For shelter from the elements or a new food source, rodents and bugs might try to sneak into your storage unit. Pests can gnaw through your possessions or leave behind bacteria in waste, potentially damaging your favorite belongings. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to make your storage unit less appealing to pests. 

How to Keep Your Storage Unit Pest-Free

1. Put Possessions in Plastic

Even if you have cardboard boxes left from a move, it’s best to use plastic containers for long- or short-term storage. Even with sharp teeth, rodents can’t gnaw through the hard surface and lids to get inside the containers. Unlike cardboard, plastic doesn’t contain cellulose, so there’s no worry of termites making a meal out of the boxes. If the air is moist inside the storage unit, plastic won’t absorb it and become damp, which could also attract pests.

2. Leave Food at Home

Although dry goods won’t rot quickly like perishable items, keep all food outside of the self-storage unit. Some pests have a keen sense of smell and could be attracted to food inside sealed plastic bags. Once your unit becomes known as a safe place to find food, you could end up with a severe rodent problem. Additionally, wash food residue from cookware and appliances before placing them in your unit.

3. Invest in Pest Prevention Solutions

Similar to humans, rodents and insects are attracted to some smells and deterred by others. Use this to your advantage when safeguarding the storage unit from threats. The pungent smell of peppermint oil will keep pests at bay, so drench cotton balls in the liquid and put them in various places inside the confined space. If flies or gnats get in through gaps in door frames, hang sticky adhesive strips from the ceiling to catch the flying nuisances.

If you need a safe, secure place to store your excess belongings, contact the staff at Northgate Mini Storage in Jacksonville, AR. The storage facility is kept clean to deter pest activity and the entrances are protected with computerized gates to keep away intruders. To learn more about available storage unit sizes, call (501) 985-5054. A representative will help you determine which option is best for your possessions. Visit the company online for special offers and like them on Facebook for more advice on how to store items safely.