How to safely store animal mounts in self storage

Whether you have a large taxidermy collection that you want to store for safekeeping or simply need to store animal mounts temporarily during a home makeover, it’s important to give some thought to how they are stored. This guide will help you prepare your mounts and choose the right storage option to prevent insect and sunlight damage.

How to pack taxidermy

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

Choose climate control storage

The most important thing you can do to protect your taxidermy collection is to ensure a constant level of humidity and temperature. This 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 safe, constant 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. His trophies cannot be replaced. Make sure 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 prevent pest infestation. You can put silica gel packets or even poison granules in the boxes to keep rodents from getting in, and cover the seams of the box with silicone. No Pest strips are also a good idea for killing bugs that might eat your mounts. These strips last about four months, so you’ll need to return regularly to check your unit.

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 is to find out that mice or moths have invaded your storage space.

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