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Tim_Ohio
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# Posted: 23 Sep 2023 09:52pm
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I learned from having boats and having to put them in winter storage, that plugging holes (any kind of necessary vent, drain or whatever) with pieces or whole stainless steel scouring pads works well. Since my cabin has liner tin on the underside, the ribs still presented an opening for critters to get under the floor. Plugged with scouring pad pieces has kept critters from getting in and still allows air to pass for venting the space.
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scott100
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# Posted: 28 Sep 2023 08:53pm
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Quoting: scott100 My plan of attack after I chased the couple out that had set up residence and got rid of the old nests, was to spray foam the whole underneath right over (underneath) the blue board with Kraken Fastcoat 1 part spray foam. ... I'll let you know how it works.
A week later, and no mice have returned. I hope the streak continues.
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spencerin
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# Posted: 5 Nov 2023 04:42pm - Edited by: spencerin
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scott100, how did the application of the Kraken product go? I'm thinking about getting it, or a similar product, to insulate the bottom of my floor, and I'd like to know how it went. Also, what square footage did you insulate, and how many cans did it take?
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Nobadays
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# Posted: 26 Jul 2025 09:13am
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Pack Rat/s.... since we've been dealing with medical issues this year we have obviously spent less time up here at the cabin. So... it smells like a pack rat has built a nest under the cabin. Funny we were up here for a week, two weeks ago and no smell, just got back Wednesday (hopefully for two months) and we could smell rat the second we walked into the cabin.
I was under there two weeks ago to fire up the water system... feces and pee trails abound but it was not horribly smelly under there. We have fought mostly with ground squirrels burrowing under the skirting. I plug a hole and they dig another. The ground is so hard and dry under there any digging I've done I've had to use a jackhammer to get anywhere, but those buggers can dig it. My guess is the rats... I've only seen one other under there in 8 years... are using the ground squirrel holes to gain access. That said last fall I caught 4 rats in traps spread around the decks.
So today is crawl under the cabin, locate and bag up whatever nest I find and try to plug holes. My thought is to spray a strong bleach mixture where the nest is and lightly all over.
Any other suggestions for deterring them and covering the smell? We use Fresh Cab Botanical Rodent Repellant under the hoods of all our vehicles and have never had a wire chewed... maybe under the cabin too? Pouring a concrete footer around/under the skirting is not an optionfor me. The fight starts!
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Nobadays
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# Posted: 26 Jul 2025 02:01pm
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Well, no rat nests but plenty of poop and pee. I guess that is where the smell is coming from. I cleaned up some piles of pink insulation they had pulled off the sewer pipes. Why the previous owner thought he needed to wrap sewer pipes with insulation is beyond me... if they are installed correctly, and they are, there will be no standing water in them to freeze. That insulation is just an invite for rodents to get nesting material.
I was lucky to find only one hole for rodents to access under the cabin. Unfortunately it was under my 8' swinging door that provides access to me as well. I used some tips from this thread and lined the hole with hardware cloth then layered rocks and spray foam right up to the bottom of the door.... yeah they had quite a hole! Found one other area under the door I could see light and it was somewhat soft earth so dug that out and layered rocks and spray foam there as well. Time will tell if my efforts will help.
Tonight I'll set out my 4 rat traps... something turned on the solar motion lights on the deck numerous times last night and I'm guessing it was a rat/s. BTW... I set out rat traps last fall with four different baits: peanut butter, crackers, chocolate and granola. After catching a couple of rats, and having a couple traps sprung, though YMMV, I found the granols was hands down these rats bait of choice.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 26 Jul 2025 07:58pm
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How do you keep the granola on the bait bar?
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Nobadays
Member
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# Posted: 26 Jul 2025 10:54pm
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Quoting: gcrank1 How do you keep the granola on the bait bar?
My rat traps have little cups in the middle of the pedal
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 27 Jul 2025 01:17pm
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Ah, cups...maybe I can glue a bottle cap on my rat trap
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Nobadays
Member
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# Posted: 27 Jul 2025 03:37pm - Edited by: Nobadays
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THESE are the ones I have. Not sure they are as good as the old wooden based rat traps but as a one armed guy I wasn't going to attempt to set the trigger on those old style ones. I have a heck of a time with the wooden mouse traps.
These plastic ones work. They sometimes get cleaned out without tripping but that could be mice doing that. I've caught 4 rats with them so they are effective.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 27 Jul 2025 04:03pm
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Yeah, mine is the old style wood base, got it at the Amish store; and yeah, it is tricky even for a two armed guy and my wife wont touch it.
We dont have rats but do have those nasty little red pine squirrels....havent ever caught one but hey, I got a trap!
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