Anti mice containers

[BAK]

Hi all
Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere but need some help. The place I'm planning on keeping some preps has a mice problem. What do you think about storing food in Mylar bags/O2 absorbers inside large sized ammo cans? Any other mouse resistant suggestions? I've heard people using galvanized garbage cans but I feel it will be too bulky and cost prohibitive.
Also how about freeze dried stuff that already comes in plastic buckets or gallon cans? They will not easily fit inside any standard metal container.
Ideas will be appreciated.

[610Alpha]

Hi all
Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere but need some help. The place I'm planning on keeping some preps has a mice problem. What do you think about storing food in Mylar bags/O2 absorbers inside large sized ammo cans? Any other mouse resistant suggestions? I've heard people using galvanized garbage cans but I feel it will be too bulky and cost prohibitive.
Also how about freeze dried stuff that already comes in plastic buckets or gallon cans? They will not easily fit inside any standard metal container.
Ideas will be appreciated.

any metal container should work fine...I would be implementing the bucket trap method and closing the holes in that area in case they can get from that area to somewhere else that has food.

You might look into using the galvanized fireplace ash containers (Smaller than the trash cans but larger than most ammo cans) they might be more cost effective than the ammo cans unless you got a low cost source.

[Hiram]

Step 1: Eliminate the ways mice get in
Step 2: Eliminate all food sources for mice within the area
Step 3: Vigorous trapping program
Step 4: Celebrate mouse free area

Seriously, this works for entire buildings. The biggest issue is to keep the mice out. That means plugging every hole bigger than 1/4" wide.

[rockriver]

I've retained recruits for just this purpose... they did patrolling for a couple of days then left..
we must have some big mouse/rats!
I put out some of the 2x2 mice poison boxes... 1 day later box/tray was empty and I found one small fat mouse...
surely he didn't eat the whole thing!
I think I've seen evidence of mice/rats eating into some pretty thick plastic... not sure what it was.

[goatlady]

Based on your original post,you must not be planning very much long term food storage! Staching away 100's of pounds of grains, beans, rice, and salt would take waaaaay too many ammo cans to be practicle. Garbage cans are the way to go for me personally - each can will safely hold 100 to 150 pounds of basic food storage. I have NO plan to move - either the cans or myself so that method works for me. I pick them up at auctions and even new ones run less than $20 with the lids.

[BAK]

I'm actually planning on storing more than 100s pounds of of dry goods. Until now I have been storing them in a mice free basement using lots of 5 gallon buckets but just got an "invite" to a place in the country where space is not the issue and long term living is possible once the grid goes down. The ammo cans I was referring to are 20mm ammo cans- about 6.5 gallon capacity. They're heavy though- about 20 lb each. So ideally I'm thinking 15 gallon or 30 gallon metal drums with removable tops. They should fit couple of 5 gal mylar bags inside but will be difficult to move.

[610Alpha]

I'm actually planning on storing more than 100s pounds of of dry goods. Until now I have been storing them in a mice free basement using lots of 5 gallon buckets but just got an "invite" to a place in the country where space is not the issue and long term living is possible once the grid goes down. The ammo cans I was referring to are 20mm ammo cans- about 6.5 gallon capacity. They're heavy though- about 20 lb each. So ideally I'm thinking 15 gallon or 30 gallon metal drums with removable tops. They should fit couple of 5 gal mylar bags inside but will be difficult to move.

Compare the cost and wait of those 20mm cans to the galvanized ash can at walmart or lowes (they have handles that could be easier to move...by 1 of each and do a time obstacle course test).

[miked2345]

Has anyone had mice chew thru a 5 gal food grade plastic bucket? I have about 20 buckets in my basement full of long term storage and I know I've had a mouse or two down there. So far, no damage to my stuff.. I do have everything sealed in mylar bags inside the buckets, so maybe that helps. (cutting down the scent of food..)

[rockriver]

my mices seem to enjoy the mousetraps a whole lot better when I use peanut butter..
more mices "giving their all" to get to the pnut butter than they did to the cheese..

[Benn Gleck]

Like Goatlady said galvanized trash cans.

Or I use some of those popcorn tins, I've had many of those given to me and I use them for dog food storage.