How to protect stored items from bugs

Get a Free Moving Quote

zippy Shell img

    zippy Shell img

    Renting a storage unit is a great way to ensure the safety of your belongings. However, whether you are moving using Philadelphia movers services or simply want extra storage, you should seek to protect stored items from bugs. Rodents and other pests are a common issue when renting a storage unit, especially if you are renting it for longer periods of time. In such scenarios, it is your duty to ensure that your items are safe from any harm during that period. Although small and seemingly harmless, bugs can create more damage over time if we allow them to. For that reason, we will help you protect your items and understand why you should do so. Them being locked in a room does not mean that they are not going to be in danger.

    How should you protect stored items from bugs?

    When you are renting a storage unit, you are investing your money for the safety of your belongings. However, sometimes our lack of caution may cause more harm than we thought. For instance, when we move, we tend to protect our items as much as we can. So, why do some people not do that when putting those items in storage? Renting a storage unit, like storage Pottstown PA, means that your items will be safe from outside harm.

    a black man holding a cardboard box
    When and if you are using cardboard boxes you will have to tape them to ensure nothing gets through them

    However, rodents, pests, and bugs can easily find their way inside the unit. This is especially the case when dealing with natural disasters or unpleasant climate. So, how to protect your items from them?

    • Opt for a pest-control storage unit
    • Think twice before choosing containers
    • Clean your unit beforehand
    • Avoid storing food inside it
    • Elevate items from the floor if possible

    Opt for a pest-control storage unit

    One thing that beats pests in a storage unit is having regular pest control. By opting for this solution, you will ensure your items are safe no matter what time of the year is. More importantly, as this is something you will have to pay additionally for – it is worth every penny. Especially when you are storing items that have high monetary or sentimental value to you or others. Because, if you do not provide adequate protection in this scenario, these items will not only lose their monetary value but will induce high levels of stress when broken or damaged. You should look at this as an investment you know will be worth the money. Especially if you are leaving your items for long periods of time.

    Think twice before choosing containers

    Another factor to include when looking to protect stored items from bugs is the container choice. Namely, try and avoid using cardboard containers as they are easy to chew through. Whether you plan on storing small items or larger ones, your containers are the first line of defense when it comes to bugs and pests.

    a woman packing items in her plastic container to protect stored items from bugs
    Plastic containers will always provide much better protection than cardboard ones

    It is preferable to opt for plastic containers as they are harder to penetrate and provide good protection to items. More importantly, they make it easier for you to stack items inside them. Cardboard is cheaper to buy but will require more work to ensure proper protection.

    Clean your unit beforehand to protect stored items from bugs

    When you rent a storage unit, make sure it is clean. Even it is to some degree, devote time to cleaning it thoroughly. Before you decide to store your items inside, visit the unit and clean everything. Check corners from holes, excess dust or other things you should be aware of. Moreover, you can even spray a bug spray in the unit to ensure no bugs enter for the period of its duration. Basically, you can place any type of protection against rodents, as long as you remember where you put them. Finally, you can place cotton balls with a few drops of peppermint oil to ensure no bugs enter the unit. Peppermint oil is a less toxic way of repelling bugs.

    Avoid storing food inside the unit

    The thing that attracts the bugs the most is food. However, many storage facilities and companies will tell you that it is not allowed to store food inside. Atop of that, you should not store things like bird seeds, pet food, or similar perishable goods. If you do so, that would be like putting a welcome sign for the pests.

    a woman holding a plate with pasteries on it
    Food smells can attract rodents and bugs of all sorts and can also spread the smell around your storage unit

    Besides bugs, you can attract rodents like mice and rats. This can lead to potential issues with the storage facility, as well as your items. Pests will not only damage your items, but they will also create an unhealthy environment and thus directly impact your own health. Therefore, simply avoid storing any type of food in your storage unit to make sure you do not attract bugs and rodents.

    Elevate items from the floor if possible

    Our final piece of advice for you is to store your items on an elevated level if possible. This solution is not only good for pests, but also for problems during winter. During winter, for instance, this method will help you protect your items from excess water that might enter your storage unit. When it comes to pests, elevation from the floor helps protect stored items from bugs as it disallows them to climb atop of them. However, this process might be a little tricky to pull off. If you have the means and the skills to do so, we advise doing it. Items that are above the ground level will make it almost impossible for bugs to crawl on leaving your items protected.

    Latest Posts

    star rating

    Spectacular customer service even when dealing with complex moves. I paid for a customer to move. Zippy Shell dealt with the customer's unique requests with aplomb and grace, all at a reasonable price. Will use them again and can confidently refer them to others!

    Gavin M.

    2 / July / 2020

    Get an Online Free Moving Quote

    Send Us a Message