Keeping Mice And Insects Out Of Your Storage Unit
If you are planning on renting a storage unit to hold your personal belongings, you are most likely concerned about their well-being while you are not in the area to keep track of them. If mice or insects make their way into your storage unit, your items could be at risk for damage. Here are some tips to help you keep your personal effects from becoming homes to intruders while in a storage unit.
Check Over All Material Before Putting Into Storage
If you do not take the time to inspect your items before you place them in a storage unit, you may bring along a few harbored pests as a result. Instead of moving boxes of belongings without taking a look at the contents in detail, dump out the items and wipe each one down with a clean piece of cloth. This will remove any insect larvae or eggs that may have been present in the enclosure. Checking your materials beforehand will ensure a batch of baby mice do not come into your storage unit with your items as well.
Do An Inspection Of The Unit Before Renting
It is best to take a look at the exact storage unit you will be renting before you sign an agreement to take over the space. Do an evaluation of the interior walls to see if there are cracks present where insects or mice could slide through. If so, ask the management to select another unit for your rental or have them fill in the voids will caulk before you move your items inside. Check that the door has a tight seal so pests do not have enough room to scurry underneath. This can be checked by pouring water along the exterior of the door door when it is closed. Have someone else observe from the inside to see if water seeps underneath the door. If so, move on to another unit.
Make Sure To Keep Attractions Away
Do not store food items in your storage unit. These will attract insects and rodents to the area, leading to a possible infestation throughout the storage unit facility as a result. If you find that your storage unit is humid, this could pose as a problem down the road as most insects are drawn to areas where moisture is present. To safeguard your items, place bowls of cat litter in the corners of the unit to help remove moisture from the air.
Keep Items Away From Floors
If you are worried about your belongings being sabotaged by insects or mice, place them inside appropriate wrapping to protect them completely. Plastic storage tubs work well at providing ample protection for smaller items while larger pieces can be wrapped in plastic bubble wrap to keep insects and rodents from walking on them. Raise enclosures off the floor with the use of pallets or shelving units to keep pests away as well.