Tricks for Keeping Pests Out of a Storage Unit

Self-storage is useful for people who need to keep their belongings securely, perhaps while they’re moving house or renovating a property. Commercial self-storage units are kept locked and monitored, so you can be confident nobody is stealing the things you’ve put in them. However, if the units aren’t climate controlled you may need to worry about other issues such as vermin or pests getting into the unit.

Mice, insects, and rats can cause serious damage to your belongings if they get access to a storage unit. Some companies offer insurance against such damage but if you’re worried about protecting sentimental items then getting money back may not be enough. It’s better to take a few precautions so you don’t have to worry about pests damaging your goods at all. See here for container storage units.

Use Plastic Containers

Choosing a sealed plastic container to keep your belongings in will help prevent pets from getting access to the items. Reinforced, stackable containers are good for protecting your belongings. They have the added bonus of being strong and stackable, too, which means they’re useful for maximizing the available storage space.

Rodents can’t chew through thick layers of hard plastic, and once the boxes are sealed they should stay dry, too. For maximum peace of mind, make sure all of the items you put into the boxes are clean and dry. If you put anything damp or that is contaminated with mildew into a storage box, the changing temperatures in the storage center could make the mildew spread. container storage units

Clean All Textiles Before Putting Them in Storage

Pay special attention to soft furnishings, toys, clothing, and other textiles when you’re packing them up. Wash and dry them before storing them. This will reduce the risk of bug eggs making it into the storage facility, and also help prevent mold from taking hold. Textiles should be carefully dried and folded away into sealed containers, rather than stored hung up or in cardboard boxes so that pests can’t nest in them. All it takes is for a few bugs eggs to make it into the unit and everything in there could end up being damaged.

Clean and Check the Unit Before Leaving Things There

Take a moment to inspect the unit before you move any possessions into it. Be on the lookout for droppings, likely access points, or other signs that pests have been in the unit in the past. Sweep out any debris and clear any litter. Look around the outside of the facility first. If you see pest control boxes, consider this a good sign because it means the company is actively trying to prevent pests.

Don’t bank on your plastic boxes being sufficient protection for your property. If there’s foam, paper, or other rubbish left lying around from the previous occupant, this could attract pests. Most storage companies are good about cleaning properties between guests, so you shouldn’t need to thoroughly sanitize the unit, but do be on the lookout for any warning signs.

If you have anything very valuable that you want to protect from damp or heat damage, consider paying extra for a climate-controlled unit. Traditional storage units aren’t designed to protect antiques, rare books, or other items that need special care and careful handling.

Don’t Keep Perishable Items in Your Unit

Perishable items such as food or plants are not usually permitted in storage units, and there’s a good reason for this. Pests are attracted to consumable items. Mice have a very good sense of smell and can gain entry to properties via the smallest of gaps, so leaving food in your unit is simply inviting unwanted guests. If you try to store perishable items in your unit, you’ll invalidate your agreement in the process, and this means you won’t be able to claim for damages if your other property gets damaged while it’s in storage. Respect the policy for the protection of your own possessions, and for the protection of other people’s property too.