Storing Food Outdoors - Waterproof, Airtight, Squirrelproof Ideas? (1 Viewer)

[bitterntwisted]

Hi,

I've just tried to cut down on my bird food bills and help the environment by buying bulk online straight from a wildlife-friendly farm.

I now have 50kg (110 ponds) of seed in the hallway of my communal flats and nowhere to put it. I really can't fit it in the flat and can't leave it outdoors, at least once the sacks are unsealed.

Any ideas on airtight, waterproof, squirrel and rodent-proof storage. It also needs to be aesthetically unobtrusive - I can half-conceal it in a corner of the communal gardens but the beautiful mature gardens and outside view are the big selling point of the flats. I'm pushing it enough with the neighbours by hanging my metal feeders up.

Thanks,
Graham

 

[Keith Dickinson]

When we had guinea pigs we used a standard dustbin as a feed store. We never had any bother from the local squirrels and the food stayed nice and dry.

 

[bitterntwisted]

Did think about that, Keith, and may yet have to try it, but the squirrels here do already raid the bins (nothing wakes you up early in the morning like lifting the lid and having a squirrel jump out at you) Also the standard black bin may offend the neighbour's eyes - will take photo tomorrow and post so you can see what I mean.

Graham

 

[joannec]

Hi Graham

I store mine in a metal feed bin. It's lid is heavy enough so that no animal can lift it and it is certainly rodent proof. There is room for 4 bags but it is a bit unsightly. I think Keiths dustbin idea is better in your situation. What about a dustbin with a lid that is held down with metal fasteners? I've seen them.

Joanne

 

[Keith Dickinson]

Use a couple of bungee straps across the bin lid, hooking onto the carrying handles Graham.... that stops the little grey b@st@rds. We used them and didn't lose anything to the tree rats.

 

[steveo]

Use a couple of bungee straps across the bin lid, hooking onto the carrying handles Graham.... that stops the little grey b@st@rds. We used them and didn't lose anything to the tree rats.

My brother nerely lost an eye because of a bungee cord. So I always recommend nylon rachet straps they are 15.oo$ American a pair and last for ever. They can be tightened to a higher degree than bungees with no hazard. Hope this is'nt nitpicking just intended as friendly advice/warning. As for the container the dust bin sounds good but I would weather strip the inside point of contact between the lid and the base the entire way around. That will seal out water well water. If you get the weather strip that is self adhesive it is really easy. Good luck.

 

[Boomer]

Hi Graham,

I use a galvanized metal trash bin, placed on a stand (a few inches off the ground) to keep the bottom from rusting. The lid closes with enough friction to keep out the squirrels, as well as the raccoons, opossums, and skunks (so far at least). I have had no problems with water/moisture. It would definitely be a bit of an eyesore, unless regulations permitted you to enclose the bin in a sort of custom-made enclosure made out of an attractive wood panel, lattice, or 'privacy fence.' I hope that you can work out a viable method for storing the feed.

steveo,
Great advice re: caution using bungee cords. I once broke a finger when one of the end hooks on a bungee cord lost its grip and recoiled with a tremendous force. I admit to trying to stretch the cord a little too tight.

Best Wishes to all,

Ron

 

[samuel walker]

I'm a cat owner and buyer of kitty litter. Nice plastic containers that the litter comes in are saved.Bird food is sold in the same 10 US lb units as the litter, The size is right for an empty bottle and the cap is still good. I dry marker mine for sunflower,thistle etc. I found a large funnel at the bird supply to neatly transfer from litter bottle to feeder.
Sam

 

[CMB]

Bins that look good is the hard part...

Sounds like the neighbors might not like metal trash can looking things.

Some pet stores sell plastic bins with locking lids for bulk pet food. Here is a link to an example:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/ind...a1-1eaa-11dd-a197-000423c27407&utm_source=cse

If you have access to a farm/horse/feed supply center they often have locking feed bins for sale.

 

[brettski]

I'm with Boomer on the galvanized metal trash can. We do the same.
You could spray paint the exterior to match the adjoining background and help to make it disappear. Just make sure to wipe it down with a solvent or paint thinner to remove the manufacturing oils (wear chem proof gloves!)

 

[barnstormer]

Go to a staples store and buy one of there really useful clear plastic storage boxes with the lockable lids,i've got loads for different purposes and they come in different sizes and colours.

 

[deborah4]

A small jumbox might be OK for your purposes Graham - rather attractive too

or there's this, which is also rather attractive (stick a few pots of hanging plants on the top!)
http://www.shedrite.com/itemdetl.php/itemcode/6

 

[bitterntwisted]

Thanks for all the suggestions, folks. The Staples boxes are these ones, http://www.staples.co.uk/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=,&webid=84LC&affixedcode=WW, and they do seem good value but being wider than they are tall may not be perfect for storing large open sacks, and the range of colours doesn't currently include anything really unobtrusive.

The Shedrite cabinet is very smart, Deborah, but rather dear, although i did find myself looking at even more expensive solutions to meet the aesthetic needs.

In the end, I just bought a matte black plastic 80-litre clip bin from Homebase where the handles pull tight over the lid, which would need a very muscular squirrel to open. It's not perfect, but it was only £13, and I have managed to conceal it quite close to the feeders and so that it is only visible to neighbours from a point no-one ever walks.

Thanks again,
Graham

 

[Peewit]

Hi Graham

Glad you found a storage bin that is useful.

I see that the RSPB have ones on their current website that look like old fashioned bread bins. They cost quite a lot for what they are. They are smart though.

I have a spare Wheelie bin (got 2 recycle wheelie bins by accident, and kept one ever since - sure the council will not miss it), and it is useful for the bird food. The bin is kept next to the patio doors.

We had to add a false bottom to the bin. The bottom of the bin gets damp otherwise. So that is a precaution, as we do not food to rot in the damp.

I tend to keep the dried Mealworms indoors.

The Grey Tree Rat****bleeps**** have not worked out how to open the wheelie lid yet and if they do there will be war. :t:

As for the storage of the seed, we use old tupperware boxes as they are airtight, and keep the contents dry. We use an old plastic container for fatballs (an original fatball container for 50 fatballs), and keep Dried Mealworms in its orginal container.

 

[bitterntwisted]

In the end, I just bought a matte black plastic 80-litre clip bin from Homebase where the handles pull tight over the lid, which would need a very muscular squirrel to open.

Forgot about this thread - the squirrels chewed their way into the black bin within a few weeks, letting in water and ruining £40 worth of food as well as £13 worth of bin - if you're facing the same dilemma as me buy a metal bin. Perhaps worse than losing £50 was having to dispose of the stinking, waterlogged mess.

Graham

 

[Peewit]

Forgot about this thread - the squirrels chewed their way into the black bin within a few weeks, letting in water and ruining £40 worth of food as well as £13 worth of bin - if you're facing the same dilemma as me buy a metal bin. Perhaps worse than losing £50 was having to dispose of the stinking, waterlogged mess.

Graham

Not so good Graham - squirrels- you play mind games with them all of the time.

That was costly. Wonder if the full sized Wheelie bin will be exposed in the same way - maybe the smooth sides put the little 'bandits' from being able to climb to easily. We have had the Wheelie for a year now without any problems.

I think I will put a brick on the Wheelie lid after what you have said. Metal is about the only thing that squirrels or rodents cannot chew

Years ago I kept horse feed on a large wooden chest, and the rats chewed through an inch of wood in one night to get at the contents of the horse food. Rodents have strong teeth. :eek!:
We had to resort to getting metal storage boxes too.

 

[Transformer]

Metal bins work well as far as keeping rodents out, as they cannot chew through. But they will eventually rust. Also, if you have bears and other larger, stronger wildlife around, they will get into the bins. Supposedly there are plastic bear-proof bins, which have screw-on lids, but again - they're plastic and thus, NOT rodent-proof.

What works for me is a locked shed which contains metal cans, lined with plastic trash bags, then filled with seed. The lids are secrued via lift-up-and-over handle. Since I have implemented this system, the squirrels see no reason to chew through the Rubbermaid shed to get to the bins, cos they can't get INTO the bins. They gave up. :-O