Outside pellet storage ?

[02809bristol]

Thinking of storing 2-3 tons of pellets outside in shed . Will rodents bother with bagged pellets? Anyone ever have a problem storing pellets outside?

 

[alternativeheat]

Thinking of storing 2-3 tons of pellets outside in shed . Will rodents bother with bagged pellets? Anyone ever have a problem storing pellets outside?

As soon as I gain another shed or free up space in my existing one that's what I'm doing too. Build it tight, I doubt mice will bother it much but squirrels and rats might. Big maybe.

 

[jackman]

Mine are stored outdoors in a dry storage location without a problem. YMMV.

 

[Bioburner]

If worried about vermin get some moth balls.

 

[railfanron]

I stored a ton on the porch and never saw any evidence of vermin. I live in farm country so there are plenty of mice, rats and squirrels around. There is no foo value in the pellets so I don't think they care about them.
Ron

 

[Bioburner]

But the little buggers will make nest of plastic and anything else around and the pallet provides a nice dry home. Found a nest in a ton in the shed that had been double bagged and wrapped for outdoor storage and low and behold the little a$%&$ made a nest. Not damage to the bags but did stink.

 

[RKS130]

But the little buggers will make nest of plastic and anything else around and the pallet provides a nice dry home. Found a nest in a ton in the shed that had been double bagged and wrapped for outdoor storage and low and behold the little a$%&$ made a nest. Not damage to the bags but did stink.

I store in my shed and under an overhang (until room is available in the shed). No problems so far and we have mice, rats, squirrels, fox, racoons, turkeys,deer. the occasional coyote and who knows what else . . . and I am only 45 minutes from Manhattan!

 

[Pete Zahria]

...There is no foo value in the pellets so I don't think they care about them.
Ron

There's no food value in wire insulation, but they will chew the crap out of that too...

 

[railfanron]

They chew electrical wire that has current flowing in it because the 60 cycle hum bothers them and there trying to stop it. I have never seen any wire damage on wire that isn't connected to anything.
Ron

 

[CBL]

Most wood pellet dealers leave their pallets outdoors. As long as the factory plastic wrap is still intact it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[RKS130]

Most wood pellet dealers leave their pallets outdoors. As long as the factory plastic wrap is still intact it shouldn't be a problem.

Actually, rats "chew" because unlike most mammals, their teeth keep growing throughout their (hopefully short) life. So they gnaw and chew to trim their teeth. Just sayin.

 

[CBL]

I think it also depends on how well they are packaged from the factory. Spruce Pointes are by far the best packaged skid I have bought. They use 3 layers of good quality plastic wrap and also cover the bottom of the pallet with wax coated cardboard before they lay the bags on the pallet so nothing from the bottom can get into them.

 

[ScotL]

You can test those pallet liners yourself. I've done it when comparing liner vendors. Some that claim to have a moisture barrier, don't. Just take a piece and fold up the sides and staple the corners to form a bowl and place it on a paper towel. Then pour water in it. With a true moisture barrier liner, the water will evaporate before any of it leaks through.

 

[Pete Zahria]

They chew electrical wire that has current flowing in it because the 60 cycle hum bothers them and there trying to stop it. I have never seen any wire damage on wire that isn't connected to anything.
Ron

Well, if you talk to an automotive guy, he may tell you some stories about
auto wiring.... not uncommon in our parts.... no 60hz there..

Dan

 

[DneprDave]

I store my pellets outside under an enclosed porch. The pellets are not covered, they sit on a pallet and are exposed on three sides. I haven't had a problem with critters getting into the pellets or with the pellets getting wet.

Dave

 

[railfanron]

The only time car wiring doesn't have noise on the wire is when it's not running. Then it's pure dc. My point is they can hear the electrical noise that is transmitted on the wire. Two of my sons are master certified mechanics so I do here the stories.
Ron

 

[AndrewChurchill]

I've been burning Spruce Point pellets for about 6 years now. Over 55 tons of them with no issues.

You can test those pallet liners yourself. I've done it when comparing liner vendors. Some that claim to have a moisture barrier, don't. Just take a piece and fold up the sides and staple the corners to form a bowl and place it on a paper towel. Then pour water in it. With a true moisture barrier liner, the water will evaporate before any of it leaks through.

 

[Mt Bob]

OK heres your car fact,not story.Many japanese cars,and cars that have wire harnesses built overseas,are very prone to rodent damage.They found out it was because the insulation(and a lot of plastics) were made from soy.Newer vehicles (about 2008 and up)now use a different blend so problem not as bad.Rodents also attracted to the interiors(through heater box) because of this problem.Wire screen on heater intake and aluminum tape on harnesses are the fix,before anyone asks.ASE Master for many years.

 

[Pete Zahria]

The only time car wiring doesHz in a car...t have noise on the wire is when it's not running. Then it's pure dc. My point is they can hear the electrical noise that is transmitted on the wire. Two of my sons are master certified mechanics so I do here the stories.
Ron

Okay. But you mentioned the 60 cycle hum. I was just pointing out
there was no 60hz in a car...

Dan

 

[BrotherBart]

Okay. But you mentioned the 60 cycle hum. I was just pointing out
there was no 60hz in a car...

Dan

Except from the alternator right around 3600 rpm.

 

[DZL_Damon]

Except from the alternator right around 3600 rpm.

Depending on alternator poles!... YMMV

As for outside storage.... I've seen thousands of tons stored outside all summer... at the pellet plants.

 

[NHcpa]

OK heres your car fact,not story.Many japanese cars,and cars that have wire harnesses built overseas,are very prone to rodent damage.They found out it was because the insulation(and a lot of plastics) were made from soy.Newer vehicles (about 2008 and up)now use a different blend so problem not as bad.Rodents also attracted to the interiors(through heater box) because of this problem.Wire screen on heater intake and aluminum tape on harnesses are the fix,before anyone asks.ASE Master for many years.

I was going to write the same.... My daughters Corrola parked in Astoria NY suffered a chewed harness - $600 worth of damage. Dealer said soy product in the cable. Tick me off!

 

[mikesj]

I've had success with dryer sheets. I just put a few below the bottom layer on my pallets. Prior to that, I had mice chew a few small holes in my bags.