I’ve actually had mice chew through conduit once, but it was the flexible kind, not rigid PVC. That was out by an old barn where critters are just part of life. In my backyard (pretty typical suburb), never had a problem and I’ve got PVC running to my shed for power and ethernet. Maybe it’s more about how close your lines are to brush or if you’ve got a compost pile nearby? I wouldn’t stress unless you’re seeing signs of rodents already.
No More Dead Zones: How I Got Wifi In My Backyard Shed
That’s interesting about the mice and flexible conduit. I was actually a little paranoid about critters when I ran my ethernet out to the shed, but I went with rigid PVC too—partly because it seemed tougher, partly because it was what the hardware store had in stock. Haven’t seen any chew marks or anything weird so far, and we’re pretty close to a greenbelt.
One thing I did that might help: before burying the conduit, I cleared away all the leaves and brush along the route. Not sure if it really makes a difference, but I figured less cover means fewer places for rodents to hang out. Also, I sealed up both ends of the conduit with some expanding foam after pulling the cable through. Maybe overkill, but it gave me peace of mind.
I guess if you’re not seeing any signs of mice or rats around your yard, you’re probably fine. But if you ever do spot droppings or hear scratching in the walls... might be time to double-check those lines. Funny how much homeownership turns you into a part-time pest detective.
Yeah, I hear you on the pest detective gig—never thought I’d care so much about rodent habits until I started running cables underground. Clearing out the brush is smart. I did something similar but still ended up with a squirrel trying to stash acorns in my junction box last fall. Rigid PVC’s held up great for me too. That expanding foam trick is a good one, especially if you’re worried about moisture getting in along with the critters. Funny how a simple internet upgrade turns into a mini wildlife management project...
You nailed it—anytime you run cable underground, you’re basically inviting the whole animal kingdom to check out your handiwork. I’ve seen everything from moles to raccoons poking around freshly dug trenches. Rigid PVC’s definitely the way to go for durability, but honestly, I’d skip the foam if you’ve got proper drainage and sealed connections—it can trap moisture if water does get in, which is a headache down the line. Still, hats off for seeing it through. Most folks give up at the first sign of wildlife drama...
- Totally agree on the wildlife—my trench looked like a critter highway for a week.
- Rigid PVC worked for me too, but I did add a layer of gravel for drainage.
- I skipped foam, but I did use silicone at the joints. Not sure if it’s overkill, but I figured better safe than sorry.
- One thing I didn’t expect: ants. They found their way in before I sealed everything up. Didn’t think about bugs being an issue, but now I’m paranoid about every little gap...
