Advice on cleaning out storage room, worried about bugs

4 years ago

I have a small storage room in my apartment that got stuffed full of cardboard boxes full of miscellaneous items when I moved in nearly fifteen years ago and has remained largely untouched ever since. I would like to finally clean it out and sort through everything in there but I'm kind of concerned about what I may find in there in regards to bugs since the boxes haven't been moved or opened in so long. I know some kinds of bugs are attracted to cardboard boxes. Any advice on the likelihood of finding some kind of infestation? I don't think there should be any issue with dampness since the storage room is located inside my unit and not in a basement or something like that but I am still worried. I'm having visions of disturbing some kind of nest or something and sending bugs skittering through my whole apartment, haha. Any advice on preventing spread if I come across even a small number of something, anything that could deal with them quickly?

For further reference, I don't currently have a large issue with bugs. I get what I would consider a normal amount of spiders. Rarely I see an occasional silverfish, and a bit more frequently house centipedes, usually in the warmer months (I am in Southwestern Ontario). I do have quite a bit of clutter, though, and it's not unusual for me to find what looks like small shed larvae skins from some unknown insect whenever I go digging through something that hasn't been disturbed in awhile, and I think this is the biggest source of my fear in regards to going through all those old boxes.

Featured Answer

HU-508771255
Original Author

4 years ago

Thank you all, these are some really great suggestions.

I particularly like the opening them on a white trash bag suggestion, and will definitely be wearing gloves and shoes but had not thought of an apron. Thanks for that.

Getting rid of the carpet is not an option as it's a rented apartment, not a place I own.

And though I do anticipate being able to get rid of most of the stuff since I've obviously been able to live without it for so long, unfortunately just bringing the boxes to the dump is not an option as I know there are some things in there that I will want to keep like childhood photo albums and old yearbooks and stuff, so going through everything before tossing it is a must.

Any box that is small enough for me to wrangle out there I will open outside on my balcony, that is a great idea, too.

I will definitely be using plastic bins exclusively to store things in the future, and have already started to make use of them. All these cardboard boxes accumulated back when I was a student and in my early twenties and was moving every 1-3 years or so and convenience was prioritized over long term feasibility. Lesson learned, haha.

Thanks again, I'm feeling better about tackling this huge project!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

arcy_gw
4 years ago
Is it damp? Is it cool? You are likely to come across most of the bugs you mentioned but only one or three. The good news is none of them bite or are interested in you either. As far as an 'infestation' I don't think that's an issue anywhere but in warmer climates. If you have those bugs you likely will also find daddy long legs feasting on them. Lately I am finding one 'raspberry' bug a day in my pots and pans...this confuses me but who knows what hibernates in our homes' cracks and crevasses each winter.
HU-508771255 thanked arcy_gw
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
4 years ago
Really IMO if you get silver fish get rid of all the carpet , centipedes the same . The space needs a clean out if you are really worried take the boxes outside before opening IMO if they have been there for 15 yrs just take them to the dump. BTW decluttering is IMO a must always .
HU-508771255 thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
Related Professionals
Watertown Custom Closet Designers · Muskegon Home Remodeling · Las Vegas Home Remodeling · Altoona Home Stagers · Yakima Home Stagers · Jacksonville Custom Closet Designers · Des Moines Custom Closet Designers · Omaha Custom Closet Designers · Jackson Custom Closet Designers · Salina Interior Designers & Decorators · Amarillo Interior Designers & Decorators · Huntington Architects & Building Designers · Longview Architects & Building Designers · Albuquerque Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Juneau Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
njmomma
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Clean it out and have bug spray in hand, if you are that worried.

It's better to clean it out than not.

In the future, if you need to store something, buy plastic boxes with tight lids and label what is in the box.

If it's been 15 years, you most likely do not need anything in those boxes. Like mentioned above, open them outside.
HU-508771255 thanked njmomma
Mrs Pete
4 years ago
Wear shoes so you're stomp-ready, and you'll likely not encounter much buggy-resistance. If you haven't touched this stuff in 15 years, you likely can get rid of quite a bit.
HU-508771255 thanked Mrs Pete
apple_pie_order
4 years ago
Wear gloves and shoes. An apron will keep your front clean.

When you take down a box, put it on an unopened white trash bag so you can see any bugs easily. Then you can stomp, as Mrs. Pete says. Or squish with your gloved hands.

Silverfish live in undisturbed cardboard, paper, books, and magazines. Silverfish traps do work.

If you take the boxes outside before opening, you will prevent bugs in the boxes from running from the store room to the rest of your apartment.

If the first box reveals a bigger problem than you anticipate, you can contact a pest control professional about options. Be sure to tell them if there are children or pets in the household.
HU-508771255 thanked apple_pie_order
olychick
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I'd keep the vacuum handy to vacuum up any bugs. It's fast, efficient and thorough. You can also open boxes in the bathtub. Any bugs will be restricted to the bathroom until you kill or vacuum them and you can see them against the white tub.
apple_pie_order
4 years ago
Ziploc bags come in very large sizes. Ziploc bags could seal up your yearbooks and photo albums if you need to isolate them.