sort of root celler

[BigM]

We have a crawl space. It should stay pretty cool in the summer. I'm wondering if my plastic and mylar stored items will keep in there ok. I'm also thinking that a crap load of moth balls will help keep any critters out of there. Any thoughts? In the house isn't going to be an option.

[Granny Smith]

I think it would get too hot. A root cellar needs to be underground, preferably below the frost line (I doubt you have a frost line down there)

[BigM]

I think it's going to be the coolest place I have. The attic certainly won't do.

[joanfromzonesix]

generally things that are super inconvenient become neglected or avoided - human nature can turn a storage area into a dump quite easily and items kept there can become useless or even dangerous - if it's excess stuff you need space for you could consider selling it or donating it while it still has value or trading for things that don't require specialized storage space -

sorry to sound like such a naysayer but i know from experience that well-meant but failed attempts can result in stagnating frustration -

[Cyngbaeld]

Can you get some sort of storage shed? I know from experience that rats and squirrels will gnaw thru the plastic buckets and totes.

[BigM]

It isn't anything I would get rid of as I will likely need it and intend to rotate it regularly.

We are getting a garage in a box type of thing, but honestly, I think that may actually get hotter than under the house.

[Granny Smith]

You're probably right, M.

[Valerie]

M, the trailer we used to have was up off the ground a good ways, and it stayed pretty cool under there, comparatively.
Not cool like 50° like you'd want in a root cellar, but probably 20° cooler than out from under.

You could put your stuff in steel trash cans and put the lids on with screws. It'll be kind of hard to get the lids off, but they do keep the varmints out, good.
Keep an eye out for spiders, though. What you're talking about is prime area for black widows. We have them anywhere they can get out of the sun and heat.

I'm not sure what all varmints moth balls repel. Do you know?

Hey, some of the mini-warehouse places here have climate control. Would that be an option for you, for the stuff you need to keep but don't have room for?

[BigM]

Funny you mentioned the trash cans Val. I was contemplating whether or not one would sweat a lot if I buried it up to the lid.

[Fla Gal]

If you're thinking of digging down to sink the trash cans it could be a problem for you. If you're property isn't on a raised area you'd hit water pretty quick. If you have a tall enough crawl space you could put down concrete stepping stones, put the cans on them and put a lot of dirt around the cans. That's the only way I can think of having a cool place for the cans.

If the crawl space has cross ventilation that would help. You'd have to be sure the space is critter proof as racoons would have a field day with opening the lids. They're crafty things.