How should I store potatoes in a cellar to keep mice away? - briefly
Store potatoes in airtight, ventilated containers such as plastic bins with tight‑fitting lids and keep the cellar dry, clean, and free of food debris. Install steel or copper mesh around any openings and use traps or natural repellents to block rodent entry.
How should I store potatoes in a cellar to keep mice away? - in detail
Storing tubers underground requires a dry, cool environment with minimal food sources for rodents. Maintain temperature between 4 °C and 10 °C and humidity around 85 % to prevent sprouting while avoiding excess moisture that encourages mold and attracts pests.
- Seal all entry points: inspect walls, floor, and ceiling for gaps larger than 3 mm; fill cracks with steel wool, caulk, or expanding foam designed for pest exclusion. Install metal mesh (¼‑inch hardware cloth) over ventilation openings.
- Elevate containers: place potatoes on palletized racks or sturdy shelves at least 15 cm above the floor. This removes direct contact with the ground and makes it harder for mice to reach the produce.
- Use rodent‑proof containers: choose thick‑walled plastic bins with tight‑closing lids, or metal drums with sealed lids. Ensure lids have a rubber gasket to eliminate tiny openings.
- Apply deterrent barriers: line the bottom of storage bins with a thin sheet of copper or aluminum foil; rodents dislike chewing through metal. Alternatively, place a layer of cedar shavings, which emit a scent repellent to many rodents.
- Implement sanitation protocols: remove all debris, spilled soil, and food waste from the cellar daily. Clean surfaces with a solution of water and vinegar to eliminate scent trails that guide mice.
- Deploy monitoring devices: position snap traps or live‑catch traps along walls and under shelves. Check traps every 24 hours and reset as needed to maintain pressure on any intruding rodents.
- Introduce natural repellents: disperse peppermint oil pads or crushed dried mint leaves in corners; replace them weekly to sustain potency.
Regular inspection is essential. After each harvest cycle, inspect containers for holes, check for gnaw marks, and verify that ventilation remains unobstructed. Promptly repair any breach to preserve a rodent‑free storage area.