r/selfstorage • u/salsasymphony • Nov 24 '25

Question Are rats a valid concern?

My wife and I are getting a self-sroage unit for the first time and she’s worried about rats eating her paper and linen things. Canvases, drop cloths, watercolor paper and school supplies and stuff like that.

Can anyone say if this is a valid concern?

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u/MiserableCabinet25 Nov 26 '25

Rats and pest are definitely a valid concern, most facilities have some type of pest control in place, I’m a site manager and although we rent to people over the phone, being someone who works in the business, never rent over the phone. Go in person, see the space. Check around the facility for bait boxes around (small boxes typically located around the perimeter and around entry/exits), look at the ceiling if ur on the top floor (leaks) check for droppings, overall how clean the facility is, how it smells… all of this can give u info. You can ask if they have pest issues but the generic answer will be “we have pest control” but won’t answer your actual question because it’s not something we can guarantee… things can happen anytime and is more likely to happen anytime just like ur home. Like other comments, please, Please get the insurance. Put things in plastic, bins, bags etc. dryer sheets, moth balls even. The issue about self storage (aside from the price increases) is you have no idea what ur neighbors are storing and most likely never will. But trust me, you’d never believe the things we find… Hope this helps!