Picture this: You’ve gone to find your great grandparents’ wedding album and your great grandmother’s wedding dress that you’ve had carefully stored for years and instead you find pictures with chew marks on them and a train full of holes. A not-so-friendly guest has gotten to your most important possessions and there’s nothing you can do about it! Now picture this: You’ve followed these six rules for pest-free storage and the album and dress are as intact and beautiful as the day you got them.
1. Just say “no” to food
Storing your belongings with food is basically an invitation for vermin and bugs. Even if you’re storing nonperishables and have never seen a pest in the area before, you’re setting yourself up for an infestation. Don’t store food with any of your belongings and vacuum the area often to keep it free from wandering crumbs.
2. And say “yes” to plastic containers
Airtight lids and plastic containers are your belongings’ first defense against unwanted guests. If you do need to turn to cardboard boxes, purchase new ones instead or reusing some you already have at home. They are stronger, typically have smaller gaps, and won’t have risky residue already built up inside.
3. Raise it up
Invest in some shelving or ask your local store if you can take the used (food-free) pallets they discard after receiving new shipments. Raising your belongings off the ground will not only make it more difficult for pests to find their way into your boxes, it will also protect them from damp floors and water damage.
4. Wrap furniture
Mattresses and upholstered furniture should be properly wrapped in plastic or cloth to prevent vermin and insects from burrowing into the fabric and destroying it. It is important to remember that these items should be thoroughly wrapped to keep things out, but also able to breathe to avoid moisture build-up.
5. Use deterrents
When all else fails, bug and vermin deterrents can work wonders. Bug sprays and strategically placed mousetraps are good ways to protect the area. If your belongings are stored in a place where a family pet may wander, make sure to use all-natural solutions like mothballs and cedar blocks.
6. Turn to the professionals
While home storage in your attic, basement, or garage is convenient, it’s not always ideal. The best way to ensure your important belongings are safe from pests (and to free up more space at home) is to store them at a self storage facility. These facilities are experts when it comes to keeping belongings in and pests out.
Now that you understand the best steps for pest-free storage and why a self storage facility may be the right choice for you, it’s time to find one that’s affordable, convenient, and even climate controlled. Contact the storage professionals at Secure Self Storage today and keep your belongings safe tomorrow–and every day after that.