How to Stop Winter Pests from Invading Your Storage Spaces
As the temperature drops, pests don’t disappear. Instead, they move indoors. Storage spaces packed with cardboard boxes and paper offer pests the perfect place to hide and thrive during the winter months. These intrusions can lead to damage and unwanted messes. Here’s how to protect your home or business from these winter pests with some help from Kness.
Common Pests Found in Boxes and Papers
Cardboard and paper attract a variety of pests, especially during winter when insects and rodents seek warmth and shelter. Common culprits include:
- Silverfish: These small, wingless insects are drawn to paper and cardboard, feeding on glue, starch, and cellulose. They can ruin documents, books, and other stored materials.
- Cockroaches: Cardboard boxes provide warmth and protection, making them a favorite hiding place. If left unchecked, cockroaches can spread allergens and bacteria.
- Rodents: Mice and rats often chew through cardboard and paper to create nests. They can quickly turn a stack of documents into shredded bedding, leaving droppings and urine behind.
How to Keep Pests Out of Your Storage Spaces
The key to pest prevention is staying proactive. A few simple changes can make a big difference in keeping pests at bay:
- Inspect Before Storing: Before packing things away, check for signs of pests such as droppings, chew marks, or other damage. Anything suspicious? Clean and treat the area before storing.
- Ditch the Cardboard: Cardboard might be convenient, but it’s also a pest magnet. Replace it with sealed plastic bins to block entry.
- Keep it Clean: Dust and vacuum your storage areas regularly. Even tiny crumbs can attract pests looking for a winter snack.
- Elevate Your Storage: Keep boxes off the floor by using shelving. This makes it harder for pests to climb in and helps you spot activity more easily.
- Seal the Cracks: Gaps around windows, doors, and pipes are open invitations for pests. Use caulk or weather stripping to close off entry points.
- Declutter Regularly: Piles of paper and old boxes create ideal hiding spots for pests. Sort through your storage at least once a season to keep clutter under control.
The Right Tools for the Job
Not all pest problems are obvious at first glance. Look for signs like shredded cardboard, marks along walls, or small droppings as these can indicate pests are already active. Catching them early means you can address the issue before it becomes a full-blown infestation.
When prevention isn’t enough, it’s time to take action. Monitoring and trapping are essential for identifying and controlling pest activity. That’s where Kness products come in:
Using these tools along with preventive measures helps keep pests out of your storage spaces throughout the winter.
Protect Your Space This Winter
Even in the heart of winter, it’s not too late to take control of your storage spaces. By keeping areas clean and organized and using trusted tools from Kness, you can stop pests from causing damage and ensure your home or business stays protected for the rest of the season.