DIY Builds
DIY Builds
Photo: Key Notez
Understanding why you have rats in your shed, is often the key to getting rid of them. The 3 main things rats look for are food, water and harbourage/shelter. If you store bird or dog food in the shed, this should be kept in a metal bin to stop rats gaining access; avoid plastic as they can chew through it easily.
Sofa Colours For 2022 Neutral colours will always be a popular and practical choice for sofas, and that isn't about to change, with white, cream,...
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The rule of thumb is to install interior doors to open into the room. This approach prevents doors from becoming an obstruction in tight areas like...
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Besides watching TV shows while running on the treadmill or any other machine, A TV in a garage gym can be used to watch exercise videos, run...
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But due to the low costs and high value of lawn care, simple lawn maintenance typically results in a 100% to 200% return on investment for home...
Read More »As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. This is just as relevant when dealing with pests. If you can stop rats gaining entry to your building, you will save money, time and potentially avoid a host of diseases that rats carry. Below is a list of common entry points and how to rat proof them. Doors Doors should be hung square, close securely and be capable of locking/latching closed. Traditional shed doors are usually ledged and braced, these are not particularly secure, not just against rats but thieves. An easy upgrade is to frame the door internally, even adding a frame to the bottom of the door will work well against rats and help to seal up any rotten battens/boarding. Make sure the door sits low to the ground, creates a secure seal but can open freely. The door frame should also be checked over visually, any gaps should be sealed and filled. Windows The same principles as doors apply for windows, ensure the close securely, can be fastened/locked and have no gaps. Loose panes should be secured with framing/baton. Roof The roof might seem like an unlikely cause, however from experience, it is often an easy point of entry for rats. Dependant on your roof type, the key areas are the soffits, eaves and fascia. Ensure they cannot access through these; wire mesh or wire wool is a great exclusion method; rats will not chew through wire wool. Guttering should be in good order and single pitch roofs should have a secure fit and seal. Another often overlooked problem is vegetation, especially creepers. Not only do they damage your sheds structure, creating gaps and damp issues, they also act like a ladder for rats to climb up. Where possible remove or trim back to help reduce this. Flooring Rats are renowned for living under sheds, its warm, secure and often undisturbed. To that end, they often end up exploring what’s above them, and chewing through your floor to gain access to your shed. Floor boards/sheets should be fastened securely and any holes repaired. Other Areas to Consider If your shed has other utilities such as water, a toilet or fans and mains power, it is important to check that these are fitted properly, any damaged or missing brick work/timber is filled and repaired and pipes are sealed if not in use. Do not use plastic drain valves, they will be chewed through in a matter of days by the rats.
Installing Buried UF Electrical Cable Underground Feeder, UF cable, cannot be run inside concrete.
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So what's our formal opinion on 2 x 4 scrap lumber bits for firewood? Its fine for home use, backyard use, and local campgrounds when permitted....
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People often think that they should not seal up the shed if rats are an issue, as they might seal them in; this is not the way to think. Once we have removed as many variables and scenarios as possible, it is a simple task to then control them. Lethal control by trapping is best, poison should be left to the professionals. What’s more, when the rat finally dies from the poison, it could have crawled into your shed insulation where it is safe and warm. An inaccessible, decomposing rat in the height of summer is not a good experience; the smell, maggots and flies are all things to consider. There are many traps available on the market, the trusty old snap trap, to more advanced self-resetting traps, the choice would be up to you. The key is to check regularly, dispose of rats as soon as possible and avoid poison and inhumane glue boards.
Wooden pallets are an excellent option for creating a sturdy foundation for your shed while being easy on the wallet, reducing your carbon...
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The ramp must have a 1:12 slope ratio. This means that there must be a one-inch rise in the ramp for every corresponding 12 inches of the ramp.
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The table saw, in my opinion, is the most versatile tool in the shop and should be your first major purchase. Mar 25, 2020
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Stake the Corners. Mark the Area to be Excavated. Remove Surface Debris and Topsoil. Remove Subsoil, Rocks, and Roots. Clean the Corners. Check the...
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