How to Bug-Proof Your Deck & Floorboards

Dealing with unwelcome insects, whether they be crawling or buzzing around your deck, is as much fun as dealing with ants at a picnic. The good news is that you have a few different options to choose from when making a deck that is resistant to insects. If you are a homeowner who is in the process of planning the construction of a deck, you should begin by thinking about using materials that are almost immune to pests such as pressure-treated wood or composites. There are, however, always new options to maintain your deck protected from insects, even years after it has been created, for those who already have a deck. This is true even for people who have had their deck built.

Installing Under Deck Screening To Your Deck Floor

You may still have issues with insects even if you choose to construct your deck out of a material that is somewhat resistant to insects, such as composite decking. The underside of a deck can offer a pleasant and shaded environment, which is ideal for a wide range of creepy crawlies to use as a home.

If you are concerned about insects crawling up through the cracks between the floorboards of your deck, you might want to consider installing a screen underneath the floor of the deck. However, before you make any alterations to your deck, you should make sure that you check the warranty on it to see whether or not you run the risk of accidentally voiding it.

Installing Screening Under An Existing Deck

It is possible to construct an extremely efficient barrier against insects using under deck screening by positioning it between the joists. When compared to placement done before construction, installing screening beneath a deck floor that has already been built can be a labor-intensive process that requires more time. However, depending on how your deck was designed, adding screening may involve nothing more complicated than merely stapling the sheet to the underside of the structure.

Installing A Deck Screen During Construction

Installing screening beneath your deck at the beginning of its construction, on the other hand, is normally a considerably less complicated process. You may support the screen by laying it on top of the joists, and the weight of the deck boards will keep them in place. It is not necessary to use staples, glue, or make any other alterations to the product in order to accomplish this, as the guarantee will not be voided.

Additional Ways to Bug-Proof Your Deck

You do not have to install a screen beneath the floor of your deck; in fact, doing so is not your only or even necessarily your best option. Mesh screens that are hung from the ceiling and run the complete circumference of your deck are yet another possibility that should not be discounted. This additional layer of screening can prevent insects from entering while also making the area where your visitors are sitting more private.

The right illumination can also play a role in discouraging the presence of insects. Consider using a bulb with lower brightness and a higher color temperature, such as a 2700K LED, for your outdoor lighting. This type of bulb has a color temperature that is warmer. These lights are much less likely to attract the attention of flying insects than other types of lighting.

Preventing Insect Damage

The screening that is installed beneath your deck will not protect you from burrowing insects such as termites. Building your deck out of materials that are specifically engineered to withstand insect damage is the most effective strategy to prevent insect damage to your deck. You'll find that composite decking is almost completely resistant to infestation, despite the fact that the majority of contemporary timber decks are treated with chemicals to keep insects at bay.

Add a Deck Skirt Made of Composite Or Pressure Treated Wood

Insects will still be able to creep around the perimeter of your deck even if you have the best under-deck screening installed. The installation of deck skirting, on the other hand, can hide the space that exists between the margins of your deck and the ground, thus preventing insects from entering your space in the first place.

Constructing a deck skirt can be a more expensive and labor-intensive endeavor than simply utilizing under-deck screening, but it is also one of the most effective strategies for preventing bugs from getting on decks. Just keep in mind that you should construct your skirt out of pressure-treated wood or composites so that you can avoid being attacked by burrowing insects like termites. If you give some of these suggestions some thought during the design stages of creating a deck, it will be easier for you to enjoy your deck in the years to come without having to worry about being bothered by unwanted insects. When it comes to spending time outside, some of these pointers can help you establish a better barrier between you and bugs, even if you already have a deck. This can be helpful if you want to avoid being bothered by insects.