Best way to store paper products to avoid mice

Jen - August 1, 2021

Gear

I am a new prepper and looking for the best way to store tp and other paper for the long term.  I live in a rural area so mice are an issue.  I was thinking a military metal locker but am not seeing where I can buy one in good shape.  Thanks!

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best way to store TP is to crush the paper core – stack the flat rolls TIGHT into a container – you’re correct about a metal container if you have a rodent problem – I suggest an open end 30/50 gallon drum – steel gets heavy and a poly or paper fibre drum will get the job done sometimes – a 50 gallon loaded steel drum is getting hard to move & store – you can expect to pack over a 100 rolls in a 30 gallon drum ….

I add moth balls to something like TP that is non-food – helps with both rodents & any insects ….

nice about a container storage of TP >>> an item you can long store in an attic – it’s not a fire hazard stored that way …..

 

Thank you!!!  This is an ingenious way to store.

 

I keep compressed towels in storage.  They take up very little room & really doubt a rodent would mess with them.  However, because of their small size, you can easily package them to keep them safe.  I also keep these in my truck & get home bag.

 

Wow.  I am learning so much on this site!!! Never heard of such a thing.  Thank you for sharing the video.

 

You are welcome.  IMO, it is a type of item every prepper should have.  Keep some in your car, purse, whatever… they take up almost no space at all.

 

@Jen – Welcome.  This is a superb site for new people who want to be more responsible for their own welfare (ie, “preppers”).  Emergency preparedness checklist: Prepping for beginners is the best way to begin and not go overboard.    

I’ve always lived in rural areas and had problems with rodents.  About two years ago, my nephew and I cleared out the attic space (like a mezzanine) in his dad’s workshop.   The workshop is more like a garage and is definitely NOT pest-proof.  I can guarantee that the only thing that worked were clear storage bins with tight fitting lids like a Sterilite 66 quart ClearView.   Everything else that was stored from 20 years earlier was peed on, pooped on, chewed, destroyed, and reeked of urine.   

Everything that was stored in plastic containers with lids was perfect with only 1 or 2 slight problems.  I strongly recommend clear containers vs. opaque/colored containers because you can SEE what’s stored.   Trust me–this makes a huge difference when you’re diving into a pile of stored boxes.   It’s worth the investment to spend more on the container than the tp inside.

 

I also like the plastic tubs.  Even though they’re not technically rodent proof, as long as nothing that emits an enticing smell is in them, the varmints don’t seem to invade them.  I have stacks of them full of canned food and vacuum sealed oats, etc. in a not-entirely-rodent-proof storage room. Before the tubs, all my goods were soiled by rodents and newspapers lining the shelves were shredded. I’ve had zero problem since the tight-lidded tubs.

I do, however have the opaque ones.  No preference. Each is numbered and I keep a spreadsheet inventory of what’s in each one. I actually just went through the inventory and selected everything that needs to be rotated out of storage.

The room is liberally baited with rat bait and/or traps as well. 

 

Thank you both!  I have gotten such great responses and feel so much better.  I was feeling a tad overwhelmed having to learn so much.

 

I can state Rubbermaid Brute plastic trash cans will keep mice out.  I think the biggest is 55 gallons.  I store my dog food, horse food & catfish food in those containers and rodents can’t get in.  And they try.

I have tried other plastic containers, especially ones that stack, but the rodents will eventually chew into them.  Granted, this animal feed is mighty attractive to rodents, especially when stored in a barn, however they can’t get into these trash cans.  They have the redneck seal of approval.  🙂

 

Ditto – I store horse feed in Brute trash cans.  They have never been breached by rats, mice or ground squirrels.

 

Oh fantastic to hear!!!  I will look for these.  Thank you so much for responding.

 

A dab of peanut butter on a trap has caught me many a mice. Chipmunks in the shed lean towards the tootsie rolls though.