Hello, my name is Jacob Langston. My father passed away two years ago, and I inherited his entire estate. Dad was a great guy, but he sure did have a lot of stuff. He lived in a large home, and I honestly don’t think he changed a thing since my mother died twelve years before him. I couldn't afford to keep the house, so selling it was one of the first things I had to take care of. I was at a loss for what to do with all the belongings inside. I had to start moving things out in order to get the house ready to sell. Once it sold, I had to move the rest out. I hired a moving and storage company to help with this daunting task, and am I glad I did. Stay tuned as I share this adventure with you!
Your items, when packed correctly and stored properly, are usually safe within a locked unit at a secure storage facility. Your main concern isn't usually theft but damage from pests. Knowing what to look for when renting a unit, and how to prevent any infestations once you move in, will keep everything in pristine shape while it's in storage.
Tip #1: Choose the Right Unit
A full inspection of your new unit before you move in is a must. First, check the floors and corners for any signs of a recent mouse infestation, such as droppings. Then make sure there are no small holes or cracks in the unit walls or door. Finally, look at the environs directly surrounding the unit. If your unit is near the facility dumpsters, ask for a different unit. Dumpsters often attract rodents, which can then make the short journey to your unit.
Another thing to check is the landscaping around the unit. If weeds or overgrown plants grow right up against the building sides, your unit is going to be more prone to pests. Choose a facility with a neatly groomed landscaping to avoid this issue.
Tip #2: Don't Store Food
Many storage facilities ban food storage since this is the most likely culprit to attract pests. If your unit allows food storage, store it wisely. Keep all food items, including pet food and seeds, in tightly sealed metal or glass containers. Rodents can chew through plastic, so it doesn't provide a good storage solution.
Keep in mind that some items that aren't food can still provide a food source. Glue and paste, or even the glued bindings of books, can attract hungry rodents.
Tip #3: Elevate Everything
Store everything in boxes and place them on shelves or otherwise elevate them off the ground. This minimizes rodent access to your belongings and helps prevent invasion into your boxes.
Another benefit of elevation is it's easier to monitor your unit for a rodent infestation. You can clearly see the floor, along with dropping piles or signs of nesting activities.
Tip #4: Use Traps Wisely
Traps are the best way to handle mice and rodents in your storage unit. Snap traps will require bait, such as peanut butter to attract the rodents. Sticky traps can work without bait if they are placed in areas where you have noticed rodent activity, such as near dropping piles. If you must use traps, plan to monitor the unit every day or two so you can empty and change out traps as necessary. Poison is another option, but you must check with the storage unit manager to make sure it's allowed.
If you do end up with a rodent issue in your unit, contact the facility manager immediately. Often, rodents are brought in from nearby units. The manager can look into the cause of the infestation and possibly take some facility-wide steps to solve the problem. Also, inspect all your belongings thoroughly before taking them out of storage, because you don't want to bring the pests home with you.
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