Awareness is the first step in preventing infestations that can damage the very items operators have promised to protect, says Niall Gallagher, Technical Manager at the British Pest Control Association (BPCA). 

Whether they arrive unnoticed in customers’ belongings - or find entry points from outside - rodents, insects and birds can quickly turn into a costly problem. Beyond direct damage to stored goods, pests can contaminate property through urine, droppings and shed skins, and even chew cabling - potentially compromising fire safety systems. Worse still, one pest issue can attract another, escalating the risk. 

Self-storage sites already have advantages: controlled environments, routine checks and restrictions on food. But Gallagher warns that a realistic assessment often reveals easy access routes. Rats and mice can squeeze through tiny gaps under doors, unsealed pipe voids, damaged air bricks or vent covers, attracted by warmth, quiet spaces and nesting materials like cardboard. Night lighting can draw flying insects such as moths and midges, while ants, beetles and cockroaches may enter through cracks, drains and utility access points. Roof voids and loading areas can even encourage birds to roost, creating droppings and secondary infestations like bird lice. 

Practical proofing makes a difference: door sweeps, bristle strips on roller doors, checking vents, and managing night lighting. Waste control is also essential so it doesn’t become a food source. 

Customer cooperation matters too. Clear rules - such as banning food, pet food and bird seed, and encouraging vacuum-sealed bags for clothing - help prevent 'hitchhikers' arriving with stored items. Trained staff should recognise early signs and report concerns quickly. 

BPCA also offers a short Pest Awareness for Non-Technical Employees course, and BPCA member businesses can provide discreet, professional, standards-based pest management when specialist support is needed. 

Photo: Niall Gallagher, BPCA Technical Manager.