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4776. arkymalarky - 7/25/2012 10:50:33 PM

I need help, advice on getting and keeping squirrels out of the house. Our Colorado house, so we will be gone until next summer.

4777. judithathome - 7/26/2012 4:27:28 AM

All I know is to stuff any holes that could be a way into the house with steel wool...including vents, etc.

4778. arkymalarky - 7/26/2012 4:24:39 PM

Thanks! This house has been empty so long the holes are numerou, but that's a great start.

4779. thoughtful - 8/2/2012 12:35:46 PM

I've been on the garden web a lot....they have a home side as well where I spend most of my time. You might post there about the squirrel situation....

That Home Site...garden web

4780. arkymalarky - 8/2/2012 3:23:02 PM

Thanks! The main problem is that this is a summer place we bought last year that was an unfinished remodel that had been empty several years. The squirrels have owned it and we won't be back in it until next summer, so whatever we do will be something we get done once and then leave for a year. It's tiny but has a lot of places on the outside that squirrels can get in.
I'll check that site out. Thanks for the link!

4781. concerned - 8/2/2012 7:08:51 PM

Hi, Arky -

If you think you may have squirrel problems when you're away, IMO, you should use conduit (or BX) for all your AC wiring, especially in the attic. Bored squirrels like to sharpen their teeth chewing on Romex (the plastic coated stuff meant for installation without anything around it), as well as doing other things to it that causes a fire hazard.

Of course, you may be able to seal all the openings, but that might be temporary if squirrels can chew their way in again.

4782. arkymalarky - 8/2/2012 7:40:47 PM

Thanks! We don't have ac there (no need) but it's got a lot of holes. We just can't get to them this summer. I guess one more year of squirrel tenants won't hurt...

4783. wabbit - 8/3/2012 2:58:14 AM

Straight-up peppermint oil works too. It's *very* strong, strong enough to make your eyes tear, but squirrels (and mice) hate it. Soak some rags and leave them near the plugged-up holes right before you leave. It worked in my parent's house a few years ago - I used a slightly diluted very strong food grade peppermint oil and the squirrels couldn't get out fast enough.

4784. arkymalarky - 8/4/2012 8:22:41 PM

Thanks!

4785. vonKreedon - 8/6/2012 7:17:05 PM

Our zoo hosts a series of late afternoon/early evening concerts on a large lawn. Last night Blair and I went to see Ladysmith Black Mombazo and the Johnny Clegg band. LBM was actually kind of boring, all the songs seemed to have the same tempo and structure, so beautiful the first couple of songs and then boring. Clegg OTOH was phenomenal. The energy he brings is amazing, with how young he looks one would never guess he was over 45 as opposed to his actual 59 years. Danced my ass off. Ran into and sat with several friends that I haven't seen in months to over a year. A truly excellent time.

4786. arkymalarky - 8/7/2012 6:33:03 PM

Well, we've got a 400ft well and they pulled the old pump. Next summer we'll get a new one and have water. That's a huge savings--20,000 or so to dig one. We have to replace one wall inside and out and patch some Sheetrock next summer. Lots of work to go, including a bathroom install in a roughly plumbed insulated room with no floor or walls. But we have electricity, and will have a toilet and hot and cold water in the kitchen within a week or so of getting there next summer. That's livable. The wood stove works great and we have buried pipes so we could stay in winter.

4787. arkymalarky - 8/7/2012 6:37:23 PM

That sounds way fun Vk.

4788. arkymalarky - 8/7/2012 8:30:41 PM

Our place is in Wondervu CO, less than 15 miles from Nederland, my favorite town in the world. We saw a great fireworks display there a few days ago.

4789. concerned - 8/8/2012 12:41:05 AM

That's a huge savings--20,000 or so to dig one.

Wow! That's a lot. Are they drilling through rock?

4790. arkymalarky - 8/8/2012 1:09:59 AM

Yep, solid rock. Our family cabin well is under 100ft deep, but so many live on the mountain it is now mandatory to go at least 200ft. My family bought their place in 1954 and dug the well in 1964.

Btw, that concrete board siding is expensive! I don't know if we can afford to do the damaged wall with it or not.

4791. concerned - 8/9/2012 5:35:40 PM

Hi, Arky -

I've been trying to get a quote, without success so far, to replace some of my cedar fascia with cement board. How much did they quote you for the siding?

4792. arkymalarky - 8/9/2012 5:41:50 PM

We didn't get one because we'll DIY, but at lowes it was $9 a ft

4793. arkymalarky - 8/22/2012 1:20:43 AM

Monday morning there was a dead armadillo by Stan's car when we were getting ready to go to work. that afternoon, Stan got home and it was buried under a pile of dirt. evidently, Mojo had buried it, and when Stan went to dig it out and get rid of it, she tried to stop him. It was hilarious but frustrating. The dogs kill about two a week.

4794. judithathome - 8/30/2012 4:24:29 PM

Heap o rain comin' your way, Arks!

4795. arkymalarky - 8/30/2012 9:29:15 PM

I'm bracing, hoping not to drive in it.

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