Article takeaways
- Pests are drawn to dark, undisturbed units with food, fabric, paper, or moisture, so clean, dry, food-free belongings matter most.
- Pack in hard, latching plastic bins and bed bug-rated covers instead of cardboard and loose fabric.
- Never store food, and check facility rules before using repellents, traps, mothballs, or foggers.
- Inspect your unit every one to two months, more often for valuables, and report signs of pests right away.
- Climate control can help reduce humidity-loving pests, but it doesn’t replace good packing and regular visits.
Self storage is one of the safest and most cost-effective ways to store your belongings for any need or period of time. But it’s only natural to be concerned about the level of pest control for storage units in the self storage facility you choose. After all, 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 Self 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. Self storage 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. Unless you employ the proper pest control for self storage units holding books, you may find your pages eaten by moths.
How Will I Know If There Are Pests in My Storage Unit?
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.
The best pest control for storage units starts with regular visits and inspections to keep them pest-free.
Common Pests in Storage Units (and the Damage They Do)
Knowing your enemy makes prevention easier. Here are the pests storage unit tenants run into most often.
Mice and Rats
Rodents just might be the most destructive storage unit pests. Their teeth never stop growing, so they gnaw constantly on cardboard, wood, wiring, upholstery, and plastic.
Rodents are also a health concern. The CDC reports that rodents can spread diseases to people through their urine, droppings, saliva, and bites. Droppings and nesting material left in a unit can also contaminate your items long after the self storage pests are gone.
Cockroaches
Roaches are hardy, fast breeders that ride into your storage unit on boxes and furniture. A single German cockroach female can produce multiple egg cases, each holding dozens of eggs. And that’s how a handful of stowaways can become an infestation quickly.
Roaches contaminate surfaces and stored goods. Plus, the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology reports that roach droppings, shed skins, and saliva are well-documented asthma and allergy triggers.
When it comes to damaging your belongings in self storage, roaches chew on paper, glue, and book bindings.
But roaches need water. They generally last only about a week without it. A climate controlled self storage space that’s humidity- and moisture-free works in your favor.
Silverfish
These small, silvery, wingless insects thrive in dark, humid spots and feed on starches. That means they love book bindings, paste, photos, cardboard, and paper documents. They’re nocturnal and move quickly. Silverfish can survive for months without food and for weeks without water, according to entomologist.net.
Silverfish might not bite or spread disease, but they leave irregular holes, yellowish stains, and scraped surfaces on paper goods, which is bad news for family records and keepsakes. Silverfish may be a sign that your self storage space has too much humidity.
Spiders
Spiders move into self storage units because they’re hunting other insects. The majority of spiders are harmless, and in fact keep other bugs under control. But parts of the U.S. are home to venomous species like black widows and brown recluses. Brown recluses in particular like to hide in undisturbed boxes, shoes, and folded fabrics.
Check to see what types of spider species are in your area before assuming a spider is either harmless or poisonous. Wear gloves when moving long-stored items, and treat many webs as a clue that other pests are present.
Ants, Moths, and Carpet Beetles
Ants follow food and water residue into storage spaces. Ants often signal that there’s food or water inside your unit. Clothes moths and carpet beetles lay eggs in wool, fur, silk, and feathers, and the larvae do the damage, leaving small, irregular holes in fabric.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs deserve their own section, which we cover below.
Can Bed Bugs Live in a Self Storage Unit?
Bed bugs can survive in a storage unit, though they don’t thrive there the way they do near sleeping people, since they feed on blood. Adult bed bugs can go for several months without a meal, and in cool conditions sometimes up to a year. That means a mattress, couch, or box of bedding that went into storage infested can still be infested when you take it out.
How Bed Bugs Spread Between Self Storage Units
Bed bugs don’t fly or jump. Instead, bed bugs enter your self storage space by hitchhiking:
- On your belongings: Used furniture, mattresses, bedding, and bags carry them in.
- On you and your moving supplies: Reused boxes, blankets, and dollies can transfer bugs from one unit to another.
- Through shared walls and gaps: In multi-unit buildings, they can travel along wiring, pipes, and baseboards, though this is less common than carrying them in.
How to Prevent Bed Bugs
| ✓ | Inspect mattresses, box springs, and upholstered furniture seams before storing them. |
| ✓ | Wash and dry bedding and clothing on high heat before packing. |
| ✓ | Use a zippered, bed bug-rated mattress encasement. |
| ✓ | Don’t reuse boxes from an unknown source, and don’t store items from a place with a known infestation without professional treatment. |
What to Do If You Find Bed Bugs
- Don’t move the items, as carrying them out spreads the problem to your car and home.
- Tell facility management immediately and take photos.
- Contact a licensed pest professional. Heat treatment is the most reliable approach for furniture, since sustained high heat kills all life stages.
- Bag and wash fabrics on high heat as soon as you bring them into the home, and before transporting them anywhere else.
How to Keep Pests Out of Your 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 are often the most vulnerable targets, so cover them with breathable furniture covers or store smaller fabric items in sealed plastic bins with a desiccant pack. Make sure everything is completely dry first, since airtight plastic bags can trap moisture and invite mildew. Keep boxes and bins off the floor on pallets or shelving, and check that your unit’s door seals tightly so there aren’t gaps pests can use to get in.
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 can help keep 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 commonly used to help deter ants, moths, and rodents, though results vary, 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.
Best Practices for Unit Cleaning and Pest Control
What to Put in Your Unit to Keep Bugs Away
Here’s a quick look at common items and how well they work. Check your facility’s rules before using anything beyond containers and passive deterrents.
| Item | What it helps with | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hard plastic bins with latching lids | Silverfish, roaches, moths; rodent-resistant | A top upgrade over cardboard. Rodents can chew some plastics, so also keep food out and seal gaps |
| Zippered mattress cover and furniture covers | Bed bugs | Look for bed bug-rated products; sealed covers can trap bed bugs inside |
| Cedar blocks or cedar chips | Humidity and odor control; moth-repellent claims are disputed | Sand lightly or refresh every few months |
| Rodent repeller pods | Mild rodent deterrent | Replace on every visit or as directed. Sealing entry points, removing food, and trapping generally work better |
| Moisture absorbers or desiccant packs | Humidity control (silverfish, mold) | Dehumidifiers and ventilation are generally more reliable. |
| Sticky traps | Monitoring and early detection (roaches, spiders) | Shows where pests are active; not a pest control method. Check each visit |
| Ant baits | Ants | Place away from items, and confirm facility policy |
| Lavender sachets | Moths | Clean items and sealed bins matter more than scent |
| Flashlight and gloves | Inspections | Keep them in your car for every visit |
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.
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, if your facility allows it. 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 when choosing the right storage unit for your needs and contact multiple companies. Look for a licensed pest control company that handles household pests (ask about integrated pest management), and be sure to compare costs and requirements before making a decision.
In the event of an infestation, read your rental agreement carefully and contact facility management with photos or other proof of the problem. Responsibility depends on your rental agreement and local law, and many agreements limit the facility’s liability for pest damage, so check yours and consider insurance.
Final Thoughts on Pest Control for Self Storage Units
Whatever your storage needs are, proper research into units and repellents can help keep your storage unit 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 within your budget. We suggest finding a climate controlled self storage unit to keep the humidity and moisture levels down, since humidity and moisture attract lots of these pests we mentioned.
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.
