Can Rats Get Into Plastic Containers? (Keep Your Food Safe

You’ve probably bought plastic storage containers thinking they’ll keep your food, belongings, or stored items safe from pests. Plastic bins seem sturdy and secure, especially the ones with snap-on lids.

But if you’re dealing with rats or worried about a rat problem, you might be wondering if those plastic containers actually provide protection. Can rats get into plastic containers?

Yes, rats can chew through most plastic containers. Their teeth are incredibly strong and grow continuously, which means they can gnaw through thin and medium-thickness plastic fairly easily. Only very thick, heavy-duty plastic or hard materials like metal or glass can reliably keep rats out.

This is bad news if you’ve been relying on regular plastic bins to protect your stuff. Standard storage containers from most stores aren’t designed to be rodent-proof, and rats see them as minor obstacles rather than real barriers.

Why Rats Can Chew Through Plastic

Rats have some of the strongest teeth in the animal kingdom relative to their size. Their front teeth (called incisors) never stop growing throughout their lives. These teeth can grow up to five inches per year, which is why rats need to constantly gnaw on things to keep them worn down.

If rats didn’t chew regularly, their teeth would grow so long that they couldn’t eat properly and would eventually starve. This constant need to chew means rats are gnawing on things all the time, not just when they’re trying to get into something.

The structure of rat teeth makes them perfect for chewing through tough materials. Their incisors are harder than iron on the Mohs hardness scale.

They have a hard enamel on the front surface and softer material on the back, which creates a self-sharpening effect. Every time they chew, their teeth stay sharp.

When a rat wants to get into a plastic container, it’ll usually start by testing the material. They chew a small area first to see if they can get through. Once they realize the plastic will give way, they’ll work on that spot until they’ve made a hole big enough to squeeze through.

Most standard plastic containers are made from polyethylene or polypropylene. These plastics are convenient and affordable, but they’re not very resistant to gnawing. A determined rat can chew through a typical plastic storage bin in just a few hours, sometimes even faster if the plastic is thin.

What Types of Plastic Containers Are Most Vulnerable

Not all plastic containers are equally easy for rats to chew through. Some types give up much faster than others.

Thin plastic containers are the most vulnerable. These are the cheap storage bins you might find at dollar stores or discount retailers. They’re often translucent or semi-transparent and flex easily when you squeeze them. Rats can chew through these in minutes.

Food storage containers for your pantry are also usually pretty easy for rats to breach. Most plastic food containers, even the ones that seem sturdy, are made from relatively thin plastic. Cereal containers, pasta containers, and those stackable storage sets you use for flour and sugar don’t provide much protection against rats.

Flexible plastic containers are easier for rats to chew than rigid ones. If a container bends or flexes when you press on it, rats will have an easier time getting their teeth into it and creating leverage to tear through.

Older plastic containers become more vulnerable over time. Plastic degrades with age, especially if it’s been exposed to sunlight or temperature changes. The material becomes more brittle and easier to crack or chew through. If you’ve had the same plastic bins stored in your garage or attic for years, they’re probably easier for rats to breach than they were when new.

Containers with textured or ribbed surfaces sometimes give rats better grip and leverage, making it easier for them to position themselves to chew. Smooth surfaces can be a bit harder for them to work with, though this won’t stop a determined rat.

Types of Containers That Can Actually Keep Rats Out

If plastic isn’t reliable for keeping rats out, what should you use instead? There are better options that rats can’t chew through.

Metal containers are your best bet. Steel or aluminum bins with tight-fitting lids will keep rats out. Rats can’t chew through metal, so these containers provide real protection. Metal trash cans with locking lids, metal storage bins, and steel cabinets are all rat-proof.

Glass containers work well for food storage. Rats can’t chew through glass, so glass jars with tight lids or glass storage containers will protect your food items. The downside is that glass is heavy and can break, so it’s not ideal for all storage situations.

Very thick, heavy-duty plastic might provide some protection, but it needs to be really thick. We’re talking about industrial-grade plastic that’s at least a quarter inch thick or more. Even then, a persistent rat might eventually get through. This type of plastic is expensive and not commonly available in regular storage containers.

Hard plastic bins with metal reinforcements can work. Some storage containers are made with thick plastic and have metal corners or edges. These are more resistant to rats than standard plastic bins, though they’re not completely rat-proof.

Ceramic containers are good for food storage in your kitchen or pantry. Rats can’t chew through ceramic, and these containers often come with secure lids. They’re not practical for large-scale storage but work well for protecting food items.

Signs That Rats Have Gotten Into Your Plastic Containers

If you have plastic containers stored somewhere and suspect rats might be getting into them, there are clear signs to look for.

Gnaw marks are the most obvious indicator. You’ll see rough, torn edges where the rat has chewed through the plastic. These marks usually show individual tooth scratches or gouges. The plastic around the gnawed area might have shavings or bits of chewed plastic nearby.

Holes in containers are a dead giveaway. Rats will chew an opening big enough to squeeze through, which is usually about the size of a quarter or larger. The edges of these holes are ragged and torn, not clean like they would be if something had been cut.

Droppings inside or around containers mean rats have definitely been there. Rat droppings are dark brown or black, oval-shaped, and about half an inch long. If you find these in your storage area or inside opened containers, rats have been feeding there.

Damaged or missing contents show that rats got what they were after. If you open a container and find that food has been eaten, items have been shredded, or things are scattered around, rats have been inside.

Greasy smudge marks on containers indicate rats have been rubbing against them as they move around. Rats have oily fur that leaves dark streaks on surfaces they frequently contact.

A musky, unpleasant odor around your storage containers can mean rats are active in that area. Rats have a distinctive smell, and if several of them have been working on your containers, the smell can be pretty noticeable.

How to Store Items to Keep Them Safe From Rats

Knowing that rats can chew through plastic means you need to rethink how you store things, especially in areas where rats might be present like garages, sheds, basements, or attics.

Switch to metal containers for anything valuable or important that you’re storing in rat-prone areas. Yes, metal bins cost more than plastic ones, but they’ll actually protect your belongings. Look for metal storage boxes, steel cabinets, or metal trash cans with secure lids.

Store food items in glass or thick ceramic containers. In your home, transfer dry goods from their original packaging into glass jars with tight lids. This includes things like flour, sugar, rice, pasta, cereals, and grains. Even if rats are in your home, they won’t be able to get into properly sealed glass containers.

If you must use plastic containers, go for the thickest, most heavy-duty ones you can find. Look for containers specifically marketed as heavy-duty or industrial strength. These won’t be completely rat-proof, but they’ll hold up better than thin plastic bins.

Elevate containers off the ground when possible. Rats prefer to work at ground level or on surfaces where they can brace themselves. Putting containers on metal shelving units makes it harder for rats to position themselves to chew. Make sure the shelving is metal, though, as rats can chew through wooden shelves.

Keep storage areas clean and organized. Don’t pile containers haphazardly or leave gaps where rats can hide. Organized storage makes it easier to spot signs of rat activity and gives rats fewer places to nest near your belongings.

Inspect containers regularly. If you have items stored in plastic containers, check them periodically for signs of gnawing or damage. Catching rat activity early means you can protect your items before they’re completely destroyed.

What to Do If Rats Have Already Damaged Your Plastic Containers

If you discover that rats have chewed through your plastic containers, you need to act quickly to prevent further damage and address the rat problem.

First, assess what’s been damaged or contaminated. Anything that rats have gotten into should be considered contaminated. Rats carry diseases and parasites, and they urinate and defecate as they move around. Food items that have been exposed to rats need to be thrown away, even if they look untouched.

Remove all damaged containers from the storage area. Even if a container only has a small hole, rats will use that same entry point again and the damage will get worse. Replace these containers with metal or glass alternatives.

Clean the entire storage area thoroughly. Rats leave behind droppings, urine, and scent markers that attract other rats. Wear gloves and a mask when cleaning up after rats. Use a disinfectant solution to clean all surfaces, shelves, and the floor.

Set traps to catch the rats that have been getting into your containers. Place snap traps or other effective rat traps near the damaged containers and along walls where you see signs of rat activity. You need to eliminate the rats that are already there before you put new containers in the space.

Find and seal any entry points that rats are using to get into your storage area. Check for gaps, cracks, or holes in walls, around pipes, near vents, and anywhere else rats might be squeezing through. Seal these openings with materials rats can’t chew through, like steel wool, metal mesh, or concrete.

Consider hiring a pest control professional if the damage is extensive or if you’re not comfortable dealing with rats yourself. They can identify the extent of the problem, set up a comprehensive trapping or baiting system, and help you rat-proof your storage area.

Prevention Is Better Than Replacement

Once you’ve dealt with rats getting into your plastic containers, focus on preventing it from happening again. This means making your storage area less attractive to rats in the first place.

Don’t store food items in areas where rats can access them. Keep all food storage inside your main living areas where you’re more likely to notice rat activity quickly. If you must store food in a garage or shed, use only metal or glass containers and check them frequently.

Eliminate what attracts rats to your storage area. Rats are usually looking for food, water, or nesting materials. If your storage area doesn’t offer these things, rats are less likely to spend time there. Don’t store pet food, bird seed, or any other food items in areas where rats might be present.

Keep storage areas dry. Fix any leaks and make sure there’s no standing water. Rats need water to survive, and a dry storage area is less attractive to them.

Remove clutter and nesting materials. Don’t store cardboard boxes, fabric scraps, paper, or other materials rats can use to build nests. Keep storage areas organized with items in closed containers on shelving units.

Monitor for signs of rats regularly. Make it a habit to check your storage areas at least once a month for droppings, gnaw marks, or other signs of rat activity. Early detection makes it much easier to deal with rats before they cause serious damage.

Conclusion

Rats can definitely chew through most plastic containers. Their powerful, constantly growing teeth make short work of standard plastic storage bins and food containers. Only very thick, industrial-grade plastic provides any real resistance, and even that isn’t completely reliable.

If you want to truly protect your belongings and food from rats, you need to use metal or glass containers. While these options cost more initially, they’ll save you money and frustration in the long run by actually keeping rats out. Regular plastic containers might be convenient and affordable, but they won’t stop a determined rat.

The best approach is to combine proper storage containers with other rat prevention methods. Seal entry points, eliminate food sources, keep storage areas clean and organized, and monitor regularly for signs of rat activity. This comprehensive approach will give you the best chance of keeping your items safe from these persistent rodents.