DIY mouse proofing new heater

[nostaljake]

I get a lot of mice around my equipment pad so definitely want to keep them out. I've already seen the recommendations for the MK Rat Proofing stuff. As far as I can tell, it's just chicken wire and self tapping screws, which I already have. So I figure why not DIY it. I just want to be sure not to block anything important related to air flow or otherwise.

Fwiw, the new heater is the Pentair MasterTemp 400.

I was planning to just cut 1/4 in chicken wire and attach directly through the housing with self tapping screws. Based on the videos I've seen, it looks like there's no issue with doing that over the side vents. But I'm unsure if it's ok to do so in these other spots?

- Where the gas line goes in. I would think this would be safe to block with the chicken wire?
- Exhaust. Obviously I don't want/need to block the vent itself, but how about the gap around where the flue meets the heater body?
- Underneath the unit. Do I need to bother blocking mice from getting under the heater? Not sure if there's any access point from underneath into the unit. Also not sure if the heater has air flow underneath for a reason that I shouldn't mess with.

Thanks so much!

 

[1poolman1]

I get a lot of mice around my equipment pad so definitely want to keep them out. I've already seen the recommendations for the MK Rat Proofing stuff. As far as I can tell, it's just chicken wire and self tapping screws, which I already have. So I figure why not DIY it. I just want to be sure not to block anything important related to air flow or otherwise.

Fwiw, the new heater is the Pentair MasterTemp 400.

I was planning to just cut 1/4 in chicken wire and attach directly through the housing with self tapping screws. Based on the videos I've seen, it looks like there's no issue with doing that over the side vents. But I'm unsure if it's ok to do so in these other spots?

- Where the gas line goes in. I would think this would be safe to block with the chicken wire?
- Exhaust. Obviously I don't want/need to block the vent itself, but how about the gap around where the flue meets the heater body?
- Underneath the unit. Do I need to bother blocking mice from getting under the heater? Not sure if there's any access point from underneath into the unit. Also not sure if the heater has air flow underneath for a reason that I shouldn't mess with.

Thanks so much!

From the Terminix website:
"Mice are found in buildings more often than rats because they are smaller and are able to find more available entryways into a building. Mice can fit through a crack or hole one-fourth of an inch or larger - or about the width of a pencil."

 

[nostaljake]

From the Terminix website:
"Mice are found in buildings more often than rats because they are smaller and are able to find more available entryways into a building. Mice can fit through a crack or hole one-fourth of an inch or larger - or about the width of a pencil."

Yeah. I've done a lot of mouse proofing around my house so I'm well aware of the 1/4" thing. That's considered the smallest they can go, which is why 1/4" chicken wire is usually the standard for blocking mice.

Any thoughts on whether it's safe to block those spots I mentioned? I don't want to do something stupid that messes with the air flow!

 

[JamesW]

 

[JamesW]

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[nostaljake]

Thanks. I still can't tell from the video if it's safe to do the two areas I mentioned though. Can I do where the gas line goes in? How about where the exhaust flue meets the heater body?