Spring and summer are some of the busiest times of the year for moving. The weather is warmer, the days are longer, and many families choose this season to start fresh in a new home. But along with the moving season comes something many people do not think about until it is too late: pests hitching a ride during the move.
At Sea Cure Moving, we have helped families relocate in and out New Jersey since 1981, and one aspect we always tell our customers before moving day is to inspect outdoor, shed and garage items carefully. It may seem like a small detail, but it can prevent major problems later.
Why Outdoor Items Need Extra Attention
Outdoor furniture, gardening equipment, storage bins and garage items spend months exposed to the elements. During the cold winter months, especially after the harsh one we just experienced in the northeast, mice and rodents can sneak into spaces such as garages and sheds to keep warm. During spring and summer, insects and pests build their nets or lay eggs in hidden areas that are easy to overlook. When these items are packed into a moving truck, pests can cause damage trapped in a confined space and unknowingly travel to your new home.
In New Jersey, and Pennsylvania it has become extremely important due to invasive species like the Spotted Lanternfly and Gypsy Moth. These pests attached themselves to outdoor surfaces, vehicles, furniture and equipment. Something as simple as moving a storage bin without checking can spread them into another area.
What Should You Check Before Moving?
Before packing outdoor belongings, take time to inspect:
Patio and outdoor furniture
Grills and lawn equipment
Gardening tools and pots
Storage bins, deck boxes and tarps
Garage shelving and corners
Totes and boxes not fully taped in garages, sheds and storage spaces
Outdoor toys and sports equipment
Firewood or wood piles
Look for insects, eggs, nests, droppings or anything unusual hiding underneath or inside those items. Open and inspect boxes and totes not tightly sealed with tape across ALL seems. Mice can easily squeeze through a tote lid or box. Movers will often apply additional tape to loose seams on a box coming from a garage because if there is a hitchhiker hiding we do not want them to escape to cause any damage or vice versa. A quick check and cleaning off debris can go a long way to keep shipments clean, avoid transporting invasive species and protecting your new home.
A Better Moving Experience Starts with Preparation
At SeaCure Moving, we believe a successful move happens with the proper preparation and protection of your goods. Whether it is local, long distance move, storage, or labor our team works hard to provide safe, professional and reliable moving services by taking the time to inspect outdoor items before moving day. Our crews are briefed on the stages of invasive species by season and know what to look out for during the packing and loading process. Crews are not allowed to load anything with signs of infestation so customers can help make the relocation process smoother by inspecting goods in advance.
One of the most memorable examples SeaCure encountered resulted in a shipment coming from a self storage facility in NJ. A SeaCure Bekins crew went to pick up the items scheduled to go to Texas and when they opened the big garage door to the unit, found thousands of Spotted Lantern flies flying about. The shipper had stored patio furniture with eggs attached that hatched over time while in self storage. Per N.J. and Federal regulations, the goods could not be loaded on the truck. It took multiple visits over the course of about three months from pest control to eliminate the infestation and goods then needed to be thoroughly re-inspected and cleaned off before they could travel. If the customer knew when putting her articles in the unit to check and brush off outdoor items, she would not have encountered such a huge inconvenience, time delay and additional cost.
Our customer say it:
“In June 2025, I moved out of my home to have my floors refinished and hired SeaCure to handle the move. The original plan was to store my belongings in driveway storage units—but that quickly changed when we discovered the units were leaking and infested with cockroaches. Thankfully, the crew—Joe, Mike, and Rah—handled the unexpected situation with professionalism and efficiency, quickly pivoting to move everything into my garage and upstairs rooms instead. When it was time to move back in, Joe returned along with George B. and Rah, and once again, they did an outstanding job. They were extremely careful with all of my belongings and made the entire process smooth and stress-free. As a Realtor, I’ve already added SeaCure to my list of recommended movers. I couldn’t be happier with their service!”
Betsy G.
Ocean Port NJ to Monmouth NJ
Betsy makes a good point. Highlighting that you never know what was previously in a third party storage unit or portable container, it is advisable to do an inspection of third party temporary self storage in advance when possible. Because SeaCure owns and operates warehouses to provide safe, climate and temperature controlled storage specifically for household goods, we maintain frequent inspections and pest control. SeaCure does not store products such as chemicals or construction and landscape materials which should not be mixed with household items.
Planning to move this season? Contact us for a free estimate. SeaCure Moving is here to help you in your moving journey.
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