Best Ways to Store Food to Keep Mice Away

 

To keep mice away from your food, store all food in sealed, sturdy containers that mice cannot chew through, keep your kitchen clean and free of crumbs, avoid leaving pet food or birdseed exposed, and avoid keeping food in garages or basements unless it’s protected. Don’t use thin plastic bags, cardboard boxes, or original packaging for long storage, as mice can easily get through them.

 

Choose the Right Containers

 

• Use thick plastic, glass, or metal containers with tight-fitting lids: Mice can chew through cardboard, paper, or thin plastic, so use containers made of hard plastic (such as polypropylene), glass jars, or metal tins. Lids should fit tightly with no gaps.
• Consider screw-top lids or clamp closures: Regular snap-on lids sometimes leave a tiny gap. Screw-top or clamp-down lids provide extra security.
• Use containers for all types of food: This includes dry foods like cereal, rice, pasta, flour, sugar, nuts, pet food, and even snacks. Don’t rely on original packaging or “rolling up” bags—mice can squeeze into surprisingly small spaces.

 

Store Food in Safe Places

 

• Keep food in upper cabinets or on shelves above countertop level: Mice are skilled climbers but are less likely to bother food that’s higher up and contained properly.
• Avoid storing food in garages, basements, sheds, or crawl spaces: These areas attract rodents. If you must store food in these spaces, ensure it’s inside chew-proof containers or metal bins with tight lids.
• Don’t leave pet food or birdseed out overnight: Serve only what pets will eat, and store the rest in sealed bins.

 

Keep All Food Areas Clean

 

• Clean counters and floors daily: Wipe up any crumbs or spills immediately. Even tiny food particles attract mice.
• Do not leave dirty dishes overnight: Wash all dishes after meals and clean up pet bowls as soon as pets are done eating.
• Take out the trash regularly: Keep kitchen trash in bins with lids and remove garbage before it overflows.
• Vacuum pantries, cabinets, and behind appliances once a week: Mice like to find hidden food debris behind the oven, refrigerator, or under cabinets.

 

Inspect for and Block Entry Points

 

• Seal all holes and cracks: Mice can squeeze through gaps as small as 1/4 inch (the size of a pencil). Use steel wool, metal mesh, or expanding foam to block gaps around pipes, vents, baseboards, and behind appliances.
• Check weather stripping and door sweeps: Replace damaged seals under doors and around windows to keep mice from entering your kitchen or pantry.

 

Be Cautious with Bulk Items and Dry Goods

 

• Don’t buy more than you can store properly: Large bags of flour, rice, or animal feed should go into smaller, sealed containers right away, not kept in original bags.
• Rotate food stock: Use older food first and avoid leaving bags open for long periods.

 

Extra Tips for Maximum Protection

 

• Use bay leaves or peppermint oil sachets: Placing bay leaves or cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil inside cupboards or pantries may discourage mice, though this does not replace proper storage.
• Check stored food regularly for chewed packaging or droppings: Discard anything you suspect mice have touched and sanitize the area thoroughly.
• If you already have signs of mice, act quickly: Store all food safely before setting traps or calling a pest control professional.

 

With these methods, you can protect your food and home from mice, ensuring your family and pets stay safe, and your kitchen remains pest-free.