Placing Off Season Sports Gear In Storage

Self-storage companies make every effort to keep their premise pest-free, but it is up to you to take steps to ensure that pests are not attracted to your storage unit. It is not hard to keep your storage unit pest-free with the right preparation.

Step #1: Elevate Your Belongings

You should not put your belongings directly on the floor. Putting your belongings directly on the floor increases the chance of moisture damaging the items and thus attracting pests. Putting your belongings on the floor also makes it easier for small pests to get into your items.

If you want to protect your belongings, don't put them directly on the floor. Instead, put pallets on the ground, and stack your boxes on top of the pallets. Or use shelving inside your storage unit to keep your items off the ground.

Step #2: Use Plastic Containers

When it comes to how to prepare your items, consider using plastic containers. Plastic containers with airtight lids will help keep pests out of your belongings. Additionally, plastic containers don't have the same small gaps in them that cardboard boxes do, making them less risky than cardboard boxes for storing most of your items.

Step #3: Prepare Furniture

If you want your furniture to make it through storage in the best condition, you need to protect your furniture. You should put a plastic mattress cover over your mattress. You should wrap all upholstered furniture up in a canvas cloth to protect it from insects that like to burrow into the fabric. It is important to use breathable coverings that will keep insects out but not allow moisture to build up.

Step #4: Keep All Food & Food Like Items Out of Storage

It is important to keep all food and food-like items out of your storage. Even if the item is non-perishable, you still shouldn't put it in your storage. A canned good can come open, a box can get open, or a package can tear. Insects and pests that love food will smell it and come calling, getting into the food and not stopping until they have explored your unit in full.

You also should clean all items before putting them into storage to make sure they don't have food residue or crumbs. For example, if storing a couch, remove the cushions and vacuum the space. If storing a vacuum cleaner, store it with a clean bag.

Don't put items that smell like food, like candles, in your storage unit either.

Combined with the protective actions the self-storage facilities take, these actions should protect your items from pests.

To learn more, contact a self-storage facility.