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Bugs in the garage

Garages and attics are half outdoors, so they get the widest mix: widow spiders, wasps, crickets, earwigs and the fall invaders looking for a winter spot. This page also covers attics.

Found in the garage

47 kinds, most dangerous first. Tap one for photos, the danger rating and what to do.

Arizona bark scorpionGet adviceBrown dog tickGet adviceBrown recluseGet adviceBrown widowGet adviceNorthern black widowGet adviceSouthern black widowGet adviceWestern black widowGet adviceAgrarian sac spiderBe carefulAmerican cockroachBe carefulAsian lady beetleBe carefulCarolina wolf spiderBe carefulDark fishing spiderBe carefulEastern carpenter beeBe carefulEastern yellowjacketBe carefulEuropean paper waspBe carefulFalse black widowBe carefulHobo spiderBe carefulHouse flyBe carefulHouse mosquitoBe carefulOriental cockroachBe carefulBarn funnel weaverHarmlessBlack carpenter antHarmlessBlack carpet beetleHarmlessBold jumping spiderHarmlessBoxelder bugHarmlessBrown marmorated stink bugHarmlessCamel crickets (native)HarmlessCluster flyHarmlessCommon house spiderHarmlessDrain flyHarmlessDrugstore beetleHarmlessEuropean earwigHarmlessFirebratHarmlessGiant house spiderHarmlessGreenhouse millipedeHarmlessHouse cricketHarmlessIndianmeal mothHarmlessLong-bodied cellar spiderHarmlessPavement antHarmlessPill bugHarmlessSouthern house spiderHarmlessSpotted lanternflyHarmlessSpotted orbweaverHarmlessTan jumping spiderHarmlessWebbing clothes mothHarmlessWestern conifer seed bugHarmlessWoodlouse spiderHarmless

Why bugs end up in the garage

A garage door that lifts several times a day is an open gate. The gap under a worn door seal is enough for crickets, earwigs, pill bugs and spiders, and the clutter on shelves gives them places to hide. Wasps build nests in the rafters, and attics draw fall invaders, cluster flies and wasps looking for a sheltered spot for the winter.

Pantry moths and beetles also turn up here when birdseed or pet food is stored in open bags.

What you can do today

  • Replace a worn or cracked bottom seal on the garage door, and seal gaps along the sides.
  • Store birdseed, pet food and grass seed in metal or heavy plastic bins with lids.
  • Keep shelves off the floor and use clear bins so you can see what's inside without reaching in.
  • Check rafters and attic vents in spring for small paper wasp nests, which are easier to deal with while small.
  • Wear gloves when reaching into boxes, sports gear or shoes left in the garage.

When it's more than a nuisance

Garages are a common place to meet black widows and, in their range, brown widows and brown recluses. All are rated Get advice. Look before reaching under shelves and into gloves or boots. Yellowjackets and paper wasps defend nests that get disturbed. Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 for a worrying bite and 911 for trouble breathing.