When you decide to store your belongings in a storage unit, it’s always important to practice certain measures that will keep them safe. And those measures include keeping them safe from pests that can possibly swarm over them and cause damages. Unfortunately, such infestations occur because people still do storing and packing habits that attract pests. So how can you prevent that from happening? In this article, we will be giving tips to help you keep your storage unit pest proof.
1. Don’t Store Food
Food always attracts rodents and insects, especially when left unattended. So this is pretty much clear that you should avoid storing food inside your storage unit. Do not use boxes that have been previously used to carry food groceries as there might still be food crumbs and smell left inside the box.
2. Avoid Using Old Boxes
Old boxes have a tendency to be a pest carrier. You might be carrying pests from your location unknowingly transferring it to your storage unit. This can cause a bigger problem because they can multiply faster and undetected, especially if the storage unit is not being cleaned as frequently.
In addition to that, they are not as sturdy as the new ones since they have been used before, so they might have holes and rips on them already. And those holes and rips can be used by rodents and insects as an easy entry way to your belongings. This is why you have to invest in new and sturdy boxes to store your belongings. There are different box sizes you can choose from, so you wouldn’t have to worry whether the items you want to store will fit in.
3. Keep Containers Tightly Sealed
If you are trying to protect your belongings from pests, it’s best that you keep every container box tightly sealed. For clothes and linens, we suggest that you use plastic containers to store them. For other items, use new boxes to store them and make sure that they are well packed inside and tightly sealed outside with a packing tape.
4. Store Items Above the Ground
Since rodents and insects crawl to the ground, we suggest that you use wood pallets or open shelves to help elevate your things at a position where it will not be easy for pests to reach them. This will not only keep them safe from pests, but will also protect them from the ground’s moisture.
5. Check for Pest Infestation on your things
At times, the pest is already on our things. In our naked eyes we don’t usually see it especially if we don’t know what we are looking for. Check your belongings thoroughly for any signs of pest problems or infestation like feces on containers, furniture holes, bite marks, insect skin remains and insect eggs. Once you have detected these signs, immediately separate, clean and treat with pest control before combining and storing with your other things. This will help you stop pest transfer and spread to your other belongings and storage unit.
6. Cover Wooden and Upholstered Furniture
Cover any wooden and upholstered furniture that you will put up for storage with a clean and dry mattress or drop cloth. Rodents and insects have a tendency to bite onto these materials, so you have to see to it that they are covered. Don’t forget to use a breathable cover for couches and chairs made with fabric materials.
7. Keep Your Storage Unit Clean
Cleanliness is very important if you want to keep pests from swarming over your belongings. You can opt to clean your storage unit before you start storing your things inside. We suggest that you also clean all your belongings before you pack and store them inside boxes. Doing a clean up will help you check for any elements that may attract pests inside your storage unit.
8. Look for a Storage Facility that has Pest Control
Do your research and look for a storage facility that ensures pest control. As you do your part to ensure your belongings and keep them safe from pest infestation, it’s also best to choose a storage facility that will do their best to safely store all your belongings.
After you have done some research, you may personally go to the storage facility to check how they maintain cleanliness in the whole area. A well-maintained storage facility shows that they are also equipped to prevent such infestation from entering your storage unit.
9. Regularly Visit Your Storage Unit
Regular visit to your storage unit doesn’t mean that you have to visit weekly. Once a month or every other month will do. These regular visits will help you see if there are any problems to be addressed in your storage unit. Remember that it’s better to be able to address these problems before they get worse and cause a lot of damage to your belongings.
Keeping your storage unit pest proof is not a hard task compared to losing the things you value because of the pests damage. Store them the right way and keep your things better and longer.
Looking for a self-storage unit nearby to store your belongings? Contact us today and we will be glad to assist you!
