How to Protect Furniture in Storage From Mice
If you need to place your furniture in storage, keeping bugs and mice out is something you might not think about. Even the best storage units can become infested if one person brings them in. Mice can ruin all your belongings, and this is something you want to avoid. The good news is that some natural methods exist for keeping mice out of your storage unit.
Signs of Mice in Your Storage Unit
Mice in the storage unit might not be obvious. One of the first signs you might find in your storage unit is signs like mattress stuffing on the floor or boxes that have been chewed.
Another sign that you have mice is finding mouse droppings, and the unit might have a urine odor. If you see these signs, the infestation might be worse than you think. Mice often come out at night when the storage unit is not accessible to you. You are less likely to see them out when they can hear people around.
How to Protect a Mattress in Storage from Mice
Mice love mattresses. The stuffing makes a perfect place to make a nest. Unfortunately, they can destroy a mattress quickly.There is no container available that will keep mice out of your mattresses. A plastic cover might deter them because they cannot smell any tell-tale food odors, but if they want to chew through it, they can do so easily.
Another tip for your mattress or couch is to make sure it is clean before you put it away. Any stains or odors will be easier to clean than after being in a storage box for months. It will be fresh when you take it out, and it will be less likely to attract mice. Mice can smell even tiny traces of food or smells that you cannot detect, so cleaning them thoroughly will not give mice anything tempting to gnaw on.
Storing your mattress off the ground will not discourage mice either; they can easily scale vertical surfaces.
How to Keep Mice Out of Storage Unit
One of the best things you can do to keep mice and other pests out of your storage unit is to choose a facility that has a solid pest control plan in place. This is something you should ask about when you sign the lease. Also, visit your storage unit often and inspect for mice or other pests like cockroaches.. Problems are easier to take care of when the infestation is small.
Another tip is to make sure your insurance covers items in storage and covers damage by pests. Before renting a unit:
- Make sure all the doors and access are in good condition.
- Ensure that rubbish is removed regularly and that all garbage containers are sealed.
- Check for water or food sources nearby.
Renting a unit that uses good pest management in the first place is the best way to keep them out of your belongings.
Mice Hate Peppermint Oil
Mice and other insects hate the smell of peppermint oil. They also do not like mothballs, but peppermint oil is a natural alternative that works as well. You can place a few drops of peppermint oil on a cotton ball and place them near any entrances or cracks where a mouse could enter. Keep in mind that mice can fit through extremely tiny holes as small as one-fourth of an inch.
You can also mix two teaspoons of peppermint oil and a cup of water in a spray bottle and spray the unit before placing your items inside. Be sure to spray the bottoms of walls, along the sides, and the back of the unit. You can then place your item inside and spray the front before you close the door. You should come back every month or so and respray the unit because peppermint oil evaporates and loses its potency.
Keep in mind that other tenants in the storage unit facility might not care about pests invading their unit, which increases the chances of pests wandering into yours. With some of the tips in this article, you can decrease the odds of facing a full-blown infestation of your furniture.
Sources:
https://www.lifestorage.com/blog/storage/how-to-keep-mice-bugs-out-of-storage-unit/
https://www.terminix.com/rodents/mice/house/
