Thread: Vermin proofing a shed.

I've just read several posts about using expanding foam. It apparently keeps out mice, doesn't cost a lot and is readily available. Antichinus have bigger uglier teeth so may try shoving wire mesh balls into the corrugation gaps with the foam.

Think I'll give that a go.

They have canine teeth but don’t chew things like rats and mice.
How big are the gaps, can you fit a metal trim along the gaps rather than the foam which can be messy to use

Thanks Beardy,

I looked into the price of the metal trim and it would be very expensive as we have two large sheds, one with an addition. Also, it will be easier now to remove the gutters to get at the conjunction of the walls and roof sheets from outside than to remove shelving etc. or safely place ladders inside the shed to get at the gaps from inside.

That's good to know that they don't chew stuff. Maybe we can skip the wire netting?

Thank you for the response.

I'll see you'r antichinus and up you one of these. Mind you they only get in if I leave the window open.
Anyhow good luck with the critter proofing.
Regards
John

if you're going the expanding foam route, much sure you have a bunch of sharp knives for trimming afterwards

also make sure you have a whole run planned, i've found the cheaper cans from stuff like bunnings don't like being used twice, even after a short period of time (5 - 10 mins)

Steel wool, you can buy it in big bundles from a chef’s supplies place, or similar.

Originally Posted by orraloon

I'll see you'r antichinus and up you one of these. Mind you they only get in if I leave the window open.
Anyhow good luck with the critter proofing.
Regards
John

Very cute! We don't have any holes that big, except the doors and windows, which we keep shut if we're not in there.

Thanks for the good wishes, John. Jen

Thanks, havabeer67 and riverbuilder for that good advice.

We probably would have headed to the Big Green Shed so we'll look for it at a more specialized outlet. On an American site I did see a gun that attaches to the can and provides much more accurate delivery but haven't seen one advertised here.

We're hoping to apply it as tidily as possible to minimize the cleanup but understand it has a mind of its own.

That's a good tip about getting steel wool from a chef's supply. Thanks. Jen

Stainless steel wool, the standard steel wool will react to humidity and rust away very quickly

Thanks, rwbuild. Good point. Perhaps we'll skip it altogether and just use the foam.We don't have rats or mice. Jen

20 x 15 angle either colorbond or aluminium and just rivet from outside into crown of sheet rib, easy to get to as well

Maybe this article can give you some pointers.

A Life or Death Reason to Vermin proof your Shed or Home | Steel Sheds in Australia

Originally Posted by Nifty Nev

Maybe this article can give you some pointers.

A Life or Death Reason to Vermin proof your Shed or Home | Steel Sheds in Australia

Thanks, Nifty Nev for that link. I had come across that article in my search for a solution. We are aware of the necessity of keeping the area clean and there are no bushes or anything stored against the sheds. These are workshops and there is no food stored there.

We don't have a mouse/rat problem. We do have antichinus who come in to find a warm dry place to make nests and breed. There's not even a food source for them. We don't have food there so there are no cockroaches.

We don't have a problem at the house, just the sheds. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by rwbuild

20 x 15 angle either colorbond or aluminium and just rivet from outside into crown of sheet rib, easy to get to as well

I can't visualize what you are telling me, Ray. Sorry! If one leg of the angle is riveted to the vertical sheet's outward 'bumps' and the other leg of the angle turns horizontally inward to sit flat across the top of the vertical sheet, how does that prevent the crittters crawling in through the 'bumps' of the roof sheeting?

It sounds like a simple fix, just can't visualize how it would work. Thanks, Jen