We are building an "open-air" kitchen. The back wall of the kitchen is a strawbale/cob pantry. The front and sides are a timber frame with counter-height
cob walls. It's almost finished. It's got a solid
concrete foundation and solid, hardened earth floor, and metal roof. I think the floor and walls can be counted on as being
mouse proof.
In the gap between the low walls and the roof, I'd estimate there's around 200sqft of opening that we'll need to cover with something. We ideally want this kitchen to be mouse/mosquito proof and to discourage ravens and black bears. I realize that's asking a lot and I am dubious about whether we can have everything we want.
Our current outdoor kitchen has always had mice. I keep all food in mouse-proof containers, all dishes and jars in sealed bins, etc. Anything exposed tends to get mouse
poop on it. Eliminating food sources really isn't an option, even without our food there are acorns everywhere so mice only really need a nice place to nest. We do have cats but they don't keep up.
Mouse-proof is the top priority.
The only material I've used in the past for mouse proofing was 1/4" or 1/8" hardware cloth. Is there any lighter material that could keep out mice? The mice here are small, they're not rats.
I know hardware cloth won't work for mosquitoes. We may need to do a combo of mosquito net and something tougher, which is unfortunate as it would be even harder to see through. Maybe we really ought to go with big glass windows in the end.
What is your
experience with open-air or outdoor kitchens and keeping out mice/mosquitoes? Any recommendations?
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