Rodent Proof?

[LSmith]

Hi All,

I am finalizing floorplans on a home for our land. I was talking to a local builder last week about termite protection and the conversation drifted to mice. He tells me that he attaches 12" metal flashing around the bottom of the exterior walls before attaching the siding to keep the critters from chewing holes through the wall.
Since I am new to country construction and in our previous house all we had were pine roaches that were as big as mice, I want to know. Is this guy pulling my leg? Have you ever heard of this and if so, is is effective?

Lane Smith

 

[beenthere]

Not being sure of exactly what construction details you are talking about, I put flashing around my house during the construction phase, and attribute that to fewer bugs and no mice in 36 years in the house. I would be pleased to hear that a contractor will go to ANY lengths to tighten up a house. Too often (and it recently happened with an addition I had added) the carpenters are in a hurry to get the trim on, covering up the 'holes' that bugs and mice can 'walk' through.

On the little information you have given, it sounds like a guy I would want building for me. Now there is a lot more to know than just that, for sure. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[SPIKER]

need more info:

but yes. so far sounds good. the metal flashing will keep out mice very well as they can't chew through it, and 2 can't climb up it. now if the flashing is under the siding then all best off as th emice can climb siding very well. and still get in, BUT that is lots of work and usually they don't like that... not that they won't climb up a tire of a tractor and nest in the insterment cluster and chew up every dang thing there! or same for a car fins a loose missing or eat the rubber bottom drain plug and get inside an start to destroy every thing they can!.

foundation is main key to keepingout criters though. block with metal CAP on top is 100% needed ot stop termites. and no other material touching the ground with a few block exposed. so you can SEE that none are making tunnels UP the outside block wall. Use metal around the wall above the block and under siding with angle bent to go under the wood framed joists and above the metal block CAP. go up 18~24" and you should never have a bug in through the lower house. flying ones are different and nearly un preventable... same for ants if they WANT in they can get in.

Mark M

 

[LSmith]

To clarify, In addition to a termite shield the builder would put the flashing attached to the studs on the exterior side prior to attaching siding. Because we are building on a walkout basement the builder was careful to let me know that I couldn't expect 100% rodent proof. I don't expect it but any defense is welcome.