Portable fish house storage

[Dan Thiem]

Does anyone have any "sure fire" way to keep mice out during the off season?

[MJCatfish]

Dan,

I read a while back on this site that the best way to keep your portable safe from mice is to place it on a 55 gallon drum. The mice cannot climb up the drum. The only problem you may have here is enough space to store the fishhouse and the drum. You'd have to keep it away from any walls that mice could climb up and jump from.

I've used Bounce drier sheets. Use the whole box. Put some sheets on the floor, inside the folds of the portable, and outside and on top. I've used a whole box on my two portables I've had good success with this. Plus, the fishhouses smell pretty good when I pull them out.

I've also heard people using peppermint oil. I haven't tried this myself yet.

It'll be interesting to hear what others have used.

MJ

[Aqua Eye]

Yes, mothballs! I take a pair of nylons that my wife sometimes ruins right out of the box, package or whatever and cut them into sections. Tie a knot on one end, put a few mothballs in the other end and tie another knot. Good to go. The best part is that during the time you use the fish house you can easily store the mothballs in another container. I like this method versus spreading mothballs all over the place and having to pick them all up. Works well for me in the boat or whatever as well. Troy

[18 inch Crappie]

Try your basement, works for me....

[folke2000]

I have an otter that is a couple of years old, and I just take off the canvass and store it in a plastic storage bin with dryer sheets. The sled and storage bin are then suspended in the garage from the rafters by ropes to keep everything out of the way. Knock on wood, I haven't had a problem yet....

[Captain B.R.K]

Last year I used a combo of moth balls, dryer sheets and irish spring soap. My dad told me about it and said his buddy used the trick and has kept mice out of his stuff for years.

I think the smell gets to the little buggers.

[Fishn'Lady]

We store it with Bounce fabric softener sheets. We haven't had any problems for years. The bro-in-law does the same thing and no problems. Depending on what style house you have it's always a good idea to plug any open holes up. If it's not a huge hole stuff it with steel wool.

[Dan Thiem]

Thanks everbody, I think I'll go with the Captain's idea and combo everthing. I might even put a picture of Rosie O'Donnel in there just to be sure to scare even the bravest rat!

[trapperdirk]

Quote:

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Thanks everbody, I think I'll go with the Captain's idea and combo everthing. I might even put a picture of Rosie O'Donnel in there just to be sure to scare even the bravest rat!

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ROTFLMAO Dan . Good one . Also got a mental image of Rosie O'Donnel getting her head stuck in the earlier mentioned 45 gal barrel and running around bellering . LOL

TD

[fishin789]

before you use moth ball you should read this.

moth balls should not be used.

try mint extract.

one place I used to work, I had an office in the warehouse and we used to keep an open pack of double mint gum in the desk drawer.The ones that didn't found mouse droppings in thier drawers.

[Eric Wettschreck]

My perm is stored on blocks and I haven't had a mouse problem since I built it. I store my decoys and portable inside my permanent. No mice. This is in farm country where my garage is full of mice, but none in the fish house.

[ChuckN]

I do the same as Folke2000. Works great. I can't fit a large Otter inside my home, otherwise that's what I used to do with other portables I've owned.

[trollingforeyes]

Take the tent part off, and if you have the room, Put it in your freezer. Your house will be chilled to perfection till next year. Ever found a mouse in your freezer? Cool Huh!

[Phred52]

I agree with fishin789! I have stored boats with "Bounce" sheets and mothballs and those critters still found something that interested them. NOW... I use Oil of Peppermint. A few drops on a cotton ball and placed in key spots and I have not had a rodent problem in 7 years (this spring will be the 8th). Smells a heck of a lot better in the springtime,too! Mice are allergic to mint and will go out of their way to avoid it. I also use it in my cabin during the late fall/ winter seasons and have not had a problem. In my old cabin,(on the SAME spot) we would watch the critters run across the rafters by the nite lite. Kinda tough fallin' asleep knowing they're that close. Go with the mint, It's available in most health food stores and get an early start to find it. Most of the time the whole order is spoken for, What for? Mouse control!!! 4oz/$7.00 (goes a long way) Hey fishin', I'm having a hard time picturing "mouse droppings laying in someones' drawers."LOL!!!