Winter storage in old barn with tarp?

[ForumJunkie]

Want to cover my ZTM for winter.
It's parked in a barn, but there can be critters.
Parked on a cement slab
Barn is old and not 100% sealed, but is dry, and roof is fine.

I bought 11x17 tarp that I will park on top of
then pull over the tractor like a dumpling.

Does this idea seem ok?

 

[Diggin It]

If it's out of the direct elements, I see no need to cover. That tends to give the critters a roof to build under. Plus, they can hold moisture which is never good.

 

[5030]

I agree. If you cover it, get a mouser as in cat.

 

[Roadworthy]

If critters want in they can chew through your tarp if they happen to want in - which they probably won't. The tarp may retain moisture if closed. Either way sprinkle some "snacks" around. I prefer D-Con but the good stuff has been pulled from the market.

 

[ForumJunkie]

So, the tarp is a bad idea?
It will attract critters even more than if just left open in the barn?

If I seal with a tarp, you're saying moisture can still enter the inside it is condenses from the air inside the tarp?
I paid $15 for the tarp already, is there any benefit in using it? Can I vent it somehow, by cutting a hole or slit across the top?
That way, most of the tractor is covered, but moisture is not trapped?

Also, would a large cloth blanket be better? Or would that attract mice even more?

 

[Zebrafive]

Mice like the dark places to hide/nest. Tarp or blanket will attract them. I even open the hood in my tractor to make one less hiding place.

 

[farmeratheart]

As others have said, if the tractor is inside under a good roof it will stay dry. That is most important. In my Dad’s barn back in the day we used to cover the tractors with sheets of clear plastic to keep the bat s@&t off the seat and hood. Same was done in summer to deflect “deposits” from the barn swallows. By using clear plastic we weren’t creating more hiding places for mice . Of course, the resident may also have helped!

Frank

 

[KennyG]

If the roof is good don't cover it. If you worry about dust (which shouldn't matter on a tractor) use a beathable cover, not plastic or waterproof tarp. Tarping it will encourage condensation and moisture trapping.

 

[ForumJunkie]

OK, I will just lay a small tarp over the tractor, and not seal the bottom.
Circulation is key. I like the clear sheet idea.

 

[Diggin It]

If you just want to keep stuff from the old barn roof off of it, maybe try one of those 10' x 10' pop-up canopies available for $50 or less.

 

[farmeratheart]

OK, I will just lay a small tarp over the tractor, and not seal the bottom.
Circulation is key. I like the clear sheet idea.

We didn’t use any heavy plastic. It was just the really light drop cloth type. Very economical.

 

[oosik]

Park it in the barn - FORGET the tarp.

 

[fried1765]

Park it in the barn - FORGET the tarp.

For the OP: Try REALLY HARD to LET GO of the tarp idea....... in any way, shape, or form.

A tarp of ANY TYPE is a BAD IDEA in your situation.
Place several packets of D-Con in different areas on the tractor, and MOVE ON!
NO TARP !!!!

 

[Imold]

We put dryer sheets on and in our stuff we don稚 run in the winter, the smell keeps mice and stripe gophers from building nests, put a few around the motor one on the floor board or under the seat etc etc. we use them in our boats, camper, cars, utvs, riding mower etc and have only had one issue where I forgot the dryer sheets, it is what we use at the boat shop when we do winter storage which is around 600 boats and pontoons. Dryer sheets are cheap insurance.

I forgot to put them in my Ranger boat one year and I put the cover on and backed it in by my garage, in the spring when I uncovered it the smell was horrific, stripe gophers had built nest in both my Rod lockers, crapped all over and chewed up wiring and insulation, talk about being mad and having one bad mess, that was the one and only time I have ever forgot to put dryer sheets in my boat.

 

[caver]

I would even go to the trouble of exposing any voids on the ZTM if there is access cover that is easy to take off. IF a rat can build a nest it will and if there are wires in the way...they won't be for long.

 

[goeduck]

Park it in the barn - FORGET the tarp.

And if I recall what a cagey Eastern Washington member advised, open the hood.

Edit, just noticed this is about a ZTM. If there is anything to lift up and open it, lift it up and open it. Mice like hidy holes.

 

[oosik]

Yes - open the hood. It's been over six months now and no chipmunks or mice. I park the "Taco Wagon" very near the house - hook up the trickle charger. And the tailgate pointed into the prevailing wind - little to no snow accumulation in the engine compartment.

Good Lord - the things that must be done to prevent "critter intrusion". But I will gladly do it........

One must take a stand - No mice allowed here. Besides they have the entire rest of the world to roam in.

View attachment 630907

 

[ovrszd]

So, the tarp is a bad idea?
It will attract critters even more than if just left open in the barn?

If I seal with a tarp, you're saying moisture can still enter the inside it is condenses from the air inside the tarp?
I paid $15 for the tarp already, is there any benefit in using it? Can I vent it somehow, by cutting a hole or slit across the top?
That way, most of the tractor is covered, but moisture is not trapped?

Also, would a large cloth blanket be better? Or would that attract mice even more?

You might use the tarp as a loose cover to keep dust off? Not tightly wrapped. Maybe even propped up a bit with poles. Just as a dust shield. As others have said, leave plenty of poison scattered around on the tractor.

Someone recently started a thread on here about their tractor not developing power as it should. Several of us suggested looking at the air cleaner. Yep, full of mice nest.

 

[ruffdog]

Yes - open the hood. It's been over six months now and no chipmunks or mice. I park the "Taco Wagon" very near the house - hook up the trickle charger. And the tailgate pointed into the prevailing wind - little to no snow accumulation in the engine compartment.

Good Lord - the things that must be done to prevent "critter intrusion". But I will gladly do it........

One must take a stand - No mice allowed here. Besides they have the entire rest of the world to roam in.

View attachment 630907

^^agree^^ I have traps and check them daily. Mouse crap from past mice will attract more mice like a magnet. If you have a spot that they like to nest like under a engine cowling, wash that area with Pine-sol and brush.

 

[fishheadbob]

No tarp, they'll find their way in.. Buy some mothballs or drier sheets, they help.