Think empty boxes and suitcases.
Boxes in attic.
Pests are attracted to the cardboard and to the glue used in construction of the box says santoro.
Whether a birds or moths in the attic a raccoon in the garage or mice in the basement critters aren t concerned with taking care of your belongings as a general rule of thumb nothing in your attic.
In the basement store everything in clear plastic bins labeled and not packed too heavily.
Use the attic to store anything that is impervious to heat.
If they are 2x6 you can probably get away with some boxes filled with relatively light stuff.
Cardboard boxes will deteriorate due to heat and water and animals and bugs will snack on them in the meantime.
Joists that are 2x8 or larger can likely support more weight.
You want to make sure you can lift the boxes easily and if they happen to tumble over they don t hurt anyone.
Heat can damage things such as photographs and wood.
Boxes also break down and disintegrate which will attract pests even more.