Bears and Critters?

[hakalugi]

Hi,

We have bears in our neck of the woods. Did the 'soft' walls of Yurts give you pause? Other than assuming our platform is hole-free from the underside, we're considering a railing along all of it to help out - just not sure how attractive the smells and sounds will prove - i'm more concerned for when we're gone. I don't want to come back to a ravaged yurt.

[Jafo]

I asked this question before too. Since that time I have had no issue with critters at all. The WMU my yurt is located in normally gets the most bear harvested every year in the state, and by a lot, not a little. I have not had any mice INSIDE the yurt but did find a few of them under it. I had the bag that the roof and walls come in stuffed under the yurt and when I was there I noticed the dog going crazy about it. So I picked up the bag and about 10 mice fell out. My Jack Russel had a field day.

The

yurt platform

is pretty high off the ground in most spots so it is hard for mice to get in on the sidewall because they have no way to get there. They could probably cling to the plywood skirt, but I don't think they could chew through the wall at the same time. We'll see what happens when the snow gets up there and gives them an opportunity.

I think the number one thing I have done to keep critters out is be meticulous about not leaving any food or garbage at the camp. In fact, the only thing I leave there is salt, pepper, and a little canola oil. I have a checklist when I leave and the last thing I do is shopvac the entire yurt, especially around the dinning room table.

Once winter arrives the bears are not an issue because they hibernate. Mice on the other hand do not.

[hakalugi]

hey,

I did search 'bear' but didn't get a hit on the thread. sorry.

i'm thinking of doing stone walls (instead of hay bales) for the under deck windbreak, and not sure if that would be bad for rodent reasons (giving them a 'leg up' to the deck).

you vacuum before leaving every time? i'll need a battery vacuum as we have no power up there now, but i'll have to consider it.

thanks.

[Jafo]

Originally Posted by hakalugi

you vacuum before leaving every time? i'll need a battery vacuum as we have no power up there now, but i'll have to consider it.

I vacuum every time. Here is the setup I have:

http://www.yurtforum.com/forums/powe...-setup-74.html

And:

http://www.yurtforum.com/forums/powe...mplete-45.html

You can get the panels at Harbor Freight pretty cheap. With coupons you can get a set for $150.00. I bought one for each battery. I also bought an inverter. I can't remember, but I think the total was about $750 and I have enough power there to run things like the shop vac, lights, chop saw, you name it. As long as you have sun to recharge the batteries, you can have power.

[Corinarose]

Hakalugi

Where are you?
I thought about stone walls but I hate snakes and that's what I think of when I think of stone walls. I have kitties so if mice get in the kitties take care of the but so far no sign of them and that is with hay bales underneath.
Now the kitties do enjoy going under the yurt.......