Storing feed rodent-proof: how to choose and use a feed bin

A well-sealed feed bin keeps feed dry and makes it harder for rats and mice. Read what to look for in the lid, size and daily use.

An open feed bag in the barn is a set table for a mouse. A well-sealed feed bin takes that off the menu, keeps your feed dry and saves you from finding fresh gnaw marks every morning. Below you can read what to look for when choosing and using a feed bin, and what else to do to keep rats and mice out.

The short answer

Store feed in a bin with a lid that closes fully, in a dry place, and sweep up spilled feed straight away. A screw lid or a tight-fitting lid makes it much harder for mice and rats, but only as long as the lid is really closed. Rodents can gnaw through plastic, so check the rim for gnaw marks now and then.

Why an open bag is so attractive

Rats and mice are drawn to food and shelter, and a stable or barn offers both. In autumn and winter, rodents look for extra warmth and supplies. An opened bag, a bucket without a lid or feed left out overnight is then an invitation. Open feed also attracts birds and moisture, and damp feed can go mouldy.

What to look for in a feed bin

Which feed bin suits your situation?

There are three kinds of feed storage. Look at the amount of feed, where the bin will stand and whether you also take the feed with you.

Feed bin with screw lid (40 or 70 litres)

You screw the lid tight, so no gap is left. The 70-litre bin is 62 cm high and 43 cm wide and fits next to a stable door. The smooth inside makes it easy to clean.

Vplast feed bin (40 or 80 litres)

These bins have a lid with a closure, handles and a writing panel for the contents or the animal's name. Empty bins nest inside each other, which is handy for storage.

Foldable feed bag (about 20 kg)

The Gamma Vittles Vault Home SoftStore #50 is a foldable nylon bag with a screw lid for about 20 kg of dry feed. Handy at shows, on holiday or when space is tight. A soft bag is less sturdy than a hard bin. For the permanent supply in the barn, choose a hard plastic bin instead.

How to use a feed bin in practice

• If needed, put the bag inside the bin. You keep the label with the best-before date at hand, and the bin keeps moisture and rodents out.
• Empty the bin completely before topping up. Old leftovers at the bottom go stale.
• Rinse the smooth inside after emptying and let it dry well before adding new feed.
• Always use the same measuring scoop. You give the same amount every day and the scoop stays out of the feed.
• Sweep up spilled feed around the bin. It attracts mice even when the bin itself is closed.
• Do not leave feed out overnight in troughs or on the ground.

Six common mistakes

1. Not screwing the lid fully shut. A gap is enough.
2. Leaving an opened bag next to the bin. It becomes the first target.
3. Leaving spilled feed on the floor. A feed trail leads rodents to the bin.
4. Choosing a bin that is too small. The rest stays behind in an open bag.
5. Putting the bin in the sun or a damp corner. That is not good for the feed.
6. Never checking the rim. You spot gnaw marks early if you look.

Checklist: rodent-proof feed storage

• ☐ Bin with a lid that seals all the way round
• ☐ Size big enough for a whole bag
• ☐ Cool, dry spot out of the sun
• ☐ Bin fully empty before topping up, inside dry
• ☐ Fixed measuring scoop, no open bags next to it
• ☐ Spilled feed swept up
• ☐ Rim checked for gnaw marks now and then

When a feed bin is not enough

Do you see droppings, gnaw marks, holes in bags or nests of straw and paper? Then a rodent is already inside and storage alone will not solve the problem. First work out which animal it is: a rat, a mouse or, for example, a marten calls for a different approach. Then close off the access, because a mouse fits through a very small opening.

Check traps at least once a day. Glue boards cause unnecessary suffering and are restricted by rules in many countries. Poison (rodenticides) is strictly regulated and carries risks for pets, chickens and livestock, including secondary poisoning. Never use it other than as stated on the label. If the problem is large or keeps coming back, call a certified pest controller. For health risks to people, ask your local health authority.

Frequently asked questions

Does a feed bin really keep mice out?
A bin with a screw lid or a tight-fitting lid makes it much harder for mice, as long as the lid is closed. Rodents can gnaw plastic, though, so check the rim now and then.

How much feed fits in a 70-litre bin?
That differs per type of feed. Pellets take up less space than muesli or flakes. If in doubt, put a bag next to the bin to compare.

Can I put the feed bag inside the bin?
Yes. You keep the best-before date at hand, and the feed stays dry and out of reach of rodents.

Is a foldable feed bag rodent-proof too?
It closes with a screw lid, but it is softer than a hard bin. For the permanent supply in a barn, choose a hard bin.

Summary

Store feed in a hard bin with a lid that seals all the way round. Choose a size that fits a whole bag, keep the bin cool and dry, empty it before topping up and sweep up spilled feed. Check the rim for gnaw marks. If rodents are already there, close off the access and call a professional if needed.

Conclusion

A feed bin is the simplest step to give rats and mice less reason to visit. It works best together with cleaning, tidying and closing gaps.

Sources and further reading

• Wageningen University & Research: knowledge on rodent management
• RIVM: information on biocides and health
• Ctgb: rules on biocides and rodenticides (Netherlands)
• Product information from the manufacturers of the feed bins mentioned

⭐ Add Fidello as a preferred source on Google

Tags

Diersoort:Stal-Erf-Weide Kennisbank Koopgids Praktisch

• Share on:
• WhatsApp
• Deel
• X
• Pin it
• Messenger
• Email