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How to Safely Store Your Animal Mounts

Hunting season is quickly approaching, and it’s time to ask yourself if you have room for new taxidermy trophies. What if you already have too many to fit on the walls of your house? There is a solution: You can store these mounts in a safe and pest-free way. Just follow these steps to keep them stored in pristine condition even when they’re packed away.

  • Store Taxidermy Indoors 

Leaving your taxidermy mounts outdoors can leave them exposed to sunlight and dangerous UV rays, which may cause fading to the fur or skin.   They may even be invaded by insects if they’re not properly insulated.  Remember that  an attic or basement may not have enough space to store all of your trophies.  And if they do, your trophies still may end up in direct sunlight from windows. Keep them protected, and therefore the best place to do that is at a secure, safe, clean storage facility.

  • Buy or Create Wooden Crates

The best way to prevent scratches and harm as you transport taxidermy is to store it in a wooden crate.  You’ll be able to screw the mount to at least one side of the crate using wood screws and carrying it that way.  You can build your own crates, or ask a local taxidermist or tannery for one.

  • Wear Gloves

Not all specimens are dangerous to touch.  Most taxidermy done these days is maintained with a dry preservative or tanning method, so that they can be handled even while not wearing gloves.  However, some mounts will contain toxic materials, therefore you’ll have to use caution.  It’s best to simply wear gloves in all instances.

  • Protect Them From Pests

Place poison pellets, Not pest strips, and silica gel packets within the crate(s).  As an alternative, you’ll coat the crates with a chemical sealer to keep pests out.  Lastly, make certain you’re cleansing the area where you store your animal mounts frequently.

  • Measure the Doors

If you’re using wooden crates, for storing a number of the larger mounts, can measure the doors before renting a space to make certain that the storage unit will fill your needs.

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Storing Your Vehicles, Boats and RVs Can Help With a Quick Home Sale

In a competitive sellers’ market, staging your home is crucial.  It’s true that a lived-in look enhances your probability of a sale, having an excessive amount of stuff, or the incorrect stuff could work against you.

Many sellers rent storage units to reduce clutter in their home while it’s for sale, many do not think to store their vehicles. this is unfortunate, because storing excess vehicles, as well as boats, second cars, RVs, and snowmobiles, could also be a good strategy for getting your home sold.

  • Here is why:

Vehicles take up a large amount of space.  This can make your garage or driveway feel crowded.  Many home buyers want as much space as they can get for their money, removing one or more vehicles from your property creates the illusion of more room to your home’s potential new owner.

If your vehicles are not in the best shape, they can make your property look shabby.  This can turn-off potential buyers or encourage low-ball offers.

Parking in front of your home can often make your place less visible to potential buyers.

  • Types of Vehicle Storage:Fortunately, our storage facilities provide vehicle storage services. Your choices might include:
  • Outside Storage:  This is basically an oversized parking lot. Rent a spot and park your vehicle for as long as you would like. this is|this can be} often the most cost-efficient choice and a decent alternative.
  • Drive-In Storage Units:  If you plan to store things other than your vehicle, check out a drive-in storage unit.  These are large, garage-like storage units that you can use to store your vehicle(s) and your belongings.  These units provide a large amount of protection and security for your vehicle(s) and may prove cost-efficient if you have lots of things that you have to store while your house is on the market.
  • Things to Ask About:

Before choosing a storage facility, contact the manager and ask about the facilities security, lighting, and accessibility:

  • Find out what kind of security the facility offers.  Are there cameras?  When is the staff on the premises?
  • Ask about how easy it is to access your vehicle(s).
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Things From Childhood That You Should Never Throw Away

“Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting.”

While Peter Pan’s J.M. Barrie may not have been referring to the things around your house, we still think it could apply.

Here are five things from your childhood you ought to never throw away because “going away means forgetting”

  • Trophies and awards

Where you the “Student of the Month” in third grade?  While this may not be something you put on your resume, keeping awards from your childhood may be a fun way to travel down memory lane.  So if you were a straight A student, all-star athlete, science fair winner, or anything else deserving of a trophy, or ribbon growing up, then hold onto those memories.

  • Artwork

Instead of discarding all of your childhood drawings and paintings, store them away for nostalgia’s sake.  Here is a link to The Artful Parent – 21 Ideas to Display Kids Artwork.

  • Yearbooks

From college to elementary school, yearbooks are definitely something worth keeping.  Not only do they have photos of the good old days, they also include nice messages from your childhood friends and teachers who signed them for you.

  • Sentimental clothing

Not just any article of clothing, keep the special things that you wouldn’t mind passing down.  This might include hand-loomed sweaters or outfits worn during important events like religious ceremonies, birthdays, or weddings.  It may also include athletic uniforms, like the one you wore throughout the big game!

  • Things that you could not live without growing up

Whether it’s your favorite stuffed animal or blanket, we all have something that we took everywhere growing up.  No need to get rid of it simply because you’re older.  Keep your special childhood item just for memories or to pass them down to your kids.

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Self-Storage Tips for Traveling Long-Term

If you happen to be traveling or moving to a far away location, then you will need to deal with all your belongings in the best way possible.  You will have to downsize and cut away a lot of your belongings so that you can make the move, especially if you are not planning on leaving a home behind.  In many cases you will be able to leave some of your belongings with family or friends, letting them use them or giving them away completely, in other instances you will have to deal with a self-storage facility.  The following tips will give you some knowledge on how you can prepare yourself for that day.

  • Choosing a Self-Storage Facility

One of the first things you have to do with your efforts is to figure out which local company has the most cost-effective solution for your needs.  It would be wisest to choose a self-storage facility located near a major street or even a highway, this will give you the easiest access at all times.  There is more than that though properties outside city limits may also be less expensive.  Here is a great article about Finding a storage unit for your next move. 

  • Downsizing Your Belongings

Once you have chosen the location of the storage unit you will need to rid yourself of all the things that you won’t be using anymore.  Large pieces of furniture that you know you won’t need should go away, allowing others to make use of them.  You can use classifieds websites to help facilitate get the job done or you can organize a yard sale.  Alternately, you can just donate them to a charity to pass through the process faster.  If you are doing a yard sale remember to keep prices low so you won’t have pack all of you belongings up.  The main idea is to get something out of the whole ordeal so you can help to counteract the expenses of your move.  Be sure and get a receipt from the charities then you can get the tax write-offs.

  • Packing Phase

Once you have completed the downsizing phase of your preparations you must pay close attention to the packing of everything that is left for your storage unit. One of the most important moments here is labeling all you boxes so you’ll know what is goes where later on.  Make certain to do that in a way that will allow you easy access once they have been delivered to their final destination.  Having a good list on-site will help to organize things and find where everything is whenever you need to return to the storage unit.

  • Moving Things

After all your preparation is complete you will need to move everything to its final destination.  One thing to remember when you are storing things is to avoid over-stuffing and making the stacked boxes to tall.  This will only serve to make them more unstable and dangerous to everything you have stored inside.  Remember to stack heavy boxes on the bottom, this will give you a stable base to work with.

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Ways a Storage Unit Can Help Take Your Life to a Better Place

It may not appear that a simple storage unit could mean so much, however, it can take your life in a very different direction, and even help your physical or mental health!  Here are some and sensible ways in which obtaining a storage unit can take you to a far better place.

  • Organize Your Stress Away

Seems awfully weird, however, an untidy home could cause stress!  If you are a scholar with more antiques than you can handle, or somebody feeling crowded with everyday stuff, calm your mind with a storage unit.  (Source:  Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin)

  • Be Healthier

Those who love to spend time exercising outdoors among trees might experience a boost to their immune system.  As nice as that sounds, outdoor enthusiasts own lots of gear that is infamous for cluttering closets and garages. With a storage unit, you will be able to be happy to enjoy the benefits of hiking, biking or kayaking while keeping your home a little more civilized.(Source:  International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology via US National Library of Medicine)

  • Escape the “Real” Pain of Letting Go

Scientists using brain imaging have discovered that getting rid of stuff may really cause you physical pain! If you are the sentimental type, free your home of clutter without any of the pain.  (Source:  Yale School of Medicine via Psychology Today)

  • Find Your inner Peace

You’re a minimalist deep down, however, you would like a little help making the necessary sparseness at home a reality.  A storage unit can help free you to embrace mindful simplicity in your home life.

  • Downsize on Your Own Schedule

For downsizing empty nesters, the world is jam-packed with possibilities.  But your home is full of stuff!  If your downsizing dreams won’t wait, place your belongings in a storage unit and take it slow going through everything.

  • Get Paid to Work Remotely

Employers have finally realized that gifted free spirits can travel the globe and still get a paycheck for doing great work.  Don’t attempt to tame yourself. Instead, place your things in a storage unit, and take an unforgettable year with other free spirits!

  • Read Well, Sleep Well

Scholars with thousands of volumes do one thing right.  E-books can take up less space, however reading on a screen will keep you awake and impact your health!  Once you run out of the space at home, keep those favorite books snuggled safely within a storage unit.  (Source:  Harvard Medical School)

  • Let your inner “Clark Griswold” Out

The holiday enthusiasts of America have inspired beings.  However, sometimes spouses don’t appreciate all the clutter that comes with those plastic reindeer and shining snowmen.  Keep the spousal peace with a storage unit, and let your home shine brightly as a holiday destination.

  • Have a Better Relationship with your Mom and Dad

Millennials moving back in with their folks don’t have to upset the balance at home.  Simply take the bare necessities with you to your Mom and Dad’s place, and store the remainder.  After all, if you nest too long, you’ll be less motivated to get your own place again!

  • Dream “BIG”

You may be reading this on a device that was invented by somebody who started a company in their garage.  Eventually, we have a tendency to outgrow our home offices.  Storage units are excellent for capturing the overflow from your inner entrepreneur, allowing you to grow as you please.

No matter what your storage unit personality is, we hope that you’re going to notice all the most effective way to use a storage unit to make your life even better!

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Tips for Finding a Storage Unit for Your Next Move

If only your parents would perpetually house all of your high school trophies and dance pictures.  But if you find that you have a few extra things, especially during a move, a storage unit is a great solution.  Whether you’re an experienced storage customer, or new to the process, here are some tips to help guarantee a good experience.

  • Location, Location, Location

Real estate agents have it right with this rule.  You should think about it when buying a home, and you should think about it when getting a storage unit.  Getting a discount for an out-of-the-way place is tempting, but consider how often you’ll need access to your belongings.  A long drive may not be worth the savings.

  • Contract

You have one for your gym, your apartment, and your phone.  The last thing you may want is another long-term contract for a storage unit.  No need to fear, most storage facilities allow for month-to-month contracts.  Be sure to ask before you move-in.

  • One size does not fit all

Yes, storage units vary almost as much as the homes that we live.  You may go small and pack every square foot, but it’s going to be frustrating to find things.  On the other side, you may want each box to have its own breathing space, but you’ll pay for it.  Our Managers can help find the size that will work best for you.

  • What type is best for you?

There are three types of storage units.

Drive-up units:  These are on the ground floor with roll-up doors for easy loading and unloading and quick access with no need to walk through interior hallways.
Indoor units:  These offer a house-like setting, and can be more resistant to dust, humidity, and pests.  Many are climate-controlled for sensitive items.
Outdoor units:  These are great for storing vehicles, boats, trailers and RVs.

  • Maximize space

If you have ever packed a suitcase for a trip and just can’t seem to make everything fit.  Be smart about how to use your space.  Disassembling large items like beds and tables; stacking chairs seat-to-seat; store long items vertically when possible; pack similarly sized boxes for easy, safe stacking; set boxes on top of dressers; and consider using shelving.

  • Camel through the eye of a needle

Scary thought, right?  Don’t let it happen to you.  Ask about the height and width of the doors that access your storage unit.  Most drive-up storage units have large, roll-up doors like a garage, smaller storage units have smaller doors.  If you’re storing large items, make sure they will fit in the unit.

  • Play it safe

You wouldn’t leave your iPad and your flat screen TV out on your front yard at night; obviously.  Choose a storage facility that takes security seriously.  Some safety measures to look for:

  • Mechanical gates with individualized key codes
  • Surveillance cameras
  • Good lighting
  • Perimeter fencing
  • On-site managers
  • Easy access

You may only need to get to your snowboard once a year.  But, that collection of bowling balls, now those may need a little more love and attention.  Be aware that office hours and gate hours may be different.

Office hours:
This is when the office is staffed.

Gate hours:
This is when you can access your storage unit.  The hours at our facility are from 6 am to 11 pm.

  • Know what is “not” allowed

Some items, like gasoline, hazardous, toxic or biological waste are not allowed inside storage units.  To avoid surprises by asking for a list of prohibited items.

  • Be covered

Chances are an asteroid won’t hit your storage unit.   But, somethings are out of our control.  And, it’s your responsibility to make sure that all your belongings are covered.  Ask your insurance agent if a storage unit is covered under your existing policy and if not, your storage facility will have a plan for you.