Couple Of Pest Issues

[SpikeyBush]

First pest issue, hope you lot can help me nip it in the bud. Putting my tools away in the shed after fixing the washing machine and there was a very big wasp casing the joint, I guess it must be a queen looking for somewhere to build a nest. Wherever she landed I just couldn't get the rolled up Sunday Express to give her a clatter. In the end I could hear her buzzing deep in the shed but couldn't see her. Any tips to stop her building a nest in there?

Second pest issue is why I was fixing the washing machine in the first place. Rodents have been nibbling holes in the pipes. I tried traps, no good. Put down heaps of poison, still no good, they are either avoiding it or are immune. Have a cat and he won't catch mice, only flies and spiders.

[woofgang]

The best way to discourage queen wasps is to keep moving stuff around in your shed. They want quiet undisturbed places to make nests and noise and disturbance will make them move on.

[Quoi]

I have had a bit of success with mouse traps in the shed by putting chocolate in them - snickers actually. I had a pair who had bred and in all caught about 12 over a five day period.
The chocolate was either effective or the mice were suicidal.

[Uriah Heep]

You can get a device that emits a high pitched noise which keeps rodents away. Failing that learn to play the bagpipes. The first solution is more neighbour friendly though.

[woofgang]

I've got those ultrasonic gizzmos in the garage....I think I must have deaf mice because they take no notice.