Vermin proofing a timber outbuilding

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Loofah, Dec 6, 2012.

  1. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    Morning All!
    One of my latest ventures is into a delicatessen. I've binned the idea of an actual shop die to costs but have begun online! Next problem is storage of certain products...
    I'm considering a new timber building (big shed but custom built). I also have a garage that the car cannot physically get to so that's a potential for conversion but it's full of tools, chest freezer etc. If I did convert it, I'd still need somewhere to put all the junk so either way I will probably need the new building soonish.
    I've had the environmental officer round to check things over and he's happy enough if I make sure whatever happens it is vermin proof - so how easy is it to ensure a timber building is proofed up?!
     
  2. Palustris

    Palustris Total Gardener

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    Best of luck with that. The rats have chewed through 4 inches of concrete to get into our apple store.
     
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    • Spruce

      Spruce Glad to be back .....

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      When I worked on the farm many moons ago , I know it sounds bad but we used to mix broken glass in to the cement mix if it was going to be the base for any storage of feed areas or for any of the chicken sheds etc we never had a problem with them trying to dig through worked everytime , plus all the doors had a 12 inch metal plate attached at the bottom.

      Spruce
       
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      • Loofah

        Loofah Admin Staff Member

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        Hmmm... OK then - vermin resistant!
         
      • Scrungee

        Scrungee Well known for it

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        That's what I do. If the shed is resting on bearers fix weldmesh strip all the way round across the ends and along the sides to stop rats from getting underneath (that's assuming the base it stands on is rat proof).
         
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        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          • Loofah

            Loofah Admin Staff Member

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            Thanks John, looks like just the job
             
          • Phil A

            Phil A Guest

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            This is the traditional way, the steps wouldn't have been on there when it was a grain store though.

            [​IMG]
             
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            • Scrungee

              Scrungee Well known for it

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              If you line the inside with mesh, rats can still gnaw away at the wood from the outside (as they will be oblivious to the presence of internal mesh), both damaging your shed and also potentially removing the fixing points for that internal mesh.
               
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