Many self-storage facilities will have rules against the use of pest control chemicals in individual units. These rules are put in place to help prevent any potentially dangerous interactions between the professional pest control services that the facility employs and the pest control efforts taken by individual renters. However, while you may not be able to use chemicals to keep pests out of your self-storage unit, there are still steps you can take to protect your stored items from pest-related damage. Continue reading for three tips that can help you keep pests out of your storage unit even when you cannot employ the use of chemicals.
Tip #1: Invest In Plastic Storage Containers
Many people rely on cardboard boxes to hold items they wish to place in storage. While this may be the most common storage solution, the use of cardboard boxes can actually increase the chances that your items will be infested by pests. This is because cardboard boxes offer many small openings that allow easy access for many insects and rodents. These boxes also provide a perfect nesting place for these pests. That is why it is always a good idea to invest in plastic storage containers. Using these plastic containers inside your self-storage unit will not only help to keep pests out of your belongings, but it will keep out moisture as well.
Tip #2: Utilize Essential Oils To Deter Pests
While chemical deterrents may be forbidden by your self-storage facility, you can still make use of all-natural essential oils. For instance, both peppermint oil and lavender oil have been shown to deter a variety of pests. To utilize the power of these oils inside your storage unit, simply soak some cotton balls in the oil and place the cotton balls along the walls of your unit. This will create a barrier that pests will not want to cross.
Tip #3: Be Sure To Vacuum All Furniture Before Placing It In Storage
Furniture can often be a hidden food source inside a self-storage unit. This is because many people fail to think about vacuuming all of the food crumbs from under the couch cushions or from inside their recliner before they place these items into storage. While the small crumbs inside this furniture may seem like no big deal, the fact is that even a small amount of food can be enough to attract pests to your storage unit. That is why it is so important to make sure you have thoroughly cleaned these items before they are placed into storage.
To learn more, contact a self-storage unit in your area today.
