Are my self-storage possessions safe from mice and cockroaches?
Rodents and pests, including: Rats, mice, cockroaches, lice, fleas, moths, bed bugs, carpet beetles, silverfish and spiders are some of the infestations risks with self-storage.
Most self-storage are large buildings partitioned into small units with steel sheets and mesh. These are rarely sealed from each other so it is possible to have 60 units of different people’s possessions all in the same storage area.
If proper precautions are not taken self storage facilities can be vulnerable to pests because the units are often dark, undisturbed for long periods, and may contain items that provide food or nesting materials.
Why Infestations Occur
Undisturbed Environment: Items often sit in storage for months or years, creating an ideal, quiet habitat for pests to nest and breed undetected.
Entry Points: Rodents and insects can squeeze through small biro pens sized holes under or over partition walls and under doors.
Attractants: Pests are drawn in by food items (even crumbs or old food residue in appliances), fabric, paper, and cardboard, which can all serve as food sources or nesting materials.
Tenant Behaviour: Pests are often unknowingly brought into the facility in their own boxes, furniture, or appliances.
Potential Damage and Risks
Physical Damage: Rodents can chew through cardboard, wood, plastic, fabric, and even electrical wiring, leading to significant destruction of belongings and potential fire hazards if used unnoticed.
Contamination: Pest droppings and urine can contaminate items, creating unsanitary and hazardous conditions that may spread diseases like Hantavirus or Salmonellosis.
Reputation and Cost: Infestations not only result in costly damage to a tenant's goods (which are often not covered by the facility's insurance) but also damage the storage facility's reputation.
Shipping Container a sealed-units
The Self-Storage in shipping containers are self-contained. Nothing can get in or out. If your storage neighbours are unfortunate to have an infestation, it is sealed in their container. I 
It is unusual to suffer from pest infestations in steel shipping containers. Our containers are purchased new so the door seals are good. Old containers may have perished rubber seals and possibly rotten floors. At Boxed Up Storage all our containers are hard standing on a concrete platform, clean and free from rubbish.
How do I know if my storage is free from mice? Many home possessions are stored with garden tools and furniture from a shed. The cleanest homes can have mice in the garden. Be vigilant and check before packing.
Food and waste Make sure all kitchen appliances and crockery and implements are cleaned before storage. Do not store food or drinks.
How to avoid mould when using self-storage Mould like all life needs water to survive. Do away with the water and no mould will grow. Avoid if possible, loading your container in the rain. Make sure beds are aired, towels and clothing are dry. Washing machines and tumble driers can contain water even when they are not used.
Damp Because storage containers are sealed, the storer must be careful that their possessions are dry, as moisture will also stay in the container. At Boxed Up Storage our containers are insulated and powered with 240v mains. If you are concerned your possessions are damp, ask for a dehumidifier and use it for a about 10 days and the moisture will be collected in a twenty five litre container.