Haven’t used the gas blower yet this year, been using the electric one. This one had been left in the shed and I brought it into the garage to see if it would start up but wasn’t planning on getting to it for a day or two. Someone (not me!) left gas in it.
Well. I’m minding my own business putting up some shelves in the garage and I start hearing a noise. I’ve had issues with wildlife getting trapped in the garage when I close it for the night a couple times recently, so I start moving and tapping on things and muttering to myself about no nature being allowed in the garage without prior permission. Finally I figure out the sound is coming from the leaf blower, and also that it smells a little like mammal excrement.
Set it in the driveway for a little while and lo and behold a lil field mouse popped out of it. Wasn’t fast enough to get a pic of the perpetrator. It has subsequently gone back in when I wasn’t looking!
I’m taking a poll. Do I:
- put it straight back in the shed and ignore it for another year
- post it for free on Craigslist without backstory
- tear it down, clean it up, put it back into service
- just fire it up and let ‘er rip (I wouldn’t)
- leave it in the driveway for a few days and see if the problem conveniently solves itself
My fellow dull dudes, what do?
Soak some cotton balls with mint essential oil and put them in, then leave it a couple days (you don’t need a ton, they just don’t like it)
Your little vagabond will move along and you can sanitize after.
I’m.sure a bit of vinegar would have a similar effect
Mothballs actually are specifically recommended as a rodent deterrent. Much more effective than vinegar. Don’t use them if you have a pet that might eat them.