mathnerd Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 I store as little as possible in my garage after a rat invasion a few years ago. I am now finding that the sealed plastic heavy duty rubbermaid bin (i even duct taped the lid on!) that was in the garage with organic fertilizer has been chewed with a huge hole on top and that the rats have been getting into the fertilizer, eating it, spilling it and pooping on it. After spending many hours sanitizing the area and throwing out the fertilizer, I am wondering if there is any rodent proof container for garage storage at all. I am sure that someone has invented a rat proof container (other than glass) that I can store large items in. Please share if you know how to keep rats out of bins in the garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 if you can find one, a metal garbage can. DH suggests the metal tool box that you put on the back of a pick-up truck. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 supposedly rats hate peppermint. so peppermint oil sprayed at entrances?! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Metal or glass is all I know of. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Metal small can used usually used for ashes. These are excellent for storing fertilizer in the bag. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 5 hours ago, mathnerd said: I store as little as possible in my garage after a rat invasion a few years ago. I am now finding that the sealed plastic heavy duty rubbermaid bin (i even duct taped the lid on!) that was in the garage with organic fertilizer has been chewed with a huge hole on top and that the rats have been getting into the fertilizer, eating it, spilling it and pooping on it. After spending many hours sanitizing the area and throwing out the fertilizer, I am wondering if there is any rodent proof container for garage storage at all. I am sure that someone has invented a rat proof container (other than glass) that I can store large items in. Please share if you know how to keep rats out of bins in the garage. My first couple of weeks at my current job I discovered Rubbermaid was not rat proof :( They gave me a metal file cabinet and that is what I use to keep my stuff in now (especially food) In 10+ years no rodents have gotten in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathnerd Posted September 5, 2019 Author Share Posted September 5, 2019 Than you, all. The metal garbage can is looking like a good option and my local Lowe's carries it. I also found while googling that there are small sized metal garbage cans that can be used for storing birdseed etc. I have an old stainless steel indoor trash can that I got long ago from costco. Its step-on lever is broken, but I think that I can repurpose it for storing some things in the garage away from rat teeth. We already got the house inspected for rat access points during the precious rat episode and it makes me wonder if there are any new openings through which they are getting in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 9 hours ago, mathnerd said: Than you, all. The metal garbage can is looking like a good option and my local Lowe's carries it. I also found while googling that there are small sized metal garbage cans that can be used for storing birdseed etc. I have an old stainless steel indoor trash can that I got long ago from costco. Its step-on lever is broken, but I think that I can repurpose it for storing some things in the garage away from rat teeth. We already got the house inspected for rat access points during the precious rat episode and it makes me wonder if there are any new openings through which they are getting in. you can also get some bungee cords to hold the lids on Just make sure you get rid of anything that might have absorbed the urine and clean & disinfect like crazy. I've heard they follow their own scent/marking back to where they've found food before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 Do keep the fertilizer in the plastic bags. It may degrade the metal if it comes in direct contact with the metal can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted November 24, 2019 Share Posted November 24, 2019 we use an old chest freezer to store chook food in. completely rodent proof we also use 44 gallon drums to store things that we don't want chewed up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted November 24, 2019 Share Posted November 24, 2019 shawn woods on youtube has some good ideas on how to catch rats (they're smarter than mice, as well as much bigger.) the only thing that is rat proof is metal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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