Pianotech

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

Sure. Step #1. BE SURE to first unplug the PLSS. Regards, Norman.

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

Why would one not drop the tank? I would want to service the system with deep cleaning and fresh pads.

Sure. Step #1. BE SURE to first unplug the PLSS. Regards, Norman.

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

Larry,

The piano is over 100 miles away, and the client wants to address the issue themself without having the technician make the (expensive) trip out. The client is apprehensive about removing the tank--although I agree with your take on the situation and have yet to figure out how to "get the ship out of the bottle" (or get the mouse out of the tank without dropping it down).

Alan 

Why would one not drop the tank? I would want to service the system with deep cleaning and fresh pads.

Sure. Step #1. BE SURE to first unplug the PLSS. Regards, Norman.

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

If not a technician I would trust a farmer.

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292

Original Message:
Sent: 06-12-2025 19:51
From: Alan Eder
Subject: removing a dead mouse from a PLSS water tank without dropping down the tank?

Larry,

The piano is over 100 miles away, and the client wants to address the issue themself without having the technician make the (expensive) trip out. The client is apprehensive about removing the tank--although I agree with your take on the situation and have yet to figure out how to "get the ship out of the bottle" (or get the mouse out of the tank without dropping it down).

Alan 

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 06-12-2025 19:31
From: Larry Messerly
Subject: removing a dead mouse from a PLSS water tank without dropping down the tank?

Why would one not drop the tank? I would want to service the system with deep cleaning and fresh pads.

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292

Original Message:
Sent: 06-12-2025 17:49
From: Norman Brickman
Subject: removing a dead mouse from a PLSS water tank without dropping down the tank?

Sure. Step #1. BE SURE to first unplug the PLSS. Regards, Norman.

------------------------------
Norman Brickman
Potomac Piano Service
Potomac, Maryland
potomacpiano@verizon.net
https://potomacpiano.com
(301) 983.9321

Original Message:
Sent: 06-12-2025 13:28
From: Alan Eder
Subject: removing a dead mouse from a PLSS water tank without dropping down the tank?

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

It would appear to me that this client has a BIGGER problem than simply a mouse in his tank. Mice follow the scent trail of their friends and relatives. There is now a "welcome mat" laid out leading directly to his piano. If he is to solve problem he will need to stop the critters from coming in (I know this is not easy...but it is necessary). 

He'll need more than just an extraction. He'll need a new liner, pads, clean everything. THEN spread peppermint or some other strong essential oil all around the inside of the piano (I'll bet he's got problems in the action cavity too). 

Unfortunately once a mouse has visited, he/she has urinated their way all the way, telling everyone else: "follow me and we'll have a good time together". That's why he's got a much bigger problem. 

EDIT:  Personally I like the "swimming pool"  method. Works inside or outside or both. Easy to dispose of while still providing nutrition to those who thrive on mouse meat.

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 06-12-2025 21:58
From: Larry Messerly
Subject: removing a dead mouse from a PLSS water tank without dropping down the tank?

If not a technician I would trust a farmer.

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292

Original Message:
Sent: 06-12-2025 19:51
From: Alan Eder
Subject: removing a dead mouse from a PLSS water tank without dropping down the tank?

Larry,

The piano is over 100 miles away, and the client wants to address the issue themself without having the technician make the (expensive) trip out. The client is apprehensive about removing the tank--although I agree with your take on the situation and have yet to figure out how to "get the ship out of the bottle" (or get the mouse out of the tank without dropping it down).

Alan 

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 06-12-2025 19:31
From: Larry Messerly
Subject: removing a dead mouse from a PLSS water tank without dropping down the tank?

Why would one not drop the tank? I would want to service the system with deep cleaning and fresh pads.

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292

Original Message:
Sent: 06-12-2025 17:49
From: Norman Brickman
Subject: removing a dead mouse from a PLSS water tank without dropping down the tank?

Sure. Step #1. BE SURE to first unplug the PLSS. Regards, Norman.

------------------------------
Norman Brickman
Potomac Piano Service
Potomac, Maryland
potomacpiano@verizon.net
https://potomacpiano.com
(301) 983.9321

Original Message:
Sent: 06-12-2025 13:28
From: Alan Eder
Subject: removing a dead mouse from a PLSS water tank without dropping down the tank?

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

If not a technician I would trust a farmer.

Larry,

The piano is over 100 miles away, and the client wants to address the issue themself without having the technician make the (expensive) trip out. The client is apprehensive about removing the tank--although I agree with your take on the situation and have yet to figure out how to "get the ship out of the bottle" (or get the mouse out of the tank without dropping it down).

Alan 

Why would one not drop the tank? I would want to service the system with deep cleaning and fresh pads.

Sure. Step #1. BE SURE to first unplug the PLSS. Regards, Norman.

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

If not a technician I would trust a farmer.

Larry,

The piano is over 100 miles away, and the client wants to address the issue themself without having the technician make the (expensive) trip out. The client is apprehensive about removing the tank--although I agree with your take on the situation and have yet to figure out how to "get the ship out of the bottle" (or get the mouse out of the tank without dropping it down).

Alan 

Why would one not drop the tank? I would want to service the system with deep cleaning and fresh pads.

Sure. Step #1. BE SURE to first unplug the PLSS. Regards, Norman.

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

If not a technician I would trust a farmer.

Larry,

The piano is over 100 miles away, and the client wants to address the issue themself without having the technician make the (expensive) trip out. The client is apprehensive about removing the tank--although I agree with your take on the situation and have yet to figure out how to "get the ship out of the bottle" (or get the mouse out of the tank without dropping it down).

Alan 

Why would one not drop the tank? I would want to service the system with deep cleaning and fresh pads.

Sure. Step #1. BE SURE to first unplug the PLSS. Regards, Norman.

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

The recommendations are clearly laid out in the 'New Humidity System Protocols', update released in 2016. Chapter 22 'Removing Smaller Rodents from the Tank' covers this under Section 4 'Single Tank Incidents'

If not a technician I would trust a farmer.

Larry,

The piano is over 100 miles away, and the client wants to address the issue themself without having the technician make the (expensive) trip out. The client is apprehensive about removing the tank--although I agree with your take on the situation and have yet to figure out how to "get the ship out of the bottle" (or get the mouse out of the tank without dropping it down).

Alan 

Why would one not drop the tank? I would want to service the system with deep cleaning and fresh pads.

Sure. Step #1. BE SURE to first unplug the PLSS. Regards, Norman.

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

Bingo! Thanks for the most on-point suggestion thus far, David. (I was not even aware that such information was available...) I will pass it on.

Alan

The recommendations are clearly laid out in the 'New Humidity System Protocols', update released in 2016. Chapter 22 'Removing Smaller Rodents from the Tank' covers this under Section 4 'Single Tank Incidents'

If not a technician I would trust a farmer.

Larry,

The piano is over 100 miles away, and the client wants to address the issue themself without having the technician make the (expensive) trip out. The client is apprehensive about removing the tank--although I agree with your take on the situation and have yet to figure out how to "get the ship out of the bottle" (or get the mouse out of the tank without dropping it down).

Alan 

Why would one not drop the tank? I would want to service the system with deep cleaning and fresh pads.

Sure. Step #1. BE SURE to first unplug the PLSS. Regards, Norman.

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

I would encapsulate the entire tank with a heavy plastic contractor quality trash bag after unplugging the system and drop it all into 5 gallon bucket. Depending on the age of the system it maybe a good time to upgrade to the latest system rather than messing with trying to clean out the tank, changing pads etc. The mouse and other mice could have been nibbling on the wiring which creates a safety issue plus mice can spread disease and do real damage to the felt, strings action parts, anything wood or metal. I agree it is time to investigate further and to take measures to drive them out, plug entry and exit points. Peppermint oil soaked into cotton balls work well but there are other effective repellents such as chewing tobacco in cloth bags. I do not believe in using products that will poison the mice because they will often die in walls and other places giving off nasty odors. Poisoned mice are also a hazard for other pets. Cats are a great solution provided they are mousers, I have 2 that I have been thinking of renting out. They would have these little vests on like the K9 police dogs have and probably little body cameras with night vision ability. A small GPS would help in pin pointing problem areas. 

PS I do not think this is a DIY job

Bingo! Thanks for the most on-point suggestion thus far, David. (I was not even aware that such information was available...) I will pass it on.

Alan

The recommendations are clearly laid out in the 'New Humidity System Protocols', update released in 2016. Chapter 22 'Removing Smaller Rodents from the Tank' covers this under Section 4 'Single Tank Incidents'

If not a technician I would trust a farmer.

Larry,

The piano is over 100 miles away, and the client wants to address the issue themself without having the technician make the (expensive) trip out. The client is apprehensive about removing the tank--although I agree with your take on the situation and have yet to figure out how to "get the ship out of the bottle" (or get the mouse out of the tank without dropping it down).

Alan 

Why would one not drop the tank? I would want to service the system with deep cleaning and fresh pads.

Sure. Step #1. BE SURE to first unplug the PLSS. Regards, Norman.

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

Thanks, James. Have you considered a TV series about your cop clad cats?

Alan

I would encapsulate the entire tank with a heavy plastic contractor quality trash bag after unplugging the system and drop it all into 5 gallon bucket. Depending on the age of the system it maybe a good time to upgrade to the latest system rather than messing with trying to clean out the tank, changing pads etc. The mouse and other mice could have been nibbling on the wiring which creates a safety issue plus mice can spread disease and do real damage to the felt, strings action parts, anything wood or metal. I agree it is time to investigate further and to take measures to drive them out, plug entry and exit points. Peppermint oil soaked into cotton balls work well but there are other effective repellents such as chewing tobacco in cloth bags. I do not believe in using products that will poison the mice because they will often die in walls and other places giving off nasty odors. Poisoned mice are also a hazard for other pets. Cats are a great solution provided they are mousers, I have 2 that I have been thinking of renting out. They would have these little vests on like the K9 police dogs have and probably little body cameras with night vision ability. A small GPS would help in pin pointing problem areas. 

PS I do not think this is a DIY job

Bingo! Thanks for the most on-point suggestion thus far, David. (I was not even aware that such information was available...) I will pass it on.

Alan

The recommendations are clearly laid out in the 'New Humidity System Protocols', update released in 2016. Chapter 22 'Removing Smaller Rodents from the Tank' covers this under Section 4 'Single Tank Incidents'

If not a technician I would trust a farmer.

Larry,

The piano is over 100 miles away, and the client wants to address the issue themself without having the technician make the (expensive) trip out. The client is apprehensive about removing the tank--although I agree with your take on the situation and have yet to figure out how to "get the ship out of the bottle" (or get the mouse out of the tank without dropping it down).

Alan 

Why would one not drop the tank? I would want to service the system with deep cleaning and fresh pads.

Sure. Step #1. BE SURE to first unplug the PLSS. Regards, Norman.

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

Alan,

Is this (by chance) in a 2nd house that is visited NOT on a daily basis, and the piano NOT played on a daily basis?  Just wondering. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

Thanks, James. Have you considered a TV series about your cop clad cats?

Alan

I would encapsulate the entire tank with a heavy plastic contractor quality trash bag after unplugging the system and drop it all into 5 gallon bucket. Depending on the age of the system it maybe a good time to upgrade to the latest system rather than messing with trying to clean out the tank, changing pads etc. The mouse and other mice could have been nibbling on the wiring which creates a safety issue plus mice can spread disease and do real damage to the felt, strings action parts, anything wood or metal. I agree it is time to investigate further and to take measures to drive them out, plug entry and exit points. Peppermint oil soaked into cotton balls work well but there are other effective repellents such as chewing tobacco in cloth bags. I do not believe in using products that will poison the mice because they will often die in walls and other places giving off nasty odors. Poisoned mice are also a hazard for other pets. Cats are a great solution provided they are mousers, I have 2 that I have been thinking of renting out. They would have these little vests on like the K9 police dogs have and probably little body cameras with night vision ability. A small GPS would help in pin pointing problem areas. 

PS I do not think this is a DIY job

Bingo! Thanks for the most on-point suggestion thus far, David. (I was not even aware that such information was available...) I will pass it on.

Alan

The recommendations are clearly laid out in the 'New Humidity System Protocols', update released in 2016. Chapter 22 'Removing Smaller Rodents from the Tank' covers this under Section 4 'Single Tank Incidents'

If not a technician I would trust a farmer.

Larry,

The piano is over 100 miles away, and the client wants to address the issue themself without having the technician make the (expensive) trip out. The client is apprehensive about removing the tank--although I agree with your take on the situation and have yet to figure out how to "get the ship out of the bottle" (or get the mouse out of the tank without dropping it down).

Alan 

Why would one not drop the tank? I would want to service the system with deep cleaning and fresh pads.

Sure. Step #1. BE SURE to first unplug the PLSS. Regards, Norman.

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

Good question. Don't rightly know, Peter, but will endeavor to find out.

Alan

Alan,

Is this (by chance) in a 2nd house that is visited NOT on a daily basis, and the piano NOT played on a daily basis?  Just wondering. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

Thanks, James. Have you considered a TV series about your cop clad cats?

Alan

I would encapsulate the entire tank with a heavy plastic contractor quality trash bag after unplugging the system and drop it all into 5 gallon bucket. Depending on the age of the system it maybe a good time to upgrade to the latest system rather than messing with trying to clean out the tank, changing pads etc. The mouse and other mice could have been nibbling on the wiring which creates a safety issue plus mice can spread disease and do real damage to the felt, strings action parts, anything wood or metal. I agree it is time to investigate further and to take measures to drive them out, plug entry and exit points. Peppermint oil soaked into cotton balls work well but there are other effective repellents such as chewing tobacco in cloth bags. I do not believe in using products that will poison the mice because they will often die in walls and other places giving off nasty odors. Poisoned mice are also a hazard for other pets. Cats are a great solution provided they are mousers, I have 2 that I have been thinking of renting out. They would have these little vests on like the K9 police dogs have and probably little body cameras with night vision ability. A small GPS would help in pin pointing problem areas. 

PS I do not think this is a DIY job

Bingo! Thanks for the most on-point suggestion thus far, David. (I was not even aware that such information was available...) I will pass it on.

Alan

The recommendations are clearly laid out in the 'New Humidity System Protocols', update released in 2016. Chapter 22 'Removing Smaller Rodents from the Tank' covers this under Section 4 'Single Tank Incidents'

If not a technician I would trust a farmer.

Larry,

The piano is over 100 miles away, and the client wants to address the issue themself without having the technician make the (expensive) trip out. The client is apprehensive about removing the tank--although I agree with your take on the situation and have yet to figure out how to "get the ship out of the bottle" (or get the mouse out of the tank without dropping it down).

Alan 

Why would one not drop the tank? I would want to service the system with deep cleaning and fresh pads.

Sure. Step #1. BE SURE to first unplug the PLSS. Regards, Norman.

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

Since (as we know) the best mouse proofing is to play the piano daily as they will not inhabit a clanging noise box to raise their family in. But a quiet one is a wonderful place to do it.  Many piano owners are unaware of this factoid.

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

Good question. Don't rightly know, Peter, but will endeavor to find out.

Alan

Alan,

Is this (by chance) in a 2nd house that is visited NOT on a daily basis, and the piano NOT played on a daily basis?  Just wondering. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

Thanks, James. Have you considered a TV series about your cop clad cats?

Alan

I would encapsulate the entire tank with a heavy plastic contractor quality trash bag after unplugging the system and drop it all into 5 gallon bucket. Depending on the age of the system it maybe a good time to upgrade to the latest system rather than messing with trying to clean out the tank, changing pads etc. The mouse and other mice could have been nibbling on the wiring which creates a safety issue plus mice can spread disease and do real damage to the felt, strings action parts, anything wood or metal. I agree it is time to investigate further and to take measures to drive them out, plug entry and exit points. Peppermint oil soaked into cotton balls work well but there are other effective repellents such as chewing tobacco in cloth bags. I do not believe in using products that will poison the mice because they will often die in walls and other places giving off nasty odors. Poisoned mice are also a hazard for other pets. Cats are a great solution provided they are mousers, I have 2 that I have been thinking of renting out. They would have these little vests on like the K9 police dogs have and probably little body cameras with night vision ability. A small GPS would help in pin pointing problem areas. 

PS I do not think this is a DIY job

Bingo! Thanks for the most on-point suggestion thus far, David. (I was not even aware that such information was available...) I will pass it on.

Alan

The recommendations are clearly laid out in the 'New Humidity System Protocols', update released in 2016. Chapter 22 'Removing Smaller Rodents from the Tank' covers this under Section 4 'Single Tank Incidents'

If not a technician I would trust a farmer.

Larry,

The piano is over 100 miles away, and the client wants to address the issue themself without having the technician make the (expensive) trip out. The client is apprehensive about removing the tank--although I agree with your take on the situation and have yet to figure out how to "get the ship out of the bottle" (or get the mouse out of the tank without dropping it down).

Alan 

Why would one not drop the tank? I would want to service the system with deep cleaning and fresh pads.

Sure. Step #1. BE SURE to first unplug the PLSS. Regards, Norman.

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

Thanks, James. Have you considered a TV series about your cop clad cats?

Alan

I would encapsulate the entire tank with a heavy plastic contractor quality trash bag after unplugging the system and drop it all into 5 gallon bucket. Depending on the age of the system it maybe a good time to upgrade to the latest system rather than messing with trying to clean out the tank, changing pads etc. The mouse and other mice could have been nibbling on the wiring which creates a safety issue plus mice can spread disease and do real damage to the felt, strings action parts, anything wood or metal. I agree it is time to investigate further and to take measures to drive them out, plug entry and exit points. Peppermint oil soaked into cotton balls work well but there are other effective repellents such as chewing tobacco in cloth bags. I do not believe in using products that will poison the mice because they will often die in walls and other places giving off nasty odors. Poisoned mice are also a hazard for other pets. Cats are a great solution provided they are mousers, I have 2 that I have been thinking of renting out. They would have these little vests on like the K9 police dogs have and probably little body cameras with night vision ability. A small GPS would help in pin pointing problem areas. 

PS I do not think this is a DIY job

Bingo! Thanks for the most on-point suggestion thus far, David. (I was not even aware that such information was available...) I will pass it on.

Alan

The recommendations are clearly laid out in the 'New Humidity System Protocols', update released in 2016. Chapter 22 'Removing Smaller Rodents from the Tank' covers this under Section 4 'Single Tank Incidents'

If not a technician I would trust a farmer.

Larry,

The piano is over 100 miles away, and the client wants to address the issue themself without having the technician make the (expensive) trip out. The client is apprehensive about removing the tank--although I agree with your take on the situation and have yet to figure out how to "get the ship out of the bottle" (or get the mouse out of the tank without dropping it down).

Alan 

Why would one not drop the tank? I would want to service the system with deep cleaning and fresh pads.

Sure. Step #1. BE SURE to first unplug the PLSS. Regards, Norman.

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

The title would be Cats on Patrol . I read a story about 2 cats that patrol the grounds of a distillery and keep vermin from getting into grains and store rooms. They put little gps devices on them and some cameras and found that the cats followed a regular path all around the inside and outside of the building . Cats have a great sense of smell , great hearing and great eyesight . Their ability to hunt is amazing . I think with the right training they could be good at drug detection, tracking etc. 

The worst case of mice damage I had to deal with was a Petrof full upright way out in country. Mice had stored what looked like solid  dog food under all the keys and turned every hammer felt into cotton balls  I plugged the pedal openings with a copper steel wool product made for stopping rodents, put peppermint oil cotton balls on the floorboard and hung some tabacco filled pouchesi inside  the case bottom 

Thanks, James. Have you considered a TV series about your cop clad cats?

Alan

I would encapsulate the entire tank with a heavy plastic contractor quality trash bag after unplugging the system and drop it all into 5 gallon bucket. Depending on the age of the system it maybe a good time to upgrade to the latest system rather than messing with trying to clean out the tank, changing pads etc. The mouse and other mice could have been nibbling on the wiring which creates a safety issue plus mice can spread disease and do real damage to the felt, strings action parts, anything wood or metal. I agree it is time to investigate further and to take measures to drive them out, plug entry and exit points. Peppermint oil soaked into cotton balls work well but there are other effective repellents such as chewing tobacco in cloth bags. I do not believe in using products that will poison the mice because they will often die in walls and other places giving off nasty odors. Poisoned mice are also a hazard for other pets. Cats are a great solution provided they are mousers, I have 2 that I have been thinking of renting out. They would have these little vests on like the K9 police dogs have and probably little body cameras with night vision ability. A small GPS would help in pin pointing problem areas. 

PS I do not think this is a DIY job

Bingo! Thanks for the most on-point suggestion thus far, David. (I was not even aware that such information was available...) I will pass it on.

Alan

The recommendations are clearly laid out in the 'New Humidity System Protocols', update released in 2016. Chapter 22 'Removing Smaller Rodents from the Tank' covers this under Section 4 'Single Tank Incidents'

If not a technician I would trust a farmer.

Larry,

The piano is over 100 miles away, and the client wants to address the issue themself without having the technician make the (expensive) trip out. The client is apprehensive about removing the tank--although I agree with your take on the situation and have yet to figure out how to "get the ship out of the bottle" (or get the mouse out of the tank without dropping it down).

Alan 

Why would one not drop the tank? I would want to service the system with deep cleaning and fresh pads.

Sure. Step #1. BE SURE to first unplug the PLSS. Regards, Norman.

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

I had a couple of cases just like that. Wish I had video of it happening. One was comical, the other ended as a total disaster. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

The title would be Cats on Patrol . I read a story about 2 cats that patrol the grounds of a distillery and keep vermin from getting into grains and store rooms. They put little gps devices on them and some cameras and found that the cats followed a regular path all around the inside and outside of the building . Cats have a great sense of smell , great hearing and great eyesight . Their ability to hunt is amazing . I think with the right training they could be good at drug detection, tracking etc. 

The worst case of mice damage I had to deal with was a Petrof full upright way out in country. Mice had stored what looked like solid  dog food under all the keys and turned every hammer felt into cotton balls  I plugged the pedal openings with a copper steel wool product made for stopping rodents, put peppermint oil cotton balls on the floorboard and hung some tabacco filled pouchesi inside  the case bottom 

Thanks, James. Have you considered a TV series about your cop clad cats?

Alan

I would encapsulate the entire tank with a heavy plastic contractor quality trash bag after unplugging the system and drop it all into 5 gallon bucket. Depending on the age of the system it maybe a good time to upgrade to the latest system rather than messing with trying to clean out the tank, changing pads etc. The mouse and other mice could have been nibbling on the wiring which creates a safety issue plus mice can spread disease and do real damage to the felt, strings action parts, anything wood or metal. I agree it is time to investigate further and to take measures to drive them out, plug entry and exit points. Peppermint oil soaked into cotton balls work well but there are other effective repellents such as chewing tobacco in cloth bags. I do not believe in using products that will poison the mice because they will often die in walls and other places giving off nasty odors. Poisoned mice are also a hazard for other pets. Cats are a great solution provided they are mousers, I have 2 that I have been thinking of renting out. They would have these little vests on like the K9 police dogs have and probably little body cameras with night vision ability. A small GPS would help in pin pointing problem areas. 

PS I do not think this is a DIY job

Bingo! Thanks for the most on-point suggestion thus far, David. (I was not even aware that such information was available...) I will pass it on.

Alan

The recommendations are clearly laid out in the 'New Humidity System Protocols', update released in 2016. Chapter 22 'Removing Smaller Rodents from the Tank' covers this under Section 4 'Single Tank Incidents'

If not a technician I would trust a farmer.

Larry,

The piano is over 100 miles away, and the client wants to address the issue themself without having the technician make the (expensive) trip out. The client is apprehensive about removing the tank--although I agree with your take on the situation and have yet to figure out how to "get the ship out of the bottle" (or get the mouse out of the tank without dropping it down).

Alan 

Why would one not drop the tank? I would want to service the system with deep cleaning and fresh pads.

Sure. Step #1. BE SURE to first unplug the PLSS. Regards, Norman.

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

Greetings,

A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

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Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
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