Found an unexpected tenant during my last boiler check.

I opened the flue to clean it and a whole mouse family was cozy inside. Had to get a buddy to help move them before I could finish the job.

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3 Comments

thomas_martinez7mo ago

A whole family in the flue? That's wild! Good call on the thick gloves like @green.river said, those little nips are no joke.

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green.river7mo ago

Yeah, that's a classic spot for mice to nest (they love the warmth and shelter). When I've dealt with that, gently guiding them into a container with a piece of cardboard worked best, so you avoid separating the babies from the mom. Always wear thick gloves, because even a small nip can lead to trouble. After they're out, stuff steel wool into any gaps around the flue pipe (they hate that stuff and can't gnaw through it). You might also want to set up some simple snap traps in the area for a few days, just in case more are lurking. It's a bit of a pain, but it beats a clogged flue or worse damage down the line.

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rowan1287mo ago

Last year I found a nest behind my water heater. @green.river has good advice on using steel wool, but I learned the hard way that it rusts in damp spots. After a few months, the steel wool turned orange and fell apart, letting mice back in. Now I use copper wool instead because it doesn't rust and they still can't chew through it. It costs a bit more, but it lasts way longer, especially in humid areas like basements. Just something to consider if you're sealing gaps long-term.

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