Parking Tractor in Barn

[Clay Buster]

I now need to park my 8N in a barn that has a gravel floor and is open around the base of the walls. During the cold weather I have to put out poison bait. I'm concerned that pack rats and mice may chew on the tractor wiring. Thinking about hanging cloth bags of moth balls in the engine compartment and putting a crumpled-up removable copper 'Chore Boy' in the exhaust pipe so they don't crawl in it to make a nest.

What do ya'all think? Any help and ideas would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Kenster]

I'm thinking that more than a few old N tractors have been spending the winters in old barns for a few decades now, totally unsecured against the invasions of rodent hordes yet remaining pure and unmolested.
However, if it helps you sleep better at night....
Me? I just wish I had an old shed or barn or even a roof to park mine under, but she sits out under the stars every night.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Whatever you do, don't waste your money on the plug in electronic things that are suppose to keep them away...They do Nothing......Best thing to do is get a cat or two...Then you can have some new problems 'cause the cat is going to sleep and walk on your cars.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Downy Fabric softner sheets that the wife uses in the clothes dryer is what is being recommended by the helpful hints in camping magazines. I have used them around the utility holes in our camper and it seems to keep the mice out and also helps on crawling insects. I have wondered if other brands work as well, but as bad as the wife hates mice I don't want to experment!

 

[old]

I had that problems years ago but not any more. I now have 4 or 5 barn cats and I never see mice or rat unless there already dead. Sort of glad now that some one dump off that female cat a few years ago. Only problem is I seem to keep getting more and more cats around the place. Any body need a couple barn cats?? I have at least 4 or 5 kittens out there right now
Hobby farm

 

[Ed S.]

(quoted from post at 08:32:10 06/23/07) Any body need a couple barn cats?? I have at least 4 or 5 kittens out there right now
Hobby farm

I'll take a few! We're down to one tom at this point - coyotes keep getting 'em if the cars don't. We had 14 not too long ago...

es

 

[Clay Buster]

Thank you to all of you who have responded.

I'll try the fabric softener sheets and see what happens. Barn cats would be great for keeping control of the rodent population. I forgot to say that I'm only at the farm about once a month for a few days at a time. I'm in a very isolated forested area that is stupid with coyotes. I'm afraid that the cats would turn into coyote snacks in short order. Would they survive if left unattended without me having to supplement their diet w/food and water? Would the 'smart' ones be able to avoid the coyotes? What do you think?

 

[Dave H]

only thing that I found that the fabric softner is good for is my undies in the drier.

It is urban legend about repeling the rodents.

But the cats do work, however as stated, the coyoties in IL have an insatiable appetite for he feline critters.

 

[Clay Buster]

I'm toying with the idea of getting some barn cats if they can survive on their own. Do you need to provide any food and water for them or do they pretty much fend for themselves? Thanks.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Me too, Rich! I have 5 little kittens here that are started good on dry food. Gonna have to give 'em away to someone or it's gonna be the old "two go out - one comes back" deal for them. I feed them some cat food and they hunt, but I ain't got no mice or rats around here to keep them fat. Tom does come home with the occasional squirrel or bunny.

 

[old]

Water is no problem is you water other live stock or have a pond etc close by. As far as food if you want them to stay around yes you need to feed them once a day but you don't need to give them much depending on how many you have of course. We put out about a cup of food a day and they fend for them selfs if they need more.
Hobby farm

 

[old]

Come and get them then. But I think its probably to far away for you to do it
Hobby farm