5 Of Our Favorite Mouse Proof Garage Storage Ideas To Keep The Critters Out Of Your Stuff

Need a rodent-proof way to store your items in the garage?

We’ll take a look at the best cabinets, containers, and storage bins that will keep your things protected from mice, rats, and other rodents that may find their way into your garage. 

As a hint of what’s to come. Take a good look at the image above. This is pretty close to what we are trying to accomplish. All the storage is off the floor. Hooks are installed on all the walls and even in the ceiling for more storage space.

Can you imagine what would happen if a mouse walked into this garage? He would have nowhere to hide! And this is exactly what we are aiming for. Or at least as close as we can get while being practical.

So are you ready to make your garage look like the one in the photo? Below are the types of products that will get you started.

Here are five ways to store your belongings in the garage and stay pest-free.

1. Mouse Proof Cabinets For the Garage

No garage would be complete without a few cabinets to store everyday items in a neat and organized way. Since most garages don’t come with closet space, freestanding cabinets are the next best thing. 

When shopping for a mouse-proof cabinet. Keep these qualities in mind.

Keep the cabinets off the floor. 

Select freestanding cabinets that are raised on legs. While mice can climb, we don’t need to make it easy for them. Keeping your cabinets off the ground makes it harder for rodents to gain entry.

Wheels are also a good choice since it makes it easy to move the cabinet away from the wall for cleaning. 

Make sure the bottom is solid.

You can reinforce the corners and joints or add a second layer of protection at the base if needed.

Look for metal cabinets. 

Metal is the best material for garage cabinets since it is chew-proof and long-lasting. Double-walled steel is even better. Metal cabinets are available in several gauges with 24 gauge steel being the top of the line.

Take a good look at the specifications when you are shopping, since some cabinets are made to resemble steel but are actually made from resin. Mice will be able to chew right through resin. 

Check the doors and handles. Both should be tight-fitting and gap-free. 

Standalone and Modular Cabinet Options

Here are two good examples that meet our criteria for rodent-proof garage cabinets.

The first option is a modular unit made of heavy-duty 24-gauge steel. This is a solid set of garage cabinets that has adjustable shelves, locking doors, and even a workbench.

The cabinets can be raised between 3.25″H – 5.25″H off the floor with either wheels or casters. 

The cabinets are sold in modular units, so you can mix and match the pieces you need to fit your garage. 

The second option is a standalone cabinet made by Seville Classics Cabinet Storage. It is made of metal, raised off the ground, and has secured doors.

It is completely sealed on all sides with no electrical or powerstrip openings, where mice can get in. 

2. Install Overhead Garage Storage Racks In The Rafters 

Our second favorite garage storage idea is overhead racks and shelving systems. Since they are off the floor, they are not as likely to be noticed by rodents.

With overhead garage storage racks, you can utilize your garage ceiling space to store a wide variety of items. These cool racks attach to your garage ceiling and extend down to hold a large mesh shelving unit.

With a few of these overhead racks, you can easily double the amount of storage space in your garage. The racks are attached to the studs in the ceiling so they can support a fair amount of weight.

They make a great way to clean your garage of clutter and protect your items from mice and insects. Use them to hold luggage, sports equipment, holiday decorations, plastic storage tubs, etc. 

You can also purchase accessory racks to hang bikes or tools from the bottom of the rack. Just imagine everything you could move off your garage floor. 

3. Modular Garage Wall Panels with Hooks

If you really want to up your game in the garage, install a wall panel and create an organized and clean look in the space. 

Wall panels are perfect for holding outdoor tools like string trimmers, pole saws, rakes, brooms, ladders, and more. These do a nice job of holding all the unwieldy items that are typically stacked in the corner of our garages. 

Moving all your tools up off the ground gives mice fewer places to hide and build nests. 

Attaching a Slatwall to the garage wall is another option to turn it into a storage system. Add hooks and hanging baskets to keep clutter to a minimum on your workbench.

4. Metal Garbage Cans

You can use metal trash cans for a lot more than trash. In fact, they are one of the best ways to store items like bird or livestock feed, pet food, yard waste, and all the other goodies that mice would devour if not protected.

What makes metal trash cans so perfect is they are chew-proof and are nearly impossible for mice and rats to get inside. Since the metal is slick and the opening is at the top, the mice can’t get a foothold to climb up to the top of the can. Add a tight-fitting lid, and it’s completely mouse-proof. 

We like the steel trash cans best since they are very durable & don’t absorb odors. Behrens makes an excellent quality can from galvanized steel that is a rodent, rust, and odor-proof. The one shown above has handles and an offset bottom to keep the can off the floor.

You can buy metal trash cans at stores like Ace Hardware, Lowes, Home Depot, and Walmart. Just be sure to inspect the quality of the can.

If a full-size trash can is too big, you can also find smaller-sized metal cans that are just as chew-proof. 

5. Mouse and Rat Proof Plastic Storage Containers for the Garge

In addition to cabinets, you’ll want to have several large containers to keep smaller tools, hardware, extension cords, and other miscellaneous items. 

And while plastic isn’t entirely indestructible to mice, there are a few containers that do a pretty good job at keeping rodents away. 

Below are our favorite mouse-proof containers – all made of either heavy-duty or hard plastic. 

Stackable Storage Boxes

Stackable storage is a good option for the garage. Heavy-duty hard plastic containers with handles are your best bet.

Choose the thickness of the plastic boxes depending on what you are storing inside. The more tempting the item for rodents, the thicker the plastic should be.

Here are three good options, all with different qualities and uses for the garage.

Weathertight Storage Boxes with Metal Latches

What I like about the Iris Weathertight Storage Boxes are the buckle latches. Instead of using just plastic, these storage containers use a metal latch that fits into the plastic grove, so it won’t break off.

Lockable Storage

Rubbermaid carries an “Indestructible” line of storage containers. They are double-walled, made from impact-resistant material, and have a lockable latch to secure your good from both animal and human intrusion. 

Rolling garage storage boxes

A rolling storage box works well for heavy items that you need to transport. With rugged buckles and a reinforced handle for pulling, the Iris Storage box below is a good choice.

And that ends our product list. Add one or more of the above storage options and you should have no problem keeping mice out. And if you’ve seen evidence of mice in your garage, take a look at our article on How To Get Rid Of Mice in the Garage for the best ways to trap or kill them.

In Summary

Keeping mice and other rodents out of our garage storage containers shouldn’t be a full-time job. 

By creating a storage system that keeps items off the floor and stocking the garage with chew-proof cabinets and containers, the mice will have to look elsewhere for their next meal or nesting place.