Real Estate

How to Store Animal Holders Safely in Self Storage

Whether you have a large collection of taxidermy that you want to store for safekeeping or you just need to temporarily store animal mounts during a home remodel, it’s important to give some thought to how they are stored. This guide will help you prepare your stands and choose the appropriate storage option to avoid damage from insects and sunlight.

How to pack taxidermy

The best way to protect your taxidermy collection from dust, sunlight, and pests is to seal them in wooden boxes, which you can probably get from the taxidermist. After loading each trophy in its own box, mount it inside the box with wood screws. Have someone hold the board against the wood while you put the screws in place. While it is possible to store more than one frame in a single box, you will need to be careful to ensure that they do not touch or bump each other as even rubbing against each other can leave abrasion marks.

Choose climate-controlled storage

The most important thing you can do to protect your taxidermy collection is to ensure a constant level of humidity and temperature. That is why it is not recommended to store your collection in a basement or attic; large fluctuations in temperature will cause the skins to crack. A climate controlled storage unit uses an HVAC system, a dehumidifier and a humidifier to maintain a constant and safe temperature between 60 and 85 degrees and a humidity level that does not exceed 60%.

Choose a secure storage facility

Climate control is definitely important, but you also need to choose your storage facility carefully. Your trophies cannot be replaced. Ensure the facility has excellent security with video surveillance, individual door alarms, and on-site management.

Deter pests

Once your collection is safely stored, take the time to prepare the boxes to avoid a pest infestation. You can place packets of silica gel or even poison pellets in the cages to take care of rodents from entering and cover the seams of the cages with silicone. Pest-free strips are also a good idea to kill insects that can eat your mounts. These strips last approximately four months, so you will need to return regularly to have your unit checked.

Check them regularly

One of the benefits of storing your taxidermy collection in self-storage is that you can easily access them to check for damage and clean them. After all, the last thing you want to do is discover that mice or moths have invaded your storage space.

As difficult as it is to put your prized trophies in a storage unit, it is the best way to keep them safe until you can return them to their rightful place.

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