Keeping out pest (mice, spiders, wasps)

nonhog · Dec 8, 2008

This weekend I added some flashing at the bottom of the metal siding . No more open areas for bugs or mice. Well at least mice . What have you done for the corners heck a Squirell could crawl up there . I was thinking spray foam . But thought I'd see what the fine folks here have done.

Red Green · Dec 8, 2008

Why don't you just buy the proper corner piece?

nonhog · Dec 8, 2008

Red Green said:
Why don't you just buy the proper corner piece?

I did ! Thats the corner before its installed. The corner trim on this type of metal building (pole) bumps out therefore providing clearance for the ribbed
portion which leaves an open area for things that crawl (or buzz)

Bull · Dec 8, 2008

Heck, I can't even figure out how the mice get into my HOUSE, much less keep them out of my barn.

atvmech · Dec 8, 2008

They make a trim piece for the bottom of metal buildings called a rat guard....

Jaguar Fan · Dec 8, 2008

I've been told spiders typically come in at the eaves...

no2tracks · Dec 8, 2008

Get yerself a barn cat :bounce:

nonhog · Dec 9, 2008

I dont (yet) have a mouse problem in fact I have seen only 1 rat in my yard
since I've been here , cat trophy.Maybe the Hawk in the neighbors tree helps
or the frequent Coyotes and Racoons ? Just being proactive here. 1 st picture is the flashing I installed under my siding and the 2nd one should explain my post. :headscrat

Thats the area I want to block.

Red Green · Dec 9, 2008

Sorry, I see what your trying to do now. I don't know other than some spray foam.

kbs2244 · Dec 10, 2008

The foam stuff is too soft.
I have had them chew through it.
Is there any way to pour concret into the space?

KenS · Dec 10, 2008

First try sprinkling some mothballs there-- at least for the mice.

JakeD · Dec 10, 2008

I've been told mice won't chew through steel wool.

buening · Dec 10, 2008

Why can't you install flashing to fill the void on that corner piece?

nonhog · Dec 10, 2008

buening said:
Why can't you install flashing to fill the void on that corner piece?

I probably will take some roof flashing and bend it to fit and epoxy it in place.
Was hoping to find something pre made. Googled "rat guard" but didn't come up with much.

MXtras · Dec 10, 2008

I vote for the flashing idea.

Scott

Herb · Dec 12, 2008

One cheap and easy idea that WILL work is to get some 1/4" galvanised hardware cloth, cut it a little bit larger than the opening, and stuff it up inside an inch or so from the bottom. Next, drill a small (1/4") hole an inch or two above the screen, get a can of great stuff, and squirt some in. Put enough in so that it will expand and come out the bottom, and cut off the excess when dry. Plug the hole with something that looks good, or even use a large pop rivet or screw and paint to match. Mice, squirrels and bugs will not be able to get through this. It is cheap, quick, easy and it works- the kind of project we all like! Oh yeah, you will need a way to hold the hardware cloth in place until the foam stops expanding, keep that in mind.

Boosted Bunny · Dec 17, 2008

JakeD said:
I've been told mice won't chew through steel wool.

This is true, i caught 6 in my house. Thought i got rid of them all, sure enough, i brought my car home at lunch, went back outside after it sat in the garage for 5 hours and 4 of them were under the hood.

I used regular mouse traps, they cleaned them off. I bought a electric trap and have caught 9 total 6 in the house, 3 in the garage, the ones in the garage were in less than 24 house total. The electric trap is the best thing i have ever purchased, no mess, nothing to clean off at all. I havent seen any since then and its been about a week :beer:

vlpronj · Dec 17, 2008

JakeD said:
I've been told mice won't chew through steel wool.

FWIW, when a squirrel chews through expanding foam with steel wool and chicken wire inside, it is not a happy or attractive squirrel.

I was scared of a 1 lb. creature inside a (live) trap. Was even more afraid letting out; that it would run towards me instead of away! Picture a Mad Max squirrel, with a mohawk and bare flesh on either side (possibly bone showing - I didn't look too close),

rburke65 · Dec 17, 2008

nonhog, I googled 'flashing rat guard and got 2,300,000 hits.

nonhog · Dec 17, 2008

rburke65 said:
nonhog, I googled 'flashing rat guard and got 2,300,000 hits.

Me too. But did you look at any of those hits ? I have a habit of not having the time (work)(wife)(whatever) if I cant find what I am looking for in the 1st few hits I move on.
I Yahooed it and Googled it today and the 1st page showed either nothing
or a piece of flashing for 8$ to 10$.. I paid 1.51$ for 10' sections . Look at
my post with the pictures (click to enlarge) I'm handled now for the siding.
All the Rat guard seems to only apply to siding .Thats what I meant when I got nothing .
Its the corners that are unresolved. But I have a plan . Bend flashing to fit.
I'll post pics when done.

Thanks for all the responces I may get some mothballs also.

rick42724 · Dec 17, 2008

Has anyone tried the electronic devices that drive rodents away. I bought one this fall and so far (knock on wood) I haven't seen or or heard the first one. My dad has used one for a couple of years now and swears by them.

three arms · Dec 17, 2008

Rats can gnaw through plastic, concrete, and wood, and have been known to gnaw through lead pipe. A mouse can wriggle through a 1/4 inch opening, and an opening admits their head, their bodies will follow. A cat is your best bet. The worst part about mice is that they like to make nests using materials at hand: upholstery materials, the insulation off wiring, and any kind of paper. (A recycling yard I use had a million dollar metal shearing machine idled from mice chewing up the wiring. A technician had to be flown in from Japan to repair it.) If you use concrete make sure it's not soft and porous. I have used galvanized metal, copper and copper shavings in Bondo, and compacted aluminum foil in cracks. Also broken glass in cracks works, along with concrete or epoxy.

Keeping out pest (mice, spiders, wasps)

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