Tips for Keeping Mice Out of Your Self-Storage Unit

When I am rummaging through my self-storage auction treasures, it's a shame that I often have to throw away valuable belongings that have been damaged by mice. Self-storage renters who are careless enough (for use of a kinder word, I don't like to call people stupid) to keep food in their self-storage lockers are just asking for this kind of trouble. Mice can migrate between individual storage units and wreak havoc on the possessions of those poor renters who were smart enough to know better but suffer for their neighbor's...carelessness.

Reputable self-storage facilities take adequate measures to keep rodent infestations under control. Facility staff members can offer storage advice and inform the renter of any restrictions, but they really don't know what the individual renter puts in his or her unit. Before you sign the contract to rent a self-storage unit, make a visual inspection of the facility as well as the individual unit you've chosen. Units are usually swept out before being offered to the next renter, but check around the edges for any signs of droppings, bits of torn stuffing, paper, or fabric, or mouse traps or poisons that may indicate an active rodent population.

You can prevent mice and rats from invading your unit when you take steps to make your self-storage unit inhospitable to them. They are searching for food and shelter, and will take it if you provide it! The mice aren't the stupid ones. (Oh, no, did I type that out loud?) Follow these tips to keep rodents from damaging your stored possessions:

Consider the maintenance of the grounds. Unkempt landscaping littered with boards or trash will give shelter to field mice and rats. When the cold weather comes they may decide to move indoors. It will be easier to prevent mice from invading your self-storage unit than it will be to get rid of them once they've made themselves at home. Insurance may not cover damage by rodents, and some belongings have a sentimental value that can't be replaced.

Don't store food, not even unopened packages! Canned goods are immune to mice (although they should be stored in an air-conditioned unit to retain their quality), but mice will eat through paper and cardboard packaging. Placing grain products, pet chows and other prepackaged foods in heavy plastic storage bins may discourage rodents, but your best bet is to not tempt them at all. If you won't be able to use your food products shortly, give them to family members or donate them to a food bank.

Store fabric goods in rodent-proof containers. Mice can chew through cardboard storage boxes and plastic bags. They will make nests in your fluffiest bath towels, cushiest comforters, your kids' favorite stuffed toys and your designer clothing. Covered plastic storage tubs may be an initial storage expense but I've never found one that had been damaged by rodents.

Keep your self-storage unit tidy. Stack boxes and place furniture in a way that doesn't create nesting spots. When you choose to use long-term storage keep your unit dusted regularly, and don't allow it to become disorganized as you move possessions in and out.

Place traps. Even if the facility manager is confident that mice and rats are not a problem, that situation could change. Take preventative steps by leaving a few mouse traps, sticky glue traps, or containers of rat poison inside your storage unit.

Check your unit regularly. Mice like a peaceful, quiet home and won't stay where they will be disturbed. Shuffle boxes around and make some noise, to scare out any mice that might be hiding. Check your mouse traps and look signs like mouse droppings or boxes/bags that have been chewed. Take a minute to dust things off a bit before locking your unit up again.

Weigh the facilities' rodent control efforts against the other considerations (including cost, location, convenient hours, maintenance and security) when choosing a self-storage facility. Besides destroying our belongings, mice and rats can carry diseases which can be transmitted to humans.

My best advice would be to avoid renting a self-storage unit that shows any sign of rodent infestation, but the odds of finding a self-storage facility that has never had to deal with mice are probably low. Big barn-type buildings tend to draw mice, but unfortunately you can't lock your cat or a barn owl in your storage unit. At least, not legally.