6 Best Pest Resistant Feed Storage Containers For Farms Old Farmers Swear By
Explore 6 pest-resistant feed containers trusted by seasoned farmers. These durable, time-tested options safeguard your grain from rodents and costly spoilage.
There’s a specific kind of disappointment that comes from finding a brand-new bag of feed torn open, its contents spilled and contaminated by mice. It’s not just the lost money that stings; it’s the mess, the wasted time, and the immediate threat to your animals’ health. The battle against pests for your feed supply is a constant on any farm, and your storage container is your first and most important line of defense.
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Why Quality Feed Storage Is Non-Negotiable
Losing a bag of feed to rodents is the most obvious problem, but it’s far from the only one. Contaminated feed is a direct threat to your livestock. Rodent droppings and urine can carry diseases like leptospirosis and salmonella, turning a nutritious meal into a vector for illness.
Moisture is an equally insidious enemy. A poorly sealed container in a humid barn allows moisture to creep in, leading to mold and mycotoxins that can cause serious, sometimes fatal, health issues in your animals. What looks like a small patch of mold can ruin an entire bin of expensive grain.
Ultimately, proper feed storage is a cornerstone of responsible farm management. It’s not an expense; it’s an investment that protects your animals’ health, saves you money on wasted feed, and prevents future vet bills. A good system simplifies your chores and removes a major source of stress.
Behrens Galvanized Steel Can: The Classic Choice
Get durable, rust-proof trash disposal with this 6-gallon steel can. It features a locking lid and is proudly made in the USA.
There’s a reason you see these shiny metal cans on farms everywhere. They are the simple, time-tested solution to the rodent problem. Galvanized steel is completely chew-proof. A mouse, rat, or squirrel simply cannot gnaw its way through the wall of a Behrens can.
Their durability is their main selling point. They resist odors, are easy to clean, and the tight-fitting lid does a decent job of keeping out insects and ambient moisture. For storing scratch grains, whole oats, or other dry goods where absolute airtightness isn’t the top priority, they are nearly perfect.
The primary tradeoff is that the lid isn’t truly airtight or animal-proof against larger, more clever pests. A determined raccoon can learn to pry the lid off. This is easily solved with a bungee cord or a heavy paver placed on top, but it’s a necessary extra step in raccoon country.
Vittles Vault Gamma2: Best Airtight Plastic Bin
![Gamma2 Vittles Vault Pet Food Storage Containers - Sealed Dog and Cat Food Storage Container, Fits up to 50lbs, Made in the USA - [14"L x 20"H]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41GP3rs5AzL._SL500_.jpg "6 Best Pest Resistant Feed Storage Containers For Farms Old Farmers Swear By 3")
If you’re storing expensive pelleted feeds, sweet feeds with molasses, or live in a high-humidity climate, the Vittles Vault is your best friend. Its defining feature is the threaded, screw-on lid with a rubber gasket. This creates a truly airtight and watertight seal that is second to none.
This seal does two things exceptionally well: it locks freshness in and locks moisture out. By preventing air exchange, it dramatically slows the degradation of vitamins and fats in processed feeds, keeping them palatable and nutritious for longer. More importantly, it completely stops mold growth by denying it the moisture it needs to thrive.
Made from heavy-duty, food-grade plastic, these containers are tough, but they are still plastic. While highly resistant, a desperate and determined rat could theoretically chew through a corner if given enough time and motivation. This makes them a fantastic choice for a secure feed room, but perhaps less ideal if left in a vulnerable, open-sided shed.
Miller Manufacturing Locking Can for Secure Storage
This container takes the classic galvanized steel can and adds one brilliant, necessary feature: a locking lid. It’s designed specifically to thwart the clever paws of raccoons and the brute force of a nosy farm dog. The handle is designed to clamp down over the lid, creating a secure latch that requires opposable thumbs to operate.
This can provides the best of both worlds. You get the unbeatable chew-proof security of steel against rodents, plus a locking mechanism that stops larger pests cold. If you’ve ever come out to the barn in the morning to find a can tipped over and a trail of feed leading into the woods, you understand the value of this design.
It’s a purpose-built solution for a common and frustrating problem. The cost is a bit more than a standard steel can, but it’s far less than the cost of one or two bags of high-quality feed. It’s the right tool for the job when you’re dealing with more than just mice.
Rubbermaid Brute Bins for Bulk Storage Security
Move and store items easily with the durable Rubbermaid Brute Tote. Its secure lid keeps contents safe, while ergonomic handles reduce strain during transport.
Not all plastic bins are created equal, and the Rubbermaid Brute line stands far above the flimsy totes you’d find in a department store. These are commercial-grade containers made from thick, resilient plastic that can handle the rough-and-tumble environment of a farm. They won’t crack in the cold or become brittle in the sun.
Their lids are their key advantage over cheaper options. They snap on securely and provide a very good seal against insects, dust, and casual moisture. While not as airtight as a Vittles Vault, they are more than sufficient for storing bulk ingredients like whole corn or sunflower seeds inside a protected structure.
Think of Brutes as an excellent component of a larger system. Because they are plastic, they aren’t a foolproof first line of defense against rodents in an unsecured barn. Their real strength is for organizing and protecting large quantities of feed within an already secure feed room. Their durability and reasonable cost make them ideal for this role.
Repurposed 55-Gallon Drum: The DIY Bulk Option
For anyone buying feed in bulk or mixing custom rations, a repurposed 55-gallon drum is the most cost-effective solution available. These can often be sourced cheaply or even for free from food processing plants, car washes, or online marketplaces. They offer massive storage capacity for a minimal investment.
You have two main choices:
- Steel Drums: These are the ultimate in pest protection. They are completely impervious to rodents and are also fire-resistant. Find one with a clamp-ring lid (a "lever-lock"), and you have a nearly indestructible feed vault.
- Plastic (HDPE) Drums: These are lighter, won’t rust, and are easier to clean. While the plastic is incredibly thick, it’s not technically rodent-proof. They are an excellent choice for use inside a secure building.
The key is to ensure you get a food-grade drum that held something non-toxic. A drum that previously contained pickles or olive oil is a great find; one that held industrial solvent is not. It takes a little legwork to find and clean one, but the payoff in secure, bulk storage is enormous.
Tuff Stuff Feed Tubs for Versatile, Tough Use
Store feed or seed securely with this durable 12-gallon container. Its heavy-duty construction protects contents from pests and moisture.
These black, rubber-like tubs serve a different but equally important purpose. They aren’t for long-term storage, as they have no lids. Their value lies in their incredible durability for daily chores and temporary use.
Made from a flexible, high-density polyethylene, these tubs are practically indestructible. You can drop them, step on them, leave them in the freezing cold, and they simply will not break. This makes them perfect for mixing up the day’s rations or for holding a small amount of feed near a pen for easy access during the day.
Think of these as part of your feed transport system, not your feed storage system. You use them to move feed from your secure steel can or Vittles Vault out to the animals. They are the wheelbarrow of feed containers—a tool for work, not for protection.
Placement Tips to Maximize Pest Protection
A great container in a bad spot is an invitation for failure. The best feed bin is only as effective as its placement. Your goal is to make it as difficult and unappealing as possible for pests to even attempt a break-in.
First, get your containers off the ground. Placing them on concrete blocks or a sturdy wooden pallet does two critical things. It prevents moisture from the floor from corroding a metal can or seeping into the contents, and it eliminates the dark, hidden corners where a mouse or rat feels safe enough to spend hours trying to chew its way in.
Second, create a clean zone. Don’t stack junk, empty feed bags, or bales of hay directly against your feed containers. This clutter provides cover and nesting material for rodents. A clean, open area around your storage forces them to cross an exposed space, making them feel vulnerable and less likely to set up shop. A little bit of good housekeeping is a powerful pest deterrent.
Ultimately, your feed container is just one part of a complete pest-control strategy. The right can, bin, or drum is your fortress, but its location and the habits you build around it are the defenses that keep the enemy from ever reaching the walls. Choose the right container for your specific needs, place it thoughtfully, and keep the area clean.
