Episode Summary
Modern Storage® tackles one of the less glamorous realities of self storage: pests. This episode covers practical strategies for keeping your storage unit free of insects, rodents, and other unwanted visitors, with advice on storing seasonal items safely and protecting your belongings year-round.
How to prevent pest infestations in your storage unit before they start
Best practices for storing seasonal items to avoid attracting insects and rodents
Year-round maintenance habits that keep your storage unit clean and protected
Pests in storage units are a more widespread problem than most renters realize, and Modern Storage® and Kaylee bring the topic into full focus in this episode of Modern Storage® Unpacked. From common household insects like ants and spiders to rodents looking for a warm, undisturbed space, storage units can become targets for infestations when items are packed incorrectly or left unchecked for extended periods. The hosts break down exactly why this happens and what renters can do to stay ahead of it. One of the core discussions in this episode centers on how the way you pack your unit directly impacts your risk of attracting pests. Cardboard boxes, for example, are a known attractant for cockroaches and silverfish because they provide both shelter and moisture. Modern Storage® and Kaylee likely recommend switching to hard plastic bins with tight-fitting lids as a simple but highly effective upgrade. Wrapping items in plastic sheeting, avoiding food or organic materials in units, and elevating belongings off the floor on pallets or shelving also come into play as foundational pest prevention strategies. Seasonal storage is another major theme in this episode. Many renters use self storage specifically to house holiday decorations, seasonal clothing, sports equipment, and outdoor furniture. These categories of items carry unique risks because they often go untouched for months at a time, giving pests the undisturbed environment they need to settle in. The hosts likely walk through best practices for storing each of these item types, including how to clean and seal items before putting them into storage and what materials attract pests most readily. Beyond individual renter behavior, the episode also likely addresses the role the storage facility itself plays in pest prevention. A well-maintained facility with regular pest control treatments, sealed unit doors, clean common areas, and climate-controlled options offers renters a significant layer of protection that a poorly managed property simply cannot. Modern Storage® probably encourage listeners to ask facility managers about their pest control protocols before signing a lease, treating it as an important factor in the facility selection process alongside price, location, and security. The episode also covers what to do if you suspect a pest problem already exists in your unit. Acting quickly, notifying facility management, removing and inspecting affected items, and using appropriate deterrents like cedar blocks, peppermint oil, or commercial pest repellents are likely part of the conversation. Knowing the warning signs of an infestation, such as droppings, chewed packaging, or shed insect skins, helps renters catch problems early before significant damage occurs to their belongings. With a lighthearted Halloween-themed angle woven into the episode, Modern Storage® and Kaylee manage to make a practical and somewhat unglamorous topic genuinely engaging. The humor keeps the tone accessible while the underlying advice is solidly useful for anyone currently renting a storage unit or considering one. Whether you are storing furniture during a move, keeping business inventory off-site, or just managing household overflow, this episode delivers real value for protecting what you store.
Common questions about the topics covered in this episode.
The most effective approach is to store everything in hard-sided plastic bins with tight-fitting lids rather than cardboard boxes, which attract insects and trap moisture. Before putting anything into the unit, clean all items thoroughly and make sure nothing with food residue or organic material is included. Keeping items off the floor on pallets or shelving also reduces contact with crawling insects and improves airflow.
Yes, climate-controlled units are not automatically rodent-proof. Mice and rats can enter through very small gaps around door seals, utility penetrations, or shared walls between units. Facility operators should inspect and seal these entry points regularly, and renters should still use sealed containers and avoid storing anything that could attract rodents, including food, birdseed, or pet supplies.
Pack seasonal decorations in sealed plastic bins rather than their original cardboard packaging, which deteriorates and becomes a nesting material for pests. Fabric items like wreaths or stuffed decorations should be placed in sealed bags before going into the bins. Inspect everything before it goes back into storage at the end of each season to catch any existing pest activity before it spreads.
Facilities should have a contracted pest control program that includes regular inspections and preventive treatments, not just reactive responses to complaints. Sealing gaps in roll-up doors, maintaining clean common areas, ensuring proper drainage to eliminate standing water, and monitoring for early signs of infestation across vacant and occupied units are all standard best practices. Operators who treat pest management as a maintenance priority rather than an afterthought protect their reputation and reduce liability exposure.
Business owners storing inventory should use commercial-grade sealed bins or racking systems that keep product off the floor and away from walls. If your inventory includes any perishable components, packaging with food-based inks, or natural fiber materials, those items are higher risk and require extra care with sealing and climate control. Conducting quarterly audits of your unit to check for pest activity is a smart operational habit that prevents small problems from becoming costly inventory losses.
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