Don’t Store Food Inside a Storage Unit

This is the biggest factor in preventing pests from entering your storage unit.  Many people have made the mistake of accidentally leaving food items while moving into a storage unit, but rodents will take notice. Remember to look for food where you may not have intended to leave it.  Vacuum furniture underneath the cushions.

Cover Mattresses and Upholstered Furniture

Before bringing your mattresses into your storage unit, check thoroughly to ensure that they are free of insects. Use a plastic mattress cover that is specifically designed to keep pests out. Bugs and rodents can also burrow into or chew through upholstered furniture. If you have furniture with fabric, make sure it is covered in some way. You want to keep pests out, but also allow your items to breathe.

Pack Items in Containers with Air-Tight Lids

Plastic containers with air-tight lids work best for protecting fabrics, linens and clothing in a storage unit. If you prefer to use boxes, it’s advised to buy new cardboard boxes for use in your storage unit. These new boxes will be stronger and are less likely to have punctures and gaps where pests can enter than the used, free boxes you might get from a restaurant or grocery store.

Raise Stored Items

Bugs and rodents may be able to crawl, but it’s still helpful to elevate your items off of the ground. Consider placing a clean pallet on the ground or use open shelving to raise your items off of the ground. This will help deter pests from entering your boxes and will protect your belongings from moisture.

Be Aware of Scent

We advise our customers to avoid storing items with a strong scent. This includes candles, potpourri, reed diffusers, laundry detergent and more. If it’s designed to smell good, it will attract bugs. On the opposite end of the spectrum, stinky fabrics like dirty clothes and furniture can also attract vermin. If you have to store the good-smelling items, seal them in airtight plastic bags and containers to deter creatures.

Try Natural Pest Deterrents

Rather than coming prepared with poison and traps, consider more natural remedies to deter pests from entering your storage unit. Be sure to keep the area clean and broom swept. Put cedar blocks in a bowl on a shelf. Add drops of lavender or peppermint essential oils to cotton balls to deter pests.

Make Sure The Unit Is Insured

Don't Store Anything Super Valuable

As a general rule, if you can’t afford to lose it, you probably shouldn’t be putting it in your storage unit. A majority of the time your belongings will be just fine and there’s nothing to worry about, but self storage always come with a risk – albeit a small one – that items will get damaged or lost. To be safe, find an alternative way to house art, jewelry, family heirlooms, and other valuable items that you don’t want to take any chances with.

Label Your Boxes

If you’re using self storage, chances are you don’t intend to be needing the items you’re packing up for at least a couple of months. And even if you swear you’ll be able to remember that the boxes packed in the right-hand corner contain your extra kitchen utensils or sports equipment, you’d be surprised how easy it is to forget what’s what once everything is sealed up and out of sight. Labeling your boxes makes the unpacking process much easier, and is also useful if you ever need to come in and grab something.