Rodent-proof storage

[nh_yota]

My dad stores the life jackets for his boat in an old shed out behind his house. The problem is, rodents often get into the life jacket stash over the winter and tear them up for bedding, leaving a nice mess of feces behind. We stored them in the basement this winter to keep them from getting damaged, but space is at a premium in their house and we are thinking of putting them back out in the shed if we can figure out a way to keep them from getting damaged.

Rodent-proofing the shed itself is a no-go because it's old, has two sliding barn doors and even though it's in pretty good shape I think trying to seal it up would be harder than rebuilding it.

We are thinking of getting a used two-door metal cabinet like you would see in an office because they are fairly cheap acquire, but I am concerned about them not sealing up tight enough to keep mice out. I like the cabinet idea in general because if we store the life jackets in trunk or a bin, it will be more likely to get buried under other boxes and bins.

Thoughts?

 

[Radix2]

Old fashioned metal garbage cans with lids work perfect and are cheap.

We have been using the big plastic storage containers and so far no mice have attacked them either. Unless there is food inside, I don't think it attracts their attention.

The garbage cans work for things like birdseed Too

 

[nh_yota]

Old fashioned metal garbage cans with lids work perfect and are cheap.

We have been using the big plastic storage containers and so far no mice have attacked them either. Unless there is food inside, I don't think it attracts their attention.

The garbage cans work for things like birdseed Too

Agreed, but I prefer something with shelves so I can grab what I need without rooting through the whole pile. We have a broad assortment of life jackets and many are not always kept in the boat, and we grab them when we need them.

 

[Radix2]

Agreed, but I prefer something with shelves so I can grab what I need without rooting through the whole pile. We have a broad assortment of life jackets and many are not always kept in the boat, and we grab them when we need them.

I think a good quality cabinet would work, if not, then a shelf sized for the Rubbermaid boxes should stay neat, you could even get the thin ones that would hold only one or two jackets.

 

[rlitman]

If you're worried about mice, then you need to make sure that there are no openings large enough that a pencil could fit it. That should be achievable with most metal cabinets. Just look it over from all angles, as sometimes there are hidden openings under the bottom shelf corners, etc.

 

[L5wolvesf]

Depending on how many life jackets either an old suitcase (hard type) or a Pelican-type case.

 

[Keel]

A truck IN BED tool box..
not the ones that go over the sides..
They come in plastic and metal..
and have handles on the sides, so you can take it out of the boat when using said boat

 

[rlitman]

A truck IN BED tool box..
not the ones that go over the sides..
They come in plastic and metal..
and have handles on the sides, so you can take it out of the boat when using said boat

If you're talking about a jobox, here's a word of caution.

I have two Knaack boxes. One really old one with a pair of padlocks, one lock on each side. That one is rodent proof. The other one is newer and uses just one padlock plus a sliding bar that locks both sides. I used this one to store bird seed, and a mouse found a way in, through a hole above the sliding bar. There is a gap, like the gap you would find around a parking brake handle that nobody chose to close, since it is invisible from above. Since then, I've added a piece of aluminum that slides with the bar to seal the opening from rodents.

The issue is that these boxes are rain proof, but not necessarily rodent proof.

And plastic boxes of any sort are most certainly not rodent proof. Though they're pretty likely to stop mice.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Repurpose an old deep freeze or fridge?

 

[matt_i]

I'd look at the 2door metal cabinet that you mentioned. My guess is the base is the weak link. So, I'd try to scribe it to a piece of 3/4 plywood and cut that with a jigsaw (etc). Could seal any gaps with the anti-chew Great Stuff although probably construction adhesive would work pretty well too.

And then, mouse traps, yea verrily, set out mousetraps.

 

[Keel]

If you're talking about a jobox, here's a word of caution.

I have two Knaack boxes. One really old one with a pair of padlocks, one lock on each side. That one is rodent proof. The other one is newer and uses just one padlock plus a sliding bar that locks both sides. I used this one to store bird seed, and a mouse found a way in, through a hole above the sliding bar. There is a gap, like the gap you would find around a parking brake handle that nobody chose to close, since it is invisible from above. Since then, I've added a piece of aluminum that slides with the bar to seal the opening from rodents.

The issue is that these boxes are rain proof, but not necessarily rodent proof.

And plastic boxes of any sort are most certainly not rodent proof. Though they're pretty likely to stop mice.

no not a "job box"
A in bed tool box..

 

[rburke65]

Metal cabinet...check Craig'slist ....and the metal trash cans are also good. Closing up the holes in the shed is a joke. They WILL get inside.

 

[22george]

keeping d-con there for the furry little critters will help also

 

[rsanter]

Agreed, but I prefer something with shelves so I can grab what I need without rooting through the whole pile. We have a broad assortment of life jackets and many are not always kept in the boat, and we grab them when we need them.

Just add some shelving to put the tubs or cans on. Then label them so you know what's in them

Bob