Protecting Your Belongings: Pest Control Tips for Storage Units in North Idaho
When storing your belongings in North Idaho, protecting them from potential pests is crucial. If you have ever stored belongings in a garage, barn, attic, or shop for an extended time, you probably have already experienced problems with various pests that want to turn your stored goods into a seasonal residence. While storage facilities often employ measures that discourage most pests, it is still the case that pests can sometimes infiltrate a storage unit and damage your belongings. If you want to ensure that your goods are stored safe from pests, here are some tips.
Common Pests in North Idaho
The first thing to do is to know what sort of pests you need to be wary of. In northern Idaho, the diverse landscape and climate provide a habitat for various pests, including rodents, insects, and spiders. Other critters like squirrels and raccoons also occasionally seek shelter in uninhabited buildings. Being aware of these pests is the first step toward effective pest control.
Proper Storage Techniques
The first line of defense is implementing proper storage techniques. You can’t just put your stuff in a grocery bag and throw it into storage. Begin by thoroughly cleaning all items before placing them in storage units. Ensure that they are free of food residue or any other potential attractants for pests. Use airtight containers and seal them tightly to prevent problems from gaining access. Plastic containers are always preferable to cardboard boxes, as pests can chew through cardboard easily. Plastic containers are also more protective than cardboard boxes when it comes to potential water damage and dust.
If you store woolen goods, use moth balls, cedar shavings, or cedar blocks. The pungent smell may not be to your taste, but it is much better than finding holes in your woolen clothing or blankets later.
Climate Control and Moisture Prevention
Excessive moisture can attract pests like silverfish and mold, and many pests tend to thrive in moist, warm environments. If your unit does not have a dehumidifier, you can use a desiccant (water-absorbing substance) in your containers to absorb any excess moisture that enters the storage space. You may use silica gel packets or “homemade” desiccants like small cloth sacks of uncooked couscous, salt, dry oatmeal, or crystal cat litter. In addition, if you can, get your containers off the floor using stand-alone shelves or pallets.
Pest-Proofing Measures
To further safeguard your belongings, consider implementing pest-proofing measures. Identify whether there are any cracks or gaps in the walls, ceiling, floors, or doors. If you use a rental storage facility, ask the facility to seal any noticeable gaps or make any necessary repairs. If it is your own storage site, use caulk or steel wool to block any holes. Door sweeps can also eliminate potential entry points at the base of doors. Place insect or other pest repellents or sticky traps in the space. If you are uncomfortable using chemical repellents, consider natural repellents like chestnuts or citrus that emit scents or substances that discourage pests from entering or occupying the space.
Regular Inspection and Maintenance
There is a tendency to forget about stuff in storage, so make a habit of checking your storage unit every couple of months, or at least at the change of seasons. Regularly inspecting your storage unit is vital for identifying any signs of pest activity. You can look for droppings, gnaw marks, damaged packaging, chewed wires, spider webs, and so on. If you notice any signs of pests, contact the storage facility management immediately to address the issue. Maintain a clean and clutter-free environment within the storage unit, as pests often use debris as hiding spots.
Regular inspection is a good practice in any case because you may have forgotten what you stored and may need some items. Further, it is never wise to pay for storing things you don’t ever use or need, so routine inspection helps you purge your stored items when necessary.
Call Epic Storage for Your Storage Needs
Preventing pest infestation of stored items is relatively easy and inexpensive, but it does require you to adopt some prudent practices. Remember: if your belongings are valuable enough that you are willing to pay for storage, don’t neglect to take steps to prevent spoilage from pests.
At Epic Storage, we want our customers to know that if they choose our storage facilities, they can be confident that their valued belongings are safe and secure, available to them 24/7 should they need them. We cannot control every aspect of the facility because our customers are the only ones who can access their storage units; accordingly, take advantage of these tips to help ensure that no harm comes to your stored items.
Epic Storage has rental storage units available in various sizes and prices at our Hauser Lake and Rathdrum locations. We also have space for RVs, boats, and trailers. To get a quote on a storage space that will suit your needs, call Epic Storage today.