Rodent control with wax-opener vent? - Orchid Board

tropterrarium · #1 04-20-2018, 04:00 AM

How do you keep rodents out of a GH with a lower vent that is operated by an automatic wax opener (gigavent)?

- I cannot put stiff fine mesh metal screen in, because the arm of the auto vent opener would interfere, or the slot in it would be so large that any rat could easily get through it.

- Been thinking about nylon fabric that is attached to outside frame and window, forming an expandable bag. But rodents will easily chew through any plastic.

- Tried to find fine-mesh flexible fabric. Smallest hole I can find is 2x2 cm (0.8x0.8") which may still be too large for rats, and only found bulk supplier for zoo aviaries.

Any other obvious options I've overlooked?

estación seca · #2 04-20-2018, 04:12 AM

If it isn't metal mesh they will chew through it. Look for hardware cloth.

tropterrarium · #3 04-20-2018, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estación seca

If it isn't metal mesh they will chew through it. Look for hardware cloth.

Hardware "cloth" is rigid, so will not work. I need something that is made out of metal, but is flexible like plant-fibre cloth. Any leads on that?

Subrosa · #4 04-20-2018, 06:05 AM

What about the area immediately outside of the opening? Would it be feasible to discourage rodents from getting that close to the hole in the first place?

Dollythehun · #5 04-20-2018, 07:35 AM

Can you fashion a box shape out of the hardware cloth?

AnonYMouse · #6 04-20-2018, 07:56 AM

Remove the frame of a exhaust fan filter and use the metal mesh?

Ray · #7 04-20-2018, 10:21 AM

I had a similar issue with squirrels, so made some vent screens that slipped over the outside of the louvered vents - also powered by wax motors on the inside.

tropterrarium · #8 04-20-2018, 11:57 AM

Thanks for all the brainstorming.

-Exclusion is not a viable option. I live in a rather rural area with deer in backyard.

Vent area is large 7x3' single pane glass. So a hardware cloth box, while doable, is just ugly. Try to avoid that.

I've been thinking about this:
Wire Rope Aviary Mesh Creates a Closed and Ecologically Friendly Space

but 20 mm mesh length = 80 mm edge length, divided by pi = 25 mm diameter. Rat gets through 20 mm, mice through 6-7 mm hold.

Have also been considering chainmail, as in medieval armor. Wonder whether that is too restrictive for airflow.

Any other options?

Subrosa · #9 04-20-2018, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tropterrarium

Thanks for all the brainstorming.

-Exclusion is not a viable option. I live in a rather rural area with deer in backyard.

Vent area is large 7x3' single pane glass. So a hardware cloth box, while doable, is just ugly. Try to avoid that.

I've been thinking about this:
Wire Rope Aviary Mesh Creates a Closed and Ecologically Friendly Space

but 20 mm mesh length = 80 mm edge length, divided by pi = 25 mm diameter. Rat gets through 20 mm, mice through 6-7 mm hold.

Have also been considering chainmail, as in medieval armor. Wonder whether that is too restrictive for airflow.

Any other options?

Are you certain? A rural setting sounds perfect for what I had in mind. If a rodent had to crawl/climb through a 3' deep forest of peppermint to get in the opening, odds are it would choose to go elsewhere.

tropterrarium · #10 04-20-2018, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Are you certain? A rural setting sounds perfect for what I had in mind. If a rodent had to crawl/climb through a 3' deep forest of peppermint to get in the opening, odds are it would choose to go elsewhere.

Pepermint? interesting idea! EXTREMELY invasive, though, so would have to put it contained in containers.