Winter Storage

[cold1313]

Looking to put away one of my Kubotas that is a mower only.

My pole barn is right next to a field and can get tons of mice, it's an older barn. I keep it baited but I'm looking for a truly mouse proof solution to protect the tractor from mice.

I know moth balls and dryer sheets but there is always someone who had those methods not work. I'm tempted to put plywood on the ground, park the tractor and put some kind of siding around it....basically a box without a top. Seems like over kill but better than chewed up wires. The trick is the siding, I need something that they would not be able to climb. Plastic or something.

I'm sure this sounds insane but curious to see what you guys do or have seen.

Also considered a tarp and pull the sides up some. I know they could chew through it, but I am hoping it would deter them from walking around and decide to climb on the tractor. My gut tells me they'd chew holes in the tarp to try and make a nest.

Also had the idea of leaving the engine cover open and maybe put a LED spot light on it. Thinking that perhaps the light on the engine would make them want to nest somewhere in the dark, not in the light.....again, they would probably get used to it.

 

[bigtiller]

ix-nay on the light idea, it will create heat and draw them in by the dozens.

I think they will chew through or climb just about anything you use for the siding and if theirs no top, that is how they will get to it.

If you made a plywood coffin with a bottom, 4 sides and a top it would probably work but then you would have moisture problems.

 

[cold1313]

I was thinking a material like lexan plastic for the sides. I can't imagine they would be able to climb that surface.

 

[9973720wb19]

in your situation, you might be better off building a nice bunker inside your barn and get a few cats.

 

[KennyG]

A tough problem. My understanding is that mice can jump over a foot high. Either seal the walls or traps or cats - maybe all three.

 

[oosik]

I would certainly appreciate hearing of a permanent solution. I've had the mice/chipmunks chew on anything/everything. Wiring, rubber hose going to windshield washers, paper pleated air filter, even the rubber pads on the Jeep foot pedals, etc, etc. I've tried several solutions - but it seems that for every mouse I trap, two more come in from out in the woods. And they love building nests just about everywhere on any vehicle. I have found one tiny solution - nothing likes to chew on the oil impregnated air filters - K&N.

Barn cats are about the best solution I've found. But I have to keep replacing them also - coyotes & owls.

 

[CADplans]

I used to regularly loose air filters to mice,,,
now, I put a couple drops of peppermint oil on the air filters when I install a new one,,,
I have not lost an air filter since,

I add a couple drops of peppermint oil to favorite nesting areas,,,

NO mice!! :thumbsup:

 

[oosik]

CADplans - I just knew somebody would come up with an idea I've not tried. I will try it and hope for the best. If I get results, as you do, I will be putting in a whole lot of places. Thank you

 

[holeycow]

Plug the exhaust. Plug the air filter box. Hire a weasel.

Peppermint oil does work.

Idk, something crazy just occured to me...park your mower with the wheels on top of something the mice can't climb. I'm thinking shiny steel buckets. Strong ones, lol. Maybe worth some thought...build ramps, park on top of slippery things, remove ramps...or jack up tractor, place mouse defenders, remove jacks.

 

[Huskerfan]

Dryer sheets