I'm about to run a mains feed to my garden which because of the configuration of everything will run extensively through the attic space (single storey cottage).

This looked like a good option in terms of cost and economics of labour. However I was researching something else in the pages here and came on a thread where there was a comment about mice eating plastic piping. Certainly they've had a good nibble at pipe insulation here, but are the pipes a realistic target too ?

OK I do need to set traps etc. each autumn - who doesn't in the country - and in general I'm not seeing any significant damage, but if there is any truth in this, then I will go back to using copper, and not take any risk.

Rob

"robgraham" wrote in message
...
I'm about to run a mains feed to my garden which because of the
configuration of everything will run extensively through the attic space
(single storey cottage).

This looked like a good option in terms of cost and economics of labour.
However I was researching something else in the pages here and came on a
thread where there was a comment about mice eating plastic piping.
Certainly they've had a good nibble at pipe insulation here, but are the
pipes a realistic target too ?

OK I do need to set traps etc. each autumn - who doesn't in the country -
and in general I'm not seeing any significant damage, but if there is any
truth in this, then I will go back to using copper, and not take any risk.

Rob

Well they certainly gnaw plastic cable so I suppose pipe will also be a
target.

On 14/04/2014 22:43, robgraham wrote:
I'm about to run a mains feed to my garden which because of the configuration of everything will run extensively through the attic space (single storey cottage).

This looked like a good option in terms of cost and economics of labour. However I was researching something else in the pages here and came on a thread where there was a comment about mice eating plastic piping. Certainly they've had a good nibble at pipe insulation here, but are the pipes a realistic target too ?

Not really. Their jaws don't quite open wide enough to do serious damage
to tough plastic pipes of typical plumbing diameters.

OTOH Mains lighting cables are "just right" for a nibble.

OK I do need to set traps etc. each autumn - who doesn't in the country - and in general I'm not seeing any significant damage, but if there is any truth in this, then I will go back to using copper, and not take any risk.

Rob

Worth leaving some poison bait up there permanently as well. Come
september there is always the odd one tries to take up residence.

Traps with bait tend to become less appitising after a year or so but
the dry poison bait remains fully effective for several years.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

In message , Martin Brown
writes
On 14/04/2014 22:43, robgraham wrote:
I'm about to run a mains feed to my garden which because of the
configuration of everything will run extensively through the attic
space (single storey cottage).

This looked like a good option in terms of cost and economics of
labour. However I was researching something else in the pages here
and came on a thread where there was a comment about mice eating
plastic piping. Certainly they've had a good nibble at pipe
insulation here, but are the pipes a realistic target too ?

Not really. Their jaws don't quite open wide enough to do serious
damage to tough plastic pipes of typical plumbing diameters.

It's seems to be one of those things which people will repeat on the
internet, I don't remember seeing any evidence of it, and have never had
problems with mice and plastic pipes (in the old house, or the current
one, and we certainly have mice)

OTOH Mains lighting cables are "just right" for a nibble.


Never had that happen either, though I have see evidence of it. Maybe
they prefer the PVC? as well as the size?
--
Chris French

And then there are Squirrels. I know these destructive little darlings seem
to chew through stuff for no good reason.
Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"robgraham" wrote in message
...
I'm about to run a mains feed to my garden which because of the
configuration of everything will run extensively through the attic space
(single storey cottage).

This looked like a good option in terms of cost and economics of labour.
However I was researching something else in the pages here and came on a
thread where there was a comment about mice eating plastic piping.
Certainly they've had a good nibble at pipe insulation here, but are the
pipes a realistic target too ?

OK I do need to set traps etc. each autumn - who doesn't in the country -
and in general I'm not seeing any significant damage, but if there is any
truth in this, then I will go back to using copper, and not take any risk.

Rob

On Tuesday, April 15, 2014 9:34:59 AM UTC+1, Brian Gaff wrote:
And then there are Squirrels. I know these destructive little darlings seem

to chew through stuff for no good reason.

Brian



--

From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active

"robgraham" wrote in message

...

I'm about to run a mains feed to my garden which because of the

configuration of everything will run extensively through the attic space

(single storey cottage).



This looked like a good option in terms of cost and economics of labour.

However I was researching something else in the pages here and came on a

thread where there was a comment about mice eating plastic piping.

Certainly they've had a good nibble at pipe insulation here, but are the

pipes a realistic target too ?



OK I do need to set traps etc. each autumn - who doesn't in the country -

and in general I'm not seeing any significant damage, but if there is any

truth in this, then I will go back to using copper, and not take any risk.



Rob

I wouldn't be keen on laying poison. We had one crawl off and die somewhere behind a cupboard in the bathroom and the pong was dreadful for a few weeks

On 14/04/2014 22:43, robgraham wrote:
I'm about to run a mains feed to my garden which because of the configuration of everything will run extensively through the attic space (single storey cottage).

You're not thatched are you?

If you are you have to put everything in steel pipes. Not even the
flexible ones. (this is why we have exactly one wire in our loft, for
the smoke detector)

Andy

On Tuesday, April 15, 2014 9:36:48 PM UTC+1, Vir Campestris wrote:
On 14/04/2014 22:43, robgraham wrote:

I'm about to run a mains feed to my garden which because of the configuration of everything will run extensively through the attic space (single storey cottage).



You're not thatched are you?



If you are you have to put everything in steel pipes. Not even the

flexible ones. (this is why we have exactly one wire in our loft, for

the smoke detector)



Andy

No thank goodness - I did wonder when we bought the place nearly 40 years ago if the very deep flanching on the chimneys (now gone) indicated thatch originally.

So the consensus is that mice eating plastic water pipes is urban myth - perhaps rats were the source of that.

Thanks guys
Rob