Furniture is usually an attractive target for pests, especially mice, as it offers shelter, warmth, and food sources.
Mice infestation in valuable wooden furniture and items in storage is not all about affecting the aesthetics aspect. They can compromise the wood’s structural integrity, resulting in costly repairs or even irreversible damage.
In this article, we provide tips to help you safeguard your wooden furniture investments from mice infestation while in storage.
Inspect for Infestations Regularly
Regularly check the wooden furniture products in your storage rooms for signs of pests.
This will help you know early enough if any pest types are present and how to handle the issue. Always strive to inspect your stored furniture every three months.
Some signs of possible mice infestation may include spotting droppings, smelling musty odors, chewed wood, burrows or holes in upholstery or fabrics, and nests around joints. If you notice any of these indicators, get professional pest control for mice immediately. The expert will assess the situation and employ the most appropriate steps to prevent reoccurrence.
Treat Your Wood Furniture
If you plan to move wood furniture into your storage room soon, consider treating their surfaces with plain furniture polish or a coat of wax. You can also apply non-toxic repellents and natural oils, like clove oil or peppermint oil, directly on the surfaces of your furniture pieces as a wipe or spray. Reapply the treatments at regular intervals to ensure effectiveness.
Wooden chairs and tables are often susceptible to splitting and cracking due to environmental changes.
If you store them while untreated, they can easily get damaged by mice and other pests.
Seal Cracks and Openings in the Furniture
This pest control measure will prevent existing mice and other pests from finding ideal harborage sites in the furniture pieces. Use expanding foam insulation or caulking to seal crevices and small gaps in joints and other areas to close all possible entry points.
Some furniture pieces may require disassembling for thorough sealing. Once you are done, you can reassemble the piece using screws rather than nails. This will enhance the stability of the structure while creating a robust seal around the corners and edges.
Control the Moisture Levels
A damp environment can be conducive for certain mice and pest species as well as promote mildew and mold growth. Inspect your storage area for signs of leaks or water damage and find ways to control the moisture levels.
The first step is to fix leaks to prevent water from soaking and damaging your stored wooden furniture. Consider using dehumidifiers in damp storage areas, like the basement, to maintain dry air. Emphasize proper ventilation and insulation to inhibit moisture buildup in crawl spaces and the attic.
Embrace Proper Storage Techniques
Elevate all your wooden products in storage off the ground and a few centimeters from the walls to minimize the risks of mice and other pests gaining access. Consider storing smaller wooden furniture pieces in pest-repellent storage bags that are well-treated with pest-deterring chemicals.
Considering the power of cedarwood in acting as a natural pest and insect repellent, you can add a few cedar blocks to the storage area or store smaller wooden products in cedar-lined boxes. You can also wrap furniture, such as sofas, in specialized chew-proof coverings to deter mice from accessing them.
Taking proactive measures is crucial to safeguarding your stored wooden furniture from mice infestation. Simple steps, such as inspecting, sealing cracks, treating the wood furniture, controlling moisture, and embracing proper storage techniques, can save you a great deal.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aleksandra Djurdjevic
Senior Content Creator
Aleksandra Djurdjevic is a senior writer and editor, covering jewelry, accessories, and trends. She’s also works with services, home décor. She has previously worked as ESL teacher for English Tochka. Aleksandra graduated from the Comparative Literature department at the Faculty of Philosophy in Serbia. Aleksandra’s love for the environment, crafts and natural products over the years helps her continue to be a top expert at Wooden Earth.
