Article takeaways
- Insects and rodents tend to use unprotected storage units as sources of shelter and food.
- Cleaning your belongings and unit regularly–and including natural sprays, diffusers, or repellents in your unit–will reduce the risk of pest infestation.
- When looking into self storage facilities, ask the facility management about what measures they take to keep pests away.
Self storage is one of the safest and most cost-effective ways to store your belongings for any need or period of time. However, you may be concerned about pests in the facility you choose, and for good reason—without taking the proper precautions, rodents and insects can invade your storage space and damage important items.
Thankfully, there are plenty of effective pest control methods for storage units, from researching the quality of your storage options beforehand to using natural pest deterrents during storage. Here, we’ll go over a few reasons these unwanted visitors might be attracted to your storage unit, as well as some best practices for keeping them away for good.
Why are pests attracted to my storage unit?
Pests such as roaches, rats, ants, and mice are attracted to dark and undisturbed environments and materials they can use for food and nesting. Storage units can be appealing to pests as potential shelter, especially during colder months when warm indoor spaces are ideal for comfort. These environments can also provide pests with potential food sources and nests, depending on what’s being stored.
For example, the fabric and filling in some clothing, hunting gear, and upholstered furniture can act as a food source for some insects and a source of warmth for mice and roaches to nest in. Bed bugs can live in a storage unit as well if you’re storing a mattress without proper protection. Pests can also be attracted to the paper found in books, and if not cared for properly, you may find their pages eaten by moths.
How will I know if there are pests in my storage unit?
Once your goods are stored, it’s best to make regular visits and inspections to make sure they’re pest-free. The most obvious signs of pest infestations include rodent droppings or nesting materials visible in the unit, but you should also keep an eye out for any damage to cardboard or fabrics, as well as any other holes or bite marks in containers. Unusual smells can also signify that pests have found their way into your belongings.
How can I keep pests out of my storage unit?
Pest control before storage:
Stains and spills can attract pests, so your first move should be to clean everything you’re planning on storing before putting it away–this will also make sure you’re not bringing any pests into the unit with you. Dedicate some time to wiping down and dusting the objects and containers.
Plastic tub containers are often the best choice for keeping pests away from your objects, as cardboard boxes are susceptible to being chewed through. Furniture and fabrics should be covered with or stored in plastic bags to keep pests away, as they’re often the most vulnerable targets.
An important note: don’t store food in a storage unit. Pests are attracted to food, and even keeping canned goods with your belongings increases the risk of rodents and insects deciding your unit is a viable place to find food and shelter.
While choosing storage:
When doing research on storage units that fit your needs, ask facility management about what pest control measures they take, what external companies they work with to prevent pests, and what features you can expect when storing your belongings. You should also visit the storage facility in person and inspect how well the units are maintained before making a decision.
Climate-controlled self-storage units are the best choice for keeping pests away, as they maintain steady humidity and temperature, preventing extra moisture from attracting insects. These units are often more expensive, but will give you added value if you’re using them for a long time; short-term storage gives pests less of a window to find their way in.
Pest control during storage:
There are plenty of natural pest deterrents to put in your storage unit to keep bugs away while you’re using it. Essential oils like cedarwood and peppermint are proven to keep ants, moths, and rodents away, and sprays and diffusers that use these active ingredients are worth researching. You can also purchase inexpensive peppermint rodent repeller pods to ward off any intruders.
What are the best practices for cleaning my storage unit and pest control?
Monitoring and maintenance
Visiting your unit regularly, cleaning your items and space, and watching for signs of insect or rodent presence are the simplest methods of pest control for storage units. Most customers can get by checking in and cleaning their storage unit once every one or two months, but customers with fragile or valuable items may want to check in two to three times a month for regular inspection. However often you visit, be sure to wipe down and dust items that require it each time you do.
Re-spraying or replacing pest deterrents such as ant baits or rodent repeller packs each time you visit will further ensure your belongings are free of pests, especially in winter and spring when insects are known to congregate indoors. Be sure to reorganize your belongings when you need to take some out or put more in your unit, and bring a flashlight to inspect every corner of the unit so you don’t miss anything.
For maximum peace of mind, you can invest in a night vision security camera to keep a close eye on your goods even when you’re not there. You can also invest in insurance to protect your goods and guarantee you a reimbursement if a worst-case scenario occurs.
What to do if you find pests
If you find evidence of mice, ants, or roaches in your storage unit, such as bite marks, rodent nests, or direct pest sightings, you’ll want to notify the facility as soon as possible. A high-quality storage facility will immediately take steps to improve pest control and cover up any potential entry points, as pests in one unit can easily lead to pests in every unit.
Many storage facilities work directly with pest control services in the event of an infestation, but if you’re looking into external services, be sure to follow similar practices to choosing the right storage unit for your needs and contact multiple companies. You’ll want to look for “P-phase” pest control services that specialize in handling household pests, and be sure to compare costs and requirements before making a decision.
In the event of a pest infestation, you may consider seeking legal representation. Be sure to read your contract carefully and contact facility management with proof of the infestation before doing so, as many companies are willing to reach a settlement agreement and avoid costly legal fees if you can prove the facility has neglected to care for and protect your belongings.
Conclusion
Whatever your storage needs are, proper research into units and repellents will ensure your storage unit is pest-free. Regularly visiting and cleaning your unit and the items within it will further reduce the risk of your valuable belongings being damaged by unwanted visitors.
When you’re ready to start researching the right storage units for your needs, especially those best suited to keep pests away, SelfStorage.com has all the tools to help you find facilities in your budget. And if you need more tips on storing and protecting your goods, take a look at our blog to see what other help we can offer.
