How Do I Keep Pests Out Of My Root Cellar?

“I’ve just built a small root cellar on our property and I’m starting to notice signs of pests (like mouse droppings and small chew marks) on a few of the potatoes and onions I’ve stored in there. I’m concerned that it might get worse as it gets colder outside and the pests look for warm places. What can I do to keep my root cellar pest-free without using harsh chemicals? I’ve heard of using certain herbs or natural deterrents, but I’ve never tried it. Any advice would be amazing!” Thanks, Megan, Ontario, Canada.

How Do I Keep Pests Out of My Root Cellar?

Hey Megan, you’re not alone on this one—keeping pests out of a root cellar can be a real challenge. The good news is there are lots of natural ways to deal with it, and a few tweaks here and there can make a huge difference. I can totally relate to what’s happening with your potatoes and onions because I once found a whole basket of my carrots gnawed on by some very happy mice. That was quite the wake-up call, let me tell you! But don’t worry; I’ve learned quite a bit about warding off these uninvited “guests” over the years, and I’m excited to share what’s worked with you.

Why Your Root Cellar Is So Attractive to Pests

First, it helps to know why pests find root cellars like yours so tempting. Think about it—your root cellar is cool (but not freezing), dark, and stocked with yummy food. It’s basically a cozy little buffet for critters during winter. Small pests like mice, rats, and even insects are driven by their instincts to seek out food and warmth, and your root cellar meets all their needs in one compact spot. So the first thing you need to do is make sure they have no reason to set up camp in there!

Seal All Potential Entry Points

This is one of the biggest things you can do. Megan, you mentioned noticing signs of mice, like droppings and chew marks, so it sounds like they’ve already found a way in. They can squeeze through gaps much smaller than you’d think—like a quarter-inch for mice and even narrower for insects. Here’s what I suggest:

• Examine every corner carefully: Check walls, floors, and ceilings for small cracks or holes. A flashlight can help you see tiny gaps hidden in darker corners.
• Use steel wool or caulk: For small gaps, especially around pipes, shove in steel wool and follow it up with caulk. Mice hate chewing through steel wool, and it’s a quick fix for keeping them out!
• Install weatherstripping: Your door could be letting creepy crawlies in too. Tighten that seal with weatherstripping around the door frame. If air can’t seep through, pests are less likely to find it easy to slip in either.
• Don’t forget vents: Use fine mesh screens on any vents or air passages to allow ventilation while blocking entry for insects or small pests.

Keep It Clean and Dry

Pests love messy and damp places, so this next bit is all about maintaining a clean, dry environment. You’ve got perishable food in there, so keeping everything organized and tidy is super important.

• Store food off the floor: Use shelves or pallets to keep your stored goods off the ground. This makes it harder for pests to reach them and also ensures airflow around your produce, which helps prevent spoilage.
• Rotate and inspect: Regularly check your food stores, especially potatoes and onions (which you mentioned), for signs of spoilage or pest activity. Rotting vegetables are major attractants for pests!
• Dry it out: Humidity’s a big deal in root cellars. Mold, insects, and even rodents thrive in damp conditions. You might want to place a few moisture absorbers in there if it’s feeling damp, or even try using an oscillating fan for airflow. Keeping things dry will discourage a whole slew of unwanted visitors.

Repelling Pests Naturally

Now, Megan, you said you heard about using herbs and natural deterrents. This is one of my favorite parts because it’s so straightforward and doesn’t involve any nasty chemicals! There are quite a few strong-scented plants that pests absolutely detest. Trust me, it works—my root cellar smells pretty strong of cloves and mint some days, though I’m not complaining!

• Peppermint essential oil: Mice, in particular, can’t stand the smell of peppermint. I’ve had the best luck soaking cotton balls in peppermint oil and leaving them around the corners and entry points of the root cellar. Just keep in mind you’ll need to refresh the cotton balls every now and then as the scent fades.
• Bay leaves for insects: If you’ve noticed insects like weevils (same ones you find in flour!) getting near stored grains or root vegetables like potatoes, bay leaves are fantastic. Just pop a few whole bay leaves in your storage bins or on the shelves. The smell keeps weevils and other insects from settling.
• Clove and garlic: Another smell that rodents hate is the heavy, spicy scent of cloves and garlic. Sprinkling some ground cloves near entry points or even hanging garlic bulbs near your shelves may give pests second thoughts about moving in.

Bonus tip: if you’re dealing with bigger visitors like rats or squirrels, you can add cayenne pepper to the mix. They won’t even think about trying your food again once they get a mouthful of that heat!

Setting Up Pest Deterrent Zones

This one’s kind of a personal quirk of mine, Megan—I like to set up little “zones” in my root cellar that help deter pests. It’s like a security checkpoint for your root cellar, but way less high-tech.

• Entry-point traps: Strategically place humane traps or rodent repelling devices right where you know they’re getting in—especially near those gaps we sealed or any doorways.
• Keep food containers airtight: I transferred my produce and grains into airtight containers in certain sections, helping to keep food smells pretty much non-existent. No smells, no interest from animals. Consider using metal bins with latching lids or heavy-duty food-safe plastic containers for extra protection.

Pest-Proof Your Root Vegetables

Your potatoes and onions are prime targets for pests, so let’s give them some extra defensive measures.

• Sand storage: A great trick is to store root vegetables in sand. Mice and other pests find it harder to access your goods if they’re buried in clean, dry sand. I use large boxes filled with sand to store carrots and beets, and it’s worked wonders in protecting them from nibbling pests.
• Paper bags or burlap sacks: Keeping onions and potatoes in breathable burlap sacks or brown paper bags can help prevent spoilage. Also, it minimizes their exposure to critters searching for a snack. As a bonus, the bags help absorb moisture too!

Consider Bringing in Some Furry Help

This may be a fun option for you, Megan, depending on your setup—a barn cat or two can help out a lot if you have a farm or homestead. Cats are natural rodent hunters, and just their presence might scare away the mouse population. If you’re okay with a little bit of fur on your boots and don’t mind the occasional “gift” left on the porch, a cat could become your secret pest-deterring weapon.

Troubleshooting Tips – What If They Keep Coming Back?

Sometimes, even with all these precautions, those darn pests might find a way back in. I’ve had this happen, and it can be super frustrating. If they keep showing up after you feel like you’ve done everything, here are a few advanced strategies:

• Recheck your sealing job: Small cracks and holes can reopen as materials shift with temperature changes. A quick recheck every season (especially in fall as the weather cools) helps save you headaches later.
• Change storage areas: If you notice trouble near a certain part of the cellar, try moving food storage away from that spot. Experiment with different set-ups—sometimes just shifting items around can throw pests off their game.
• Try predator sounds or deterrents: There are devices you can get that emit sounds only pests can hear—like noises that mimic predators. These can be helpful when nothing else seems to work. They’re non-invasive and especially useful during peak rodent activity in winter.

Final Thoughts…

Megan, I hope these tips help you get your root cellar back under control so you can stop worrying about nibbled potatoes and get back to enjoying those yummy winter stores! Sometimes, it really is about small tweaks—checking for cracks, using natural repellents, and staying one step ahead of those sneaky critters. Keeping the area clean and dry, along with sealing it up tight and using some smart pest repelling tricks, should really improve things. And hey, if all else fails, you can always recruit a brave barn cat!

Thanks again for reaching out—I’m cheering for you over here!