A little effort can go a long ways towards protecting your items while they are in storage. Anything worth paying to store is worth protecting it while it's stored. For the safety of your items, those in neighboring units and in consideration of the owner/management of the storage facility, it pays to pay attention to pest control. Here are 10 Storage Tips to Keep Bugs, Mice, & Ants Out of Your Unit.
1. Before moving furniture into storage clean it and vacuum thoroughly. Get all the crumbs, debris and stains off sofas and chairs including down in the cracks and crevices. Any "extras" left in here is a calling card for bugs and once started it affects not only your stuff but that in other units too.
2. Thoroughly clean appliances, large and small, for the same reason. Those crumbs in the toaster tray, the food stuck on small appliances or pans invites in problems you don't want. Clean means nothing to attract bugs or mice and without food and shelter they will not stay.
3. Mothballs work well in boxes of clothing. Be careful though and use cause as they can stain clothes. Putting some in the unit, where they won't stain the contents, is a good idea however. Cedar scented blocks and sachets can be made or purchased to be tucked into boxes of clothing or household goods like towels, blankets and sheets. A good sachet can last three to four months, enough for short term storage.
4. Don't be afraid to use contained insecticides - roach and ant baits can be an inexpensive thing to put in the corners as you don't know what others have stored in their storage sheds.
5. Use mouse and rat baits, or traps with peanut butter instead of cheese. Don't use the traps if you don't check it regularly - leaving one sit in the trap doesn't catch others after the trap is sprung.
6. For additional natural deterrents look to herbs. Catnip is said to repel ants, lavender repels moths, sage repels slugs and mint can be effective against many kinds of pests. Mint and tansy are said to repel mice, although tansy can cause allergic reactions in some people.
7. Stick to canned goods and securely sealed (screw on lids) jars packed to prevent breakage if you absolutely must store food . Because it attracts pests, food is highly discouraged.
8. Buckets from bakeries can be used to store rice or grains. It's strongly suggested this be for a minimal amount of time in a storage unit. There are so many factors that are beyond our control that it pays to use caution. Boxed foods and plastic bags simply offer no resistance to mice and bugs, resulting in an infestation of pests that no one wants.
9. Make sure up around the top there are not holes that birds can get into. Having a bird trapped in a storage unit can be very messy and unpleasant!
10. Avoid storing candles in warm climates and those with liquid like snow globes in cold ones. Some units are not protected from heat and freezing, and not only can the items become damaged but anything under it also. This, in turn, can attract pests due to the oils or dampness. If you must store items like this go for a climate controlled unit, which better protects all of your items.
Paul Darden is owner and CEO of Buckingham Storage, the only Richardson self storage facility with a 24/7 onsite management team. Darden specializes in the brokering, marketing, feasibility studies, and developing of self-storage personally brokering over 130 self-storage facilities throughout the southwest to both national and regional self-storage operators. For more storage tips and information, visit http://www.buckinghamstorage.com
A lot of people think it's necessary to spend a fortune if they want to update their bathroom sink cabinets. While this is certainly possible, it doesn't take a home equity loan to update bathroom cabinets. In fact, anyone with an ability to cut wood and finish it will find it's more than possible to make some incredible looking cabinets all on their own.
Before endeavoring to create new bathroom sink cabinets, it's a good idea to do some research and planning. Some of the things to consider include:
* Design. The desired design and style of the bathroom sink cabinets will need to be determined in advance. It's possible to make wonderful cabinets at home, but unless there's an idea on the type of cabinet wanted, finding plans or making them yourself will be impossible. Whether it's a straight cabinet with only cupboard doors or one that has drawers in the mix, too, will determine the drawings. So, too, will the type of sink that desired for the inset and the measureMents.
* Materials. Before creating a plan, understanding the kind of materials desired is also vital. Many bathroom cabinets are made from particle board and veneer, but those who design their own opt for heavily stained and sealed wood in most cases. While the particle board works, the solid wood designs tend to look a whole lot better. They don't have to cost a fortune either. Everything from pine and oak to maple and cherry can work well in a bathroom. The type of wood will often dictate the pricing though.
* Space. The size of the intended cabinets will be very important to have in order before attempting anything. It's not even really possible to buy materials without having the diMensions worked out. The depth, height and width will need to be precise.
* Sink considerations. The type of sink and the style of fixtures won't impact the actual cabinet's design, but they might alter storage capacity. With this in mind, a large sink on a small cabinet might need to have drawers to better hold items.
* Countertop consideration. While it's very possible for crafty people to create and build their own bathroom sink cabinets, the countertops likely will need to be ordered. Once a drawing and diMensions are in place, this can typically be achieved.
After all the major considerations have been worked out, it can be possible to find pre-drawn plans that will map out everything needed and every step of building new cabinets. These can be found online and even in wood crafting books.
For those who don't want to go through the trouble of building, there are some great bathroom sink cabinet designs pre-made and even those that can be custom ordered. Most of the above considerations will still come into play.
Updating bathroom sink cabinets can be a great choice for giving a bathroom a whole new look and feel. Whether a person does the Job themselves or they buy cabinets, there are some great money saving buys to be had.
How To Make Bathroom Sink Cabinets From ScratchEveryone needs a spot in their home to get away and read, study, listen to music or just think! You can turn any small space into the perfect sitting room. Since we're working in small spaces, decorating should be planned in advance. Comfort and function are key when designing a sitting room.
Find a cozy chair. It could be a recliner or a comfortable chair with an ottoman to prop up your feet. A side table is a must, on which you can place a lamp and have a spot for a cup of tea and a good book. It would be helpful if your end table had a drawer or two for keeping notecards, pens, favorite CD's and the like. You can also use a floor lamp to save space. These are the essentials and if that is all your room can fit, you'll be in great shape.
The small sitting room is a place you can really personalize with artwork, accessories and decor that is special to you. Framed photos of children or family vacation memories, an embroidered pillow from grandma's house or a quirky piece of art you picked up on your travels. Sitting rooms are often themed. For example, women might prefer a garden room with a hanging birdcage, white wicker furniture, fresh green paint on the walls and baskets of lively colored fresh or silk flowers. The man of the house might like the feel of an old English library with a leather recliner, dark wood bookcases and a banker's lamp.
A sitting room can also become a place for hobbies and crafts. If space allows, a desk or table with storage drawers or bins can serve very nicely to hold the tools and materials of your handiwork. It's ideal for staying organized and leaving projects where they don't interfere with dinner or other family activities. Whether it's jigsaw puzzles or floral arrangements or model airplanes, you can work on your craft as time allows and return later. If conflicting television shows are a problem in your house, you could always have a small TV set to watch the program no one else wants to see.
Even if you don't have an actual room, you can carve out a small space just to call your own, a small alcove or far corner can become a little getaway spot. Maybe you have an attic or basement that offers space for you. Whatever you choose make it your special place.
How to Decorate a Small Sitting Room
