Cover / insulation for my septic tank?

[RedEye2014]

We bought a gently-used acreage last fall. The septic tank is about 15 feet from the house on the northeast side. Both cylindrical concrete manholes stick up about 6 - 8 inches above ground level. The diameter is 24 inches each.
The wind sweeps that area pretty clear of snow all winter.

During a week of severe cold last January (30 below freezing) the pump alarm went off, and we hung a trouble light in the first hole for a few days to thaw it. That did the trick, but I'm wondering about a good way to cover and insulate them.

A friend suggested hay bales, but I'd be concerned about inviting mice to move in in greater numbers than we already see around the place. Another friend said to put up a snow fence to catch a snow cover. The previous owner had a fibreglass-plastic wrap like the kind used for hot water tanks, but that eventually disintegrated in the sun and blew around the yard.

Advice?

Thanks, RE2014

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

What's wrong with adding 6-8" of dirt and planting grass?

 

[kd3pc]

In the "old" days the tank and the top were several inches under ground...part of the pump out process was finding the tank. That talent and the time wasted using other methods to uncover the opening, have led us to where we are now.

As Leafless says, just put 10" of dirt on it, put some stakes where the top is/are and go on about your business. WHen it comes time to pump it, scrap the dirt off the top and call the truck.

bests

 

[tdkkart]

A layer of hay bales will do it. If the mice move in they were already in the neighborhood anyway, big deal, they'll run away when you move the bails in the spring.

 

[Thumper68]

You can use bagged leaves as well, that's what I do for our pump house now, I used to go the strawbale route but hated having to dispose of and then rebuy them every year, now I just use the leaves I was going to have to rake up anyway.

 

[kbs2244]

Can we assume you have an aerated system, not the older style sealed system?