Saving Your Storage Unit From Pest Infestation

Pests like rodents or insects are not only annoying, they can also be damaging to your items. When storing your things in a self-storage unit, it is important to take the time to safe guard them from pests and other damaging influences. While almost all storage facilities have pest control protocols, you should still be prepared to protect your things autonomously.

 Use these tips to keep pests out of your storage locker: 

• Thoroughly clean all the items you plan on storing in your storage unit prior to moving into the locker. 
•  Do not store any perishable food items in the storage unit. Canned or jarred food is OK to store however, released food items will attract ants. 
• Check to make sure that no bugs are in any of your boxes before storing them in your unit. 
• Moth balls and cedar blocks work well to keep moths from ruining your clothing. Do not store them in contact with your clothes because they can cause damage if left for a considerable amount of time.
• Store boxes on a pallet to prevent small pests from hiding underneath them. When boxes are in contact with the floor ants and silverfish will thrive underneath them. 
• Clean your unit regularly to maintain the cleanliness of your items and check for pests. 
• Do not store live plants in your storage locker. Leafs, soil and roots provide a prime breeding ground for small insects. 

 If you suspect there are pests in your storage area, you should notify the manager right away. Storage facilities offer pest control plans so the manager can contact their pest control service immediately. Depending on the storage facility you use and the pests you are having trouble with, the management team will decide what the best plan of action is. If there are open lockers, you should ask to move to a new unit.

Tips for Selecting a Self-Storage Facility

Almost everyone will use self-storage facility at some point of their lives. Not all storage facilities are designed for the same purpose. Choosing which self-storage facility best fits your needs takes careful consideration. Using these 10 items as a guide on what to consider when selecting a storage company will help you make the best decision.

1. Location This is one of the most important factors to consider. The storage facility should be conveniently located near major highways and your work of home. If you are moving and only need the storage space for a short time, consider the advantages of using a facility that is closer to your old home or closer to the new one.
2. Insurance Protection Modern self-storage facilities have storage insurance available if you do not already have your items covered under your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy. It is rare to use the insurance that comes with a storage unit however, if something catastrophic or unforeseen happens, you'll be happy you have it.
3. Security Security is very important! If you are taking the time to put goods in storage you should be sure that they are safe while they are there. Newer storage facilities provide high-tech security systems including individually assigned gate access, cameras, high barrier fences and on-site management to ensure the safety of your goods and your person.

Human Organs Found in Storage Shed

Organs were found in a Florida storage shed. A self-storage unit owned by a a one time medical examiner contained organs found in Tupperware containers, plastic bags and Styrofoam cups.


The winner of a storage unit auction opened their new storage locker and discovered an odd smell. The smell came from human remains- heats, lungs, and 10 brains. The organs were not properly labeled or stored, and finding the right owners of the organs may prove to be difficult. Just so you know, it is never a good idea to store human remains in a self-storage locker.

Self-Storage and the Law: Drug Busts

In Colorado, storage units are used to store anything from little Johnny's bike to grannie's urn and everything in between. People from all walks of life use these facilities to keep their possessions safe and secure. Sometimes those possessions end up being less than legal substances. Although it may seem unlikely that a criminal would use a storage facility to keep their product safe, many do and many of them are caught.

Although storage facilities typically do not have drug dogs of their own on the premises, it is not outside the renter's legal rights to privacy for the business to allow police dogs on the property. Some police departments may approach facility owners to set up an agreement for training their dogs at the facility. For owners of the facility, an arrangement with local authorities is a great way to strengthen their relationship with them. For the owners providing a training site proves to the local authorities and residence that they are operating within the laws of the jurisdiction. Also, posting notice of periodic police dog training on site will keep unwanted criminal renter off their property.

Detection By Dog

Dogs have been part of police forces since the early 18th century when Bloodhounds were used by European forces. Then in World War One Belgium and Germany began formally training dogs and their handlers for security details. After World War Two, soldiers brought home their combat trained dogs and began using them in K-9 programs across Europe. In the United States, K-9 units didn't become popular until the 1970s.

Why use dog in police work? Did you know that a dog's sense of smell is 50 times more sensitive than a human's. Dogs can be trained to detect the presence of people, drugs, weapons and bombs. Dogs can even pick out a particular scent while in the presents of dozens of other scents. Some drug runners will try to mask the scent of their product by surrounding it with other strong odors like perfume or disinfectants; however, the dog is still able to compartmentalize the illegal scent.

To train dogs to sniff out drugs in storage lockers and other locations, trainers use association training. The dog associated their favorite toy with the smell of the drugs. The officer starts letting the dog play with the toy, next the officer will put the drug in the toy so that the dog associates the smell with the toy. Once the dog begins that association, the handler will hide the toy with the drug and when the dog finds the toy/ drug scent s/he will be rewarded with the toy. Training takes time, but is very effective.

As you may be able to imagine, sorting or manufacturing drugs in locker facilities isn't a new idea. Many "bright" criminals have stored their wares in Colorado storage facilities across the country and even more of them have been caught.

How to Choose the Best Self-Storage Facility

Almost everyone knows someone using self-storage. Although most people using storage are happy with the services provided by their storage provider, many people still have horror stories to share. In most cases the problems that cause these horror stories are preventable, but knowing what to look for and avoid is the best way to never have a story of your own.  If you are currently looking for a storage facility, referencing these points will help you choose the best storage site for your goods.

1. The storage facility and units are clean
An unkempt facility is a sign of a further problems to come. A great facility will be clean and have respectful occupants. 
2.The storage facility is secure
Security is one of the most important criterion to consider when choosing the best self-storage facility. Great facilities offer video surveillance that covers the exterior and interior of the storage site, a 24 hour guard, high fences, electronic gate access, excellent lighting and fire alarms and sprinklers. For the safety of your goods and yourself, you should not select a self-storage facility that lacks any of these security features.

3. Dry storage units and lockers
If the self-storage locker you are shown has a musty or moldy smell you should not rent any of the units in the facility. The units should be dry and free of leaks. Mold can seriously damage the items you leave in the storage units and preventative measures should be taken to remove any moisture in your storage locker. The best self-storage companies have well-ventilated units free of mold and water.

4. Strong, sturdy doors
Before renting a storage locker make sure to check the door of the unit. The security of your goods depends on sturdy doors with strong latches that can accommodate a high quality lock.

Inquiring about the previous four items before signing any rental contract is important to having a good self-storage experience. You'll also want to avoid for scammers and thieves looking to take advantage of inexperience renters. Chances are the items you are putting in storage have either monetary or sentimental value, or else you wouldn't take the time to store them. If your valuable goods are not well organized and cataloged, they are more likely to be stolen , so make sure to keep inventory of your storage unit and contact the manager if you discover anything missing. It is also important to do thorough research on the self-storage company you decide on to ensure the safety of your goods. The company should run background checks on its employees to ensure that your storage items are not stolen as part of internal corruption. You can also look for any bad reviews about the facility listed on consumer review sites or the Better Business Bureau. Finally you'll want to ask for a copy of the facilities insurance policy before signing your rental agreement.

Leaving your possessions in self-storage is a risk; however, being cautious when choosing a storage facility will help manage this risk. Self-storage facilities offer a great service and are extremely helpful if you are moving or need more room in your home. You should not be scared to trust a great facility with your storage items because they will offer superior service and security.

Advantages of Using Storage Units

Are you tired of storing all your excess belongings in your basement but do not have a choice since you don't want to throw this material away? Excess belongings can be a real problem, especially if you are living in an apartment without a basement! You are always going to have items that you would not want to throw away and, thus, find these stacked around your house. This can bother any homeowner, especially if they are focused on keeping their house clean and organized. This is where you can make use of storage units to help you store the excess items away until you will need them again! Storage units work by providing you a space where you can keep your belongings safe. You can later access, replace or take these back.

There are several advantages of using a storage unit, some being listed below:

Organizing your house - Naturally, if you are putting away half the furniture or other items of your house, you are going to find the latter looking a lot more organized and clean. You can also reorganize your house once you are free of all the excess items and, thus, make the best use of the available space. This is also a great advantage if you are relocating your house, since you can store the excess items in a storage unit and retrieve them gradually as you start setting up your new place. You do not, therefore, have to deal with a lot of clustered items at once.

Security - Using storage units is a lot more secure than using your own basement, garage or backyard. This is because while you may not be able to keep a thorough track of the items stacked in a corner of your house, a storage unit has complete security checks to do this. Most units have cameras, burglar alarms and fire alarms at the entrance, so as to notify the security of any unwanted happening. You can also get your own padlock and locker keys and, thus, be assured that no one but you can access your items while they are within the storage unit.

Accessibility and convenience - While some people may not want to store their belongings away from their house, it so happens that storage units are highly accessible and convenient. In fact, most companies offer mobile storage, which is a service where they pick your belongings up from your house and deliver them back to you when you need them. You are also allowed a 24-hour access to your belongings and can retrieve them after a prior notice. The storage process itself is very convenient, since the company provides you with trolleys, boxes, locks and other items that will help you secure your items and make sure that they will be prevented from all potential damage.

Storage units, therefore, are greatly convenient if you want to clear your house of all your spare belongings. If you are looking for Storage units San Diego, you can make use of our Coronado Mobile Storage facilities.

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