So the evil tree rats ate my deck furniture covers. I mean, the furniture was just sitting there temporarily, under the shade of the trees, and the critters decided that they wanted to eat the fabric and see what was underneath.

So, we have to purchase new covers. And, we will need to put the covers somewhere while we are out on the deck sitting on the furniture. I've been pricing those plastic storage boxes, big ones, and reading the reviews. Not looking good for any brand. And, they are $180-$400. To store my new covers? Hmmm.

So I gots to thinking. What do I have that could store covers? What could be brought to the deck, close to the seats, and receive folded up covers?

What about my spare rolling garbage can? It is clean, nearly new, and could store quite a lot. Reaching into the can would require my 44 XL length arms, I suppose. But, it is waterproof, unmolested by critters, and can be rolled out of visual sight of the deck. The box near or on the deck would take up a lot of space.

A risk would be that someone (me) would take the can to the street on garbage day, but this blue recycling can is not likely to go there, since the recycling company gave us a new can we are required to use.

I may just try this with my existing tarps, just to see. Time to pressure wash the interior again, and put it into use.

And about those squirrels...Hav-A-Hart trap or 10mm?

Suppressed .22lr for the squirrels. However there is always another squirrel waiting to take the place of one that goes down.

We use one of those big storage boxes with the snap on lid that I have to drag to the garage once it is loaded with the covers. I ended up putting a roof over part of our patio and that is where the furniture lives now. The covers are needed less.

Squirrels consider chewing through plastic a fun pastime, FWIW. Maybe a metal truck bed toolbox would be a worthwhile alternative.

The trap is a good idea.

Haven't had that kind of problem since the population of cats has increased in the neighborhood. Used to have those little devils chewing the electrical wiring on the car motors.
My cousin has the same proble as you with deck furniture. But they are in an isolated area so a .22 provides some satisfaction, and helps "keep your hand in the game" so to speak.

RODENTS…

We have a Rat problem here.

I live across the street from a high school. Next to a creek and have 30 restaurants in the 4 blocks from my home.

The bastards nested under the patio furniture covers this winter and destroyed $4K worth of cushions with piss and shit.

We have a little 3x5x4 tall shed type box we keep the covers in. Now we are looking at getting another one for the cushions storage during the winter. Don’t want a $4K hit every year.

We’ve been using the covers for a few years without any issues but this year it’s been a disaster.

Bastards!!!





how far is it from my location

We have 2 of the plastic deck boxes Costco sells, and both have held up for several years, even to the kids, who use one for outdoor toys. If you want something even sturdier, a fiberglass dock box is not going to be chewed-through, but hang onto your pants when you look at prices. The one I have at my beach house is 6 feet long, and I think in the $800 range.

I have two of the small Havahart traps in my shed. It helps to keep the mice from nesting in my lawn tractor.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ha.../a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a

Here’s a metal (aluminum) deck box that isn’t too expensive…

https://www.costco.com/mirador...duct.4000306173.html

I solved that problem by buying patio chairs that are basically a stretched mesh for the seat and back. They dry fast so no need to rush out for cushions, and they stack for winter storage.
400m:1 Evil tree rats:0

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 400m,

I sent 17 squirrels to vacation summer camp this time last year. 10 days was all it took, they watched their brethren getting trapped and stood in line. I stopped when I realized there were only 3 left on the block, figuring a neighbor might get curious.

Tune up the trigger with emery cloth, a bit of Slip 2000 doesn’t hurt either. The little bastages have no known defense to the powers of peanuts in the shell. If you’re dealing with pine squirrels god help you, they are the most destructive SOB’S in nature.

Can’t help your problem except traps or a higher end air rifle if you’re in an urban area.

Totally unrelated to vermin but 25 years ago I worked in a family office that catered to mega wealthy folks. We paid their hills and did everything except wipe their ass and we likely could have found someone to do that for them

Anyway I worked in bill pay and one client had bought patio furniture for their 20 million Hamptons or Rhode Island beach house and it was Indian mahogany wicker furniture. Painted white. For $250k. This was 25 years ago. The excesses I saw there were eye opening but quarter million for painted mahogany always stuck with me.

The squirrels ate the handles of my pool filter agg shaped container. Here is a before and after photo.

There are 8 of the handles, and since Sta-Rite must have a monopoly on them, they cost a whopping $35 apiece.

I understand your anger.

quote:

I sent 17 squirrels to vacation summer camp this time last year.

Where is this Vacation Summer Camp you talk about?

I have a Coopers hawk that is on a budget plan to control the numbers at one place. He is allowed to jump on the tree nest to run them out. But dive bombing from high attitude is not allowed under the Fair Chase Laws.

At another place, due to Pecan Heaven, air rifles are allowed to meet the bag limit of six a day after they have been feed one week on pecans to fatten them up and eliminate the gamey taste.

At the third place, NO HOLDS BARRED, any form of trapping is allowed to send them to Squirrel Hell. Destruction includes chewed sidling, vehicle wires chewed through, and excessive planting of trees.

quote:

Originally posted by ElToro:
Totally unrelated to vermin but 25 years ago I worked in a family office that catered to mega wealthy folks. We paid their hills and did everything except wipe their ass and we likely could have found someone to do that for them

Anyway I worked in bill pay and one client had bought patio furniture for their 20 million Hamptons or Rhode Island beach house and it was Indian mahogany wicker furniture. Painted white. For $250k. This was 25 years ago. The excesses I saw there were eye opening but quarter million for painted mahogany always stuck with me.

For a minute I thought you were going to say squirrels had eaten their $250K deck furniture, and I had an evil grin on my face. Painting mahogany white, or at all, seems really wrong.

Get a Patio Deck box at lowes or home depot, Suncast makes decent products, all shapes and sizes delivered to your home. Sizes from 230 gallon to 22 Gallon. You should be able to get one for about a hundred bucks.

We have one on the pool deck and it's lasted and held up well even with the hot FL sun...

https://www.lowes.com/pl/patio...eck-boxes/4294441995

$250K on a $20 Million home is .0125 % a comparable rate to spending $312 for outdoor furniture at a $25K mobile home... Although the mobile home probably won't get painted mahogany chairs...

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
Squirrels consider chewing through plastic a fun pastime, FWIW.

At my house the "tree rats" eat anything not metal. We've had damaged vinal siding, the gas hose on my grill was eaten through, and they love hemp door mats and my plastic wicker furniture.

quote:

Originally posted by Ranger41:

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
Squirrels consider chewing through plastic a fun pastime, FWIW.

At my house the "tree rats" eat anything not metal. We've had damaged vinal siding, the gas hose on my grill was eaten through, and they love hemp door mats and my plastic wicker furniture.

Wiring in your car has soy based insulation. Squirrels love the taste of it, they have chewed through mine,
but I'm sure it saves a few bucks. They explore every inch of your property. Tear up my flower beds, they love that loose soil I give them. Neighbors feed them. I've been tempted to go to war with them. Got a cheap Crosman, thumped a couple in the but, same one s were back in 90 seconds. I won't do that anymore and I can't bring myself to kill them.
A cone for a sheperds is supposed to be delivered today, I'll see if it works for a bird feeder. Ugh