new homeowner

[correira99]

Hey there, I was in the same boat as you a few years ago.

Before I had work done on the house I had tons of entry points and critters all around, now that I've patched and shored everything up I have no visitors. I still put out decon, but since the work it hasn't been touched.

I bag up all the linens, wrap the mattress and my biggest rookie mistake was not looking through the pantry for water based items that could burst. Aside from that, you should be good.

[Descant]

Our family built in 1960. We've done different prep over the years. We used to remove the septic pump, but no longer bother. Some water seeps into the containment, but not a problem. It pumps out when we turn power back on in the spring.

We do turn off all power when we close. Linens go into plastic storage boxes, but some clothes and blankets have been OK just hanging in the closet. We remove bedding and cover mattresses with newspapers, on the understanding that mice don't like the noise.

Several years ago, we forgot the D-Con and had some critters. They didn't bother the beds or stuff in the closets, but they tore up 5 rolls of toilet paper and spread it all over, making nests. Lots of acorns brought in and consumed Now, D-Con is the last thing in and the first thing out, after the pets and kids are in the boat. Don't know if it helps, but we put mothballs around the perimeter to discourage critters when they are home shopping. All dissolved by spring, so no lingering odor.

Best thing ever? We started hiring Island Support Services to turn water on/off after doing it ourselves for decades. They also open the shutters, move the lawn and deck furniture back out, dust, shampoo carpets and wash windows. We figure we gain three weekends of enjoyment that we used to spend doing plumbing and cleaning.

[Orion]

We built in 2001 and have never had a rodent in the house. We did get one in the exterior wall in the one electrician-created hole I missed when scouring the house for entry points. Electricians are generally not thinking about rodent-proofing when drilling for wiring in the wall base plates. Before walls get closed up it's great if you can go around to all through-floor holes and stuff steel wool tightly where anything passes through. Same holds true for plumbing openings. If you don't get it before closing walls up, you'll have to crawl under the camp, unfortunately. But if acorns are getting in, the holes are at least the size of acorns! And yes, it there's a hole, a rodent WILL find it, and they do like to nest in beds.....my neighbor found out when she crawled into bed in Spring.