Outdoor Animal Control - Keep critters out of space under converted garage
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jthoni
02-04-09, 10:10 PM
I have a detached two room converted garage that is post and pier, and is open to the underside. We occasionally have had possums/raccoons/rats, whatever. It has not been of any concern to date. This serves as our guest room, and this past fall, when we had visitors, they were getting small bites at night. I am suspecting rat mites (prompting my post here (http://forum.doityourself.com/indoor-pest-control/378287-how-identify-deal-unseen-biting-bugs.html)).
My current question is how to keep rats and other pests out of the area below the building. Here is a picture to help illustrate:
http://iekdyg.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pMp6qEc47prJOskT5wKC9D_qRoI631laiB8gdm7bCB81bGTGvtijwS9Mz1deeqeUieGWC_4Q1xnM/IMG_4996_sm.jpg
As you can see, as the yard slopes away, a gap is created. I have some flower boxes I just had built, but due to the concrete piers sticking out a bit, they sit about 4" away from the wall.
I am considering putting a wire barrier, but I am wondering if rats will dig under that? Would they know to dig under it? With the space available, I can't really dig to bury the barrier.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
~john
My current question is how to keep rats and other pests out of the area below the building. Here is a picture to help illustrate:
http://iekdyg.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pMp6qEc47prJOskT5wKC9D_qRoI631laiB8gdm7bCB81bGTGvtijwS9Mz1deeqeUieGWC_4Q1xnM/IMG_4996_sm.jpg
As you can see, as the yard slopes away, a gap is created. I have some flower boxes I just had built, but due to the concrete piers sticking out a bit, they sit about 4" away from the wall.
I am considering putting a wire barrier, but I am wondering if rats will dig under that? Would they know to dig under it? With the space available, I can't really dig to bury the barrier.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
~john
Dutch1962
02-28-09, 09:59 PM
That's an awesome guest house! It's awfully low so it doesn't look like you can get under there. Rats and mice can burrow under most anything you construct save maybe cement. If you're going for deter only approach you can always sprinkle broken glass just underneath..I don't know all your in's and outs though so use that suggestion with your specific situation... If it were me I would place bait under the house. You can put a lockable bait station under where only a rat or a mouse would be able to get in it. Secure a chain to it and you can easily pull it out. As far as 'mites' I don't know of any that rats commonoly carry, you may however have a birds nest in an eave or close enough. Birds nests are full of em.
For rats check Rats and Mice | Pest Cemetery (http://pestcemetery.com/?p=200)
for birds look at Control of nusiance birds | Pest Cemetery (http://pestcemetery.com/?p=372)
My guess is 'fleas' if you do get a rat..for that see if you can dust underneath. Boric acid or DE (diamataceous earth)
For rats check Rats and Mice | Pest Cemetery (http://pestcemetery.com/?p=200)
for birds look at Control of nusiance birds | Pest Cemetery (http://pestcemetery.com/?p=372)
My guess is 'fleas' if you do get a rat..for that see if you can dust underneath. Boric acid or DE (diamataceous earth)