The "Ultimate Mouse Trap"

[cur dog]

Well, I've done it! I've built the ultimate, large capacity, continous duty, mouse catching device.


I got my 65 gal. poly leg tank out today. It was stored in my pole barn standing on end, with the valve on top and open. Need I say more.:o

I can't be the first person to have something like this happen. Whats the best way to clean, and remove the lovely smell of rotting rodent? I'd like to trash it, and buy a new one, but the price is prohibitive. Thanks.

[Tweegs]

I’ve probably got the same tank.
I use a pressure washer to hit it inside and out, then bleach the bejeebers out of it followed by a good long rinse of water.
But I’ve never had rotting rodents in mine. :lol:

I guess I’d be using some soap in your situation.

The true test to see if it is clean enough…have a drink from it.

If it tastes funny or you won’t drink from it, don’t use it.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

I agree -- bleach. Several years back we had a flying squirel in the outlet pipe of the permeate tank, ever since we leave a stick in the open tanks during the off season -- if they get in, at least they can get out....

[cur dog]

Thanks guys. These leg tanks are really tough to clean. They definately were not designed with sanitation in mind. The tank has been bleached, soaped, scrubbed, and double rinsed. The smell is mostly gone. I'm not sure if the remaining smell is from the tank, or just some residual stink left in my sinuses. I'm not sure if I'm ready to drink from it yet though. Maybe I'll repeat the process this weekend.

[I Luv Stainless]

I have taken to adding a piece of wood or fabric that extends from the bottom of the tank to the top in the off season. This allows a way OUT for the critters that always seem to find their way in. If you cant keep em out... make it easy for them to climb out!

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

my local pool supply store sells a granulated chlorine that says (FDA APPROVED) on the bag "It must be safe if the FDA says you can use it" One small bag treats like 25,000 gal of water. This is what I use at the beginning and end of each season on my holding tanks and anything else except the evaporator.

[Tweegs]

At the end of the season I pressure wash the tanks and bleach them again, let them sit open for a day or two, then cap them up tight. Seems you can never get all of the moisture out of those poly tanks and a spot here or there will mold over the summer, but that is a whole lot easier to take care of than vermin.

I have a 325 gallon woods tank and a 550 holding tank, both poly. I found that if you remove the bung completely and turn them up on their side, you can get all of the water out. A natural fiber brush, one with a long broom handle and another with a short handle will reach in for a good scrubbing on those bigger tanks.

That 65 gallon leg tank is a pain though. I let my wife use it in the off season to water her little remote gardens (nothing but water goes in it) and found that with more frequent use it is a bit easier to keep clean, if only because it isn’t out of sight and out of mind. Come fall I’ll bleach it again and bleach it once more before sugar season, not much more you can do with it. When it is not in use, I place it upside down to keep our hard water from pooling and leaving rust deposits in those legs…nothing worse than trying to get rid of that, ‘cept maybe rotting rodent. :lol:

[maple flats]

I don't think that can be safely cleaned. Plastic is porous. I'd relegate that to watering the garden and get a new one. If it were SS you should be able to properly clean it, but the contamination is in the plastic pores. Don't take a chance. Too much at risk. That is likely to come back and bite you if you proceed.

[SevenCreeksSap]

I think I'd get something else too, especially if you sell the syrup and the information is now in the public domain. I don't think I could eat it myself, the smell would haunt my waffles.

[Bucket Head]

As mentioned before, plastic is porous and it absorbs odors. Maple sap also absorbs off flavors and odors from whatever receptacle it spends time in. Thats why plastic barrels and cage tanks that had strong tasting and smelling food stuffs are not reccomended- the sap will smell and taste of that product. I know those tanks are pricey, but another one might be the best investment you could make for your maple operation right about now.

Steve

[cur dog]

I think I'd get something else too, especially if you sell the syrup and the information is now in the public domain. I don't think I could eat it myself, the smell would haunt my waffles.

After much scrubbing and cleaning it seems to be better. We only make a little for the family, so no worries about selling it. I think I'll give my first batch to the mother in law. :lol: That should be a good test.

[regor0]

Could you send some to my mother in-law? I'll send you that first dollar, you can even frame it.