Shop Time w/T.W. Friends

Set a trap outside the house next to the vent and see what you get.

 

check out Mouse Trap Monday on YouTube for high volume dunk traps if you're dealing with a mass invasion

might want to look at this style of vent to help keep them out

VIWINVELA Outdoor Dryer Vent Cover - 4" Exterior Wall Dryer Vent Closure Kit for Energy Saving, Animals Proof, Outside Dryer Vent Cover for House

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCRSQ4Y...9feb1&s=hi&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw

 

Dunk trap is what I use in my shed. Sits on a 5 gallon bucket. Put a board up to it and fill the bucket half full with antifreeze. You can catch mice all winter long without having to re-set it.

 

So, once I looked at everything closer, there's a lot more small openings than you would think. The vent stack for the kitchen going through the floor had some good gaps. Sealed around with rodent spray foam. Makes sense they could be going from the attic all the way to the floor via pipe. Also need to pick up steel wool. The 1x6 planks have gaps that go over the rim joist. Sounds weird, but it's openings. Couple old electrical holes filled too.

 

It is a nice day to get the wagon out...
...and I'm in the cellar.

These bottles were between the furnace and wall - a space I never had been in, it was too small or I'm too large, take your pick.

Perhaps a long ago owner was a mountain moonshiner?



Hauling the heat exchanger away to the metal pile.

 

Were they full when you found them?!?!?

 

I can refill those 'shine bottles for ya

 

Dry...

 

Do you know a guy ??

 

Looking less bad, that peat moss has probably been down here since Bill Clinton was president.

 

This is the view under half of the kitchen.
Eons ago there must have been a trap door in the floor, you can see the remains of concrete steps.



That rectangular hole in the upper right leads to the other half.

 

I may or may not be the guy... I mean yea I know a guy...

 

Next up on the fun project list:
Remove this oil tank, I put it down here around 25 years ago but never got around to hooking it up.

 

When we replace the oil furnace with a natural gas at our first house, the oil tank was drained and left in the corner.

 

Whilst dreading the oil tank I removed all this shale that was piled around down there.

 

Well, planning will only get you so far.

Better get to it - find some wood.



Add some skids.



Attached with some "mending plates" with all the holes.



Need a bit more to clear the tank bottom.

 

That last board probably should’ve been an over rather than an under. This might get hung up in “the big pull”…

 

They say "if you want to get ahead, get a hat"...

I say "if I want to get something done, get the Ford".



This tank doesn't know who it is dealing with...



So there, goal for the day achieved.



Boy my back hurts...
I dragged it round the back of the house as a courtesy to the neighbors.

Empty space!



There is lots more work ahead, that tank was the worst bit.

 

Needed the height to clear the tank bottom. I thought about attaching the 2x4 in the tall direction but thought they might break off.

 

Bravo, @RustyGreen!

And I thought I was doing good getting the patio stuff put away and the lawn mowed after work because we have rain coming and the temps are dropping.

Looks like there's snow in the forecast, too...