Pest is the number one enemy of safe keeping storage units. Termites devouring your antique table and chairs or rats ripping your clothes into pieces? Also, smell cockroaches laying eggs on your old mattress?
Although most storage companies have pest control measures in their facilities, there are still small responsibilities that lie on the unit tenants in preventing infestations.
Here are some tips on how to keep your storage unit pest-free:
1. NEVER STORE FOOD
Most storage companies prohibit storage unit tenants from storing any kind of food, even those preserved ones with long shelf life, such as dried nuts and canned goods.
Some companies allow it as long as these dried and canned goods are in secure containers that are impenetrable by pests. But if you want to guarantee no infestation in your unit, just avoid storing any food at all. After all, food attracts all kinds of pests.
2. AVOID STORAGE COMPANIES NEAR BODIES OF WATER
Avoid storage companies near bodies of water, such as a river, canals, and lakes. Many animals live in these areas, and they may wander around the facilities, too.
Moreover, these areas have high humidity due to the presence of water. Many pests like humid environments; therefore, the storage facility is an ideal breeding ground for them.
Besides bodies of water, avoid storage companies with stagnant water around. For example, frequent flooding near the area can also attract pests. Pipe leaks in the facility also increase humidity.
It is not enough to search Google for ‘storage space near me‘. You have to do environment and surrounding inspections, too!
3. USE SEALED CONTAINERS
Don’t just cover your items with a cloth. Cloth doesn’t offer protection from pests. Instead, choose sealed storage boxes and plastic containers. Storage boxes protect your items better than boxes, which rats and termites can easily tear down.
4. USE STORAGE PALLET
The purpose of storage pallets is to elevate your belongings a few inches off the ground. Why does elevation matter? Leaving your belongings on the floor inside your safe keeping storage creates dark nooks, perfect for mice nesting grounds.
Also, your belongings are more affected by leaks and moisture when on the ground. Elevating your stuff using pallets and shelves makes your belongings more organised and creates less clutter and nesting grounds.
5. WRAP YOUR UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE
As mentioned, mice love fabric. You cannot put your sofa inside a sealed storage box for protection. Instead, wrap your upholstered furniture using plastic. The plastic protects your furniture against pests, leaks, and humidity.
Pests can destroy your belongings by doing these practices. But the best infestation prevention trick is checking your stuff and cleaning your unit regularly.A Safe Place Self Storage is one of the best and most trusted storage companies in the country. Visit A Safe Place Self Storage today.