Cob: rat runs in cob walls (fwd)

[Shannon C. Dealy]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2003 21:13:39 +1000
From: Brad Calvert <bradcalv at netspace.net.au>
Subject: rat runs in cob walls

I would say the best way to stop rat excavations is to be sure they cannot
enter the wall from a hidden location, keep clutter away from walls.
Inspect likely entry points, if they do enter, stomp on the problem fast,
same deal for termites.

Some relevant rat info from an interesting book, mostly drawing on
observations and experiences in UK:

COB
BUILDING IN EARTH

written and illustrated by Ron Edwards

The Rams Skull Press  1997

ISBN 1 875872 33 7

p26-27

"Rat Runs

One unexpected problem in cob walls that sit directly on the ground or on
foundations that are not lifted far off the ground is that of rat runs.
These occur when rats tunnel through the full length of a cob wall at
ground level.  There will be no sign of them on the outside of the wall,
but the whole weight may be balanced over a weak base.  While a single
family of rats may not do much damage, countless generations of them in a
wall over a period of a hundred years can create quite large chambers, and
I saw one where the greater part of the base of the wall was hollow,
although this was not visible from outside and had only been found by
chance.  It was possible to put ones entire arm into the hole right up to
the shoulder, and the wall needed urgent attention.  This was done by
filling the cavity with lime mortar and stones.

The old answer to this was to include broken glass in the cob mix...."