Unwanted sawmill visitors

Jim_Rogers · July 19, 2012, 05:31:38 PM

As most mills are outside, how do you guys deal with these unwanted visitors?

My mill has lots of these holes.
Several of these holes have guest living there.

Do you tape them all up?

Jim Rogers

Bogue Chitto · July 19, 2012, 05:43:37 PM

Yes, I have them. Keep a can of spray by the mill.

weisyboy · July 19, 2012, 05:57:09 PM

have you tried using you mill once in a wile, :

kelLOGg · July 19, 2012, 06:10:15 PM

If I can't (or shouldn't) weld an opening shut I fill it with Great Stuff
Bob

Woodey · July 19, 2012, 06:13:42 PM

I keep a couple of cans of wasp spray close to the mill.
I used a can last Saturday.

Jeff · July 19, 2012, 06:26:55 PM

Wasp spray.
About the time you fill a void with foam, that is when you will get the idea for the next and greatest mod you've ever thought of and have to find a way to dig it all out. :D

Jim_Rogers · July 19, 2012, 06:27:49 PM

Quote from: weisyboy on July 19, 2012, 05:57:09 PM
have you tried using you mill once in a wile, :

Ok, wise guy, I use my mill almost 6 days a week...... ;D

That hole is in the bed extension and I get down that end of the mill when I change the blade. Which is often as well....

John_Haylow · July 19, 2012, 06:32:47 PM

Jim, the foam type wasp spray works well.
John

Chuck White · July 19, 2012, 06:39:16 PM

I use Liquid Wrench or PB Blaster penetrating oil sparingly around the mill.

I use it for both lubrication and pitch removal and if I see a bee of any kind enter a hole, some of this spray will either follow him in or meet him coming out. ;D

Bees don't like petrolium products but, wasp spray gets immediate results.

beenthere · July 19, 2012, 06:42:02 PM

I've found the Ortho Home Defense that I use for the Asian beetles works well to keep the wasp pop'n down. Seems they are flying and landing on everything so must pick it up wherever it is sprayed and take themselves out. If I find a nest, a quick spray dose is effective.

Wasp spray works for me too.

The best is to not be surprised by them, and finding them by accident. Then they are fairly easy to get rid of, and easiest in the very early morning when they are less active.

kelLOGg · July 19, 2012, 07:07:32 PM

Quote from: weisyboy on July 19, 2012, 05:57:09 PM
have you tried using you mill once in a wile, :

Some seasons of the year I will get a wren nest in the drive belt cover about 20 min ( ;D) after sawing.
Before I built my saw shed I covered it with a tarp and could always count on several nests in the spring.
Bob

T Welsh · July 19, 2012, 07:14:16 PM

Jim, 2+2 carb cleaner or brake clean will knock them out of the air in one shot. Tim

POSTON WIDEHEAD · July 19, 2012, 07:18:12 PM

Duct tape your openings. ;D

bandmiller2 · July 19, 2012, 08:41:02 PM

Jim,electric supply houses have little chrome plated plugs with spring fingers to plug holes in elecrric boxes,chances are you can find some just right for your holes. Frank C.

Jim_Rogers · July 20, 2012, 06:55:25 AM

Quote from: bandmiller2 on July 19, 2012, 08:41:02 PM
Jim,electric supply houses have little chrome plated plugs with spring fingers to plug holes in elecrric boxes,chances are you can find some just right for your holes. Frank C.

I may have some of those on hand Frank, thanks for the tip...

Cypressstump · July 20, 2012, 07:59:11 AM

ACE hardware stores will have black plastic type hole-filler-up-plugs as like mentioned metal ones above.

Wasps will drop like rocks when you toss some water with blue dawn dishwashing detergeant onto them. Besides, the soap might wash some of that orange paint off........... :

AdamT · July 20, 2012, 08:08:34 AM

I had a mouse in mine once. I'd say he traveled with me to that job. I don't think he made it home with me though. Theres no telling what he could have chewed up in there!

Never seen any bees, but I think since I'm mostly portable, they leave nest while I'm en route to next job. I dont know though. I wash my mill after almost every job. Not sure if that helps keep pests away, but I'm sure water enters those holes and keeps them from wanting to start a nest! Maybe...

terrifictimbersllc · July 20, 2012, 01:27:49 PM

Quote from: Jim_Rogers on July 19, 2012, 06:27:49 PM
Quote from: weisyboy on July 19, 2012, 05:57:09 PM
have you tried using you mill once in a wile, :

Ok, wise guy, I use my mill almost 6 days a week...... ;D

welcome back again weisy

Nomad · July 20, 2012, 06:02:28 PM

Wasps will drop like rocks when you toss some water with blue dawn dishwashing detergeant onto them.

This is true. However, they take a long time to die. And they can still crawl, climb, and STING!!! (Go ahead. Ask me how I figured that out. :

)

Ironwood · July 20, 2012, 07:58:12 PM

Also, try black plastic plugs from the auto parts store, generally not as big as the electric box ones, but seal well. They are for undercoating I think.

Ironwood

captain_crunch · July 21, 2012, 12:56:00 AM

Starting fluid kills em graveyard dead :

Migal · July 21, 2012, 02:26:05 AM

Quote from: nomad on July 20, 2012, 06:02:28 PM
Wasps will drop like rocks when you toss some water with blue dawn dishwashing detergeant onto them.

This is true. However, they take a long time to die. And they can still crawl, climb, and STING!!! (Go ahead. Ask me how I figured that out. :)

Quote from: captain_crunch on July 21, 2012, 12:56:00 AM
Starting fluid kills em graveyard dead :

Hmm 8)

tyb525 · July 21, 2012, 04:26:35 PM

Brake cleaner, starting fluid are light years better than spray wasp killer. Plus most of them shoot MUCH father with a wider spray, making it easier to hit the flying ones. And they leave no residue, it evaporates in seconds most times.