One of the biggest drawbacks to storing things outside of your house is that they could be damaged by the elements… and pests. No one wants to retrieve their personal possessions from storage only to find that there are cobwebs, ants crawling everywhere, and holes in the boxes caused by nibbling mice.

Here are some tips to keep pests out of your storage unit and make sure that your things are kept in tip-top shape.

Inspect the area

One of the best ways to prevent infestations in any area is to do a thorough check, regularly. Take a flashlight and inspect the area, shining a light into the corners and crevices to make sure that there aren’t any creatures that have already made a home of your storage unit. Cleaning and rearranging things in your storage unit regularly will make it a less appealing home to any insects and rodents.

Move things away from the walls

We understand that “reducing clutter” might seem like a tall order for a storage unit. After all, you got it in the first place so that you would have a place for all that clutter. However, there are still simple things that you can do to reduce the number of attractive hiding places for mice, spiders, and other pests.

Move items away from the walls, and avoid putting cardboard boxes directly on the floor. When possible, place items up on shelves or even on pallets in order to create a gap between the floor and your things. This also makes it much easier to do a pest-check of your unit every once in a while. You won’t have to move anything; just scan the periphery with a flashlight.

Check for good-smelling things and any food items

Nothing draws pests in faster than something that smells like food. It’s common sense to avoid leaving food items in your storage unit. However, you should also be aware of those things that smell like food, even when they’re not. This includes makeup, perfume, and other toiletry items. It can even include magazines with perfume samples inside. Remember to also be aware of any air freshener devices. Make sure that any food storage items are properly, effectively sealed.

Avoid cardboard for important things

Usually we use cardboard boxes when moving, and these can be a great tool. However, if you’re putting things in a box for long-term storage, you might want to think about using something more airtight and pest-proof. Cardboard boxes have plenty of cracks and spaces for spiders or silverfish to get in. They also provide wonderful nesting material for mice, and once mice have nibbled a hole in a corner, there’s a great way in for any other pest.

If you have items that you want to keep in good shape, consider getting a rubbermaid box, or other sealable container.

Traps and pesticides

If you have concerns about pests, you might want to take specific preventative measures. Place ant bait traps, mouse traps, and spider deterrent spray around the periphery of your unit. Just make sure that any spray that you get is designated as a deterrent, rather than a tool to kill pests that are already there.

Climate Controlled Units

For important valuables and things that can get easily damaged by the elements, we recommend our climate control units. These are airtight, and we’re able to control the humidity levels and temperature in order to ensure that your items are kept in great shape. Protective seals around openings, as well as less ideal climate conditions, can all keep pests away much more easily.