Moving Soon? How to Avoid Unwanted Stowaways

When you move to a new home, all the old stuff in your attic suddenly becomes suspicious. Where did that dress come from? What is in that box, anyway?

Having a few items ready to load may seem like a huge plus. But if you aren’t sure what they contain, it is time to find out.

Here are a few tips to help you avoid bringing along any visiting pests as you pack for your relocation.

Clean and Declutter While Packing

Even if you maintain a clean home, you could still have a problem with insects or rodents. They prefer to stay in places you don’t visit often, like the bottom of the closet or the basement.

You can start your packing journey in these places, as a way to uncover them. As a bonus, you might find a bunch of stuff you forgot you had. Decluttering your belongings now saves you time and space later.

Look for Signs of Pests

Of course, your home might be pest-free. But if you live in an older house, you’re more likely to have a hidden problem.

This means you need to look for clues. The good news is, they’re not hard to find. Start with the most common signs of an infestation, like droppings or peeling paint on the walls.

If all seems clear, keep going ahead with decluttering and packing. Sometimes you find more indicators as you clean and load up.

Treat for Pests Early

If you do notice a pest problem, you should act quickly. No one enjoys hiring an exterminator a month before moving. But it’s better to do it now than have to deal with it after you move.

Dealing with an infestation may take a few days. It depends on the kind of pest and the extent of the problem. Most of the time, you can just clear out for the day and come back later.

Treating early allows you to see if it works. If it doesn’t, you can try another course in a few weeks. For significant infestations like termites, you’ll probably need more than one treatment.

Consider Repacking Old Boxes

Even if everything appears good, you should still take a peek inside those old boxes in the attic or basement. Rodents and insects love quiet, dark places. They are much more likely to hide in a box you never open.

Repacking old boxes makes it easy to confirm that everything inside is good to go. Set the items on a towel or old newspaper that you can wash or throw out later. If you don’t find any problems, you can pack it in a fresh, new box.

Stage Packed Items Before Moving Day

If you have to pack while dealing with pests, you may need a staging system. Once you finish packing a box, you can seal it and take it to a different location.

Ask us about your options for temporary storage. That way, you don’t have to worry that your boxes will get infested again before you move.

Moving is stressful enough. Bringing along a bunch of unwanted pests is even worse. If you follow these tips, you can move to your new home without them.

Carrying Boxes and Babies: How to Safely Move While Pregnant

Pregnancy is an exciting time, but moving while pregnant can be stressful. Depending on where you are in your pregnancy, you could be dealing with exhaustion, morning sickness, or other health conditions. If you’re later in your pregnancy, you also might be very limited in what you can physically do.

Moving to a new home comes with many details to manage, and, while you’re coping with changes in your body, you don’t need the extra stress. We’ve got some tips to help keep you and your baby safe while keeping the stress levels down.

Talk to Your Doctor

You and your baby’s health are at the top of your priority list. During pregnancy, you don’t want to do any heavy lifting or other moving tasks that might result in too much exertion. Once you know you’re moving, consult with your doctor. He or she will look at your pregnancy history, how far along you are, and then provide guidance on what is or isn’t safe for you to do during your move.

Listen to Your Body

Making a move during any stage of pregnancy is taxing on both your body and mind. If you’re feeling worn out, be sure to take breaks when you need them. In the months, weeks, and days leading up to your move, get enough rest, eat healthily, and stay hydrated. While there always feels like much to do when moving (and usually there is!), your health comes first – ultimately, things will get done.

Seek Out Help to Pack, Move, and Clean

Don’t be timid to ask or accept help. Seek out as much help as you can to assist with packing and moving as possible. You’ll find that there are plenty of avenues to get help.

  • Recruit family, friends, and neighbors to help with heavy lifting. (Order pizzas and make a party of it!)
  • Hire professional packers and movers who are experienced with moving and will get the work done quickly.
  • Assign another household member, or ask a friend, to do the deep cleaning so you can avoid harmful chemicals – if you don’t have help, hire a cleaning company to do it for you.

Most people are very willing to lend a helping hand, especially when you’re expecting. Receiving help from others not only relieves some of the burdens with moving, but also allows you to focus on tasks such as arranging utilities, putting in change of address notices, and making lists of other important details you’ll need to manage.

Delay Setting Up the Nursery

While you’re probably anxious to plan your nursery and start gathering baby supplies, it’s best to wait until after your move. Baby items create extra packing, not to mention it’ll cost more in both time and money. Any supplies you need immediately, you can order online and have them delivered to your new place. Even if you move close to your due date and need supplies, you can delay planning your nursery. Chances are your baby will be sharing a room with you in the initial weeks or months, so you can take your time planning and setting up the nursery the way you imagine it to be.

Moving Soon

Learn more about our moving service options; contact us today. We can customize the services you need to help your move be as seamless as possible while you focus on moving your most precious cargo, your baby.

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