Rats and Gear storage

Over the years I've kept my gear in various places from old basements to garages to 2nd bedrooms and never had an issue with rats chewing my gear up.
Just moved to a more rural area on some land with me gear in the garage which is none to secure and have my gear in some boxes and open tubs on the ground. Should I be concerned? We had to replace our HVAC in the house due to rodents. Don't really have the time or $$ to take on a new project right now but I also don't want my gear destroyed.
Any thoughts?

do the $15 plastic bins at target not work?

Rat proof your garage, and keep your gear in tubs with handled locking lids. Get a dog that is game..

Chris Blatchley wrote: do the $15 plastic bins at target not work?

This. Just use the plastic bins with the lids. Not that difficult.

The only reason rats would chew your gear is if it smells like food. If you can't ensure your gear doesn't smell like food(spilled sardines?), get a metal foot locker or just get a new garbage can that has a tight lid. I prefer see though bins, but I know a squirrel can get through one of those in about 30 seconds.

Metal garbage cans are the cheapest option.

Cat... Or seduce the Rat King and run his empire by proxy.

Buck Rio wrote: The only reason rats would chew your gear is if it smells like food. If you can't ensure your gear doesn't smell like food(spilled sardines?), get a metal foot locker or just get a new garbage can that has a tight lid. I prefer see though bins, but I know a squirrel can get through one of those in about 30 seconds.

Metal garbage cans are the cheapest option.

Or if the rats are very hungry shoe leather is food :-) . Extreme example I know, but this is a shoe that I saw someone left out at Trout Creek:

Go to the humane society and grab a cat

Should I grab it by the pussy?

Plastic Bins or adopt a Dog !   Ideally one that does not chew on climbing rope or piss on stuff in the house. 

Backwards Eric wrote:

Or if the rats are very hungry shoe leather is food :-) . Extreme example I know, but this is a shoe that I saw someone left out at Trout Creek:

That was an extreme case of "Toe cheese"...

So has anyone ever had a rodent chew up their gear in their garage or basement?

No but I have had to deal with rats and mice chewing up other stuff...I think dogs are better for rats than cats. Vice versus for mice.

Handle your business. Rodents are nasty.

notmyname wrote: So has anyone ever had a rodent chew up their gear in their garage or basement?

I spilled sardine juice in my pack once, and a mouse did get to some of the retired nylon slings I had repurposed.

You'll want to install this right next to your gear tubs.

Yes, rats will chew your gear up! I  stored a retired  rope in my garden shed in an open container, they nested in the rope and chewed it up. 

hang the gear above ground level, y'know, like from a piece of cord.   

This guy has dozens of traps (kill and no-kill) for all types of rodents and insects on his channel if you feel like getting creative. He also does reviews of traps on the market and compares them to homemade ones.

​Shawn Woods Youtube​​​

I'd suggest trying one of these rat bashing sticks

Don't underestimate them.