A pest infestation is the worst thing that can happen to your storage unit. Insects and rodents can
easily find their way to all of your belongings and make sure to ruin them beyond repair. They
can eat away your boxes, munch on your precious stuff, and leave all sorts of things behind
them. And, even if they don’t ruin something, you will probably be disgusted by the leftover
smell. To prevent all this from happening, you have to keep your storage units pest-free!
But, how to do that? How to keep your storage units pest-free if we are not the owners and if are
not ‘visiting’ our stuff every single day? Well, the answer to that question is easy – all you have to
do is follow our advice.
Think Before You Rent
First things first, if you want to keep your storage units pest-free, you have to make sure that
there are no pests to begin with. So, before renting, thoroughly inspect each and every corner of
the storage unit (or units) you found. Pay attention to corners and all the nooks and crannies.
Moreover, pay attention to the smell of the unit. If you can smell the dead mice, well, that is not
a good sign.
Look for trustworthy storage owners. Those should be the people somebody recommended to
you or the people others praised online, for example. And, don’t cut corners! It is much better to
pay a bit more for a climate-controlled storage unit in a secure area than to try to save some
money and end up with all of your belongings ruined.
Prepare the Storage Unit
Once you have made sure that the storage unit is in good condition, it is time to prepare it for
your stuff. In most cases, all you have to do is vacuum the area, mop it, and dust it. That is all.
But, once you put your stuff in storage, you can’t just forget about it. For your items to be in the
same condition as you left them, you need to come to your storage unit every once in a while and
keep it in good condition. That means letting the air in, removing the dust, and checking for any
potential pest infestation or mold.
Check the Storing Rules
Don’t forget to talk to the storage unit owner and check the storing rules. These are the rules
telling you what you can keep in your storage and what you absolutely mustn’t.
For instance, you can keep all the inanimate objects. But, the following things are a big NO:
Food
Plants
Animals
Wet items
Weapons
Hazardous materials
Have in mind that each storage is different. So, be sure to talk to the owner before you start
stacking your boxes inside the storage. Moreover, if you rented a climate-controlled unit because
you plan on storing some valuable items such as artwork, jewelry, documents, etc., don’t forget
to ask about preferred temperature and humidity as well.
Buy Proper Packing Materials
Another way to keep your storage units pest-free is to use the right kind of packing materials.
That means using plastic, air-tight containers instead of regular cardboard boxes. And that means
wrapping all of your furniture pieces and rugs into the plastic foil. So, even if pests find their
way into your storage unit, they will not stay there for long as they will not be able to ‘break into’
your boxes and munch on your wrapped items.
Moreover, another thing you can do to save yourself getting rid of mice, rats, insects, etc., is to
buy one of those anti-pest sprays and spray them all over your closed boxes and wrapped items.
You can also spray it on storage doors and in all corners where pests may find their way in.
Know How to Pack
Buying the right packing materials won’t help you much if you don’t know how to use them. So,
no, you can’t just throw everything inside the plastic bins you bought and hope for the best.
First, you need to make sure that all the items you plan on packing and completely clean and dry.
Bad smells and dampness will not only attract all sorts of pests but will also contribute to mold
development. Then, when packing, be sure to wrap each and every piece in plastic foil. And,
finally, check twice whether you have sealed the bins.
And, when it comes to bigger pieces of furniture, just like previously mentioned, wrap them in
foil and place them on a palate. You can spray the mattresses, couches, chairs with upholstery,
etc., with anti-bed bug spray too, for example.
Moreover, if you have some questions or doubts, don’t hesitate to seek advice from Professional
Movers Ottawa or even from the storage owner himself. Professionals of this kind are the only
ones who can give you proper advice on packing and storing.
Implement Pest Control Measures
Don’t wait to see insects, rodents, and other pests crawling on your precious belongings to
actually do something. Once you see them, well, it might be too late. Thus, try to implement pest
control measures on time. Just like previously mentioned, you can buy natural pest deterrents and
sprays and use them on the spots where you think the pests will settle as well as on all the bins
just to be sure.
Moreover, you can set traps. Just don’t forget to check on them every once in a while top. If you
do catch something, think whether you will call the pros or start pest disinfecting yourself.
As you have seen, there are many tips to help you keep your storage units pest-free. But, at the
end of the day, the most important thing is to choose a reliable storage owner, rent a good unit,
and do everything in your power to maintain it.
