door installation or garage door replacement. It is worth the peace of mind.

Question 2: Will spray foam alone fix the gaps in my garage door tracks?

We do not recommend it. Spray foam expands too much and can push the track out of alignment. That leads to binding, noise, and eventually garage door track repair. A better solution is to use vinyl or rubber weatherstripping that fits the track profile. If you need to fill a larger gap, use a backer rod and seal it with silicone caulk. That stays flexible and does not cause mechanical problems.

Question 3: How often should I replace my garage door bottom seal?

Every two to three years, depending on your climate and usage. In Hamilton, we see a lot of wear from salt, ice, and temperature swings. Heat makes rubber crack, cold makes it brittle. Check it every spring and fall. If you see cracking or flattening, replace it. The price of a new seal is tiny compared to the cost of cleaning up after a mouse infestation. It is the best affordable upgrade you can do yourself.

Final Thoughts: Stop Treating the Symptoms, Fix the Gap

Pests are persistent. They will find any weakness. But if you seal the gaps, you win. Every time. It is that simple.

We have been in this business for years at Brigs Garage Doors in Hamilton. We have seen garages overrun with mice, full of spider webs, and even once a raccoon that decided a garage was a great place to raise babies. Spoiler: it wasn’t. Every single one of those problems started with a gap that someone thought was “fine.”

So take ten minutes this weekend. Get on your hands and knees. Check every inch of your garage door. Feel for drafts. Look for light. Listen for scratching. If you find a gap, fill it. If you need help, call us. We offer garage door service in Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford, Stoney Creek, and the surrounding areas. Whether you need garage door torsion springs adjusted, a dented garage door panel replaced, or a full garage door installation, we handle it.

And hey, if you want to save a few bucks and do it yourself, we respect that. Just make sure you do it right. Because once the pests are inside, the real work begins. And nobody wants that.

Thanks for reading. Now go check your seals. We will be here when you need us. 🙂