By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman
Professional movers are going to do everything they are able to to help you move specialty items to Houston, from fine art to fragile electronics. Regardless of dimensions, weight, or difficulty to carry, your movers can probably handle the work. Even so, there are certain things that movers aren't legally allowed to move, and for good reason. Moving trucks are dimly lit, not temperature-controlled, as well as the inside of the truck may go unmonitored for several days to more than a week over the moving process. This is why movers cannot handle anything living for you, including furniture-like living things like your houseplants and aquariums.
However, just because stuff can't go into the moving van does not imply we cannot help you look after them. Specialty item moving is a tricky task and we are here to work with you every step of the way. Even with things that will have to be moved to Houston within your vehicle.
Verify the Regulations
If you're moving to Houston across state lines, make certain your entire plant species are allowed in. Some areas have rigorous laws about transporting in new plant types.
Re-Pot in lightweight Plastic Pots
Sizeable, heavy, and ceramic pots will not be handy for moving. They're more challenging to lift and much more apt to break inadvertently in the middle of the move. Repot your houseplants in light-weight plastic pots if at all possible to make them far better to move rapidly and successfully.
Pack the Soil with Damp Paper
To help keep the soil from spilling, pack the top of your pot with damp paper. This tends to keep the soil from drying and from spilling all over your vehicle.
Place in Roomy Boxes with Air Holes
Your houseplants need protection along with a satisfactory growing atmosphere during the move. Take into consideration tall boxes like wardrobe boxes for larger plants. Ensure that you pack the pot firmly at the base to avoid slipping while allowing plenty of room for the leaves and stems. You might give consideration to cutting your plants down for the move to Houston to ensure that they are easier to transport.
Traveling with Your Plants
If you have not many plants, securing them within your backseat is the ideal answer. Alternatively, consider a small trailer for a large number of plants. Ensure that you maintain the interior of the car a comfortable neutral temperature and do not water them unless of course they end up very dry. Watch out for extraordinary temperatures. If you stop along the way, bring the plants inside and open them up to receive some light.
Consider Taking Cuttings Instead
If moving your plants might appear to be an enormous amount of work nevertheless you still would like them at your new home, take into consideration taking small cuttings to restart with and gifting your existing potted collection to friends or even selling them to get a little extra moving money.
Pack in Their Own Water
As you already know, the water in a fish tank is properly balanced for healthy fish so your fish would be best transported in their own water. To make certain this water is properly balanced and also as clean as it can be, replace about 20% from the tank water each day for five days before the trip and quit feeding your fish for a day before the trip. This may reduce waste within the water making your fish more healthy on the move. Fish can survive for approximately one week without food if well-fed before the move to Houston.
For Few Fish, Transport in sturdy Plastic Bags
If you just have a small amount of fish in a tiny aquarium, you can pack them in a single or 2 durable plastic bags. Make sure the bags are filled with water from the aquarium. This is the way fish get home from the pet shop also it should be safe for your little swimming pets en route to your new home.
For Numerous Fish, Separate into 5 Gallon Containers
If you have a vast assortment of fish in a sizeable tank, pick up a number of 5-gallon containers along with lids that secure solidly. Fill the containers with aquarium water and space your fish between them, ensuring never to crowd the fish too much in any one carrier.
Moving Your Fish
Fish in bags may be loaded in Styrofoam in boxes. Fish inside storage containers should be properly secured in your backseat where they will shake the smallest amount. Be careful about transportation temperature, particularly if traveling in the summertime or winter months. Bring your fish inside along with you if you stop at lodging along the way.
Think about Working with a Pet Shop
Some pet shops will in reality help you to transport and in some cases board your fish. This is basically the ideal choice if it will take you some hours to get the aquarium set back up once again within your new residence.
Aquarium along with you or maybe the Movers
Lastly, choose what you want to do with the fish tank. Fully emptied and thoroughly cleaned, your movers can deal with it as a specialty item going into the moving van itself to Houston. However, in case you may get to your new home before the moving company, you might want to load up the aquarium inside your trunk as an alternative.
Ready to get started organizing your move to Houston, including your plants and fish? Click here to discover how we can assist!
