Big hole in garage ceiling, laughing field mice. Help!

katiek71

Hi everyone,

We just bought our first house and in our excitement, we overlooked, many, many things, including this gaping hole in the ceiling of the garage, through which many country field mice have scurried into the kitchen, walls, wherever. Our cat gets as many as she can, and we do trap, but I'm still seeing them. Obviously I need to patch up this hole ASAP. But how in the world would I do it around all those pipes? What materials would I use? How would I get it tight enough so the mice can't squeeze through?

As far as DIY goes, I'm about a 7 in confidence and 4 in ability.

Thanks!

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47_47

As I understand your question, your garage is attached and mice are getting in, then going through the hole in the ceiling and into the walls. Mice can squeeze through holes less than a quarter. I'd fix the holes where the are getting into the garage first. Probably not what you wanted to hear, but just fixing this hole, they'll still be in your garage and find another way into your house.

__________________
What we've got here is... failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach. So you get what we had here last week, which is the way he wants it... well, he gets it.

BillyD

As 47-47 said you have to stop them from getting in. To patch the hole you have to measure and cut the holes out and split the gypsum to install. Here you will have to add furring strips to fasten to. It is not easy but you can do it. Measure from the edge to the pipe and to another reference point. When you finish get some GreatStuff and seal all the holes. If you have a garage door check the side and bottom seals. This is were a home inspection would have helped a lot.

BillyD

Sorry I forgot to add. You do not have to use gypsum you can use plywood and paint it. It will flex more and is stronger

buletbob

Use the plywood as a sub base and template Then get some drywall 5/8" and use the plywood as your template for the finished ceiling, TIP!!! when you make your holes use a hole saw 1/4" larger then the outside dia. of the pipe. and make your slice in one direction when you make the patch for the ceiling make your slice in the opposite direction and screw it to the plywood. Make the plywood longer then the hole so you can screw the existing ceiling to it so it will not fall through the opening. The garage ceiling must be fire rated if its attached to the main living quarters.

47_47

I forgot about this, excellent point. I was more concerned with stopping the mice.

__________________
What we've got here is... failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach. So you get what we had here last week, which is the way he wants it... well, he gets it.

katiek71

Thank you guys so much! (And yes, we did have a home inspection )