[wthdideyedo]

I just went out in my backyard and seen this.

It just so happens 3 days ago at 2:30am, I had seen a skunk about 20 feet to the right of this next to the back door. I went out a few hours later after the sun came up, and I'm certain I would have noticed this. I'm not sure if a skunk could even do this, or if this probably has to do with less people out cause of covid 19, and the animals are venturing out farther.

I do have a Rigid boroscope, and was able to look under and see the entire void. The other side of that slab has a little light coming through (at the corner of the house), but there is no 'exit'. There is nothing currently under there (critter wise). I had seen something like this before, but it was a very small amount of material. So small, I thought it might have fallen down/out of the hole after a heavy storm. Now I know better. I know there was a small void under there before, but I haven't been here incredibly long, and never bothered to look before this first incident.

My plan was to just get 4 bags of concrete, and mix it thin to help fill it under. Don't really have a way to get way in and under there to fill the void, was just going to use a pick up a little hand shovel, and try to push as much in as I can.

Is there a better way, or thoughts on best what to do here, or what this might be in the back yard? Thank you.

 

[stadry]

mothballs ! ! ! set some device that will show when its tripped,,, when there's no activity, then the conc

 

[Old Thomas]

Might be a chipmunk. It might dig around whatever you do. I give them the death penalty.

 

[wthdideyedo]

Are the mothballs to keep them away? Then an additional method for detection? The first time I saw something was a month maybe two months ago, and now nothing until some time in the last two days.

 

[wthdideyedo]

Might be a chipmunk. It might dig around whatever you do. I give them the death penalty.

It seemed like a lot of material. I really have no idea how much dirt, a chip-munk could chuck, if a chipmunk could chuck dirt. I just thought it had to be something bigger. I'm in south texas, and don't think I've ever even seen a chipmunk around here.

I'm definitely not against killing whatever off. If I went into its home, I would expect it to defend it, and I have a legal deed for this place. Not sure if there's some general thing I can use. I'll put bait and sticky traps in there if I thought they would work. That's definitely the lowest point of the house to get under the foundation. I don't want it to get any worse.

 

[Bondo]

My plan was to just get 4 bags of concrete, and mix it thin to help fill it under. Don't really have a way to get way in and under there to fill the void, was just going to use a pick up a little hand shovel, and try to push as much in as I can.

Ayuh,...... This would be My plan too,....... Flowable fill,....

Take away the critters reason for bein' there, 'n they'll go away,.....

 

[SeniorSitizen]

Rockite mixed to a consistency of thin pancake batter will flow to the lowest point filling the cavity and expand. It will take the shape of the form as this extra did in a plastic container.

 

[wthdideyedo]

Would that be "hydraulic cement" or is it expansion? That brand is either Amazon or a good little drive for that product. If that's the same as hydraulic cement, I can pick it up at my HD.

If that's the best stuff to use, no problem, it just means doing this in a week or two instead of a day or two.

 

[Msradell]

Would that be "hydraulic cement" or is it expansion? That brand is either Amazon or a good little drive for that product. If that's the same as hydraulic cement, I can pick it up At my HD.

If that's the best stuff to use, no problem, it just means doing this in a week or two instead of a day or two.

No, hydraulic cement isn't that what you need. You just need concrete with low strength. Just buy a couple of bags of the cheapest country mix you can find, you could even add a little extra sand to it to make it go further.

Mix it was a little extra water so it just flows into that hole and out under the slab.

 

[huesmann]

Might have to go at it from both ends to get the void filled enough.

 

[wthdideyedo]

I have confirmed its a skunk. I have seen it several times on my ring camera, and seen the path its using to go back there. I spoke to one person who thought they were storing food under there, and each time I see them on the ring camera, they are back there for less than 15 minutes.

I first tried to use a little bit of some kind of rodent away. All it did was a dig hole on the other side of the slab. I went and used the entire bottle, and it looks like they have stayed away (for one day). Its supposed to rain so not sure how well that will hold up.

I didn't get the mothballs when I went to HD, and regretting that now. I went and just ordered from amazon since they will be here tomorrow, then I'm going to use those on it too.

When I went to HD, I had picked up two 50lb bags of sand to spread all around so I could try to get some tracks, but I got home late, and ended up seeing it that night before I used the sand the next day. (Maybe I will still use that to mix with the concrete).

The plan is to give it at least two weeks once I get the mothballs in there. I want this skunk to learn not to be going in there before I try to fill it permanently.