The deck floor is one of the flooring areas in the house which is prone to damage. The position on the outside part of the house makes it easily porous and damaged by bugs. That is why creating a bug proof deck floor is important for every house.
Besides helping to keep the house exterior looking durable and beautiful, it will reduce the costs due to deck floor repairs.
To make a deck bug-proof, roll on two coats of clear, exterior-grade polyurethane paint on all four sides, covering the ends, tops, and bottoms.
To learn more about the bug-free floor, check several related information in the following paragraphs.
What Cause Bug Infestation on Your Floor
Bug infestation on the floor is caused by seasonal changes, weather changes, loss of bug habitat, and food or water shortages. In some areas, animals, including bugs, will move to the safest place or place with better food or water sources.
When you have an outdoor deck floor, it can attract more bugs to build their shelter there. Why? Consider the reasons below.
- Best Shelter
When the weather turns chilly, or there is too much rain, pests seek indoor shelters. The deck design is perfect for protecting them from the cold and rain.
- Food Sources
The crumbs of your snacks may not be cleaned well on the deck, which will attract bugs to live there. Food scraps and dishes left after meals make your home the best place for many bugs.
- Water Supply
The drip from the leaky faucet under the deck also attracts more bugs to live in your deck. With food sources and a water supply, your home becomes the perfect place for the bugs to build their shelter.
How to Make a Bug-Free Floor?
To protect the deck from bugs, choose bug-resistant wood is the way. You can choose pressure-treated wood for your outdoor projects, framing, and foundation. This wood is effective for making bug-free floors because there is a barrier to repelling bug destructors.
However, there are redwood and cedar for those looking for natural insect-repellent woods. Both kinds of wood have oils that protect them from getting gnawed on. To get the best grade, you should use heartwood grades of cedar and redwood.
Moreover, choosing non-wood material for your deck becomes another way to make your deck floor free from bugs. Some materials, such as PVC and composite decking, are the two examples of non-wood decks that people use today.
How to Choose a Good Bug-Proof Deck Flooring
Choosing the suitable material for deck flooring is the best way to bug-proof your deck. However, before you choose the material for your deck floor, you must know the activities you may do on the deck, where your desk is, and who will use it.
When your deck is in the outdoor space, choosing non-wood material can be the best idea. Meanwhile, the semi-outdoor deck commonly uses insect-repellent woods. The style of your deck becomes another thing you need to consider before deciding on the floor material.
Today, deck flooring can use non-wood materials. You may find some of those materials easily in the shop. Thus, talking more about this deck flooring, there are some modern material choices for replacing wood. Check the list below.
- PVC is the most water-resistant and durable deck board
- Composite is the most stylish, with several color options
- Mineral-based composites for the best deck board for all climates
Since each material may have pros and cons, you should know all those information to get the best material for your deck floor.
How to Prevent Bug Infestation on Deck Floor
Pest control under the deck becomes crucial when you have built your deck with wood. There are some natural ways to avoid bug infestation on your deck. Those ways include putting some plants, using essential oils, and lowering the humidity.
- Putting Plants
There are several plants that most bugs avoid. In this case, certain plants will be effective for certain bugs only. That is why you must choose the plants depending on what bugs you want to avoid.
Eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint plants are great for repelling fleas, flies, gnats, and moths. Meanwhile, basil, cloves, and tansy plant best repel ants, flies, and mosquitos. By putting those plants on your deck, the bugs will never come.
- Using Essential Oils
Besides having health benefits, essential oils are effective enough to repel the bugs in your deck. You only need to dab the oils onto your doorstep or each window ledge on your deck every couple weeks.
- Dehumidify
Some bugs are attracted to humidity. The best way to stop bugs from living on the deck floor is to lower the humidity. Making sure there is no water around your house is an excellent way to get rid of moisture.
Final Thought
You may be able to buy a deck floor that has a bug-proof layer. If you can, you will be protected from bugs and dirt.
Be sure to ask about the type of flooring you are buying. You may want to consider a more eco-friendly deck floor as well.