Expert Advice: How to Keep Pests Out of Your Storage Unit

If you’ve got a pest problem in your storage unit, chances are it’s because the unit hasn’t been properly maintained. While keeping a storage unit clean and tidy is usually the tenant’s responsibility, if you do have pests it’s always worth speaking to your storage provider to get to the root cause.

Regardless of who may be at fault (if anyone!) your storage provider will want to keep pests out of their facility as much as you want to keep them out of your unit. Fortunately, with the right approach, pest control for storage units is pretty straightforward.

In this guide, we’ll explore practical steps to keep your storage unit in good condition and pest-free. From identifying the most common pests to learning how to keep them out, this expert guide has you covered.

First things first, let’s take a closer look at some common pests and the risks they pose to your belongings before moving on to how to keep pests out of your storage unit completely!

Identifying Pests & Their Risks

Mice

Mice may be small but they can be incredibly destructive. For starters, they can chew through almost anything, including cardboard boxes, fabric and electrical wires. They can also squeeze through holes as small as 10mm — which is roughly the width of a pencil!

Beyond the physical damage, their droppings and urine can contaminate stored items, creating unsanitary and hazardous conditions, which could spread diseases like Hantavirus.

As if that wasn’t enough, mice are also prolific breeders, which means a small infestation can quickly become a colony. These nocturnal creatures are often drawn to storage units by food (despite being prohibited in most storage facilities), nesting materials and accessible shelter.

What They Like:

• Food crumbs
• Nesting materials, like paper and fabrics
• Accessible shelter

What They Dislike:

• Strong smells like peppermint oil, ammonia and vinegar
• Ultrasonic sound devices

Rats

If you thought mice were bad, then rats are formidable. While they may have some similar characteristics (big ears, long tails, dark fur) rats are much bigger and much more harmful.

Not only are they just as good at squeezing through tight spaces as mice, they’re also known for being incredibly intelligent with strong teeth to match. In fact, rats can gnaw through wood, plastic and even soft metals.

Like mice, a rat’s droppings and urine can contaminate your belongings and pose serious health risks, as rats carry diseases such as leptospirosis and salmonella. They’re particularly drawn to dark, enclosed spaces with access to food or nesting materials, making storage units the perfect home unless the proper precautions are put in place.

What They Like:

• Dark, enclosed spaces
• Food waste
• Warmth and insulation

What They Dislike:

• Strong scents like mint, citronella and eucalyptus
• Vibrations and sudden disturbances
• Bright light

Moths

While moths may seem harmless, their larvae can wreak havoc on your stored belongings. These tiny caterpillars are the real culprits, feeding on natural fibres like wool, silk, cotton and other organic fibres. The result? Unsightly holes in your clothing, blankets and upholstered furniture.

Moths are particularly drawn to dark, undisturbed areas where they can lay eggs and thrive without being disturbed. Over time, even a small infestation can cause extensive damage, especially to delicate items. To make matters worse, moth infestations usually go unnoticed until after the damage is done.

What They Like:

• Natural fibres such as wool, silk and cotton
• Warm, dark and humid environments
• Dust and grime on stored items

What They Dislike:

• Scents like cedarwood, lavender, cloves and conkers
• Low humidity and cool temperatures
• Regular cleaning and disturbance

Cockroaches

Roaches (aka. cockroaches) are the unwelcome guests that no one wants in their storage unit — or anywhere for that matter!

While many people assume cockroaches only exist outside of the UK, the truth is there are plenty of them living among us. Cockroach infestations often go unnoticed due to their nocturnal nature, but the signs are hard to miss: droppings, egg casings and sometimes a distinct, musty smell.

These hardy pests are attracted to warm, humid environments and organic materials like cardboard, paper and food residue. Once inside, they can quickly spread bacteria and allergens through their droppings and saliva. While they might not chew through your belongings like rodents, they can contaminate your belongings and leave them feeling generally gross.

What They Like:

• Warm, humid environments
• Organic materials such as cardboard and food particles
• Cluttered and undisturbed spaces

What They Dislike:

• Scents like tea tree oil, bay leaves and citrus
• Dry, cool conditions
• Regular disruption and cleaning

Spiders

Spiders might not damage your belongings, but their presence can make your storage unit feel less inviting — especially those big chunky ones.

Although spiders have a bad reputation, most UK species are harmless and will actually help keep other pests in check. While some spiders, like the false widow, may bite if provoked they generally don’t pose any significant threat. In most spider bite cases (in the UK), people are usually only affected by mild discomfort and swelling.

Spiders are typically drawn to dark, cluttered spaces where they can spin their webs and hunt for prey. While their webs are more of an annoyance than a threat, they may be a sign of other pest activity in your unit. Regular cleaning and decluttering are key to keeping them away.

What They Like:

• Dark, quiet corners
• Abundant prey, such as flies and small insects
• Cluttered environments with hiding places

What They Dislike:

• Strong scents like peppermint oil, citrus and eucalyptus
• Regular cleaning and disruption
• Bright, well-lit spaces

Pro Tip: While conkers are known to deter moths, there’s no evidence they have the same effect on spiders.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers, often sneaking into storage units via infested furniture, clothing and even cardboard boxes. These tiny, reddish-brown insects feed on blood and can survive for months without a meal, making them particularly resilient.

While bed bugs are, as their namesake suggests, best known for living in mattresses, they pose a threat to similar items of furniture and can just as easily infest your stored sofa. Alarmingly, bed bug infestations are on the rise in the UK, making it even more important to remain vigilant when storing your belongings.

What They Like:

• Upholstered furniture and mattresses
• Dark, secluded areas with minimal disturbance
• Cluttered environments that provide plenty of places to hide

What They Dislike:

• Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold
• Regular inspection and cleaning
• Sealed plastic covers that limit access to potential hiding places

Woodworm

These tiny pests can cause serious damage to your wooden furniture and fixtures. Technically the larvae of wood-boring beetles, woodworm burrow into wood, creating small, round exit holes and leaving behind fine sawdust called frass. Over time, this weakens the structure of wooden items — sometimes beyond repair.

Woodworms are particularly attracted to untreated or damp wood, making poorly ventilated storage units an inviting environment. Left unchecked, a woodworm infestation can spread to multiple items, causing significant, costly and sometimes irreparable damage.

What They Like:

• Untreated, unvarnished wood
• Damp, poorly ventilated conditions
• Softwoods like pine

What They Dislike:

• Treated or varnished wood
• Dry, well-ventilated environments
• Extreme heat or freezing temperatures

Ants

Ants might sound harmless, but certain species, like carpenter ants, can cause serious damage to wooden furniture by burrowing through it. Most ants invade storage units in search of food or moisture, often attracted by crumbs, spills and damp conditions. Once they find a suitable environment, they can establish colonies, making them a persistent problem that’s hard to shift.

Small piles of dirt or sawdust near wooden items are telltale signs of an ant infestation. While they may not spread disease, ants can still damage your belongings and create an unwelcome mess in your storage unit.

What They Like:

• Sweet or greasy food residues
• Moist, damp environments
• Wooden structures

What They Dislike:

• Citrus and vinegar scents
• Dry, clean environments
• Disturbances to their trails or nests

Termites

Termites are among the most destructive pests, capable of causing significant, often hidden damage to wooden furniture, important documents and cardboard boxes. These tiny insects feed on cellulose, which is found in wood, paper and other organic materials.

While termites aren’t common in the UK (damage to wood is far more likely to be caused by woodworm) there have been a number of confirmed cases, and their ability to thrive in damp, poorly ventilated spaces means the risk cannot be completely ruled out. Signs of an infestation include mud tubes, hollow-sounding wood and droppings resembling sawdust.

What They Like:

• Cellulose-rich materials like wood, paper and cardboard
• Damp, poorly ventilated environments
• Warm and consistent temperatures

What They Dislike:

• Dry conditions and proper ventilation
• Treated or painted wood
• Bright light

How to Maintain Your Storage Unit

Keeping your self storage unit in good condition is the first step to ensuring you never have to deal with any of the pests mentioned in the list above. A well-maintained unit not only protects your belongings from damage but also deters pests by creating an environment that’s less appealing to them.

If you want to keep your belongings safe, we suggest treating your storage unit as an extension of your home, which means keeping it clean, dry and tidy.

Regular Cleaning

This step is essential for maintaining a pest-free storage unit. By occasionally sweeping, vacuuming and wiping down surfaces, you can remove dirt, dust and debris that might attract pests. Rubbish should always be removed promptly to avoid leaving anything that could decay or draw unwanted visitors.

Keep Your Unit Dry

Another key factor in keeping out pests is controlling the humidity. Many common pests such as woodworm, termites and silverfish thrive in damp environments, so it’s important to check for signs of leaks or water damage.

If you notice any dampness, use moisture absorbers like silica gel packs or even a dehumidifier to keep the unit dry. Elevating your items on pallets can also improve airflow and keep them off the ground, reducing the risk of water damage and pest infestations.

Organise Your Storage

Knowing how to organise your storage unit will also go a long way in deterring pests. Use sealed, airtight plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes (which tend to attract certain pests) and try to keep your unit free of clutter (which provides plenty of hiding places for pests). Keeping your unit organised with clearly labelled boxes and grouped items makes regular inspections easier and more efficient.

Regular Inspections

Finally, checking your unit regularly will ensure you catch any potential problems early — hopefully early enough to prevent any major damage to your belongings. Look for telltale signs of pest activity, such as droppings, small holes and spider webs.

It’s also worth checking your stored items to ensure they’re in good condition. If you spot any issues, addressing them promptly will prevent further damage and infestations. By keeping your storage unit clean, dry and well-organised, you’ll create an inhospitable environment for pests while ensuring your belongings are kept in the best possible condition.

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Storage Unit

Assuming you’re putting the best storage practices into place, there are more steps you can take to further prevent pests from nesting and infesting in your unit. By combining good storage habits with these proactive measures, you’ll create a strong defence against any unwelcome guests.

Seal All Gaps & Cracks

The first step in knowing how to pest-proof your storage unit is to inspect it for any gaps, cracks or holes that could be used as entry points — even the smallest spaces can provide an open door for rodents and insects. Use materials like steel wool and expanding foam filler, caulk and even draft excluders to seal any vulnerable spots.

Pro Tip: Remember to seek permission from your storage provider before attempting to make any repairs or modifications yourself. If you do have a pest problem in your unit, they may even be able to help. 

Avoid Storing Food

While this may seem obvious, it’s always worth repeating: never store food in your unit. Even sealed or packaged food items can attract pests, as many can detect even tiny trace amounts of food particles.

Double-check that there aren’t any crumbs on your stored belongings, including the hard-to-reach parts of your stored sofa, coat pockets, bags or anything that has been used to store food, like a bread bin. The same goes for any untreated spills.

Use Pest-Repelling Materials

Certain natural repellents can help keep pests at bay. For example, cedar blocks and lavender sachets can discourage moths, while peppermint oil and bay leaves are known to deter cockroaches and rodents. These solutions are simple, affordable and safe for most stored items.

Protect Fabrics & Furniture

Soft items like clothing, bedding and upholstered furniture are prime targets for pests. Store these items in sealed, airtight plastic bags or containers to keep them safe. For extra protection, consider wrapping furniture in protective covers.

Pro Tip: Never store clothes in vacuum packs for prolonged periods. While they may seem like the perfect storage solutions for saving space and protecting against pests, vacuum packing can compress and damage fibres, causing clothes to lose their shape. Instead, use plastic boxes and check out our guide on how to store clothes.

Elevate Your Items

Keeping your belongings off the ground can reduce the risk of crawling pests like ants, rodents and roaches reaching your items. Of course, it’s important to remember that many pests can easily climb walls and surfaces — especially if they’re determined to find something specific.

However, keeping your belongings elevated helps by improving airflow, reducing moisture buildup and creating fewer direct access points, all of which can help with the overall protection of your stored items.

Stay Vigilant

Even with the best precautions in place, it’s important to keep an eye on your storage unit. Regularly inspect the space for signs of pest activity, such as droppings, holes and unusual odours. Catching the problem early can make all the difference in preventing a full-blown infestation.

FAQs

How do I keep my storage unit fresh?

To keep your storage unit fresh, ensure it stays clean, dry and well-ventilated. Regular cleaning, moisture absorbers (like silica gel packs) and natural fresheners, such as lavender sachets, can help maintain a pleasant pest-free environment.

Which is the best method for controlling storage pests?

The best method for pest control in storage units is a combination of prevention and vigilance. Keep your unit clean, dry and well-organised, and use natural repellents like cedarwood, lavender and peppermint oil (depending on the pests you’re most concerned about). Regularly inspecting your unit for signs of pests ensures you catch any issues early.

What can I put in my storage box to keep bugs away?

Natural repellents like cedar blocks, lavender sachets, bay leaves and even conkers can deter many bugs without affecting your belongings. Make sure all stored items are clean and dry to reduce attraction. Airtight plastic containers also provide an extra layer of protection against pests.

How do I keep rodents out of my storage unit?

Seal all gaps and cracks in your storage unit to block rodent entry, and never store food or food-related items. Strong smells like peppermint oil and ammonia can help deter rodents. Regular inspections and keeping your unit tidy will make it less inviting for these pesky pests!