Thread: Paper mache prop storage...

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I am in the midst of making several props out of paper mache, as I have for several years now, but I have a question that I'm wondering if anybody here might have an answer for.

Normally when I make my props, I paint them, of course, and cover them with a lacquer or some sort of sealant. However, I have to store my props in the garage during the dreaded off seasons, and unfortunately the garage (which is one lonnnnng garage divided into individual spaces for the houses along my street) has a problem with mice, especially in the winter. And mice seem to really love paper mache. I have gone out to the garage in the spring to find my props mangled and laying about the floor in little flakes before.

So, my question is, does anybody know how to prevent this? Is there a special sealant or anything that I should try that would deter or at least not attract the mice to my props? I have stored the ones that are small enough in sealed boxes, which works, but a lot of them aren't small enough for that. I also tried to wrap them securely in many many plastic bags... but the little critters seem to be pretty resourceful when it comes to getting at something made of paper mache. lol

Any help you guys could offer would be greatly appreciated as the props I'm working on right now are really cool and I'd hate to lose them if I can avoid it!

I don't have a solution just a thanks for the heads up, I'm making my first mache projects this year and plan to store in my garage. Id hate to loose them after the amount of effort I put into these.

Thats a drag the mice keep eating it.I store my stuff in the garage too but havent had a problem yet(knock on wood) Mayby a few mice traps,rat poison, or if they arent too big some plastic bins.Very unfortunate for this to happen...after probably hours of work.Mayby get some free skids build a few crates to store in?

mix cayenne pepper in the glue when making your props

Originally Posted by untillater

mix cayenne pepper in the glue when making your props

LOL, that would keep me away from your props.

you wont be able to smell it.... it should be encased in the glue, then painted... they will chew, get into the pepper and yea...

This has been done for specialty wiring for 30+ years, they add cayenne to the rubber so that rats/mice wont chew it.

Originally Posted by untillater

you wont be able to smell it.... it should be encased in the glue, then painted... they will chew, get into the pepper and yea...

This has been done for specialty wiring for 30+ years, they add cayenne to the rubber so that rats/mice wont chew it.

REALLY?!? Fascinating!

I'd try it! Or, if possible, store 'em in Rubbermaid containers.

It's too late to add pepper for those of us that already have our projects built. (See my post earlier today and yesterday) I've had to kill 4 mice already!
Does anybody know of anything that we can add after-the-fact to keep the mice away? I tried spraying some standard household bug killer on the arms of my scarecrow, it seemed to attract them rather than repel them.

short of traps/baits and other nasty ways of killing the vermin the only thing I can think of is one of those ultrasonic repeller things that you pick up at home centers or harbor freight. Just save the reciept and if it doesn't work for you, retun the sucker!!

As it has been posted already they are resourceful little buggers and will eat just about anything. Not sure if you use flour in your mache or not, but you may want to avoid this in the future as it may be the attractant. Try to just use the glue and water mache.

On a side note, I REALLY dig the cayenne pepper idea.

You can get a pepper spray for your garden, I use it in mine & it works pretty well to keep bugs & rodents away. There's also tons of homemade recipes online.

Bonide Hot Pepper Wax, check Home Depot or your local garden center.