Opening a box of stored possessions and discovering that the contents has been damaged by pests is heartbreaking. But this is not an uncommon experience for people who store possessions in their attic at home or in outbuildings.
You can gain a degree of protection from pests like moth by using a climate-controlled storage facility. But you do need to make sure that your possessions are free from pests before you store!
Protect from pests before you store
The first step is to check through your stuff carefully before you put it into storage. You will need to do this anyway so you can make a self-storage inventory. As you go through, look for signs of damage, droppings, egg cases, larvae etc. Then, take appropriate steps to clear out the infestation before you put your things into storage.
You may need to use a professional pest management service to deal with some pests in your home. The British Pest Control Association can help you find a trustworthy and properly insured practitioner in your local area.
Tips for managing pests in your home
This is a round-up of our posts about managing pests that can affect stored domestic goods:
Moth
Mould and mildew
- Prevent mildew in self-storage
- Mildew: the silent enemy in your basement
- Stop black mould ruining your home
Rodents and birds
Protect your domestic goods from pests while you store
Then you need to make sure your chosen storage location is free from pests. We’ve chosen to only work with storage companies who are members of certain professional organisations, because we know that they have high standards in terms of pest control. You can expect members to take stringent precautions against, for example, rats, mice and squirrels. When you select a storage company, though, look around. If you spot pests – or their droppings – store your stuff elsewhere.
Packing your items into sturdy plastic boxes, rather than cardboard cartons, can offer a degree of protection against pests.
Whether you are storing at home or in a self-storage facility, keep your storage space tidy so that there are no hidey holes for pests.
A tidy space is also easier to inspect. Regularly inspecting your storage space will allow you to act quickly on any signs of damage that could have been caused by mould or moths.
If you do spot signs of pest damage to your possessions in storage, let the facility know. They will have procedures for dealing with infestations and will help you to eliminate the pests.
Climate control reduces the chances of pest infestation
Climate-controlled storage promotes a stable storage environment. This gives you several advantages in minimising the chances of pests damaging your stored goods.
Sudden changes in a storage unit’s temperature cause condensation. Cooler air holds less moisture than warm, and when warm damp air hits a chilly surface – for example, an uninsulated outside wall – it deposits water droplets. These drops of water can make your stored domestic goods damp, particularly if your storage space is poorly ventilated. Damp provides the perfect conditions for the growth of mould, which damages items and leaves them smelling musty. Leather goods, like clothes and shoes and accessories are particularly susceptible to damp, and also leather furniture. These items really do need a dry, stable environment.
Climate-controlled storage units are closed off from the outside world because it is much more efficient to manage the temperature and humidity of circulated air, rather than fresh air drawn from outside. Because climate-controlled storage is sealed off, there is less chance of an invasion by pests such as moth.
Does my self-storage insurance cover damage by pests?
Standard home contents insurance doesn’t usually provide coverage for moth damage. But in some cases, your self-storage insurance will provide coverage for pest damage. If the pests came from a source outside your possessions, then yes, your insurance will cover this. However – if the pests came into the storage unit with your stuff, you are not covered.
So you are covered if your books are gnawed by rats and it turns out that your storage unit had a rodent problem. But if you stored a suitcase of clothing that was already infested with moth, then you would not be covered for any damage.
Self-storage insurance you can rely on
Backed by Lloyds of London, Store and Insure’s self-storage insurance is also highly rated on independent review companies such as Reviews.io. It’s quick and easy to manage your self-storage insurance policy on Store and Insure’s website. Our customers often find that our insurance is better value than that offered by their self-storage company. So get a quote from us and see if you can save money on your monthly self-storage insurance bill.
