When building a shed or small cabin on piers, what is the most effective way to keep mice and critters out when using hardware cloth ? Also keeping in mind ease of attachment.
I assume that you want to attach it to the bottom of the deck frame, and possibly around the base of the building down into the ground. That would require crawling under the structure after the deck is built- and wonder if there is a better way to get this done. Or would just putting it around the building perimeter be sufficient ? What has worked for those that have done this?
Thanks in advance.
I crawl under the building and use a brad nailer/stapler to staple it up to the floor joists. It's a pain.
In the future I may build the floor like a wall, staple to the top then stand the floor up, and place it down on the beams hardware cloth down...but that's a lot of work so who knows...just a thought I had.
In the end you need it anywhere you want them not to go!
I saw a recent build here in Alaska where the guy put down OSB in between the I joists, resting on top of the bottom flange. He then put down fiberglass batts then put on the t&g sheathing. This was for a small cabin so I guess he was willing to take a chance on rain getting in from above. With the OSB it would have a hard time draining.
I think I would stick with hardware cloth, but then again it's been over thirty years since I had to crawl under a cabin and put in insulation while laying on my back. It would be worth coming up with an alternative to that.
Cats work really well ! We had rat turds on our deck the first year we built. Two cats and 14 years later no problems since that first year.
Cats! No problems when the local feral cat population is high. This year, there are not so many, so more mouse and packrat problems.
I built my cabin higher off the ground so I wouldn't have to crawl around on the ground.
I used 3/8" OSB on the bottom of the floor joists, then R40 insulation and 3/4" T&G OSB on the floor. :)
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11227514_1186778741348463_8999306665870975757_n.jpg?oh=52d1c85ea769948ed506495f8188730f&oe=58732A14)
Quote from: hpinson on September 27, 2016, 12:25:13 PM
Cats! No problems when the local feral cat population is high. This year, there are not so many, so more mouse and packrat problems.
I am talking about cats that live at the house BTW. I think their scent is quite a deterent ! Their teeth and claws are lethal.
Mine get extra credit for gophers :)
Dave, how much more have you got done? That pix is old?
guess I'll be climbing under the shed to attach hardware cloth or try and build the deck standing up and attach it before securing it to the foundation. had thought about cutting and bending it in between the bays but that's a pita. cat's would be great but in our case this is a seasonal build that will be used intermittently. We recently lost our 17.5 year old 8.5 pound cat "tigger" who was a champion mouser and could take on a 100 lb dog and win. one tough old timer that wasn't afraid of man nor beast.
Yes the cat's do get into your soul. We have one that lost an eye to a mountain lion. I was out the door when I heard the scuffle. 10 seconds later and the big cat would have been out in the brush with our torte. Another one, a big grey feral male would never back down and brought us jack rabbits and skunk.
What ever the OP does, make it good ! Once they get in their scent trail will bring more. I have seen 2 year-old RV's turned just about worthless from them.
I've read that spray foam insulation is a pretty good deterrent and that rodents don't like it. I have a 1-2 inch application of spray foam under my cabin. Hardware cloth is probably cheaper. Be sure to seal any plumbing/electrical penetrations larger than 1/4".
Definately seal 1/4 inch or larger.
I think of all the sounds I would hear at sea while trying to sleep. There was nothing worse than the sound of a rat crawling arround.
It still gets me to think about it.
Kill them all and let the big guy sort them out!
If using hardware cloth on the bottom of the joists be sure to use 1/4" as 1/2 " is too big. :)
Quote from: Dave Sparks on September 27, 2016, 07:17:14 PM
Dave, how much more have you got done? That pix is old?
Yeah, that pic is from last year.
Here's what it looks like now. :)
(https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14362630_1560056747353992_2236409777403209448_o.jpg)
(https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14409609_1560056720687328_4570359756435179825_o.jpg)
(https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14311336_1560056850687315_1734067504316991234_o.jpg)
(https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14324329_1560056864020647_8600130086260785373_o.jpg)
(https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13590377_1480375571988777_6980733249815917954_n.jpg?oh=6431a397df25c4334ab675adaa313d3c&oe=58AC0F02)
I have my roofing and siding sitting here waiting for the ice road to get it out to the cabin.
Have dark green hidden fastener standing seam metal for the roof and timber bark hardie board siding with autumn tan accent boards.
Going to use western red cedar trim around the doors and windows.Should look awesome when it's done.
Nice!Wood stove after the roof? Brr getting cold here in the Sierra. Good Luck with the rest of the project! Enjoy it, many never get that far!
Quote from: Dave Sparks on October 03, 2016, 06:33:07 PM
Nice!Wood stove after the roof? Brr getting cold here in the Sierra. Good Luck with the rest of the project! Enjoy it, many never get that far!
Not a wood stove, I'm going with a pellet stove.
One of these, as they don't require any power.
http://www.wisewaypelletstove.com/ (http://www.wisewaypelletstove.com/)
Quote from: DaveOrr on October 05, 2016, 09:24:16 PM
Not a wood stove, I'm going with a pellet stove.
One of these, as they don't require any power.
http://www.wisewaypelletstove.com/ (http://www.wisewaypelletstove.com/)
My wife likes the look of that pellet stove. Let us know how it works out, if you opt for that one.
Quote from: ChugiakTinkerer on October 06, 2016, 01:19:17 AM
My wife likes the look of that pellet stove. Let us know how it works out, if you opt for that one.
Vince Holton up in Fairbanks got one for his moms place a few years ago and says it works awesome.
She is older and keeps the place super warm and goes through 1 1/4 bags of pellets a day.
Yes the Pellets make sense for elderly and also if there is not a hardwood resource to burn in a woodstove.
I like fire wood in a epa woodstove as it is cheaper than going to the gym, in more than one way!
Quote from: DaveOrr on October 06, 2016, 10:13:39 AM
Vince Holton up in Fairbanks got one for his moms place a few years ago and says it works awesome.
She is older and keeps the place super warm and goes through 1 1/4 bags of pellets a day.
For someone who has never used a wood stove, how much pellets are we talking about? 40 lb bag?
Quote from: azgreg on October 06, 2016, 12:17:09 PM
For someone who has never used a wood stove, how much pellets are we talking about? 40 lb bag?
Yes, she uses about 50 lb's a day and it's her only heat source.
Quote from: Dave Sparks on October 06, 2016, 10:33:59 AM
Yes the Pellets make sense for elderly and also if there is not a hardwood resource to burn in a woodstove.
I like fire wood in a epa woodstove as it is cheaper than going to the gym, in more than one way!
Not a whole lot of hardwood up here in the North.
Some birch but that's it.
Most wood for burning is black spruce.
I'll get my exercise getting the pellets out to the cabin. ;)
Yes I do know about you folks up there. I have a few clients in the state and one them has a hot spring he sprays the snow off the solar panels.
I have been telling him to be careful of the thermal shock but he tells me he is not worried about it. :P after 5 years now he just laughs and tells me to take deep breaths and get over it. 8)
Quote from: DaveOrr on September 27, 2016, 06:44:28 PM
I built my cabin higher off the ground so I wouldn't have to crawl around on the ground.
I used 3/8" OSB on the bottom of the floor joists, then R40 insulation and 3/4" T&G OSB on the floor. :)
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11227514_1186778741348463_8999306665870975757_n.jpg?oh=52d1c85ea769948ed506495f8188730f&oe=58732A14)
That is a fine battery room you have under the house!